Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-08-29
The Shelby Reunion

UNPRECEDENTED success. The number of peo-
pie present un the fair grounds WAS variously
st from 1000 TO q, 600. We took
pains to lind out how many were actually
present and put the question 10 dozens of
persons competent to Judge Of such matters,
and We believe there were about u 900 there
soldiers of the Federal or Confederate armies;
perhaps there were 1,200 Confederates. aud
2CO Federals. The crowd was orderly and
well behaved in every respect as any crowd
of its size that ever assembled in the state.
While there was no lack of intoxicants, there
were every few who showed any signs of
drunkenness.
Those that left Lexington on the special
train. filled six coaches till there was only
standing room, aud the regular morning train
was also crowded. Small delegations came
over from the north side of the river, when
large ones were expected, but Lexington
turned out in such numbers as to make up
for that deficiency. Everything in connection
with the special train was well-managed, the
baskets all being checked at the depot,
and there was somebody on hand to look after
everything. The G, A. r. and a few of our
citizens marched to the depot, with files
drums and flags, but the larger number went
u, they pleased, and did not wait for the pro-
cessiOn.
Thu town of Higginsville was overlooking
with people early in the morning, and it was
difficult to get about on the streets. Many OF
the stores and residences were beautifully
and Hastily decorated, and the day will long
be remembered by the citizens of that place
as a red-letter day in their calendar. The
procession began moving about ~ o'clock,
and when it reached the fair ground that
place was already more crowded than it had
ever been in its history. After forming the
soldiers into various commands, and trans
acting some few military duties, they broke
ranks and sought the speakers stand. The
Sixth Missouri Infantry, Z. S. A, was march
ed to the front of the stand, where the survl-
vOrs of that regiment were presented with
their war-wOrn battle-flag, one which they
had followed through almost the whole war.
Maj. f. A. Hickman, OF Independence, made
the presentation speech. which was received
with demonstrations of delight by the union
as we'll Us confederate soldiers.
The major concluded by reading the fol-
lowing letter.
ASHLAND, KY, August II, 1885.
MAJOR E. A. HICKMAN, Independence,
Mo .,-DEAR SIR.-"Yours of the 10th, inst,
just received, asking for the battle flag of the
sixth Missouri regiment Z. $. A., to be used
ut the reunion in Lafayette county on the 18th
Of the present month. 1t gives me pleasure
to comply with your request. 1 can we'll i'm
sgine the great desire the SURVIVORS feel to Zee
again the flag they fought SO calamity under
and their natural pride in showing to their
children a relic made sacred by its baptism
In the fire and smoke of battle. feel happy
in being instrumental in lis preservation.
Being requested by Col, Erwin TO embrOider
the name of VIM. Huff, ensign, upon 1t, I OBJ
tanned it for that purpose from Adjutant Har-
wood, and it was with ME during the
siege OF Vicksburg, at which time l was ia
vored with a guard furnished Thu the po-
likeness of Gen. Farrell, Of Burnside's corps.
JOSEPHINE CLAY.
Jas. Z. Payne, ESD, editor OF the Indepen-
dence Sentinel, received the flag, and made a
short speech, which was cheered to the echo.
The flag was then turned over to Mr.. Ben. HUFF
q farmer Of Cass county, who had previously
carried 1t through six successive battles. 1t was
impossible u geL u sy nopsls Uf either of these
speeches. TIL association had erected a re-
porter's stand near that for the speakers, but
there was neither chair nor table upon it, and
when the speaking began II crowd of people
got upon the stand and crushed it to the
ground. A dozen persons went down, among
whom was one reporter. The others had
foreseen the calamity, and retired to safer quar-
tiers, Nobody was hurt, which Was remarka-
BILE. After the presentation, Capt. j. D. Con-
nor dismissed the crowd for dinner.
Among the newspapers represented were
the st. Louis Republican, POST Dispatch and
Globe democrat. Col. J. L. child of Rich
mond Conservation, Mr.. Anderson of the Rich
mond Democrat, Mr.. C. l.. Ewing, of the Odes-
sa Democrat, Mr.. II. H. Luce, of the Higgins
vile Advance, Sam Keller and Henry BaSconl
the Lexington Register Maj. John N. Edwards
of the st. 10. Gazette, and Mr.. Williams, of
the Slater Rustler were present, and we have
no doubt others whom we did not know.
The Globe Democrat reporter took down in
short hand all he could see or hear.
There were several bands on the ground,
and the air was full of music. Everybody
was IN the best of humOr, and hand shakin Q
was so common that people frequently shook
hands with persons they had never seen be-
fore. Dinner was plentiful, and invitations
to dine were extended to every body. 1t was
q Lafayette county dinner that was eaten
which is equivalent to saying that it was q
good one.
About 1880 O'Clock the crowd again assem-
bled around the stand of the speakers, and
Capt. Conner introduced Mr.. A. j. Hall, Zone
Of Morgan's men, who spoke for about half
an hour. Mr.. Hall always makes thrilling
speeches on such occasions, but this effort
was the best he ever made in his life. 1t was
extemporaneous, and poured forth from an
overlooking heart. His speech closed with
three cheers for the old flag, which were given
with q will.
Capt. Conner next presented Col. j. r.
Child as the "Poet editor of Missouri Col.
Child said he had q poem to read, which had
been written by a gallant confederate soldier
while he himself had fought upon the othe,
side. 1t was rs follows:-
SHE by.
Mid the conflicts and battles of by-gone wears
A name with a story bright appears.
lis wreathed with purity. honor and fame,
Ana ON Its escutcheon no trace of shame
Fer dimmed its glory or quenched Its flame.
And he who bore it was bright of eye,
And swift of purpOse-as eagles that fly
In the blaze of the, sun when The day i:
Young
And his glorious name was On every tongue
As the songs OF The war with his praises rung
Aud his stainless banner swept on to the from
When danger was near and the battles fierce
brunt
Bore down-as the foe, like the waves of The
sea,
Came on with his war-cries bold, ringing anC
free,
And the bright sabers flashed in q sun-burs1
of glee.
And ever around him in danger and gloom,
There gathered the bravest, though facine
their doom;
BOhannon-Gates-E
The proud names of the land; tt stand there
or fall
To 60 where he led them, to ride at his call
OF course, il was Shelby why need | repeat
The story of glory OF battle-retreat-
Or advance when his troops, like an ava.
lanche sweep,
Or spring like a tiger, upon those who sleep,
There are widows who mourn, there are or
phans who weep.
But those brave days have flown; while The
world has grown old;
they are passing away, as II tale that is told
Yet before me to-day, as | gaze on your face
see there the pride and the honor whose
trace,
| NOT ti,na In nc d;nbt nor ,ba ,..,, .., H.