The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-07-24
Reunion of the Palmetto Rifmen.

On last Saturday the survivors OF the
Palmetto Riflemen residing In this and
djoining Counties held their third re-
union since the war at "Sunset Forest"
short distance West of Anderson. It
Is an ideal place for pic mic, the grounds
being shady and cool, and situated near
the centre is the boldest Spring OF water
we have ever seen in this State.
At an early hour the survivors began
to arrive at the Spring, and the greetings
the old soldiers gave each other were full
of genuine pleasure, and in short while
groups were formed, and incidents almost
forgotten were recalled, some humorous
and others sad. To most Of the esurvivors
the war seems at this distance like
dream, growing more and more indis-
tinct az the years pass on, but never to
be entirely effaced from memory. Time
has dealt gently with the old soldiers
present, and they are still handsome
body OF men. In this connection one Of
the boys related the following incident:
When the Palmettoes first arrived in
Virginia they were marching along near
Leesburg, when lady was seen making
her way down to the road from her home.
situated some distance off. AS the Com
pany came up she asked one Of the boys
which State they came from. He replied,
SOuLu SdlOl1ads OhS J0b Soh AONA 3AS3
South Carolina never grew such hne-
looking men," she answered, much to
the amusement of the boys.
After an hour or two spent In social
chat, the Company was called together,
and after prayer by Rev. M. MCGEE, an
officer in the original Company, the roll
wss called and nearly every man &C
counted for-whether dead or alive, If
alive where living, &c. An election was
then gone into for officers to serve until
tho next reunion, with the following re-
suit:
President-James A. Hoyt.
lst Vice President-J. F. Clinksr'.!e
2od Vice President. P. Sulli,ao.
Secretary-R. E. Sloan.
Treasurer-R. l.. Keys.
Lieut.. Hoyt, the only surviving COM
missioned officer of Company &C." Pal
metto Sharp Shooters, having recently
paid visit to one OF our old camps in
Virginia-Frying Pan Church-which all
the old soldiers Of the Fourth Regiment
will remember, gave IL an interesting
talk as to the appearanc. & that locality
at present. He said that the old church
building is still standing, and looks pref
ty much as it did thirty-fve years ago.
To most of the old soldiers this was the
most dismal camp Of the whole war.
Strange to say, Col. Hoyt told us that
now there is fine Summer hotel at Fry
ing Pan, and the Washington people run
up there to drink the water and get rid Of
the heat and dust of the city. The
Coloners talk about this old camp was
exceedingly interesting to old soldiers.
Gen. M. L. Bonham being present was
invited to address the survivors, which
he did in his usual happy style, and cap
tured the hearts Of all by his eloquent
praise Of the private Confederate soldier
dinner. Barbecued meats, chicken,
cakes, pies-everything almoss that heart
could wish for. Every body had enough,
and still there was something left. The
good ladies deserved and received credit
for this excellent dinner.
After dinner the soldiers got together
again and talked over old times very
pleasantly for an hour two, after which
they dispersed to their several homes,
happy in having again met at least few
Of their old army comrades.
NOTES.
There were twenty-five members of the
OLD Company present.
The crowd in attendance mum bered
about three hundred.
We neglected to state at the proper
place that Miss Nora Hubbard, President
of the Memorial Association of Ander-
son County, was unanimously elected an
honorary member Of the Survivors Of
the Palmetto Riflemen, in recognition Of
her untiring efforts to build q monument
to perpetuate the memory Of the dead
Confederate soldiers. In connection with
this Col. Hoyt made an eloquent appeal
to the old soldiers to help Miss Hubbard
in this laudable work. Almost every
other County in the State has monu-
ment to our ht. &c dead, and Anderson
should not lag behind. He said that in
few more years there would not be one
Confederate soldier left in South Caro-
lima, and if all the old soldiers would 60
to the assistance of Miss Hubbard the
monument would soon be built.
Mr.. Jos. B. MCGEE was in charge Of the
barbecue department, and the unani-
NOUS verdict was that the meats were
delicious. There was not much fun and
great deal Of hard work connected with
his part of the pic mic, and he received
the thanks of all.
The thanks of the Survivors are also
due Mr.. j. J. Fretwell for the use of his
beautiful grounds. "Sunset Forest" is
worthy of visit, and would doubtless
prove surprise to majority of the peo-
pie of Anderson. We predict that in the
near future an electric car line will run
from Anderson to this splendid mineral
spring, and "Sunset Forest" will be
fashionable Summer resort.