The Savannah morning news., 1902-03-02
VETERANS AT TYBEE
SURVIVORS OF WHEATON'S BAT
Terry HAD A REUNION.
ENJOYED AN OYSTER ROAST.
AS GUESTS OF THEIR OLD COM
RADE, CLEMENT SAUssY.

Occasion Was the FOrtfeth Anniver-
sary of Mr.. SRussy's Enlistment in
the Chatham Artillery, known
During the Civil War as Wheat
On's Battery-Veterans Who Were
Invited to Enjoy Oysters with
Him-UnfIue Method of Preparing
the Oysters Was Witnessed by the
Vetcrans-AHair Was Greatly En-
jOyed by All Who Attended.
Veterans of the Chatham Artillery,
known during the Civil War as Whea-
toms Light Battery, had a reunion at
Tybee Island yesterday afternoon
Supt. Clement Saussy of the Tybee
Railroad was the host, and the occa-
sion was his celebration of the fortieth
anniversary of his enlistment in Whea-
toms Battery.
Some time ago Mr.. Saussy deter
mined that he would get all thee sur
viving members of the battery togeth-
er on the anniversary of his enlist
ment. il he could, so he sent out in
vitations. All who found it possible
accepted the invitation with gladness.
for the opportunity to re-assemble and
fight their battles over is not offered
very often. Especial satisfaction was
afforded them because of the popular
ity that Private Saussy enjoyed among
his comrades during the war-popu-
larity that has not waned, but that
the years have increased.
1t was on March /, 1862. that Mr..
Saussy, then but a lad, enlisted with
the battery, and he served throughout
the rest Of the war under Capt. Whea-
toms command. He was at Greensboro.
N. c., when the battery surrendered
and to this day he has the Mexican
dollar that was given him by the pay
master, who had managed to get hold
of some coin and concluded that 1t
should be distributed among the men.
Among his guests at Tybee were sew
eral who enlisted in the battery at the
same time with him.
The Tybee train was taken at $50
o'clock by the following veterans.
George p. Walker, H. S. Dreese, T. N.
Theus George Turner, r. F. Baker, w
Y. Miller, T. w. McNish, j. S. Silva,
f. A. Garden, A. NJ West, r. f. Har-
mon, e. D. Maxim, A. w. Harmon, ].
Q. Hodges, ]. w. McIntire, T. r. Miller
and Clement Saussy. All these were
privates in Wheatop's battery, save
Mr.. Garden, who wah a sergeant, and
Mr.. r. F. Harmon and Mr. McNish,
who We're corporals. George P. Walker
is now captain of the Chatham Artil-
lery, and H. S. Dreese is first lieuten-
ant. Other surviving veterans, who
could not attend, but who were invited
by Mr.. Saussy, are ]. r. Saussy, now
at Tampa; j. S. Baynard of Guyton,
S. B. Palmer of New York, J. L. Har-
den of Meldrim and H. c.. Ward.
The run to Tybee was made by the
veterans in a special car. Arrived at
the old Chatham Artillery Club
House, the veterans found a bounti-
full supply of oysters, which Pat Gro
gan had furnished, and they were in
vited by Mr.. Saussy to witness the
most highly approved method of
roasting or steaming the bivalves that
was ever practised. The locomotive
that had pulled the. train was the
principal factor in the process. About
a bushel of oysters were placed in a
large can, which had a hole in the
bottom large enough for the admis-
sion of Pinch pipe, which was per-
forated near the end inserted among
the oysters in the can. The other end
of the pipe was attached to steam
syphon near the locomotives cylinder,
and then the steam was turned on
Within two minutes the
oysters were splendidly cook
ed. They were done to just
the turn that set the shells partially
agape, and, when they were emptied
upon the long table that had been ar
ranged in the baggage car and the
veterans. armed with oyster knives,
made their descent upon them, they
were found to be delicious in their
flavor. Can after can had it's contents
emptied before the veterans, and amid
great good humor their attacks upon
them were continued. All agreed that
it was the finest oyster roast they had
ever attended.
At o'clock the train left for the
city. The way back was enlivened by
stories from the old campaigners, and
with roars of laughter the veterans lis
tened to yarn after yarn. that was
spun by one or another. Lieut.. Dreese,
on behalf of his comrades, thanked Mr..
Saussy in humorous speech, for the
entertainment, and the latter replied