The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-22
MARCH OF MANASSAS MEN.
OGLETHORPE LIGHTe INFANTRY's
ANNIVERSARY PARADE.

A salute mt the Confederate MOnu-
ment in Memory of the Famous
Battle Thirty Years AGO-Veterans
of the Fight in Line-The OgIe-
thOrpe's COIlatiOn-speeches by
Capt. McL0ws, Col. LavvtOn and
Ohers-WFeaths on the Heroes
Graves.
The thirty-sixth anniversary Of the
first battle of Manassas was celebrated
yesterday afternoon by the Oglethorpe
Light Infantry.
The company assembled at it's quarters
in the reglmental armory at o'clock.
Preceded by the RegimentaI band, the
march was taken up under command of
Capt. U. II. McLaws. There was a good
turnout Of the men. and they presented
a fine appearance in uniforms of blue
coats and white duck trousers.
Besides the active members Of the COM
pany, Maj. w. S. Rockwell, Capt. II. NJ.
Branch, Capt. NJ. P. Usina, Lieut.. A. A.
Morrison, assistant surgeon of the regi-
ment Lieut.. T. c. Wylly and Lieut.. w
0. D. Rockwell accompanied the com
mand.
The march was down Bull street to Bay.
There the parade was turned and proceed
ed back to the park extension, where a
crowd Of people had gathered to see the
troops. Three vdleys were fired in salute
before the confederate monument.
After the salutes were fired the COM
pany was marched back to Its quarters
where the members gathered about the
board that displayed temptingly refresh
ments prepared during their absence. The
company had the pleasure of welcoming
others of Its guests. Col. A. r. Lawton
Of the regiment came in and was given a
seat of honor. The veterans present be-
sides those already named were: Messrs.
John f. La Far, H. A. Crane, w. II. Ben
nett, c. A. Drayton and f. B. Bevill.
Capt. McLaws called the company 10
attention and addressed 1t in words
breathing of patriotism and an undyine
respect, veneration and love for the cause
that was lost. He recalled the conduct of
the command in the memorable fight, an
niversary of which they were then cele-
brating, and referred with pride and feeling
the admirable record 1t had achieved. He
spoke tenderly of those who had fallen in
the struggle. He closed by proposing
toast to the confederate veterans.
Lieut.. Law presided after Capt. McLaws
retired, and in response to the calls of
the company, announced the speakers.
Col. Lawton was called upon, and re-
sponded with the usual success that goes
with his speeches. He congratulated the
Oglethorpes on the fine salutes they had
fired and commended the discipline that
was evinced by the company, as he said
II is only through discipline that such vol
leys can be fired TO sound as the report of
but one piece The colonel's references to
the men of 81 breathed of the admiration
in which he holds them, and to the men
of 81 he spoke of the contingency of their
being called into the field. He said that he
feared no blot upon the pages of the his
tory that had been made in the civil war
by the Oglethorpes should they now be
called TO war, and that both for
them and the officers and men of the en-
tire regiment. he felt no doubt that, were
the call to come. there would not be one
who would prove recreant to his duty.
After Col. Lawton came each of the vet
Grams in a few remarks appropriate to the
celebration of the anniversary. A very
pleasant hour was spent by the company
and its guests, and the final adjournment
came with regrets.
on the occasions of these anniversary
celebrations of the battle of Manassas,
the members of the Oglethorpes who fell
in that battle have always been commem-
GRATED by wreath of laurel
placed over each grave. This was
always the care of the late Mrs. Char
lotte NJ Branch. The dead heroes were
not forgotten yesterday. The wreaths
were prepared by Mrs. II. NJ. Branch and
placed over the graves of Barlow. Branch,
Butler, Crane, Ferrill, Morel and Purse
by Capt. Branch just before the parade
was begun. While performing this SER
vice to his dead comrades, Capt. Branch
was attired in his suit of confederate
gray.