The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-05-15

o.
Nv comrades: [ have heard that
Rebel yell before and l wish l could
respond to it now as it was once my
pride to do when I told the brave men
around me to ego in and win But
time has marred my voice along with
other things and I cannot now answer
YOU as once could. But perhaps
there are some of you here who knew
of the old Phillips division? A lieu
tenant colonel of that division was one
of the best and bravest men in the
division, but he was not much on
drill or grammar. And once while the
legion was in winter quarters an officer
was sent to inspect and drill them.
They were not accustomed to drill,
and, being very soon tired out, the
colonel apologized for them by saying
that "their spirits are good, but
their wind are Short And l find my
self very much in the same condition
now as those men were.
By the by, while talking, I recall
another incident in connection with
this division. When they came down
here after the war the old cavalry
men with their horses we're sent down
near Branchville. One night the Yam
KEGS came up on them and after skir-
mishing around awhile climbed trees
and began firing on them Our men
withdrew across the river and the
next morning when the Yankees came
up on the other side, one of them call
ed out:
'sSay, Reb, what troops are those?"
militia. -
"You are damn liar
Now my comrades-I will not say
friends''-I never call any one friend
that I knew in the old campaign days
in Virginia men who were bound to-
gether by the fire of battle. You are
my friends, though, and I am appoint
ed by the camp which honors me with
my name to welcome you here as l
do. I welcome you for them, for my
self and for every brave man and no
BILE. patriotic woman in Columbia.
Our mayor has extended to you the
freedom of the city. You are well
come here. Columbia belongs to you
and ! am sure that in no other place
in the world would you find truer,
more heartfelt welcome. I am glad
to welcome you. I have seen many OF
my men from other States. [ have seen
some tonight from Georgia and among
these latter is the great leader, Cor
don. (applause. He has come to visit
the city for which he did SO much
in '76 and all Of you who were in the
cavalry will join me when I say that
we were always glad when Gordon
came up. He is here and | want to
thank him for the honor he pays us.
Ny friends, may say nothing to you.
have come from sick bed that
might meet you and tell you that
have never forgotten Old Lang Syne.
have never forgotten those days, and
hope they never will be forgotten.
Our cause was lost, but just cause
never dies.
AS Gen. Hampton concluded there
was great and fitting demonstration,
the old soldiers rising and cheering
the beloved chieftains. The perora-
ton had been full of vigor and fire,
and the old soldiers felt the effect.
The demonstration continued until the
general sat down.
GORDoN'S TRIBUTE TO HANdP-
TON.
Ny Fellow Comrades Il am not 8
South Carolinian (applause) but I am
Georgian and I can prove (applause)
by this entire audience turning tc
Miss Lumpkin) that that is not very
bad. Laughter.
Gen. Walker is quite right. I am
here to listen but not to talk: but
do not forget, my friends and broth
ers, and Confederate sisters, that | am
standing tonight on South Caroiina's Is
soil and in the very heart of southern
chivalry. (Applause. More than
that, am standing in the presence
of the very greatest man that South
Carolina has produced in all her his
tory. prolonged applause. And !
mean no vain fattery; use no un-
meaning words when I say that, tax
ing him as a private citizen, as sol
dier upon a hundred battlefelds, as
the hero OF a reconstruction worse
than war, as towering temple stand
ing today in his unparalled might,
or like the mountains of your own
northern border with the very skies