Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-09-05

A Wonderful Gathering OF the People.
"Where on earth, Major, did all these
people come from ? l came here ex-
pecting to see a few old Confederate
veterans and their friends. 1 see be-
fore me great multitude I cannot be-
gin to number !" So said Gen. Gordon
to Major Eakle at the Camp Mike Eos
ter Reunion at Union, Monroe county,
last Saturday. And we'll might Gen.
Gordon express his surprise, for, as we
learn from many who were there, such
wonderful gathering Of the people
was perhaps never seen in the Green
brier Valley before. They came from
all parts of the county and from every
point of the compass, with large con-
tingent from Greenbrier, Summers and
other counties -Confederate veterans
and Union veterans, with their moth
ers and wives, sons, daughters and in
FAINT children, Democrats, Republicans,
Populists. They came on horseback,
and on the bicycle, in buggies, car
| riages, wagons, and continued to come
until the great crowd gathered under
the magnificent old sugar trees in the
Caperton grove was estimated at fully
5000 souls. Never was such a crowd
seen in Union, nor one more enthusiast
tic yet more quiet and orderly.
The splendid program prepared for
the occasion and previously announced
in the Waterman was carried out to
the letter and everything went off in
perfect order. There was grand pro-
cession through the streets of the old
Confederates, headed by Gen. Gordon
attended by Col. George NJ. Edgar and
Major Eakle. These old heroes as
they marched at the head of the pro-
cesslon were well-nigh smothered under
a shower of flowers thrown upon them
by hundred or more of the fair daugh.
tiers Of Monroe wearing Confederate
colors, mounted on fine steeds and
drawn up into line on either side of the
street. When the veterans had passed
through, this cavalcade Of young ladies,
intended as an escort Of honor, Drought
up the rear as the procession marched
into the grove of magnificent sugars
adjoining the town, where, after prayer
by the chaplain, Rev. DIR. Lacy, and a
few beautiful and touching remarks by
Col. g. s. Peyton, commander of the
Camp, Gen. John b. Gordon, of Geor-
gia, was introduced to the veterans and
the people by our townsman John A.
Preston, Esq, in few singulally ap-
propriate and well chosen words.
When Gen. Gordon arose he looked
ont upon sea of upturned faces all
eager to hear every word that fell from
his lips. He spoke for an hour and
a-half, delivering his famous lecture
"The Last Days of the Confederacy''--
which has been heard with the deepest
interest and the patriotic sentiments
OF which have been applauded by the
people Of every section of the country
After the speech came the feast, and
1t was indeed feast of good things
the very best the hospitality Of the
Monroe people could prepare. Aud
there was enough and to spare. No
one was neglected and all were bounti.
fully supplied,
We congratulate all concerned in the
management of this great meeting and
again extend to our brethren in Non.
roe and to their friends a cordial inyi.
tation to the Reunion here on the 25th
instant when the veterans OF Green.
brier will show how fully they appre.
ciate and how well they can reciprocats
the Inequalities of their comrades In
that county.