Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-05-07
REUNION OF COMPANY D.
Pleasant Gathering of Confederate Veterans at
Moler's-Snug Sum for Memorial Hall.

kept many persons away, but never
tbeless a crowd of four or FIVE hundred
persons were present. They began to
gather early, and the scene was a
touching one at times as the old soldiers
greeted one another for the first time
in many years Captain Henry W.
Kearney, of Alexandria, the command
er of the company, was present, and
Lieutenant John W. James came all
the way from Iowa to greet the boys.
The meeting between the Captain and
the Lieutenant was an affecting one,
and tears came into the eyes Of the
old comrades as they Rugged each 9TH
er. Lieutenant James has not been
here since the war, and many Of his
fellow soldiers had changed so he failed
to recognize them at first. Brown and
black locks had given way to gray,
and in more than one case there was
no hair at all to serve as landmarks.
Sergeant J. w McCleary and Sergeant
Geo w. Watson, of Parkersburg, were
also among those who We're present
T. was a iovous affair for the veterans,
and many incidents were recalled and
anecdotes related, while long-forgotten
nicknames were given once more.
The exercises of the day began about
II o'clock. Col. W. A Morgan called
the assemblage to order and named
Capt. Lee H. Moler as chairman. A
lusty choir sang Dixie Land IN a
way that made the old COnfeds smile,
A fitting address of welcome was de-
livered by Captain Moler, which was
responded to on behalf of the company
by Hon. Charles H. Knott, who gave
some interesting details Of the history
of the company. THE Bonnie Blue
Flag" was then sung, and Col. R. P.
Chew, of Charlestown, was introduced.
He spoke of the gallantry of the south
ern soldiers and the daring deeds they
n
accomplished, and referred to some OF
the results of the struggle between
the armies. Mr.. Knott then read let
tiers ofregret from Gen. L. L. LomaX, OF
Washington, and Chaplain Geo. Il.
Zimmerman, of Romney, both Of whom
expressed themselves as being very
sorry, they could not join in the re-
union. At this point dinner was an
nounced. The ladies of the neighbor-
hood had prepared sumptuous re-
past, the proceeds of which was for the
proposed Confederate Memorial Hall.
Everybody on the ground had chance
at the bountiful meal, and what they
did for it was plenty. The "boys'
compared it to some Of the meals they
had gotten during their four years Of
service, when green corn, persimmons
or sour apples were the chief features.
After dinner the crowd again gathered
around the stand, where more south
ern songs were sung in a spirited man
ner. Mr.. VIM. H. Wilson, the tai
ented young lawyer from Charlestown,
made an eloquent address that was
deserving of the hearty applause that
greeted it. Mr.. Wilson spoke most
gracefully and effectively. The two
young daughters of Captain Kearney
delivered several stirring recitations
that touched responsive chords, and
this pleasing part of the programme
was greatly enjoyed. The Misses
Kearney were vigorously applauded.
Master Charles Knott, Jr., sang a
comic song, The COntraband, most
creditably, and Mrs J. c. Reinhart
rendered a solo very sweetly. Ser
geant J. W. McCleary, Of Baltimore,
called the roll of the company, and 43
members answered to their names.
After the exercises were over the
veterans formed in line and were pho
tographed by Mr. McClung, Of Charles
town. They also paid their respects
to Mr.. Joseph L. Yontz, a blind fellow
soldier, and left him substantial tokens
of their regard The remainder Of the
afternoon was devoted to social affairs
and individual reunions, though the
lively singing of war songs kept big
crowd about the stand all the time.
The ladies realized nearly hundred
dollars as contribution for the memo
rial hall-a very creditable sum.
Company D was organized in March,
1862, at Fishers Hill, by Captain
John Knott, who fell while CALAMITY
leading a charge at High Bridge just
few days before the surrender at APP
pomattox. Its members were prin-
cipally from Jefferson county, and they
saw hard service and were noted for
their promptness in responding to
every call of duty-a trait for which
| General Tomay complimented them.