The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-21
HONORS To A CONFEDERATE
The staff of Colonel f. NJ. Parker OF the
Thiriieth North Carolina Regiment
Celebrate h Anniversary Of the
Battle OF Sharpsburg by q Banquet to
Their Former Commander.
Correspondents Of the Messenger
Wldon, n. c.. September IL

(Corespondence of the Messenger.)
WIDOW, N. c., September L.
The veterans composing the stan or
Colonel +. NJ. Parker, OF Enfield. q
former gallant confederate VINO COM
Carolina regiment. and now comman-
der of the Third brigade. North Caro-
lima division of United Confederate
Veterans, "a an elegant banquet at
the Atlantic Coast Line hotel mere this
evening from s to 10 O'Clock in his
honor. The following members OF his
s7tan were present: Major. the Rev,
James B. Averitt. chaplain, Cumoer-
land. Nd; John p. Leach. Of Ltttleton;
lieutenant colonel and chief OF stan;
Major William II. Day. judge advo-
cate: Major Swift Galloway. or Greene
county, luartermaster; Captain Faui
Garrett, Jr., Quartermaste., Chocko-
gate: Major A. J.. Ellis. G~arysburg.
surgeon Major Oct A. Virgins. VII
mington inspector general; Major Ben
Collins. Ridgeway, chief OF
Captain John C. Randolph. Enfield, A
D. c.; Captain Elisha Porter, ROCKY
Mount, A d. c.; Captain John u. New
some. Littleton. a. D. e., captain
Frank Nj. Fits, Wilmington, a D. c;
A<A
Mount, color bearer.
Many distinguished visitors Were
present from various seSlIons. The
supper was superb and served in the
Coast Lines best style.
There were the usual humber or
toasts and remark from Colonel Par
ker, Rev. Averitt. Captain Leach. Cap
tain Day and others.
Colonel Parker Is now % years old
and is, perhaps, with the exception OF
General Ransom. the oldest living con-
federate of high ran In North Caro-
lima He responded 10 the call or his
country for volunteers at the begin
ming of the great war between the
states and served until the surrender.
III was first elected a lieutenant and
was soon in charge OF his company as
captain. Having had excellent mill
tary training he was elected colonel OF
the Thirtieth North Carolina regiment
in October 1861. He was severely
wounded in the battle OF Sharpsburg.
September 18th, 1862, and today being
the thirty-eighth anniversary or the
memorable struggle the veterans OF his
staff met here today to honor their
brave and gallant leader.
Colonel Parker was again wounded
at the battle Of Gettysburg. July LIST.
1863, and also at Spottsylvania Court
House 18th OF May 1864, when his regi-
ment charged three lines OF works in
the famous Horse Shoe" He was in
other engagements and lost heavily at
Charlottesville.
Colonel Parker was at South Noun
tain when General ID. n. Hill held
McClellan's entire army in check Tor
a whole day.
After the severe wound ne received
at Sp~ottsylvania, the army surgeon
pronounced him unfit for service and
he was transferred to North Carolina
and surrendered with Genera Johnston
at Greensboro. He Is nov b~rigadier
general Of the Third brigade, North
Carolina division o. United Confeder-
ate Veterans. His home is at Ring
wood in Halifax county, where he
spends the most of his time quietly on
his farm. He is a gentleman of the
old school and is beloved and nonored
by his neighbors and associates He is
genial, kind and generous. Few men
enjoy a wider circle of friends and his
staff in honoring him here today hon
ored themselves, and the occasion will
lnger in his memoir until he answers
the final roll call.