Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-09-12
The Petersburg Reunion.

iment, composed of volunteers from
Lincoln, Marshall and Moore coun-
ties, held its annual reunion at
Petersburg, Tenn, on the I'd and Sd
of September This regiment served
in the same brigade with the 10Th
regiment during the war. The MEM
bsrs of the 10th regiment, Col, Savage,
and other Confederates, were invited
to be present at the reunion. Col.
Savage and Mr.. j. G. Biles, of Nc
Minnville, accepted the invitation
and attended. They reached Peters
burg on the evening Of the I'd, and
were assigned quarters in Petersburg.
A considerable number of old vete-
rams organized a camp near town, land
rehearsed war times around camp
fires.
Col. Savage was serenaded Tues
day night, and called on for a speech.
He appeared and addressed the
crowd briefly. Mr.. j. G. Biles was
also called on. He said he owed his
life to Capt. Bryant, of the 9Th regis
ment, that he had been shot down
and left as dead, when Capt. Bryant,
a brave, strong man, seeing that he
was not dead, took him upon his
shoulder and carried him until he
found conveyance to the hospital.
The veterans organized the regi-
ment on the morning of the Sd, and
to strains of martial music marched
through Petersburg, led by Capt.
Hall and Col. Savage, mounted on
fine horses. From thence they march
ed to the camp, where seats and a
stand for the speakers had been ar
ranged. Speeches were made by
Capt. Tolley, Col. Savage and ex-
Gov. Marks, after which all were in
vited to partake of bountiful and
well prepared dinner. Is there a
soul so mean as to envy these old
men the pleasure they have in meet
ing and greeting each other, They
are not pensioners, but as citizens, in
usefulness, industry, manhood, truth
and honor, they stand above pension
ers.
We publish below the Introductory
speech of the Hon. II. B. Gill, of
Marshall county, in presenting Col.
Savage to the vast assembly:
Ladies, soldiers and fellow citizens:-
By the partially Of your commits
tee have been selected to present to
you the distinguished citizen, soldier
and statesman, the Hon. John H.
Savage, of Warren County. The de-
sires of your committee having been
made known to me but few hours
ago, leaves only the regret that a suf-
ficiency of time has not been extend
ed me in which to.prepare an address
more worthy of my subject on the
cause for which you have assembled.
In the presentation of this illustrious
old veteran, my countrymen, it mats
tiers but little in what sphere of life
you trace him, the same dignified
bearing, manly courage, and devol
ton to right shines forth as bright
beacon, guiding the destiny of his
people. Whether it be in the quiet
aud retired walks of an humble citi-
zen, where the test of manhood is
measured by the law of Glove thy
neighbour" whether it be in the halls
of Congress where the monster god
dess, "Plutocracy," spreads her zeal
Gus wing" or, whether upon the field
of battle where dry and parched
earth is wont to Stake her thirst in the
warm blood of patriotism, the name
of him whom l present to you today
will ever stand out in bold relief, as
friend to the people, as foe tC
monopoly, as hero in battle, q
stranger to demagoguery and land
mark of his country. And, although
the foot step that once quickened al
the sound of martial music is now
lettering and unsteady, although the
voice that once proclaimed glad ii
dings to the poor and relief to the OPP
pressed is now faltering, although
the eye once keen to discern the hes
interest of his people is now dimmed
although the form once proud aut
erect is now Bonded under the weigh
of more than three score and ter
years, the same courage that prompt
ed him, the same principles which
guided him, and the same reason
that guarded him, are as fresh today
and green as the bay trees on thu
waters Of life. l present to you to
day, my countrymen, a man, who
in every sphere of life has eve