The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-14
HEARD ELOQUENT SPEECHES.
Members of Second Georgia Want
Permanent Organization.

Permanent Organization.
The reunion of the Second Georgia Regi-
Enen,. az the armory of the Savannah Vol
unteer Guards last night. was a complete
| success. There were about sixty or sew
enty of the members of the regiment pres
emit and their enjoyment Of the occasion
was complete.
sumptuous collation. had been spread,
and there was enough for every one. The
members of the regiment present were
imbued with The enthusiasm that the oc-
cas<pn produced, and took every occasion
to Exhibit their patriotism and devotion.
The first toast was our Regiment"
which was responded TO by Mr.. Davis
Freeman. MIR. Freemans response was
able and eloquent, and caught the fancy.
Il was interspersed with humorous anec-
dotes that interested every one and at
tracted much attention.
The second toast was "Our Lady Auxil-
larry" responded to by Mr.. n. NJ. Hitch.
The following letter from Lieut.. Col
Garrard. which was read by the chair
man, was received with great applause:
Savannah, Ga, May 10, 1S99.-Capt. J. +.
Cam Chairman-My Dear Captain; on
account of recent and sore family afilic-
tion, ! cannot sit with my comrades Of the
Second Georgia tonight at the festive
board. They know, however, that my
heart and soul are with them, whenever
and wherever they may assemble IN
squads companies, battalions, or regiment.
am proud to have been lieutenant colo
mel of this splendid fighting machine. l
had bopad 10 have assisted in leading it
against the Spaniards on foreign SOIL and
felt sure that it would have gone forward
with old Sprnghelds, certainly as fast ana
as far as regulars or Rough Riders could
with new Krag-J orgensens.
had the honor, when a boy, to serve
the last two years of the civil war in an
Alabama brigade of high reputation, com
manded by Gen. Tracey Qilled at Port
Gibson. then by Gen. Stephen d. Lee,
and finally by Gen. Pettus, as private,
sergeant major, lieutenant and captain of
the line, and on brigade staff, and saw
crack commands in action. l will put the
Second Georgia easily alongside of any
regiment in such brigades as Cranberry 5
Texas, Govan's Arkansas, Pettus' Ala
bama, Gibson's Louisiana, or Browns
Tennessee-the flower of the Army of the
Tennessee.
Without commenting on the officers of
the Second Georgia, its non-commissioned
officers could not have been eXcelled, aud
the privates-God bless them were sim
ply magnificent. 1t would have been poor
officer who could not have lead such men
anywhere-to the 'front.'
We ought to have been among the first
American soldiers in Cuba, and certainly
among The first in Porto Rico, but we
never got beyond the swamps of Tampa.
We have this consolation, however, that
we obeyed orders during our term of
service, endured all hardshps, and never
murmured. We did not growl or complain
during the rainy season a Palmetto
Beach, where we had no tent floors and
where our sentry lines were under water,
with frogs, mosquitoes and other pests
Astounding. We ate any kind of beef,
whether "embalmed" or not, and were
thankful to get II. We never asked to be
let out of service but awaited orders.
When we were discharged, we dissolved
and became civilians again, in dignified
and quiet way, officers and men imbued
with mutual and reciprocal respect We
did our duty under any and all circum-
stances, and no man could have done
more.
Deeply regretting my inability to be
present tonight, and praying that heaV-
ems choicest blessings may falt upon every
officer ana man Oh NIb uCui oth iNb lAANiitt
remain your comrade. william Garrard. .
After the letter was read a toast was
drunk standing to Col. Garrard and
many regrets were expressed at his ina
bnity to be present
After the adjournment of the meeting
the following telegram was sent TO Col
Brown by instruction of the meeting
To Col. Oscar J. Brown, Fort Meade
South Dakota: You have been the toast OF
the evening with many kind words of love
and affection Hope to have you with US
at next anniversary. J. Ferris Cam
Chairman.
The next toast, "Our Battalion was
responded TO by Mr.. Walter Hartridge. His
| talk was pleasing and eloquent, and pro
yoked frequent laughter and applause.
The regular speeches closed with the re-
sponse by Mr. r. c. Ryals to the toast
"Our War Record" Mr.. Ryals spoke
humorously of the troubles that the Sec
ond had undergone and earnestly OF
| the real troubles that had beer
| the lot of It's members.
! II was suggested during the evening tina
! the organization be made permanent ant
| il is probable that the regiment win an
| swer the next cali
II has been suggested that meeting b.
| called to consider the ACCESSIBILITY of ar
| ranging for permanent organization.
The last feature of the supper was tn,
1 singing of Aud Lang Syne."