Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-07-16
THE REUNION.

we greatly IeSEeI Gadt VI dCcouui
of limited space we cannot report
at length the reunion of Saturday.
Agoodly number of ladies, vete-
rams and others had assembled in
the court house and the meeting
was called to order at II o'clock
by Col. U. R. Brooks. Gen. NJ. c..
Butler was unanimously chosen as
chairman of the meeting and was
escorted to the chair by two vete-
rams Messrs. Hugh Scott and S.
B. Ryan, the bravest of the braves.
Gen. Butler announced that Capt.
WV. Lumpkin and state treasurer
Jennings. the chief orators of the
day, could not be present. Notwith-
standing the absence of these gen.
tlemen those in attendance were de
lightfully entertained by "home Ia
lent", all of the speakers being
Edgefeld men.
Gen NJ Butler, at times humorous,
at times pathetic, always interesting,
commanded the closest attention of
the audience as he spoke Of his gal
liant brigade in camp, on the march
and on the field of battle. He said it
was now conceded by some of the
ablest of Union generals, besides other
military geniuses, that the confeder-
ate army, when we consider their half
clad, i'll fed and poorly equipped con-
dition, stands first ia the worlds his
tory of armies. Their achievements
tagainst odds is monument to their
bravery. Gen Butler paid beautiful
tribute to the private on whose shoul-
ders rested the heaviest burden of the
war. The prestige enjoyed by the Off
GERS was won for them by the rank
and file Of the army.
Col y r Brooks was next introduce
ed. By his pleasing manner and easy
conversational style Col Brooks won
the sympathetic attention of the audi
ence from the outset. Every man,
woman and child should have heard
the "reminiscences of old Edgefield and
her people so interestingly related by
Col Brooks. His war sketch began
with the departure of the first COM
pany from Edgetield in January, 1861.
Hhe members and achievements of old
company "B" were more frequently
mentioned than any other because he
was member of this company. He
spoke of the brilliant record of But
ler's historic old brigade which, on
account of the true bravery of its
members,was called But1er's"r ire Eat
ers." This body of men, who scorned
The thought of reti eat, knew nothing
but to charge the Yankee with all
their might and main wherever and
whenever found. Much unwrltten
history, which unfortunately can only
be transmitted To coming generations
through tradition, was heard on Sat-
urday last. Brer Rabbit is not any
more at home in the briar patch than
is Col Brooks In meeting OF veter-
ans where war time experiences are
being related.
Gen. Z. w. Carwile was next
called upon who briefly but in we'll
chosen words declared his interest
in AMI affection for the old yete-
rams. The speakers who preceded
Gen. Carwilo alluded to his
achievements during the war. He
thanked them saying that he only
did his duty fearlessly as he saw 1t
as many others did.
S. Nc. G. Simklns, Esq. was
called upon to speak for the sons
of veterans. Mr.. Simkins who is
not only silver tongued but an ever
ready speaker responded very
happily. The remarks of Mr.. Sim
kins with reference to organizing
the sons of veterans were quite ap-
iopos and we trust that he will
keep his pledge.
The exercises of the day were
enjoyed by all present especially
Py the szss veterans ghe gas attended fEqm pag
not have such a reunion every
year