The age-herald., 1899-05-02
Gallant Volunteer Soldiers Met
 Together at East Lake.
ORGAN RATION EFFECTED
Will Be Known As Alabama Veterans of the Spanish-American War" Eulogy on the Death of
 Major Mcleod.

United States during the late war with Spain, was held yesterday at East Lake and proved most enjoyable occasion.
 More than 300 members of the Alabama regiments were present to join with their comrades in celebrating the first anniver- sary, as it was, of the departure of the regiment for Mobile in response to the presidents call for volunteers.
 permanent organization was effected which win be known as "the Alabama Veterans of the Spansh-American war; which will be open to any member of the First and Second Alabama, or the Fifth Immunes. with an honorable discharge.
 The purpose of the organization is to pre- serve the records of the regiment and to foster fraternal feeling among members who were united in a common purpose.
 After arriving at the lake the boys were kept busy for some time shaking hands and renewing old acquaintanees, but at 1:90 o'clock the old familiar mess call sounded and the ''vets' responded with the same afacrity as during the time they were en- gagged in fighting mosquitoes and gallinip- pers at Miami. The dinner consisted of bar becued meat, light-bread, known in army parlance as punk" potato salad and pickles.
 When the boys had satisfied their hunger a temporary organiza tion was effected with Major Tom o. Smith as chairman and Lieutenant Lucien Brown as secretary. When the permanent officers were to be elected several commissioned officers names were placed in nomination. This brought forth speeches from Colonel Hig- don, Captain ParkeS and others who de- clared that in their opinion all the offices should be tendered to the privates and non commissioned officers, the great majority of whom had shown so much. patriotism in giving up lucrative positions for the sake of what they considered to be their duty.
 committee was appointed to decide upon ntme for the organization and what officers it should have This committee re- ported back to the meeting in few min utes and reported that suitable name would be ''The Alabama Veterans of the Spanish-American War" and that, as off, cers, 1t should have a commander, three yice-commanders, a secretary two assist ants, treasurer and an executive com mittee, consisting of four of the mem- bers.
 In accordance with the idea previously advanced by the commissioned officers, the following were elected:
 Commander-George Huddeston.
 Vce-Commanders-C E. L. Higdon, Maj. T. O. Smith and Captain w. J. Parkes
 Treasurer-Lieutenant W. M. Martin
 Secretary-Wiiam Lamb.
 Assistant Secretaries-H s. Williams and c. l.. Allen.
 Executive Committee-Lieut. L. Mont gomery, Lieut.. M. c. Wood, Sergeant Rey- holds and Corporal Green.
 Lieutenant G. R. Bynum, Major T. o. Smith and Lieutenant L. C. Brown were appointed a committee to ascertain the date and place of death of all deceased comrades and the place of their burial.
 One of the prettiest speeches of the occa- sion was made by Corporal Williams of Anniston. a member of Company D, upon the death of Major D. D. Mcleod, who commanded the Second battalion. MT. Will Hams said, in part:
 Comrades of the First Alabama:-
 'In behalf of Company D and as a repre- sentative of that company greet you
 Tt gives me inexpressible pleasure to be with you on this occasion of our first re- union, probably the first reunion to be held by any regiment participating in the late war.
 Twelve months ago today we left our homes and endearing ties to become identi- fled with a regiment that would be one to represent the great and glorious state of Alabama in the late Spanish-American con- 1ict
 When the noble sons of this state gave up lucrative positions and the pleasures of home comforts to volunteer their services to their in the with tha DOns for the sake of crucited humanity, it was commenda ble and praiseworthy act. You, my comrades, could not foretell the results. The men of the First Alabama, when they left their firesides, could not tell where 1t would end. You will bear me out in the statement that all our boys were willing, yea, anxious to engage the enemy, and 1t was no fault of ours that we did not have a chance to go into battle.
 "Six months ago our hands clasped in farewell at our camping ground at East Lake. Who can tell the results of our be- ing thrown together in those six monihs. Friendships, bound by tender cords of love, were formed, and the results are also seen in the way in which we clasp one another's hand at this reunion.
 "Since we received our discharge papers some have been engaged in the commercial world, some in the professional world and a few have enlisted for further service with Uncle Sam; and some, my beloved com- rades, are sleeping beneath the earth in more than one city of the dead. ''All of you well remember the story of our campaign, and as we glance back over the page of history which the First Ala bama placed upon the records, we find no blot, nothing of which we could be ashamed. We offered ourselves to our country, and had we been given a chance we would have demonstrated to America of what kind of stuff Alabamans are made when facing rattling musketry But comrades l have a sad duty to perform. Since our regiment was muster ed out a noble officer has answered the buge call of the archangels of heaven and has passed into the great unknown It is of him that I wish to speak. His mortal remains are now repos:ng meath the sod of North Alabama The daisies and the vioets. symbolic of the glad springtime, nod their little heads over his last resting place. Major D. D. Mcleod who was the noble officer of the second battalion is dead. When his spirit was called from | l. ~w.aAl kfr Nod .IAor<