The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1889-05-17
OLD VETERANS.
Annual Reunion of Old Veterans who
Have Participated in Two Wars.

On Monday, May 18th, the an
nual reunion Of Gen. Rufus P.
Neely's command was held at his
Office in Bolivar. The following
gentlemen were present: Gen. Il.
P. Neely, aged 80; William Por-
ter, aged Il; William F, Roberts,
aged II; james Mills, aged Is;
Joseph league, aged 70. Wylie
Fort and Capt. Thomas G. Jones,
honorary members were also pres
ent. The following members of the
command were absent on account
Of i'll health; Col Jesse s. Harris,
Washington, D. c., Col. r. d.
Casey, Mountain Home, Ark; DIR.
r. A. Westbrook, Moseley, Texas;
VIM. R. Pipkin, Waco, Texas, and
ISAIAH Macon, Texas.
These are all that remain living
out Of 1O4 original members. The
usual business of the meeting was
transacted, after which the old sol
diers retired to the Acton House,
where an elegant dinner was served.
Pleasant "reminiscences and inter-
esting incidents we're related by the
sold boys" and happy day was
spent. Long years ago, when this
command was in its prime, Gen.
| Winfield Scott said it was the finest
looking body OF men he ever laid
eyes upon. Below we give a short
history of this company:
The command was organized in
the spring Of 1886 upon a requisi-
ton from Gen. Games to Gov. Cam
non, of Tennessee for troops to go
to the assistance of Gen. Houston,
in Texas. Santa Anna was then
driving the Texan troops from ali
their positions and was devasta ting
the country: Gen. Nicely was at
that time Brigadier General of the
Tennessee Militia. Immediately
he organized command Of 1O4 vol
unteers to 90 to the assistance OF
Gen. Houston. Just as the COM
pany was ready TO start, news came
of The defeat Of Santa Anna, and
the gallant company was notified
that its service would not be need
ed in the war for the independence
| of Texas. They did not disband,
however, and shortly afterwards
/ twenty companies were called for
to reinforce Gen. Games in the war
against the Seminoles in Florida.
! Futy-three compa MES rendered
their services, rhirly-three bein =
ba loted out, Gen. NeeIY's troops
being among the discarded. Shortly
+ afterwards Gen. Scott made call ion
+ volunteers to assist in removing the
, Cnerokoea and Creeks from Geor
Ola, Carolina and Tennessee TO thei
y reservations west of the Mississippi
On the 9th day Of May, 1888
, under the cali for volunteers, tn,
command, consisting Of 104 mem
j, bers, was regularly enlisted an,
mustered into service, remaining
under marching orders until til
: Indians had been safely removed +
their reservations, taking an actiY
part in their removal.
At roll call fifty one years ago
1O4 men answered to their names a
y they left what Is now Bolivar t
u" rendezvous at Fort Caas, aboy
'' where Chattanooga now stands. q
y that number, only five answered t
roll call last Monday. There a.
10 three old members OF this compan
% now living who took part in Il
civil war between the states-GeI
}, Nicely, Col. Casey and Mr.. JOSEF
: league.
~ tits a very affecting scene to W
ness these old veterans togethc
" They realize that their race is nea
81 ly run, and that the cold hand
death will soon claim them as
o. victim. Fifty years ago they off
70 ed their lives upon the altar Of tn
" country, aud again when northe
'S' foe invaded our soil they fac
" death and fought for their rigI
and liberties.