The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-07-31

much indifference l would be glad II
every veteran in the country would answer
these questions in your next issue.
We love to study about our great leaders
in the late. war, and the first one which
comes 10 my mind is General Robert E.
Lee, our great commander.
1t was George Washington, away back
IN l7Sl, who said: Il know OF no country
that produce family all distinguished as
clever men as our Lees"
1t was General Nathaniel Green who
wrote to the president of Congress on
February IS, l7S0. that be was more H.
debted to "Light.Horse Harry" Lee than
to any other for advantages gained over the
enemy, and it was "Light-Horse Harry
Lee (Robert E. Lees father) who was
member Of Congress when George Wash
incton died, and who made an address on
the occasion, using the phrase, First in
war, first in peace, and hrst IN the hearts
of his countrymer.
Henry Lee was about to embark Tor
England when the American revolution
began, and he substituted the sword for
the law book He was distinguished for
keeping close to the enemy. In his "iIgh ht-
horse" command Peter Johnston, who
Joined the legion at sixteen, led the for
lorn hope" at Fort Watson. and was pub
licly thanked. Johnston afterward became
Judge Johnston. The interest IN this
reminiscence becomes intensified in the
fact that these distinguished soldiers were
the fathers of Robert Edward Lee and
Joseph E. Johnston, and that they were
class mates.
1t was only few days ago that one of
the old Mexican soldiers OF the Palmetto
regiment was inquiriug about the silver
cup to be given to the last survivor OF the
Mexican war. suppose he thought be
was the only living survivor, and it will
not be many years before it Will be IN the
possession OF the last survivor Of that
war. We, too, are hastenin" on to the
time when the old Confederate soldier will
be inquiring for his comrades, feeling that
he is the last one living.
Now is our time, if we ever expect to do
anything to keep up the memory OF the
"Lost Cause" to assist in writing and
giving to the world !: true history OF our
deeds.
One OF General Johnstons S soldiers. on
his march home just after the surrender
in April, 1865, wrote from North Carolina:
I'VE are travelling fifty miles day going
home to see father and mother and wife
and children and loved ones"
That old song, "The Girl l Left Behind
Me-" comes impressively before me now
Just Before the Battle, Mother, Tramp.
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys Are
Marching" Joe Bowers" "Lorena, F"
Maryland" Dixie" and when This
Cruel War Is Over" follow in rapid sue
cession before my vision.
But light up the campfire, boys; tune
up the fiddle and bow ; %bring in the old
tambourine, and listen oh, listen 3! to the
tune of 'The Girl Left Behind -Ie." As
the spirit-stirring strains fall on old Jim S
(our cook) ears he begins to pat, and the
soul.inspirng sound attracts Servant HAN
nabal, who begins to dance, and the
welkin fairly rings when he comes to that
verse:
IF ever get thro' this war
ana LlncOiu cuaiuS oou piA" iiie,
III make my way to Tennessee
TO the girl left hahin1 me
Our next reunion will be held at Rich.
mond next May. Let MS bestlr ourselves
and send large delegation, and not lone
co,nrade, as we did to Houston, only to be
lost in the crowd as he was there.
There are plans on foot for increased
pensions, but too many of US still live.
After while. when we are few and Tar
between each other, the States Will do
for US.
Let us try and better our own conditions
so that we may ourselves in great meas.
ure relieve those Of our number in want.
I will write you more some future day on
this subject. DANIEL >. bRADHAM.