The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-05-22
/. THE OLD VETS.
Columbia Receives Them With Open
Hands and Hearts.
TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD

aaI
Awakens Many Tender Mem
ories and Stirs the
Old Soldiers.
The gallant veterans Of the South
Carolina Division, U. c. ", have once
more marched to their Capitol City.
In behalf Of South Carolina Columbia
gladly and proudly welcomed these
defenders Of Southern rights. For
their sakeS and in memory OF their
deeds her gates were opened wide and
warm was the welcome that came
from The hearts Of Il people. The
stars and bars were seen from the
tops OF houses, from windows, on
vehicles Ind, best OF all, they were
waving In the hands Of the fair
daughters OF South Carolina. Pic
lures or Jackson. Hampton and Lee
were seen, always surrounded by the
battle flags Of the Southern Confcd-
eracy.
Secretary Of State CAN'T had the
State House decorated and Governor
Hayward had his Office floating the
stars and bars and the Palmetto flag
The Governors mansion was drapcd
III THESE patriotic cUiOrS. They citng.
with loving pride around the marble
monument to the Confederate soldier
In front Of the capitol, and, ilowcr-
laden and beautiful they rcSte Il
upon the old war cannon that stand
silent and solitary around this monu-
ment
The notes OF the bugle and The drum
were heard again and the band played
Dixie" and the Bonnie Blue Flag
Electric lights in red and white lined
the sides OF the Streets and overarchcd
IL at regular intervals. And peace
was in the air, while the birds sang
and the breezes blew softly for those
fiery spirits whose valor gave the doom
Of BATTLE in the bloody ariitramcpt OF
war The tents on the State House
grounds were vivid reminders Of the
old fighting days. Adj. Gen. Frost
was busy preparing this caing>fur tue
old veterans, knowing uhat'tiicy woiiilii
like these resting places. 1.-The large
tent held over 200 soldiers aud the
numerous small tents made things
look rcgimental here.
The veterans came IN the first day
in large numbers. Every train on
Monday night brought squads and
companies and on Tuesday, the first
and opening day Of the reunion, the
old veterans were in complete posses.
sion Of the city. The opening event
was the welcome TO sponsors at
z Wright's Hotel from G to 7:3O Tues
( day evening. Nun. hcrs OF the old
veterans were there, looking after
their sponsors and maids, and scores
OF sons Of veterans were there looking
after'' their fathers. Music was
furnished by the Columbia Orchestra,
and the event was Il very brilliant
one.
A WARM WELCOME.
The State says there were soul-in-
spring scenes at the Columbia theatre
tuesday night Of last week. The vast
auditorium was packed as it has not
been since last the Coz. ,dcratc Survi-
vors met here, and at times those, The
4 youth Of whose heart bellies the frost
of time on their brows, we're drawn
back to scenes when love Of country
was dcarcr than life itself.
The organized body of Confederate
veterans OF South Carolina was called
to order at $40 O'clock. That hour
found the opera house filled, with hun
drcdS outside struggling to gain ad-
mission. The jam around the doors
prevented some Of the sponsors from
getting into the hall and this prevent
ed the exercises beginning promptly
On the stage were the invited speak
erS, number OF SponSorS and maids OF
honor and the choir, which so sweet
~ sang the songs OF Audi Lang Sync.
The entire lower floor Of tho opera
house was reserved for the veterans,
and there were perhaps | 800 or them
present, for in the galleries above.
among the fair ladies of Carolina
were men whose hearts never faltcrcd
in the days Of 81 to 90.
MEDLEY OF WAR TUNES.
While the great audience was gath
ering the orchestra struck up a med
ley Of war tunes. The strains of
Yankee Doodle" first evoked a storm
OF cheers and then the music glidcd
into tunes Of the camp fire, uuiclicn-
ing the recollection OF hundreds of
brave hearts. Suddenly the sound OF
trumpets was heard and then
"Dixic"
When the survivors had concluded
cheering the march Which had swept
them into the face OF death time ard
time again, the lights were turned out
and a hush fell over the assembly.
Bugler Lightfoot stepped to the from,
Of the stage and sounded the quick
notes OF the assembly, Il call which
has wakened the sleeping soldiers from
dreams OF home and loved ones &c
dash into the mouths Of hell-brcath-
ing cannon, sounding the assembly tC
the great dress parade Of eternity
When the notes Of the bugle had died
away the curtain rose swiftly and q
choir OF 60 voices on the stage began
singing the Long Metre Doxology
This, too struck Il responsive chord in
the audience, and hundreds or voices,
terror laden when giving tile ''Rcbe
yell, ! were softcncd In singing Praise
God from Whom All Blessings Flow I
CAPT STARTLING ATirIlE GAvEL.
Capt w. d. Starting, a man who
owed and fought for the Coniclcracy
and the man who for his faith In co.
lumbia and his willingness to labor fol
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