The state chronicle., 1892-10-08
AFTER THIRTY-ONE YEARS
CAPTURED FLAG OF co. I. 9th n.
c. REGIMENT. TOICHINGLA
RECEIVED.

RECEIVED.
over Three Thousand Persons Present
10 Hear the Last Roll Call of the
Brave Old Company.
One of the most pleasant, grand and
successful company reunions of C0nfed-
crate veterans ever held in the State oc
Cured at Cedar Fork church on yester
day. The occasion was the return of the
war flag of Co. |. 9th n. c. Regiment to
its original command bV Col Higgins, of |
Ohio, who has had it in possession since
1862
At an early hour yesterday morning
the great crowd began to assemble at the
church where the exercises were to occur
ald by 70 O'Clock there was vast con-
course of people numbering over 5000
persons. At least 500 ladies were present
and over 200 veterans were on hand wear
ing badges. Many persons came from
twenty to twenty five miles to attend the
occasion.
The flag was rendered by Col. Higgins
in neat and most appropriate address.
Mrs. Fannie Lyon Lowe, who is the
sole survivor of the committee of la
dies who made and presented the flag
to the company thirty one years ago
vas present
Ma r W. York then gave full and
most excellent historical sketch of the
company from its organization to its sur
:, render at Appomattox. The colors were
! received from Mrs Lowe by 1t. DeGun-
! ter for the company.
ba 4
ing call of the company role for the last
time. by Sgt. G. L Williams, AS the
call proceeded almost every eye glistened
:. with tears, as one after one of the origi-
nal members was announced dead 10y
some friend. The company numbered
120 members originally, and thirty one
answered "here" at the last roll-call on
yesterday From recruits received dur
ing the war its roles contained 252 men,
ii and Xty seven We're reported yet alive.
, After the roll call there was an inter
\ mission and pic mic, and every veteran
was + asted ~ st sumptuously at a spe-
~ cial table.
j After dinner the people again assem-
bled at the stand and the beloved flag
~ was rendered to the State by Mai York
;, to be placed in the State library at Raj
{, eigh. The Governor beiHg unable to be
~ present in person, had appointed Col. f
~ G. iarrell, Qnartermastcr General, to
- receive the colorS in behalf Of the State
II Col. Harrell accepted the flag in the
! following words
at LadieS and Gentlemen. aud Surgirors o.
J., the North Croljaa Groys
Our esteemed COMMANDMENTS chief
N ~
regret, by reason of engagements pre-
vlously made, denied the pleasure of re
ceivlng this flag in person, he has, b,
Y special appointment permitted me t.
IS have the great honor Of representing hin
on this occasion. With peculiar pleas
ure, though with very great reluctance
fully realizing my weakness, [ enter upon
the discharge of this high duty, Sucl
!, scenes as this are rare in our country
= The occasion which brings together tn
= survivors of a brave company of Souther
soldiers. with their friends. to receiv
~ their honored flag the second time-frst
: from the fair hands Of loving ones VIII
em ~ made 1t, and now from a friend, VIII
a. was once deadly enemy in that grea
n civil struggle. Such occasions are trul
full OF tenderest interest to Us, recallin
ny memories which, though exceedingl
. sad, are exceedingly tender As [ loo
upon this Old flag, an emblem of a los
cause, and receive it now from eur frien
who now returns It to its original con
mand, my heart swels with emotion
which almost choke the words that
: could speak. At the roll call. whe
that flag was presented SO proudly an
lovingly in 1861, l20 brave boys answe
,ss. ed. and at the roll cal to- day, thirt
years later. the voices of only 81 men
bers Of company l. 9th regiment, respon
here" Many Of the fair hands of wives
mothers sisters and friends VIII
wrought this flag have lon
lds since mouldertd into dust, an
many Of those brave boys who proud
followed It entered into their last slee
upon the battle fields of that terrib
led war. Some Of the members Of the con
lan pany who escaped the deadly bullet
do Uattle have peacefully passed away sint
and the struggle, aad out sixty seven a
and living to day and only thirCy one a
ere here with us. l. it strauge then that 3
5. occasion like this should be of exceedir
great interest 5 US? This torn and ia
the tered flag stands before us as I. soita
age sentinel Of that silent city Of the dea
-esh keeping lone watch over some gray
I which are to be forever unknown t. mo
tai beings of men y ho fell amid Il
,p> binding smoke of battle and who We
uid hastily buried under the muzzlts If t
d's. muskets upon both sides which we
ready again to begin the struggle q
that this old flag could speak TO us
ing day and give up these secrets Of ctcrnit
~. there
,out Confederate flag, some bright though
ms Of the present and the future in 0
| on minds to day As that first beautii
inc. bow IN the clouds brought the MESA
dis from God that no more was the world
be destroyed by flood, so this old fl
r. of the South is to be "a continual REM
der to us that never again will the ha
ers. Of any man in this great American |
but pubHc be lifted up IN war, save Tor {
,fers more effective establishment and perp
uation of this grand union of the who
that never more is the mighty and ml
cut. derous cannon to rain shot from brott
,use upon brother; that never more will I
good deadly rifle be aimed on the battle f,
ome by brother at brother; and to my mi
to there could not be devised by the
as genuity Of man a more appropriate a
tHectiVe euoitin Ol perfect ana perpt
al peace IN our country than is
n. design of the Southern Cross of the G,
federacy as seen upon this flag and as
worn on the breast of many who coura
;, ously followed it. Therefore, while
WIN cherish this flag as sacred memory
very our dead and the cause that we low
we likewise hold it very dear as a tol
= Of everlasting peace and union in
country.
1t has been said by some that the SO
resh, Of the departed are permitted to ret
e,,.e to earth and visit scenes rlaces and i,