The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-20
OLDEST ORGANIZATION.
THE THIRD NORTH CAROLINA IN
PANTRY ASSOCIATION.
Thirty-Seventh Annual Meeting and
Reunion Held Yesterday at Green
Vile Sound-Col- VIM. L. DeRossct
Neglected Pr~esideat-Sad n
iscence of the Past.
(Reported by a veteran.A

Infantry Association held its thirty
seventh annual reunion al the resi-
dence OF Captain w. III. Northrop on
Greenville Sound.
On the 3rd day OF February 1866. this
association was formed and a constI-
tuition and bylaws were then adopted.
the place Of meeting being the office Of
the late DR.. Thomas F. Wood, who was
the last surgeon OF the association and
beloved by all members of the regiment
for his genial manne and other endear-
ing qualities. The high esteem In
which he was held by officers and men
died not with the waning fortunes OF
the confederacy but lasted with unfail-
ing devotion till death claimed him for
it own.
AT the first reunion held May Is.
1866, at the residence OF its president
and Colonel William L. DeRosset, near
ly thirty officers and honorary members
(three), sat down 10 dinner. Death has
claimed many OF hat genial, brilliant
coterie OF gentlemen, and We miss the
safely, soul stirring words of George
Davis, the brilliant wit of Robert H.
Cowan, the sparkling scintillations OF
la VI u LdISdObs ooIlll ~" Ia
JOSH Walker and others-and now today
a small number of six only is left TO tell
re tale of suffering, recoun the remil-
iscenses OF campaigns, battles and
marches and pathoS and bathoS are 50
blended that our tears frequently are
chased away by laughter over the hum
orous accounts of personal incidents.
1t has been asked why the 10th day Of
May should nave been selected for the
recurring anniversary of this associa-
ton. 1t is recorded that in the spring
of 1861, the state of North Carolina call
ed for ten regiments of troops to be en-
listed for the war, to be called the
North Carolina state troops in contra
distinction to the volunteers for one or
three years. The commissions to the
original officers of these ten regiments
were signed by His Excellency Govern
or Ellis on the 10th day of May, 1861;
hence the reason.
At moor yesterday the association was
called to order, the president, Colonel
Colonel w. L.. DeRosset, in the chair,
and the secretary, Captain James !.
Nets, at the desk. After some rou-
tine work the old officers were reelected
and the Rev. John R Marshall was
chosen as chaplain to succeed the be-
owed old chaplain, Rev. George Pater-
son who died last winter. Provision
was made to have deciphered and tran
- Tx IN a. IN Va 49,
i%ZatiOn, which were so badly charred
and nearly obliterated by the fire on the
wharf in March, 1901.
These records contain valuable remin-
iscences and recount the troubles had
in meeting on regular nights n how
the Yankees and negroes tried to arrest
the members for d~isloyalty and to pre-
vent the meetings. Life at that time
was one Of military rule, and terrorism
and tyranny went hand in hand. The
younger generation car hardly appre-
ciate the suffering these old soldiers
endured, the ignominy placed upon
them. negro soldiers ordering them TO
cut the confederate button from their
only coat, and other indignities which
they were compelled to submit to.
But to recur to the meeting. After
business was over, an oyster roast was
and sufficient justice was
lone to it to justify the genial host in
saying well 1 believe you all have en-
joyed it," A delightful hour was passed
in war chat and other pleasures and
dinner was announced. The old boys
say it was splendid and the president
says the salt air increases ones appe-
tite largely.
All soon thereafter babe their charm
ing hostess and host goodbye and were
on their return to town. A strain OF
sadness, however, pervades these re-
unions for the old vets, say who will be
absent at the next roll call.