The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-08-20
THE ENCAMPMENT
OF the Confederate Veterans at
Wrightsville.

STEEDSVILLE, VANCE CO., n. o.,
August 10th, 1891.
EDITOR GOLD LEAF, Henderson, n. c.,
Dear Sir:-Sometime in the month
of June, l received from Mr.. John T.
Patrick, a circular from Adiutant-Gen-
eral Hail, and a letter from himself re-
questing me to report, if was able to
do SO, at Wrightsville Oh the Goth Of
July to 90 into camp for few days,
and as, by the blessing of our Heavenly
Father, my health and physical con-
dition were such that I felt perfectly
able to go, | procured the necessary
papers, and boarded the train at Mid
dleburg on the II. & G. railroad on the
afternoon of the 2Sth June, at one
o'clock. The run to Weldon was made
in about two hours, and at p. H., we
took the Wilmington train, arriving at
Wilmington at 10 p. m. Next morning
at 10 O'Clock we took the train to
Wrightsville, where we found Omni-
buses waiting to carry us to the camp.
From the moment of my arrival at the
camp was made to feel myself at
home, although 1 was personally a
stranger to nearly every one l met.
Mr.. Burton Ham, an old army COM
rade, got on the train at Ridgeway and
we travelled from that point together.
The camp is beautiful place, we'll
and comfortably arranged, and every
body seemed to try to make everybody
feel good and happy. From Mr.. Pat
rick and Col. Hall I received nothing
but the most friendly greetings every
time met them; in fact, it seemed to
me that l was at home, and that it
was the same with everybody else,
and every time | exchanged a word
with any man L got back a reply that
seemed to 60 down into the depths OF
my heart and find warm place there.
There was no GOODNESS of tone, no sour
ness, no Indifference; all was warm,
atfectionate, kind. If the old rebs had
any sour spots on their faces, the
Wrightsville water must have washed
| them off, for all went smoothly as a
marriage bell. If | was qualified to
write you an account of the whole at
fair would like to do so, but do not
feel competent to tell all. [ write you
this to make an expression of my indl-
vidual gratitude for the kindness eX-
| tended to me, an old Confederate pen
sioner, by every one l met Oh my trip.
| The officials on the railroads were gen.
| tlemen, the proprietors Of the hotels
gentlemen. and want to express my
thanks to them for their kindness and
| courtesy. On Friday the ladies of
Wilmington gave us a dinner at the
camp. OF the quality Of the dinner
| too much could not be said in praise,
| but l do not want to take off your val
liable space in prEising the dinner, but
please bear with me, while I try to say
something about those glorious women.
Mr.. Editor. as l stood in open rank
and looked at those glorious, noble
creatures glide through our ranks, L
felt some how as if 1 wanted to get my
old army gun and get in front OF them
| and fight some foe, either man or de-
| mon in their defence, and that for such
| as them it would be sweet to die, if by
diving one could add one moment OF
| happiness to their lives. / am afraid
to say anything about how pretty they
| looked, because Betsy may read this,
| but as Betsy cannot object to my pray
ing, will add to this prayer to God
that they may be as happy as they are
pretty, and that the Heavenly Father
may add to their joys as they so fully
did to the joys of the old soldiers at
Wrightsville.
I feel sure that all the old soldiers
will unite with me in returning thanks
to all WHO had anything to do with the
getting up and carrying out OF this en-
campment Of the ''boys.'' God bless
them all. Yours truly,
JAS. Fl. NUCKELs.