The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-23
AN HISTORICAL SKETCH,
Containing Many Matters Relating to

on tne OccdSlOn OF lne annual meeting OF
the company, notice of which was made in
the MORNING News at the time The flag
was the third that has been presented to the
corps by the ladies of Liberty county. The
presentation took place at the parade ground
of the troop near Mcintosh station,
on which occasion an address was delivered
by ex-Captain w. A. Fleming. The address
is historical sketch of the corps, and full
of interesting facts connected with the
people of 'Old Liberty IL will be read
with interest by them and the thousands
who, either by birth or by descent, are
entitled to share in the glory and renown of
a county which has been noted from its
foundation for its distinguished men and its
women:
1t is with great reluctance that l appear be-
fore you to-day in this capacity. NV first i'm
pulse was TO decline this honor; for the time,
the occasion, calls for more eloquent tongue
than mine to express those thoughts which
revel in a glorious past and bright future In
all ages, and in every cline, poets and states
men have pictured in glowing colors the patriots
deeds; and cold must,be the heart and dead the
soul that feels no emotional pride in their coun-
try's history. This occasion carries us back to
times when, from baptism of blood, was
raised the best government the world has ever
known-equal rights, equal laws, and free
religion-the necessity of mankind. At that
period and soon after the elimination
of our purposes and the success OF our arms,
the necessities of the times rendered a more
perfect organization of our militia necessary for
our defense as a people. And from this exigency
arose the character and model OF your company.
To fix in your minds your inception and birth |
Sill refer to the written records of Rev. DR.. G.
Jones, than whom more godlike, noble patriot
never lived. AT the earnest request of your COM
mand in 1856 he said: Against the principles of
his calling he consented for the good of man
kind and the honor of your company to place
upon record your BIRTH" As the only living
one of that committee that waited upon
him on that occasion | Will say that we
placed in his hands all the books and papers
we could find, though we knew some of them
had been lost. With this data furnished him he
stated "he was not able to discover the exact
date of the organization of the troop; that we
may fix the date in 1891 or 1892; but the Chat
ham Artillery is the Oldest volunteer corps in
the state, aud the Oldest cavalry corps in the
state is the Liberty Troop"
Col William Maxwell and my father, Capt
Peter W. Fleming, had been on the committee
that drafted the design Of your medal, twenty
six years before, and they were confident that
they were not in error, Therefore, your medal
remains as originally designed. 1856.
Fixing that date, we take from DR.. Jones
records the names of your captains in success
sion down to the present time.
The first commander was Ferdinand O'Neil,
q survivor of the revolution. The second
commander was Simon Fraser. also a survivor
of the revolution. The third commander was
John Bohun Girardeau. In 1898, and during HIS
service, the rules and regulations Of the com
pany were revised, and the name Liberty hide
pendent Troop adopted, by which name it has
been since known. The fourth commander was
Samuel Spry Law, afterwards Maj. Law. In
1901, and during his captaincy, the substance of
the first eighteen articles of your present
constitution was adopted, and again revised
IN 1872 as they are at the present time.
The fifth commander was Joseph Jones,
lS12, and he led the troop TO Darien during the
last English war. The sixth commander was
Col William Maxwell in 1915. The seventh
commander was William W. Baker, in 1917. The
eight commander was Capt William Maxwell,
reelected in 1897. The ninth commander was
Joseph Law, in 1882. The tenth commander
was Peter VIM Fleming, in 1888 The eleventh
commander was David Anderson, in 1887, after
wards Maj. Anderson. The twelfth commander
bacon. The thirteenth commander was Abial
mander was Cyrus s. Malisrd, in iSa5.
The fifteenth commander was Capt Peter Vim
Is due his memory, though modestyi must for
bid eulogistic praise. Born on the list OF May,
1907, when scarcely Is years of age he became
member of your company,and from that period
he was identified with all that would advance
your interests. Accepting your profered COM
lnand for the second time In 1850, he continued
his active efforts to promote your success until
1859, when, feeling the infrmities of age, he re-
signed your captaincy, but not his membership,
as he afterward paraded in your ranks. In 1884
by resolution Of your company, this, your an
nual meeting in May, has been declared "a
memorial service in honor Of the birth of Peter
VIM Fleming. The monumental shaft, the
Parian marble the proud sarcophagus, per-
petuate in silent but visible lines the virtues of
the dead; but this testimonial, where heart
meets heart in loving remembrance of the de-
parted, is more akin to that sacred rite of the
christian, that distinguishes him above all man
kind. We who have within our veins the same
blood coursing, thank you; yes, thousand
thanks for this distinguishing honor. May his
- ~, d., ffnaN ~fnNK,
your success as a company, and the name
Fleming ever be present" at your roll call
The sixteenth commander was Capt. Ablal
VIM, reelected in 1859; and the seventeenth
the ''wer" commanders of your, company.
One has passed into the great
Beyond" peace to his ashes:" the other
still alive, but cripple for life. Two more gal-
liant calvarymen never drew blade or mounted
a steed. The eighteenth commander was Will
lam A. Fleming elected at the reorganization
OF your company IN 1872 after the war Oh the
states, unjustly called the Rebellion" The
nineteenth commander was X. L. Miller, elected
in 1884, now promoted lieutenant colonel of
your regiment; the First Georgia cavalry. The
twentieth commander is Josiah l.. Fleming,
elected the present year, 1890.
We have only mentioned your commanders, the
heads of your company but your ranks were the
bone and snew of the body, being composed
always of the elite of this community, thereby
giving your organization that character 1t has
ment we come now to the present time, where
we find your record pure, bright, prosperous
and hopeful for the future. You have lived
through two wars, and your honor is unfair
nished. In all your vicsstudes, whether in
peace or in war, your mothers, your wives and
your sisters have been your strong supporters
and fast friends, contributing of their means to
your necessities. and encouraging by their pres
ence at your public meetings, and grazing your
tables with the sweetest viands. Much of
the success accorded you by a gener-
Gus public in your recent centennial
celebration, is due them. They have lent
helping hand in fitting you with the bright and
beautiful uniform you now wear. The grounds
you occupy is gift from them far back in the
past; and further back in that past in 1929, they
upon record how handsomely they supplied the
want. In 1912 another set adorned the same
staff, and again in 1860, which set followed you
through the late war and to your homes, tat
tered and torn. but not dishonored.
Apropos to this occasion will say that your |
company, even when merged into regiment
the Fifth Georgia Cavalry-during the late war
was not forgotten by them; for they sent by a
committee from their own body set of regi- |
mental colors, which. after being presented. |
were placed In the safe keeping of q sergeant |
and color guard from your .rapks. That ser |
geant nobly bore the trust, for it is recorded |
that in an advance upon the enemy the regt- |
ment were dismounted, and being surrounded |
by overwhelming numbers, and while shot and |
Shell were falling thick and fast, he handed |
them to the guard, who had mounted riderless |
horse from the enemy's ranks, and by him |
were bornein safety to his retreating regiment |
| allude to Sergt. Rupell Walthour and to |
Private m O, Fleming. Tne one fills soldiers |