The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-25
A Happy Event for the 4th Alabama Cavalry c. s. A., and Camp
 w A Johnson


 Quite a number of the Daughters or Tuscumbia Chapter were invited by our President, Mrs. W. c. Johnson, to assist her and her son, MT. Dick Johnson, in entertaining and waiting upon the eX- Confederate soldiers at a barbecue given at her home September 16.
 Into the history of Forests battles ana campaigns, and also in all warfare con- nected with the defense of the Tennes- see Valley. is woven many brave deecs of Col. w. A. and Capt. Dick Johnson. No more gallant and truly patriotic he roes served under the Confederate flag than these two brothers. and it was to honor their memory and those surviving who fought with them now scattered over many counties and States, and to the Camp w. A. Johnson of Tuscumbia, that Mrs Johnsons home was opened With such significant and broad hospitality on this occasion.
 What thrilling yet subdued sensations filled the minds of each one present, when, with a number of old veterans. all ready arrived from distance, Mrs. John son, her sons and daughters descended the steps of her stately home. and await ed those who marched from the town, in a body, along the hot and dusty road, and into the grove. to disperse and receive her greeting. It was as if each one knew in that moment. ga touch of a hand that is vanished, the sound of a voice that is stilled"-bidding them to a renewal of ties, binding all to an eternal comrade- ship. Not a face there but reflected the strong emotion, not an eye but filled with sacred film as MT. John Johnson, stand- ing by his mother, said to them:
 It is difiicult to express to you our pleas ure in having you with us here today; none the less'a pleasure though touched and softened by the shadow of sadness. Speaking to you as men, bid you well come, aye more than welcome. but when I address you as Confederate Veterans. my tongue falters. for my heart is out among you, 'and I must pause till 1t come back to me-"
 What thoughts. what memories come crowding past you, when you hear your selves called by that inspiring name; what ideals. what pictures arise before us of the younger generation. We see one who has borne the hardships and the privations of the campaign: the toll of the march and the shock and tumult of the conflict-the hero of hundred bat ties, scared and enfeebled by the wounds he received. saddened by the sorrow and suffering he has witnessed, but uplifted and sustained by the righteousness of his cause and the principles for which he fought-the inyiolate right of private property and the ssnctity of his home.
 The Confederate soldier. be he private or be he general, was inspired to fight by the highest and most unselfish of mo- lives. and unlike the hordes of hirelings that so often compose the armies of na- tions. he was of the highest type of man. morally and socially. And both as the leader of the army and as the humblest soldier in the ranks. he at all times and in all things did his duty as truly and as nobly as did any knight errant of old.
 After the lapse of so many years 1t is right and proper that the softening in- huence of time and the weight of years should free your hearts from all bitter ness and cause you to look with broader charity upon those arrayed against you: but let the mellowing and olbitera ing inafluence of time stop there with all of