The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-24
MEMORIES OF MANASSAS
The OslethOTpe Light Infantry Celt-
bTateS Its Baptism Of Fire

Since ATG GuAAAANAA-- 4 tAE Ns%aAt-A
Light Infantry's First Appearance
in sayannah--A Large Turnout OF
the Commands and Very Success
full Celebration--K Eloquent Addresse
by Capt. Rockwell and Col. Mercer
and Remarks by Capt. Brooks, Col.
EstilI and Capt. Marshall.
The celebration Of the SD anniversary
of the first battle of Manassas by the
Oglethorpe Light Infantry yesterday was
one Of the most marked and successful Of
the many celebrations of the occasion by
this honored corps.
The Savannah Cadets and the PoOler
Light Infantry, the other two companies
Of the First battalion of the First regi-
ment, added % the imposing character Of
the celebration.
The battalion assembled at the arInory
of the First regiment at 8 o'clock
At $50 O'Clock the battalion
was formed and marched from the
regimental armory, headed by the First
regiment band. The line Of march was
as follows: Down AbercOrn to CASTOR,
CASTOR to Bull. thence down Bull TO Bay,
Bay to Whitaker, past the MORNING
News office and back on Bryan to Bull
thence out Bull street to the parade
ground, where the battalion formed on
the north side of the confederate monu-
ment, and fired salute Of three yolleys.
1t was after dusk when the volleys were
fred, and their echoes resounded through
out the entire city.
TIE SOLDIERS CHEERED.
The battalion was greeted by crowds
all along the route and the splendid
soldierly appearance of the men was
much admired. Capt. w S Rockwell
was In command of the battalion, with
Capt r @. Galllard adiutant, and Capt.
w. N. Nichols inspector Of rife practice,
as the staff. The Oglethorpe Light
Infantry, commanded by Lieut. W. o. d.
Rockwell, headed the line. The Ogle-
thorpes made a fine showing, having fifty
eight men out, rank and file. The number
of veterans in line was particularly
noticeable. The war veterans of the com
pany in line were d. g. Purse, l. e..
Berrien, B. T. Cole, w. II. Rose,
L. b. Endres. p. II. Maxev, O. T. Guam
took, John Fl. Wright, NJ p. Usina, l.. A.
Mccarthy, BARLEY Donovan. +. b. Devil
and Capt w. =. Rockwell. John T.
Roman and C. +. Law, veterans Of other
commands who connected themselves with
the Oglethorpes after the war, were also
in line, The following war veterans of
the company who could not procure uni
forms or who were disabled from carry
ing gun were present a the armory and
took part in the festivities there: H. NJ
Parnell w. H. Bennett, II. A. Crane, j.
H Estill, H. NJ. Branch. J. G. Pournelle,
w. H. Patterson, A. S. Bacon and James
Hunter.
The Pooler Light Infantry, which was
second in line, made its first appearance
on the streets of Savannah. Capt.
Masrhall and his men received many com
piments for their sOldierly appearance.
The company had out twcnty-seven men,
which was very good showing, consid-
ering the inconvenience to which the
men were subjected to attend, Leuts.
Bourne and Symons showed themselves
to be the right men for their places.
The Cadets had out fifty-seven men,
only one less than the Oglethorpes, and
were fully up to their standard in drill
and appearance. Capt Brooks was in
command with Lieuts. Lowell and Walker.
THE COLLATION..
II was o'clock when the battalion ar
rived back at the armory and formed on
the parade ground, where it was dis
missed by Capt. Rockwell. The ORle-
thOrpes and Cadets made haste to their
company rooms, where they put away
their arms and accoutrements. The
POolers were escorted to the room of the
German Volunteers, where they stacked
their arms They were then escorted to
the room of the Oglethorpes. where a
light collation. had been spread. AS the
POolers entered they were greeted with
three cheers for the baby company of the
regiment.
AS soon as those present had had time
TO wash the dust from their Threats there
were calls for Capt Rockwell Capt
Rockwell took his position at the head Of
the table, and delivered an eloquent and
appropriate address. He said:
Fellow Soldiers OF the First Georgia Regi-
ment: You are all well aware Of the fact that
Tor number OF years the Oglethorpe Light
infantry have annually celebrated the ami
Eersary OF the hrst great battle fought at
Manassas, in which their company bore so
conspicuous part. This is not done. now
ever, in any vainglorious OF boastful spirit
but in obedience to that sentiment which
prompts US TO pay simple tribute OF respect
and TO keep ever green in our hearts the
memory ana gallant deeds Of our dead com
Tades who fell upon the battlefield. / recall
as but yesterday that stormy scene. now
more than thirty three years ago, when the
heroic Barlow, at the head Of his youthful
command, marched for Virginia
In the words OF a distinguished orator of
this city, l see again the golden sunlight
sitting down upon the gltttering bayonets OF
Bartows men as they marched into the
mysteries Of suffering and death: and truly
they did march into the mysteries of suffer
lug and death: for another scene passes-one
In review just two months later, TO the very
day-the 2lSt day Of July, 1861 / see stand
ing upon the plains Of Manassas the Ogle.
thorpe Light Infantry In battle array. silently
awaiting their urst baptism OF blood and fire
These young soldiers with ready alacrity had
lain down their usual yOcatiunS had abaD-
doned their comfortable and luxurious homes
and bid adieu to family and friends that uney
might be among the hrst-the very hrst- to
breast the storm OF invasion then about to
burst over this, our southern land
AS they stood TO arms on that early july
morning the distant boom OF artii-
Aery could be distinctly heard
and all saw that a nerce and
deadly conflict was about to ensue and none
could tell what the issue would be These
young soldiers fully realized the position in
which they stood. they knew that from ocean
TO ocean and from the lakes to the gulf all
eyes were then turned upon the assem- bled
hosts at Manassas, and the hrst of Georgia
untrled sOldlery to stand upon the battle
field, they felt that upon the points of their
bayonets now rested the honor dignity and
reputation Of their native state and thew
firmly resolved, come veal or woe come
victory or defeat, come suffering ana even
death, yet through their unWorthiueSs there
should not come blot or stain 10 Georgia
fair escutcheon.
The battle formed, and all q long burning
summers day these untried soldiers fought
They suffered much, some bruised and broken
sank 10 earth to rise again after weary days
and weeks Of suffering and pain, others fell 10
Use no more. and stll the battle ragged until