The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-16
OUR BOYS IN THE TENTS.
THE REGIMENT ARRIVES WEARY
AND TWO HOURS LATE.

AND TWO HOURS LATE.
The Delay Caused by the Breaking
Down of the Engine-A Thousand
People Cheer the Soldiers on their
Arrival-Capt Flannerv as Spry as
the Youngest.
CHICKAMAUGA, GA, June 15-The First
Georgia regiment, composed of Savannah
men, arrived here tonight at o'clock.
Hundreds of people met the train, and,
waving their handkerchiefs and clapping
their hands, bade the soldiers alight to re-
ceive the most royal welcome ever given
them. The appearance Of SO many soldiers
seemed to thrill the honest civilians of these
red hills, and the old battlefield is In glori-
Gus frame Of mind tonight. Not since the
days when Gen. Bragg fought Gen. Rose-
Grams and these hills were red with blood
has renowned Chickamauga CLEANED with
so much steel. A thousand cheers went up
for Savannah this evening. and these peo-
pie are nearer to her than they have ever
been before. She has opened their eyes and
everybody feels proud Of her.
THE TRAIN BELATED.
The special train bearing the regiment
was delayed over two hours, owing to the
breaking down of the engine, and finally
after reaching Holland. fifty miles from
here, the mail train engine had to bring the
special train in. The soldiers were very
much fatigued when they arrived, The
Dublin Light Infantry dismounted, and,
with their guns, proceeded up the road to
the grounds. The other companies were
drawn up in line in front of the hotel, and
Tol all bnA 20 he
COL Mercer received them. He expressed
himself as being glad that they had at last
arrived, but regretted that they were so fa-
tigued. He told them he had not instructed
them yet, but from his experience with
them year ago he believed they knew
their duty, and he felt that they would
do it.
TURNED OVER TO COL. REILLY.
He then turned them over to Col. Reilly,
who dismissed them, and they went TO their
tents, some Of them as hungry as wolves.
I'VE had enough" said Capt. Brooks,
"for two days if we had broken down on
the way"
Capt Flannery stood the trip first-rate.
He marched his men up to the camp as
quickly as the youngest officer, aud he said
tonight that he expects to go into camp as
the others do.
1t is raining here now, but the clouds are
condition tomorrow. The camp will be
formally opened at noon. The great flag
will unfurl its folds 100 feet over the
soldiers heads
The band will play and'the men will stand
and proudly salute the ensign of their
country. After that it will be work indeed
in earnest. Everything will be in ship
shape. and the mon will be ready to meet
what comes. The battalion has not arrived
yet They will not reach here before mid
night. This is embarrassing to the officers,
but the soldiers will be refreshed by mora
ing to do all duty.
A PICTURESQUE SPOT.
Beyond a question Chickamauga is the
most picturesque spot in Georgia. Il is
situated on high hills, clothed in waving
woods, through which dash the prettiest
rivers and rivulets in the world The his
tory of the old battlefield is familiar to
every Georgian. 1t was bloodier. possibly,
than any other two battles fought. The
government has purchased 1850 acres of
land upon the very spot where these soldiers
fell, and a national park will be erected.
Already $1,000 has been appropria ed by
the government for that purpose, and each
state which lost men here will erect
in IT. daaG sne PAR PARK oora 9s2r,nrT to
prising double this number of acres nearly,
was formerly owned by the late Mr.. Lee.
He came tn this country with the Indians,
and settling up here lived among them. He
built the famous Lee q Gordon mills,
which are here now, and during the war
furnished both federal and confederate
with flour and other things to eat. He was
planter also, and raised an immense
amount of wheat. Some years ago he con-
tracted cold which turned into pneumonia,
Of which he died. His property fell into
the hands OF his son, Gordon Lee, who is
now managing the little town.
BIG SUPPLY OF COAL.
Five thousand two hundred acres have
been set apart upon which to build town.
A railrosd is being constructed from here
to Lookout Mountain, distance of II miles.
The road will run right up the side of Look
out. 1t touches the great coal beds OF $500
acres which are one of the most promising
signs of Chickamauga's future. It Is said
that there is coal enough in this bed to sup
ply Georgia 200 years. A thousand coke
ovens will be put up just across the lake
from Chickamauga, and another railroad
line will be run into Chattanooga. This is
part of the improvements which have been
made here during the last year. The his
tory of the prime mover in these affairs is
interesting.
1t is Gordon Lee He is an unmarried
man, without beard on his face. He was
reared right here in these mountains and.
with the exception of a few years in Chat
tanooga, he has lived here. He was a
farmer boy. and plowed many day In his
father's wheat fields. When the property
was left at the fathers death young Mr..
Lee became ambitious to develop it. The
most beautiful spring in the world rises up
In the heart of the town, and, pouring out
millions of gallons Of crystal water, forms
lake two miles long. which cannot
be surpassed in its beauty. The
coal beds of the Lookout and the
excellent advantages for manufacturing
presented here were q uarantee, and
the young man forged ahead. Two years
ago he gave barbecue at his home to the
blue and the gray, and 1900 people were
led. They were federals and confederates.
The tables were arranged so that everybody
might eat at ogce. The dinner cost IS, 600
The next year the national park was voted
here, and the government backed it up with
liberal Appropriation. The wheel is roll
Ing now and there is no telling to what
night Chickamauga will rise.
Chickamauga spring and lake, with its
magnificent boulevard paralleling it on
either side nearly two miles, the sPlend i'd
granite roads. and the yachting on the lake
make the place attractive to all South
Georgia people. Lookout Is but five miles
away and is easily accessible.
SITE OF THE CAMP.
Camp Chickamaugua is located on hill
SIDE overlooking beautiful and spacious