The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-08-28
A GALA DAY,
The Re-Union of the Old 18th MIssissinn
Regiment.

The Re-union of the Old 18th Mississippj
Regiment.
Pursuant to call Of Col. Jas r
Binford, commander of the ''OId 18th
Mississippi" Regiment, G. 8. A..
many of the old veterans met here on
last Friday to celebrate their frst re-
union. Many of the members pres
ent on this occasionhad not seen their
fellOw-soldiers for over twenty-ope
years. Men who stood shoulder to
shoulder in the fierceSt conflicts. .slerJ
under the same blanket, with 10 9th
er covering save the blue canopy OF
heaven, which was frequently under
laid by dark and dreary rain-clouds
as they hung heavily and solemnly
over head, sometimes giving way to
sheets of water, ice and snow, inter
spersed with the bIeakest winds; men
brothers in one common cause
who ate peas from the same pot, and
drank water from the same tin cup;
men who walked side by side over the
dead bodies of friends and foes, after
separating and going to their respect
i've fire-sides, when the conflict was
over, met here again as brothers in
peace, on last Friday. Indeed it was
a big day. And never was there such
shaking and exchanging of show
and where have you been and what
have you been doing"' in the history
of this little city. The most touching
incident of the day was the meeting
of two of the veterans of the regiment
perhaps the Oldest members-they
had not seen each other since they
We're hauled Off the battle field in the
same ambu, u,ace-bOth badly wound
ed. They separated amid the gloomy
darkness Of dispair, and met again
under the most serenely bright sky
that ever smiled upon any scene.
Veteran soldiers in sweet simplicity
were but children once again. Sill
yer hairs mingled with the dark We're
brushed back from over the steel grey
eyes, and childish tears trickled down
the tlme-wrinkled cheeks of the stall
wa"t soldiers, as they stood clasped
in the warm embrace Of each others
strong arms, and ahectionate love
seemed to gush forth from their tear
dmmed eyes. The scene would have
touched the heart of the strongest
man. Col. BinfOrd, their old com.
munder was Zone Of the boys" on this
occasion, until the command "faIl in
was given, and then he was the same
stern commander as in times of war
and the Regiment observed the same
militry discipline, and executed
Hardee's "fours right-abOut hault.'
and 'tile right just as accurately as
though they were about to march
upon the field of battle.
Gov. Lowry arrived Thursday
night, and was met at the depot by
the Winona Rifles, HartwellS brass
band and many citizens, and was en-
tertained at the spacious mansion Of
Maj. Frank Hawkins, the price Of en-
tertainers. Senator f. c. Walthall
arrived Friday at noon and was met
by the 18th Mississippi Regiment, the
Winona Rifles, HartWell's brass band
and many citizens, and escorted to
the law office of Sweatman, Trotter x
TrOtter, in the shades Of the court
yard. Gov. Lowry being compelled
to leave for Jackson addressed the
Regiment and the people in a short
appropriate speech, and paid the Ri
fles very pretty compliment, and
told the people why he favored the
organization of the State Militia, and
it was not that he anticipated wal Ell
ther. The Goveror met many warm
friends while here, all of whom eX-
pressed regrets that he was compell-
ed to leave ere the days enjoyment
was over.
Both the soldiery and citizens adj
iourned for dinner and at . O'Clock in
the afternoon, re-assembled in the
court yard, where the evening eXer-
cises were begun by one of the most
suhlimely eloquent aud beautiful!
welcome addressed by our fellow
townsman Dr. B. F. Ward, that ever
rung through the tops Of those trees,
or echoed against the walls of Mont
gomery's seat of justice. Senator
Walthall followed him in a mastery
and grand speech, which would be an
ornament to any newspaper columns,
but our'limited space forbds its re-
production here. He dwelt upon war
incidents, some Of which seemed to
be as fresh in his memory as though |
they had only happened yesterday.
The General though just out Of the
Senate Chamber where he had ended |
a session of hard labor, seemed quite
himself, and was full of vigOr. yet |
tracable marks of the want Of rest |
could be seen on his brow. He eX-
planned that no other occasion could |
have drawn him here just at this
time when he needed rest 80 much,
save the one he had come to partici-
pate in. DR.. Gage of Grenada one Of |