The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-07-11
GORDON AT GREENW GOD
The Great Reunion of Confederate Vet
Grams.
ADAY OF FENTHUsIAsNf AND GOOD
FEELING.
The Fourth Of July Celebrated in
True Southern Style-Grand Speech
es and Fine Barbecue.

The Fourth Of July Celebrated in
True Southern Style-Grand Speech
es and Fine Barbecue.
The Fourth of July was celebrated
in grand style at Greenwood, one of the
most hospitable towns in South Caro-
lima, by reunion of Confederate SOL
diers and an immense gathering of
people from almost every section of
the State. The railroads had provided
every facility to make the occasion
success, and in addition to the ordi-
nary means of transportation by trains
coming from six different directions,
extra trains were provided to accom-
modate the throng from various points
in the up-country, and in some in
stances free transportation was given
to parties of old soldiers and their
friends.
The reunion was originally intended
| for the Sixth South Carolina Cavalry,
but the citizens of Greenwood ex-
| tended the scope of the invitation 80 as
to include all the old soldiers who
were disposed to meet their comrades
once again. 1t was accepted with de-
light by many hundreds, and they
found the door open at Greenwood for
their kindly reception and entertain
ment. The committee of arrangements
had been indefatigable in their prep
arations for the great event, and the
citizens generally had united heartily
in providing whatever was necessary
for the comfort and pleasure of their
guests. Mayor Thos. r. Riley, the
whole-souled proprietor of the Green.
wood Hotel, was the chairman of the
committee of arrangements and hos.
pitality, and he left no act undone that
contributed to the unbounded success
of the occasion. He was active, ener
getic and untiring in making-the nee
essary preparations, and he was cour
teous, obliging and helpful 10 all with
whom he came in contact during the
day.
The crowd began to arrive at a YER,
early hour, and the scene became ami
mated and inspiring long before the
formal ceremonies began. Trains
brought hundreds every hour, ant
vehicles were pouring in from every
direction. At eleven o'clock the shad,
streets were lined with beautiful
women and gallent men, and among
the latter were the scores and hun
dreds OF veterans who we're exchanging
greetings, many of them looking int
each others faces for the first time
since they separated at Appomattox
1t was the largest gathering of veter
ans held in recent years, and possibly
no occasion since the Confederate
armies were disbanded has witnessed
so large an assembly OF old soldiers In
this State. Twelve hundred or more
were on the ground, and badges were
J issued to all who reported In persor
to the committee, who had their names
enrolled, with rank, company and regi
ment.
1t was u glorious day for Greenwood
: Almost every county In the State was
: represented at the gathering. Among
the counties most largely Represented
were: Edgefefd, Newberry, Laurens
! Richland, Greenville, Spartanburg
, Union, Anderson, Charleston and Ches
terfield and other counties had smaller
representations. II was a remarkabl,
. sight to have band of veterans ant
their children extend further than on.
; could we'll see.
Gen. John b. Gordon, the orator O
the day, arrived the evening before
and was met at the g., g. and N. depo
!, by the Maxwell Guards, under com
mand OF Capt. Will Evans. headed BY
, the Y. M. @. A. band OF Augusta
! which furnished excellent music for th,