The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1900-08-01
EX-CONFEDERATE REUNION.
The Rain Greatly lutcrtcrcd,
but 10 old Veterans An
SNercd to RolI-CaII.

gathered from all points of the com
pass in buggies. wagons and in fact il
everything that runs on wheels except
wheelharrow, while many could bC
seen coming on foot. sloshing through
the mud to witness the coming together
of the old battle-scarred veterans who
from 81 to %. made record that to
day fills the world with admiration.
Capt. l.. c. Maxwell informed us
that 10 of these old Spartans, repre-
senting Lincoln and adjoining coun
ties. were present BY these were rep
resented every department of the Con
federate Army except John S. Nor
gan's Cavalry, which, in the main, was
made up of KentuCkians. As each
veteran registered giving his company
and regiment, he was, presented with
one fine cigar and two matches from
the stirring firm of the Martin Drug
Co, of Brookhaven, which was equiv.
alaut TO three days rations during the
last udgS vi JHt NOultutidIS' Sol
Chas. f. Hooker. who was wisely Sc
lected to make the speech of the occa-
sion, was present and would have elec.
trified US with fine speech had it not
been for the down-pour of rain. which
side tracked everything in the way OF
carrying out the program of the day
1t was simply remarkable to see how
those old care-worn vets crowded
around the silver tongued orator as he
mounted the stand and was eloquently
introduced by Mr.. Henry mot Pat, but
the Clarion Ledger man of Jackson
By the time the old Knight of the Cos
got fairly into his speech the rain be
gan to pour down and one old Reb said
he didn't know it was raining till Col
Hooker called his attention to it.
The Brookhaven military company
was present, and delighted us with
their skill in military tactics, but
some how every old Confed looked al
those blue jackets somewhat in the
same manner that COW looks at hel
last years calf. They all seemed to be
in the frame of mind of the old woman
who said she expressed her opinion
but never said a word OF course WE
are all patriotic and reconciled now
but some how an old "Reb" never car
find "A "blue Jacket that is cut to his
liking.
1t was estimated there were thouS
and people on the ground. and plenty
to feed them on. but the intermissiOr
between showers was 50 short it coulG
not be spread on the long table pre-
pared for the purpose. Having oul
better with us. and knowing that
some things of an earthly nature are
liable to melt if exposed to the rain
we sought shelter under the hospit
able roof of our clever friends Babe
Maxwell and wife who live near the
picnic ground. Several parties had
stored their we'll filled baskets with
Babe and wife and when there the
bask cts delicious contents were spread
upon IA long table in Bro Ms. dining
room, we smiled and you know the
rest
After bOuntiful repast, we then
felt the better qualified to "ruminate'
over the great question of State S
rights, the argument of which shook
this nation from center to circumfer-
ence during the bloody struggle of the
COS. OF course. the rank and file of
us took no part in arguing the ques-
ton in the halls of Congress prior to
the war. But we all had an opportu-
nifty to express our views on the polit
zeal issues of the day at Manassas,
Shiloh, Franklin, Gettysburg, around
Richmond and hundred other points
Of interest where, with powder and
ball, swords and bayonets and boom
ing cannon we held forth arguments
such as convinced our antagonists
hat we have convictions and good
of courage to back up the
same. But the question was decided
against US. and we then and there laid
Town our guns and have never hank
,red after a debating society since.
But, my fellow comrades, we laid down
)ur guns like men and looked our enc
mics squnrely in the face while they
said to us I'VE have not whipped you,
jut overpowered you Surely none of
is can e'er forget our dear comrades
who fought side by side with us dur
Tag the day and slept among the dead
1t night. How sad the first roll-call
after the fight, when our ranks seemed
SO thin aud 50 many voices silent. They
made the last sacrifice they laid down
their lives, and those Of us who yet
survive have never laid down our con
victions.
But We must not allow ourself to
dwell at length on this phase of the
question. Suffice it to say that the
colored brass band of Brookhaven fur
nished us with fine music and it was
the voice of all comrades present to
duplicate this re union twelve months
hence with the fond hope that the
weather will clear up by that time.
j. \. S.
The following is the register of eX-
Confederate Veterans, present at the
Reunion last Wednesday as kept by
Captain L. G. Maxwell, to whom THE
LEADER is indebted for copy;
Frank Greer Co. A, 18th Mississippi
Regiment
j c. Thornhill, Co. |, 18th Mississippi
Regiment.
A. Sangler. Co. f, 4th Louisiana Bat
TALON.
j. f. Daughville, Co. q, 10th Missis,