Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-08-12
Survivors Of Gallant Command Meet Once
Mo'e-Ihs RsuImenfs Splendid Record
[Anderson Mail, August e.]


The annual reunion Of the survivors Of
orr's Regiment. Confederate States
Army, In tho Court House yesterday, was
q somewhat different reunion from other
reunions that have been Eeld, but all the
members of the regiment who were seen
yesterday say It was one of the most on
joyable gatherings Of the survivors of
that famous command that has ever been
held.
The feature of the day was the address
to the survivors by Governor Hayward, /,
and IL was magnificent one. The Gov
ernor is q splendid speaker on ordinary
occasions. but he surpassed himself yes
to-day. 1t is a matter of extreme regret
that even synopsis of his speech cannot
be attempted for want of space.
The Governor said he had had the
pleasure of reviewing and observing
three bodies of soldiers during the day
a company from the regular army, q
regiment of the State troops of the pres
emit generation and the survivors of a
famous regiment of the Lost Cause.
The tribute the Governor paid to the
veterans was q glowing and an earnest
one. and at the same time he pointed out
that the war is over and that the atten-
zion of these reunited States" is now
turning 20 the future. "There is talk of
the Eew South" he said, "but this New
South has been made by the men who
fought for what some of US call the Old
South. They came home from the war
broken in heart and purse, but they
plucked up fresh courage and went to
work and rebuilt tho country. We
younger men are enjoying the fruits of
their work.
The frequency with which the Cover
nor's remarks were interrupted with APP
plause showed how heartily his senti-
ments were endorsed, and showed his
personal popularity as we'll.
The Governor closed his speech with
an eloquent suggestion for contributions
for the fund for the erection of the
monument to Wade Hampton, and of
the mention of the name there was a
thunder Of cheers. The name and
glory of South Cardinals leader has not
been forgotten by the survivors of orr's
regiment. or by the great crowd of out
siders who were in the Court House
during the time the Governor was speak
ing.
The meeting was presided over by
General r. r. Hemphill, of Abbeyille,
President of the Survivors Association,
Addresses of welcome were made by
Hon. j. M. Sullivan, Mayor of the oity,
and by Hon. G. f. Tolly, former
mayor and the present commander of
Camp Stephen d. Lee, u. @. v. These
were responded to by Gen. Hemphill on
behalf of the Survivors Association.
Following the Governors speech were
brief remarks by Col. j. l.. Orr and Gen.
M. l.. Bonham, and very interesting
speech by Col. j. N. Brown, who dealt
largely with number of "reminiscences
Of the campaign in which the regiment
was engaged.
After the speaking brief business
session was held, at which the following
business was transacted:
The following, by w. T. McGill, was
adopted:
Whereas, the survivors of Orr's regi-
ment have been meeting at sundry places
in the several counties in which the same
was made up and received with hearty
welcome wherever we met, thereby at
testing the high esteem and respect that
our people hold us in for the sacrifice OF
and services we rendered in the Lost
Cause; and,
Whereas through our committee we
have made application to, and, as we
thought, procured meeting place at
Clemson College in conjunction with the
Farmers Institute, which is soon to be
convened, and fully ninety per cent of
our few comrades left to meet and cele.
brate these, our annual reunions, are
farmers, and have proved our loyalty to
our State and all her institutions and
with pardouable pride felt that we would
be received by many of the South Caro-
lima institutions with that welcome COM
mensurate to the loyalty and sacrifice
we made during the four years of bitter
strife between the States, and besides
being tax payers to support said institu-
tions, thereby supporting them in times
of war and peace; therefore be it
Resolved, first, That we disapprove of
the action of the Chairman of the Board
of Trustees of Clemson in refusing to
allow us to meet at the time and place
so near whore our services were dedi-
Gated to our beloved State and the Lost
Cause we cherished and loved 30 much.
Resolved, second, That these pream-
bles and resolutions be spread on our
minute book.
Third, And that these resolutions be
published in the surrounding county
papers.
This by T. A. MoElroy was adopted
with spirit and feeling:
Resolved, That the hearty thanks of
the Survivors Association of Orr's
Rifles are hereby rendered to the Cham
Der of Commerce of the city of Auder-
son and to the city for their kindness.
and liberality extended TO us.
Resolved, That we shall ever entertain
for Anderson and her people profound
respect and true affection.
General Hemphill submitted the fol-
lowing interesting historical facts:
At the battle of Gaines Mill the regi-
ment carried 537 men into action. OF
these 81 were killed and 234 wounded,
making total loss of 315 men.
During the war 334 officers and men
were killed or died of wounds, POI died
of disease and the total of deaths
amounted to 535. Wounded, but not
mortally, there were 791 officers and
men and the total number of casualties
in battle 1,125. The regiment was in line
Of battle or engaged at the following
places;
Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill, Frazier's
Farm, Malvern Hill, Cedar Mountain.