Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1888-05-12
HISTORY SET RIGHT.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE BAT.
TIE OF GU1LFoRD.
North Carolina Vnlor Tried and Found to
Have Been of Sterling Material
Governor Scales Speech.

Greensboro and Guilford county will
never forget the Guilford battle ground
celebration event. Thousands of Deople
poured into this lovely little city, and at
earliest dawn fresh thongs arrived. Not
only did they pour into Greensboro on
trains and all sorts of conveyances, but
they rendezvoused also at the battle
ground six miles away, so that it looked
like scene of encampment.
/ Considerable rain fell the night pre-
vious. which was alike welcome to farm
ers and excursionists. The morning air
was cool and fresh. Governor Scales
and State officers were recipients of many
courtesies. The morning trains were so
crowded that exercises at the battle
ground were greatly delayed. Governor
Scales and State officers did not leave for
the battle ground until noon, and on the
arrival of the train it was found that
thousands of persons had assembled and
were patiently waiting.
The procession was formed by the
| chief marshal, John A. Barringer, and
marched from the battle ground to the
speakers stand, four hundred yards
away. The procession was composed of
Governor A. M. Scales, Treasurer D. w.
Balm and W. P. Roberts, Superintendent
of Public Instruction S. NJ. Finger, clerk
of Supreme Court T. S. Keenan,, and
and Quartermaster General F. A. Olds,
band, Colonel James D. Glenn, com
manding Third Regiment and companies
of that regiment from Winston; Captain
W. T. Gray, from Greensboro; Captain
P. P. Gray, from Durham; Captain E. J.
Parrish, of Reidsville; Captains A. ].
Ellington and S. II. Boyd, Danville.
Captain A. L. Duncan paraded with reg
iment.
On arrival at the speakers stand,
which is pretty structure on a COM
manding point, exercises began. Just at
1 o'clock the scene was inspiring. Thous-
ands of people filled the spacious groves
and gently undulating fields. National
colors f1uttered everywhere, and an air of
patriotism was especially noticeable. 1t
was estimated at this hour that fully
10000 persons were on the grounds.
There were many prominent men on
the stand besides the State officers men
toned, among them being Judge Settle,
of the Supreme Court of Florida; Colonel
Julius A. Gray, president Cape Fear and
Yadkin Valley Railroad; Secretary of
State w. l.. Saunders; Colonel A. B.
Andrews, third vice-president of the
Richmond and Danville Railway; Judge
John A. Gilmer, Judge r. P. Dick and
other Federal officials.
Rev. J. E. Mann, of Greensboro, Of
fered the opening prayer. 1t was of
tbankfulness for American liberty, which
the battle of Guilford Courthouse secured
to colonists and an appeal for continua-
ton of fraternal feeling, liberty and
good government.
Here the band played "Star Spangled
Banner" after which Chief Marshal John
A. Barringer welcomed the visitors in
behalf of Guilford county, and intro
duced Hon. David Schenck, of Green's
boro, president of Guilford Battle
Gronnd Association, as historian of the
battle and orator of the day. Judge
Schenck's address occupied two and
half hours in delivery, and was in all re-
spects mastery production. He graph
ically and in language of rare vigor and
grace sketched the attempts of the Brit
ish to subjagate the South, of the virtual
enthrallment of South Carolina, and Of
the determined resistance in North Caro-
lima, which eliminated at the battle of
Guilford Courthouse, when CORVALLIS
received blow from which he never re-
covered, and which insured American
success in that protracted war. Judge
Schenck's speech was defense of the
North Carolina militia, which had gone
into history as guilty of gross cowardice
in that battle He proved by perfect
chain of evidence that General Greene
ordered the militia to fire volleys and re-
tire. and they carried cut their instruc-
tions to the letter. He fully carried out
his avowed purpose to give such an az
count of the fight as would show that
Ncrth Carolinians should thrill with
pride at future mention of it. He de-
clared that the histories of Lee and
Johnston, upon which the idea of the
bottle has been formed, had done North
Carolina gross injustice. Judge Schenck's
long address was heard with unabated
interest, and the applause was fire.
quent.
At its conclusion Governor Scales
spoke with marked enthusiasm. He de-
clared that history had today been vim
dicated. and that in the name of the
State Of North Carolina he desired to
thank Judge Scbenck, the man who has
at last set matters right He asserted
that Judge Schenck had literally made
history, and wiped out long standing
stigma upon North Carolina. The Gov
ernor went on to speak Of North Carolina
patriotism then, and Of the true devotion
Of her people TO the Union now. He be-
spoke their undying affection for it. This
terminated the exercises.
Lunch was served TO all the visitors
Governor Scales reviewed the troops,
which made particularly handsome APP
pearance. The day was in all respects
perfect and unmarried by any accident.