The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-08-11
DR.. ELHELL'S H0QUENCE.
A STIRRING ADDRESS TO TIE
OLD SOLDIERS.
Veterans Annual Picnic at Oats-Dar-
Iington County Turns out en- Masse-Dr.
EIwell the Orator of the Day.

| iington County Turns out en- Masse-Dr.
EIweI the Orator of the Day.
from the Darlington News.
Last Thursday was gala day at
Oats. The people of that section
had in vited the Confederate Neter-
ans to have their annual picnic there
and, from eight o'clock in the morn
ing until twelve, buggics and wag-
ons, filled with people, continued to
pour into the beautiful grove from
all parts of the county of Darling
ton and a great many also came
fromFlorence county and the propos
ed county of Lee. Of course it is al
ways impossible to estimate such a
crowd, but q number of guesses were
made and they ranged from 1000 to
1000. Whatever the number there
was a large crowd present and every
one seemed to be in good humor and
prepared to enjoy the occasion. AL
though the candidates were present
in force, no political speeches were
made and the gathering seemed to be
devoid of politics. The Rev. DR..
Elwell. pastor of the Spring street
Methodist church IN Charleston, had
been invited to make the address to
the members of Camp Darlington.
DR.. Elwell is himself a Confederate
Veteran, having lost an arm in the
service, and judging from the most
excellent address which he delivered
at Oats, none can be better qualified
than he to speak to his old comrades
in arms. DR.. Elwell gave a history
Of the causes Of the war in clear
and forcible manner, and several
times when his remarks would strike
with most telling effect, one could
hear some one from the crowd say
that's right or that's fact"
DR.. Elwell is very eloquent speak
er and some Of his bursts of impas
stoned eloqnence brought tears to
the eyes of the old gray haired Vet
Grams who had been in the thickest
Of the fight on many a battle field.
Before the close of his remarks the
speaker repeated the following lines
which were composed by an Irish
man during the war, whose name is
unknown. They have never been
published before and the editor of
the News took them down while DR..
Elwell repeated them from memory.
They are very simple and touching
and recall many sad sweet meme
rv to those who have had the bless
ed experience of drinking from the
same canteen.
There's many bond in this world
of ours,
Fetters OF friendship and ties Of
flowers,
And true lovers knots, ween;
But there is never Il bond, ,!old friend,
like this.
We've drunk from the same canteen.
Twas some times water and some
times milk,
Some times apllejack fine as silk,
But whatever the tipple has been
We have shared it together in bane
and bliss,
And l warm to you friends as l
think OF this.
We've drunk from the same cantcen.
The rich and great sit down to dine,
And they quatf to each other in
sparkling wine,
From glasses of crystal and green,
But l guess in their golden potatiOns
they miss
The warmth of regard they found
in this.
We've drunk from the same canteen.
We have shared our tents and blank
cts together,
And marched and fought in all kinds
of weather;
And full and hungry we've been.
Had day of battle and days of rest,
But this memory l cling to and love
the best,
We have drunk from the same canteen.
When wounded | lay on the outer
slope,
My blood flowing fast, and but little
hope
Upon which my faint spirit could
lean,
Oh, then remember you crawled to
| my side