The Russellville Democrat., 1893-09-14

ing or the parties served. It took both to make the occasion full and rounded up. It took both to make the completest occasion in our midst for score of years. After the din-
 ner exercises and the pleasant con verse following, the old familiar
 sound was heard '.faIl in" and the boys fell in and again headed by
 the band, they marched back to and
 up into the courthouse and went in- to committee of the whole to con slider whatever might come up. It
 was soon made evident that the
 boys had not yet appeased their ap-
 petites for oratory for they began calling out comrades, and even to jump comrade lines and to call flaw orites outside. Of this mum
 Der was our circuit Clerk
 J. T. Bullock whose delicate
 handling of the situation to avoid speech and yet respect a call coming from such body showed more gen
 uine ability than to have rolled up
 his sleeves and jumped into speech with both hands. Among the old comrades responding we're Rev. G, W. Boyles, Hon. W. L. Sibley, and Esq. K. K. Doggett These address es we haven't time to describe more than to say they were what you might expect from men of strong
 minds, intense natures. rapid tongues
 and well stocked rccollections. in
 their jubilations they did not forget,
 however, that since last they had
 met two of their number had passed oyer the river to answer to roll call
 on the other side. Comrades w. l..
 Price and Joseph Petty,as commit
 tee on memoirs Comrades I. s. Ed
 wards, D. c. Brown and w. L. Sib-
 ley were appointed, also committee on constitution and by laws were ap- pointed consisting of the following
 named. J. F. Darr, J. F. Munday, R. B. Hogins, J. NJ. Harkey and liar
 " Poynter. These committees are to perform their duties and report to the next meeting which as the place chosen by vote will be at At
 kins on the 1st Thursday in next September. This day by resolution
 was made the date of the regular or annual meeting hereafter The Camp also by vote resolved to re- main in name the Ben T. Embry Camp. We stop here to move vote of thanks to the Atkins band for it's full share in the days success. Not feature of which seemed to be left out of it's completeness. But we must be permitted to say that the climax of the whole occasion was reached in the reading of Gen. R. K. Lees farewell address to the army of northern Virginia to the men who had followed in undying devotion through the most trying vicissitudes that war could invent. This ad- dress was read by Judge J. T. Bull lock and during it's reading there was noticed a peculiar service of handkerchiefs and shirt sleeves which suggested the deep seated af- lection felt for the great cheiftain by all hearts present. The address was as follows:
 "After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude The Army of Northern Vir- gina has been compelled to yield to over whelming numbers and resources. need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have re- mained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no dis trust of them, but feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that must have attended continuance of the con test. 1 determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their country men. By the terms of agreement, off, cers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that pro ceeds from consciousness of duty faith fully performed, and I earnestly pray that mcrciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection. With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, bid you all an affectionate farewell"