The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-29
CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEN WHO
WORE THE GREY.

er Reelected mmander-Monumen,
Proposed to Oscar Leiber-Gen. Evans
| Grafton Last Night.
CHARLESTON, April 23.-The second
day of the occupation OF 'the City by
the Sea" by the Confederate Veterans
opened auspiciously for the enjoyment
of the varied programme of entertain:
ment which the old city has provided
| for those whom she delights to honor.
The guests all appear to feel that
Mayor Adger Smythe meant every
word when he told them last night
that the keys to the city's gates and
hearts and homes were delivered over
to them, and to see the ease and free
dom with which the old fellows in
the hearty welcome is to have assur-
lance that the spirit of hosts and guests
are in perfect symphony.
A few who are compelled by the i'm
perative demands of business or neces.
slty have reluctantly turned their
faces homeward, but their presence
WAS scarcely missed from the crowd
which again packed Artillery Hall this
morning.
It was announced last night that the
veterans would arrange themselves
this morning in the seats under the
bauuers which designated their re-
spectlve briyades, but while for a
time this order was sought to be car
ried out and served the purpose while
it lasted 20 bring the comrades into
better order, it was soon disregarded
and they scattered about wherever
each thought he saw face upon which
memory had left some familiar trace
of by gone days Thus the earlier
hour of assemblage was spent in hear
ty greetings and social chat in which
old associations and scenes lived over
again, and many a heart forgot, for
the once, the trials and sorrows which
generation had interposed between
the memory and the reality.
Its the experience of these things
in the old hearts, and their exhibition
of them to the observation of the young
men OF the present generation, which
makes these reunions occasions of such
unalloyed pleasure and of priceless
value to all who participate in them.
AS long as the sense of honor and
patriotism is considered as worthy to
be cherished as virtue among us, we
can never afford to put aside the op.
portunity for learning the impressive
lessons which occasions afford.
General Walker called the conven-
ton to order at about II o'clock and
Adiutant Holmes concluded the re ad-
ing of the minutes of the Columbia
meeting, which was suspended for 9th
er business last night. The most in
teresting feature of the minutes was
what related to Private Oscar Leiber
of Columbia, a member of Hampton
Legion, who was wounded at Barham-
Vile on the march from Yorkto wn to
Richmond, and died a few days after
in Richmond. The earnest expression
in his will that his remains should not
b. buried on Northern soil and of his
devotion to the cause of the South
moved the vast assembly sensibly, and
steps were inaugurated, which will re-
suit ere long, in the erection of suit
able monument to his memory in
Trinity Church yard at Columbia.
The representatives of Buffers Cav
airy Brigade, 100 strong, marched into
the Hall headed by the battle flag of
the Fifth Regiment, which has been
preserved and is now in the care of the
Charleston Light Dragons. When
the veterans were seated the torn me-
mortal of many bloody fights was
planted on the platform near General
Walkers seat.
As soon as the hosts were seated,
General Walker commanded attention
and quiet for five seconds, and in the
snap of a kodak the whole army of
veterans were taken by Leidloff. at
the instance of Capt s. A. Cunning
ham, Editor of the Veteran, and the
picture will appear in the next num-
ber of that magazine.
Letters were read from General Jno.
B. Gordon, Stephen D. Lee, M. @. But
ler. Ellison Capers. w. 81. Wallace,
Jno. Bratton and Col. I. G.. McKissick
expressing their profound regret at
being prevented from meeting their
comrades in arms at this gathering.
Invitations were received from Pres
ident Melchers of the German Scheut-
zenfest, giving carte blanche to all
veterans to come out to the fest dance,
shoot, eat, drink, and do just as it they
were members; and the lad y principal
Of the Confederate Home School re-
quested their presence at the special
exercises of that institution on Friday
morning.
A resolution was adopted request
ing that commanders of camps for
ward to the Division Commander the
number of INDECENT soldiers in their
respective camps or fraternities, who
would be willing to accept the hospi'
talities of a home if one should be
provided for them and another reso-
luton looking to the organization of
such home was, also, passed. Capt.
Carwile offered resolution providing
for the appointment of committee OF
five, who shall appear before the State
Board of Education and endeavor to
secure the adoption of such histories
for use in the public shoots as give
fair and truthful statements of the
war between the States and the exclu-
sion from the schools of such books
as do not treat the subject in fair
way.
When the election of officers was
reached, Hon. G.. Lamb Buist was
called to the chair, and announced
the order calling for nominations for
Major General Gantain CarWile