The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-08-02
THE OLD C0NFEDS.
They Had a Good Time Despite
the Rain and Mud.
Gen. Butler the Orator Of the Oc-
casion. Gen. Walker Re-
elected. Convention
Meets at Green
wood Next
A
Gen. Butler the Orator Of the DC

The great reunion at Charleston
overshadowed the division reunion
which convened at Chester last Wed,
nesday. The Confederate veteran is
not we'll off in the affairs Of tbs world,
and he cannot take two such trips IN
one year. Then, too; the weather was
miserable. Wet feet, wet clothes
everything wet. Such combination
of circumstances worked to the hurt OF
the reunion of the South Carolina vet,
erans. and the attendance was small.
Bat there is one thing which was a
grand succass-Chesters hospitality.
The queen city of the hills did her best
to overcome the chilling effects OF the
heavy rains. When the discharged vet
erans had turned their backs on Apo
matox and had come back to Carolina,
they were met at the depot by the no.
Bile Chester women, who gave them meat
and drink. That same hospitality has
been again shown.
Wednesday was spent in attending to
the business Of the convention. That
night cold business propositions We're
given charming variety when the two
score sponsors were presented to the au-
dience which filled the opera house.
The hall vas festooned with the colors
Of the Coufederacy and Of the State,
with here and there picture OF some
loved hero OF of the sweet, sad face OF
Winnie Davis.
When the convention assembled the
band played Dixie" amid the cheers Of
the assemblsge, drowning the thunder
and rain, and the convention was called
to order by Capt. ]. ". Reed, comman-
der of the Walker-Gaston camp, who
introduced Rev. S. P. H. Elwell, D. D.,
chaplain general of South Carolina di-
vision. nr. Elwell III his prayer clo-
quently spoke Of the heroic dead and
prayed for the living few.
Miss May Hood, sponsor for Walker
Castor camp, was presented by Capt.
Reed. Miss Hood, daughter OF l.
Med. Hood, a gallant soldier, welcom-
ed the division.
Senator j. Lyles Gleen then extend
ed very hearty welcome on behalf OF
the city of Chester. Mr.. Glenn made
very happy little talk, assuring the
veterans that they were welcomed not
only by Chester, but by all Chester
county. Chester reveres the honor OF
the cause which was lest and is glad to
open her homes to those who followed
the fortunes Of that flag.
He then, on behalf of Capt. Reed ,
presented to the division a gavel OF
pine wood, just plain gaVel, without
ornament or figure, but so suggestive OF
history. As he explained to Gen.
Walker, the handle is part Of the gun
that fred the first shot against Fort
Sumter, and the head of the malle6 was
carved from piece Of wood from JET
ferson Davis home at Richmond, the
':White House Of the Confederacy." "
where were held cabinet meetings at
which were discussed questions of the
gravest Import.
In responding to the waral welcome
extended, Gen. Walker sal: that the
division had been warmly welcomed
elsewhere, but it had been left for
Chester to extend a heart warming
welcome through lovely young spon-
sor, and the division was heartily CRATE
full for it. He accepted the precious
relic presented BY Senator Glenn. His
tory is crowding upon US. When he
had called together the convention in
Charleston last May he had raped
upon table which was used in the Sc
cession convention, and the gavel used
was that which had called the secession
convention to order. Today he would
use gavel equally as precious in its
associations.
Gen. Walker then read that beautiful
tribute to the Confederate dead which
is engraven on the monument IN the
capital grounds at Columbia, When
ne had concluded the veterans arose
and with right hand raised to heaven
responded feelingly, They died for
their country.
He read beautiful tribute to the
women of the Confederacy, and they
responded, God bless the women OF
the Confederacy.
The death of Maj S. Reed Stoney of
Gen. Walkers staff was then an
nounced. Gen. Walker stated very
feelingly that Maj. Stoney had died
mindful Of his comrades and their
meeting together here today.
The annual report Of the division
commander was then presented.
REPORT OF GEN. c. I. WALKER, COM.
MANDER.
Comrades: Your commander, with
great satisfaction, submits his custo-
mary annual report to this convention,
the fifth of the South Carolina division,
U. C. V.
We are survivors of the Confederate
army and navy. The number OF such
never increase. No new conditions can
give qualification for membership in the
Z. c. Y. Each year we lay away to
their immortal rest many Of our beloved
COQlraUeS. Tue lleu " LlO hOAS WV SA~J .
Each year our members become fewer.
But the interest of the veteran IN main
tanning this grand organization OF old
comrades does not soon die.
During the past year twelve more
camps have been formed. and the total
number of comps presumed to be alive
now in the South Carolina division is
123. How many Of these may be prac-
tically dead l know not, but will be
able to form some estimate after have
met the commanders this afternoon.
Ninety-six camps have paid their dues
in full to the u. c. V, or to the South
Carolina division, so it isfair to assume
that these camps are alive and active.
Many Of those which have not paid, |
believe to be alive. Hence 132 is not
far from the actual number Of live
camps in this division.
T think the showing is magnificent