The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-08-19
Peculiar to Itself
WARRENTON INVADED.
Old Confederate Veterans Capture the
Town-Big Reunion and Pic.nis
Saturday.

Old Confederate Veterans Capture the
TOwn-Big Reunion and Pic-nis
Saturday.
Mr.. F. B. Arendell, staff cores pom
dent of the Ners and Observer, thus
writes Of the old soldiers reunion and
picnic at Warrenton Saturday:
The good old town Of Warrenton
was invaded to-day by great army Of
old Confeds and they literally took the
town.
There was no conflict, and yet there
was great loss Of life occasioned by the
immense gathering. Hundreds of loyal
Warren county laubs, chickens and
other patriots Of the farm and barn
yard yielded up their lives that an
immense grove full of old veterans,
their wives and daughters and sons
might feast and be filled.
1t was one Of the annual reunions
of the old soldiers and their families Of
Warren county, gathered together in
their hospitable county town to talk
over old times and rekindle the senti-
ment of Southern valor and chivalry
that burns in the bosom of every
Southern soldier and Southern soldiers
son. Nor is there any treason in it.
These were Americans that assembled
at Warrenton to-day, loyal to the Stars
and Stripes as they were to the Stars
and Bars, when they thought that
duty called them to its defense, they
would fight for the one with the same
heroism and fortitude that they fought
for the other if the occasion should
arise. | looked at these old soldiers
to-day and could but think what man
Confederate soldier was.
He was man enough to fight until
his flag went down and then man
enough TO take up the conquered
emblem, wash the blood stains out of
it with his tears, wrap it around his
former hopes and aspirations, bury
them all in hallowed tombs, plant
about them evergreens that will never
wither, and then gather up the frag-
ments Of a war-wrecked section and
within few years make himself and
his section powerful factors in the
patriotic endeavors Of reunited
nation.
1t was these kind of men that
crowded the streets of good old War
renton to-day. They began coming
early in the morning from every quar-
ter Of the county; they brought their
children and grandchildren, and by 10
O'Clock from fifteen hundred to two
thousand had gathered in an immense
ha toll, ;rto nf tho
There was soon delightful mingling
together of neighbor with neighbor, of
town people with country people, of
the gallant town laddie with the pretty
country lassie, of the sturdy country
beaux with the charming town belle.
1t was all very beautiful, all very
delightful.
Capt. w. B. Shaw, of Henderson,
was to deliver an address. He did it
and splendid address it was, eloquent,
chaste, refined, patriotic, touching.
Capt. Shaw is fine speaker and his
speech to-day was an uncontrovertable
evidence of that fact. He was fol-
lowed by Rev. James Battle Averitt,
who made perfect gem of speech.
Capt. +. NJ. Fits was the next
speaker, aud then Capt. J. j. LOughlin
gave some characterize "reminiscences
of prison life on Johnson's Island as
he saw it.
After the speeches the crowd, led
by Miss Helen Foote, one of Warren
tons charming daughters, sang the old
soul stirring songs, 1.-The Old North
State'' and "Dixie.'' Then dinner
was served. And what dinner.
Great tables, baskets, boxes and bug
gies loaded with the richest viands
from hundreds of arders. The rural
mother and maiden had cooked and
brought bountiful repast, and we did
all eat and were merry.
After dinner Capt. J. Z. Leach in a
short speech proposed an organization
of Warren county Confederate vet.
eran camp. In few minutes it was
organized and Capt. W. J. White
elected commander, Capt. b. NJ. Col.
Inns first lieutenant. For second lieu
tenants Capt. Lewis Watson and Capt
w. b. Fleming were elected, with
Rev. Mr.. Herman chaplain, DIR. 6. A
Foote surgeon and Mr.. Henry A.
Foote adjutant. More than hundred
members were enrolled.
Warrenton was glad to see her neigh
boring veterans and the good old town
| for several hours ceased business. went
out to the picnic grounds and joined
heartily in the gayeties of the occasion
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