The sun., 1898-05-29

tie the dispute; but the incident / am
a6ont to relate will, believe, bear un.
disputed claim to the title OF the last
Rebel Charge and as such NAV deserve
place in the records of our society.
I'm the autumn of the wear 1857 the
health of President Davis was orowino
very feeble, and the hearts of all who
ioVed the Lost Cause We're turned in svm-
pathy his home in Mississippi with the
tear that he would never leave it again.
The Georgia State Fair was to be held
IN Macon in October, and the Neterans'
Association of that city conceived the
| plan OF having veterans reunion and
inviting Mr.. Davis to be present to re-
view the procession ON one of the davs
of the fair.
1t was before the organization of the
United Confederate Veterans, and the
appeal to Mr.. Davis came from local
bodies only, and it was with the greatest
difficulty that he could be persuaded to
respond to the call, but his failing health
which seemed to be the obstacle at first.
finally induced him to yield.
"le saw that it would probably be the
last time he could hope to appear before
so large BODY of his old soldiers-a pre-
sentiment the truth of which was borne
out by subsequent events. His consent
to be present was hailed with delight
from all that part of the south contigu-
Gus to Georgia, and when October 26, the
day set apart for the reunion, arrived.
Macon was filled to overflowing with
thousands of old soldiers eager to do
honor to the leader who represented the
cause for which they had fought.
IL was on a visit to Macon, nv old
nome. at that time, and l shall never
forget the impression made upon me.
No words that | can use could begin to
convey any idea of the wild enthusiasm
that had possession of the town that
day. l don't suppose that in all the
history of the world there was ever
case exactly like it. To think that the
chief of a conquered people TWENTY-FIVE
years after their subjugation should be
the recipient OF such an ovation at the
hands OF those people and IN the very
presence of their conquerors!
1.-The day was cold and inclement and
the streets OF the city were sea of mud,
and the old Rebs seemed rather to glory
in it as being a touch Of the old DAYS in
the trenches; but President Davis feeble
condition made exposure to the rain a
serious matter to him, and it looked at
one time as ii the review would have to
be postponed.
But the suggestion raised a howl of
dissent, for many of the veterans had
come prepared to stay only one dav,
and they raised the cry, If old jeff can't
come to us, we'll go to him" and spon-
taneously, in defiance of all program,
the procession, which had been formed
to march to the fair grounds, turned in
the oppoite direction toward the home
OF Captain Marsh, where Mr.. Davis was
a guest.
The house is a fine structure, situated
on high hill which overlooks the busi-
ness portion of the city, and was in full
view for half mile as the column
marched toward it. A spacious lawn
the house and slopes rapidly
to the front, and at the foot of the slope
was an iron picket fence.
"When the sudden change of program
was decided on, MI Davis determined
to review the procession from the
veranda, and arrangements were made
for the column to pass Immediately in
front of the house, and just here is where
my story comes in. The way marked
ont for the procession led through the
main entrance to the grounds, which was
not in front of the house, but at a con-
siderable distance to one side, and when
the boys in the rear saw the head of the
column taking this circuitous route
through the gate it didn't seem to suit
the hnmor they were in at all.
''There was their old chief standing ON
the veranda far up the hill, straight in
front of them, and with wild Rebel
yell they made rush for the iron fence,
scaled it as they had scaled many
Yankee breastwork in the days gone by,
and in moment the slope OF the lawn
eading toward the house was covered
with men, and the last Rebel charge was
being made.
''The policemen and marshals of the
lay were swept away like chaff, and
ong before the head of the column,
which was trying to follow the route
marked out for the procession, had
'eached the house, the main body had
AIKEN possession Of Mr.. Davis. Many
we're crying and all were shouting,
md Mr.. Davis himself was in tears as
he old fellows hung to him with both
lands, regardless of the pr tests of
hose who knew how feeble he was.
The crowd surged and yelled, and in
ain did the marshal try to open the
way for the head of the procession to
ASS
"One incident will serve to show the
haracter of the scene which was being
nacted One of the officers in charge
poke peremptorily to a man who was
linging to Mr.. Davis hand and who
'ersistently refused to release him. Not
liking to be detied, he urged his horse
loser in order to enforce his order,
ut when he came near enough he saw
lat the man had only one leg and one
rm
4 raised my hat to him. said the
major, in speaking Of it aiterward, and
It him have his uwn way
'Just then the battle flag OF the Third
ieorgia Regiment, torn and Scared with
ne marks of many conflicts, was placed
/ Mr.. Davis hands. He seized it,
raped it aro md him and kissed it, and
len as he raised it aloft and waved it
YER the crowd, the scene was even wilder
lan before.
''The old mans eye kindled, his frame
altered strength, and he seemed young
gain in the enthusiasm of the moment.