The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-07-29
THE REUNION AT 4UPELO.
PAPER READ BY COL. POWER AT THE
GREAT CONFEDERATE REUNION
on JULY ID, AT TUPELo.
Strength and Losses Of the Union
and Confederate Armies
Mississippi's Contribu-
ton to Both.

per was read by Col. j. L. Power
at the great Confederate Reunion
at Tupelo on 14th inst.
My Comrades and Friends:
| am real glad to be with you
today. No man can meet and
mingle with more congenial as
sociates and friends than those
who espoused the same lost cause,
and who stood shoulder to shoul-
der in the greatest and grandest
and most righteous wars since
the world began. 1t is a satis-
faction to know that the survivors
on both sides the "bloody chasm"
so cherish its memories as to be
willing and anxious to meet and
talk over those times that tried
mems souls. The prestige Of VIC
tory does not lend its charm to our
reunions, but the consciousness
Of duty faithfully performed is
our noble reward. The highest
and best compliment paid to the
patriotism and the valor of the
Confederate soldier was by one
whoIknew him best. When theIim-
mortal Robert Z. Lee, on the 10Th
Of April, 1865, surrendered his
sword to the magnanimous leader
of tho Union armies, he spoke
these farewell words to his fol-
lowers:
"After four years arduous SER
vice marked by unsurpassed
courage and fortitude, the Army
of Virginia has been compelled to
yield to overwhelming numbers
and resources. Ineed not tell the
brave survivors of so many hard
fought battles who have remained
steadfast to the last, that | have
consented to this result from no
distrust of them; but feeling that
valor and devotion could accom-
plish nothing that could compen.
safe for the loss that must have
attended the continuance of the
contest, determined to avoid the
useless sacrifice of those whose
past service to their country has
been so valuable and noble.
Sin the terms of agreement Of
ficers and men can return to their
homes until exchanged. You
will take with you the satisfaction
that proceeds from the concious-
ness of duty faithfully performed,
and earnestly pray that a mer-
cifui God will extend to you his
blessing and protection. With
an unceasing admiration Of your
constancy and devotion to your
country, and grateful remem-
brance of your kind and gener-
Gus consideration OF myself. bid
you an affectionate farewell. -
Followers of Lee at Gettysburg,
of jackson in the Valley, of Grif
fifth, Humphreys, Barksdale, Da-
Wis, Featherston, Harris, Burt,
Posey, Stone, Holder, Reynolds
and other dashing commanders,
at Manassas, Leesburg, Savage
Station, Malvern Hill, Sharps
burg, fredericksburg, Chicka-
mauga, Spottsylvania Court
House, Cold Harbor, Petersburg
the Wilderness, Charlottesville
Appomatox and the scores of 9th.
er battle fields of the Old Domin
ion, and all over southland, reac
above your honorable discharge
and let it De the proudest legacy
you bequeath your children ano
your children 8 children. Let i
be engraven upon their hearts
Let it be printed in the text books
and let it be memorized and spo.
ken by the descendants of those
who not only believed they were
right, but who knew they wers
right, and whose only regret car
be that they aid not succeed. Fol
myself, / claim to be thoroughly
reconstructed, and | rejoice tha
Old Glory floats once more over ;
people thoroughly reunited, bu
| have no patience with that ex.
cessive conservatism;that prompts
orators, even on reunion and me.
mortal occasions to say, 81 an
glad we were whipped; am re,
joiced that the Confederacy die
not succeed. 1t is all for the
best,'' and such like gush. /
may be all for the best, but tn,
wise and patriotic leaders of the
South, in 1851, and the more thar
half million sons of Dixie who
stepped to the front, didn't thinl