Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-03-22
REUNION OF lex ooNFEDERATEs.

sT.CLAIR LIvELY-A ROYAL BANQUET.
The parlors and corridors of the
st. Clair Hotel presented quite q
lively scene on the afternoon of
Thursday last, there being assembled
within its historic halls all, or near
ly all. the remnant of Company b.
First Va. Cavalry, Confederate
army. Though separated for nearly
quarter of century, in the pardona-
able elation at again grasping the
hands of each other as comrades, did
not leave behind them the remem-
brance of those generous, gentleman.
ly instincts which characterize the
life of every true soldier, nor by
word or deed did they compromise
Chat self respect of WHICH the peo-
pie of our county SO Justly boast;
they made no demonstrations that
could tend to wound the tenderest
sensibilities, nor gave the slightest
provocation for partizan criticism.
The harmony and general good feel
ing which prevailed throughout the
gathering, together with the open
handed hospitality shown to all u.s.
ftors, proves to us quite clearly that
sold rebels" are not always so bad
IS they are made out to be; on the
contrary, if this be a fair sample,
we are decidedly of opinion that
they are about as clever set Of fell
lows as one would care to meet.
Company B. LIST Va. Cav, was
organized by Hon. Jno. Blair Hoge,
Dec. %, 1859, with an enrolment of
between go and 10 members. Mr..
Hoge was elected captain, and led
them into the first battle of Manas-
sas, their first active engagement.
Shortly after this battle, Capt. Hoge
resigned the command, and Mr..
Kirk Hammond was elected in his
stead. Hammond continued as their
leader until his death, May 4, 1864,
at the battle of the Yellow Tavern,
near Richmond, Va. 1t was in this
same engagement that Maj. Gen. j.
e. B. Stewart was killed. Upon
Capt Hammond's death j. n Cum
ningham was placed in charge Of the
company until it's reorganization,
when he was chosen captain, with
VIM. L. Noll and Bob Stewart as
his first and second lieutenants, re-
spectively Company B. was COM
monty known as one Of the "erack"
companies Of the First Va. Regiment
then under the command of Col. w.
A. Morgan, of Morgan's Grove, w.
Va, and was considered "unsafe to
tamper with" The official record
discloses the somewhat remarkable
fact that nearly every man of this
company was either rounded or EiH-
ed.
The scene in the Hotel "lobby" did
not lack animation. Each arrival
elected cordial, heartfelt welcome.
The entrance of their venerable chap
lain, Rev. John Landstreet, marked
one of the most notable features of
the day; the confusion of voices SUBJ
dued until each member present had
testified his love and respect for their
chaplain, by hearty, old-fashioned
shake Of his hand and an earnest
God bless you" from his quivering
lips. Wit, humor, and repartee was
the order of the entertainment, until
the clear, ringing tones of Lieut.. Noll
was heard above the din calling,
"conae on, boys, and get your rations."
The "boys" entering into the spirit
of the occasion, needed no second
invitation they knew what "ratlOns"
meant, and joyfully filed into the
spacious dining room where was
spread "feast fit for the gods" IT'S
true it was served on a slightly ~
grander scale then they were accus-
toned to witness at s"mess" twenty
five years ago, but this reflection
produced no visible effect upon their
appetites, nor in the least, judging
from appearances, embarrassed the
freedom of their movements they
were just the same jolly, happy-go-
lucky, hungry fellows as yore, and
right royalty did they store away
Bro. Ramer's "good cheer" And
well they might; there was everything
heart could wish. "Boys, what would
you have said of "meal like this
when last we messed together ?
"Well," came the reply, "I'd take it
for my three days rations,' "and do
as / always used to do, eat al all at
once "and trust to Providence to get
more.'
Capt. w. b. Colston made short
address, Immediately before dinner,
in the course of which he took .occa-
sion to read the official record of
Company b. appropriately termed,
"The Roll of HONOR
Capt. j. N. Cunningham occupied
the seat of honor, the head OF the
-