The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-05-08
REPEAL OF ORDINANCE OF SECESSION
Georgia Legislature Organized at Milledge
vills by sherman's Men, and Its Interest
Ing Session

Georgia Legislature Organized at Milledge-
ville by Sherman's Men, and Its Interest
Ing Session.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I really
believe that every ''old soldier" should be
subscriber, as well as a contributor, to
the columns OF The National Tribune.
Although 1 have been derelict for a few
years, | will suggest many Of my friends
| will be glad to hear from Kansas Jay
hawker. Now, Kansas is classed as 1.-THE
Soldier State" / believe the most of the
old soldiers there were from Indiana.
was associated with the Oath Ind. at Rip,
| ley, Mo, in December, 1861. This regi'
ment was made up of the best people,
mostly country boys, who had the best
care for health and living which the
American boy ever inherited. He was
used to feather-beds, with cakes and pies
for his luncheon. But the boy enlisted.
Uncle Sam gave him pork and beans and
hard crackers
About December, 1851. became faml-
liar with this regiment and the young sol
diers who answered to its rolls. Like the
young soldiers who enlisted for the Span
ish war, these boys were unprepared for
bareback every day, and fried for Sun
day.
When I saw the Oath Ind. at Upton,
Mo, the boys were sick, and many of
them died from the effects of the sweet
meats they ate rather than Government
ratiOns. In fact, so many were sick that
another regiment had to be called upon TO
furnish the burial squad.
The oath Ind. was sent home and re-
cuperated, and I saw it later, away down
South, one of the best organizations in
the army; and | am sure those boys were
in the front in many engagements in Mis-
sissippi, Louisiana and Tennessee, and
followed Sherman to the sea.
Not many people, even the old soldiers,
will remember one event in Sherman's
march from Atlanta to Savannah-the
march to the sea-that his advance guard
made a ranid movement to Milledgeville
the State Capital, suppressed the Legisla-
ture, then in session, put the State Off
GERS to fight, and Toasted on their good
dinners which had been prepared this day
on special occasion, which, although
not anticipated. was the biggest day" in
the history of Georgia.
The advance came to Milledgeville with
little "blare Of trumpets." They were
strictly on business. The Governor told
the Legislature that Sherman's hyenas
were coming, and, as he was slightly lame,
he had better take to the brush at once;
but he advised all his friends to resist the
advance of the 'hirelipgs from the North. "
Yet the boys moved on. When they
had eaten the good dinners prepared for
the Georgia statesmen, they proceeded to
the State House. Soon a new Legislature
was organized and fully established. A
Sergeant alarms and his deputies were
sent out to secure a quorum.
Patrick Martin, a Sergeant of the 2Sth
Wis, and one Of the advance guard.
was the Sergeant-at-Arms. Capt. Martin
lives in st. Joseph, Mo-, and had much
experience as a soldier.
After some preliminaries. the new Leg
islature OF Georgia, in lawful session, and
with delberation, passed the following
ordinance:
Whereas, an alleged body. claiming to
be the lawful Legislature of the State of
Georgia, did, on the - day Of -
1861, pass an ordinance of secession from
the Union with other States of the United
States of America.
BE it ordained, That the action of the
above body was without the sanction of
the people, without warrant, and there
fore void, and it is hereby declared that
the State of Georgia is and has been a
lawful member of the Union Of States,
and recognizes no valid reason for a
separation from the same.
BE it further ordained. That this ordi-
nance be in effect and remain in force
from this date, the same being to annul
sion, and restoring the State of Georgia
to the United States Of America
PATRICK MARTIN, Secretary"
Speaking Of this Legislature, in his
Memoirs Gen. Sherman said:
Some of the officers lin the spirit of
mischieO gathered together in the vacant
hall of representatives, elected a speak
er, and constituted themselves the Legis-
lature of the State of Georgia. A prop
ositiOn was made to repeal the ordinance
of secession, which was well debated, and
resulted in its repeal by a fair vote l
was not present at these frolics. but heard
Of them at the time, and enjoyed the
joke. "-ROBT. TRACY, LIST Kan, st.
Joseph, Mo.
Ir+ars,t;ro rh,,,o, - . ,ro..L r.,-.