The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-08-14

famous fort should be perpetuated to
the remOteSt generation. The gallant
survivors have I-et cause to De proud
of their heroic defense and will no doubt
meet again on that historic 500 with
mingled pride and sadness.
The bombardment of Fort Fisher was
the heaviest since the invention of gun
powder. Many acts of heroism in its
defense have never received the praise
which they so much deserve. Indeed
they are known to very few persons.
For instance scarcely any one has heard
Of the heroism of Private Christopher
c. Bland of CO Thirty-sixth North
Carolina Regimer- The flag staff was
u~nprOvidel with halyards and when the
order was. given to raise the battle flag
young Bland promptly volunteered to
do GO. He seized the flag and begun
climbing the staff unde ~avy fire
from the enemy'S fleet. UndlSmayed
by the Shrieking of shells which fell
around he climbed the staff and fast
ened the fac at -ho top. Just as he
came down a shell tore loose one end
of the flag and at once this hero
again climbed the staff while shells
fell arOunl him almost as thick as hail
and again fastened the flag in its place
and strange to say he escaped IN
wounded. History has taught every
SCHOOL boy the nerOlSfn OIL SeFSeIll Jas
per at Fort MOultire when it's flag staff
was shot down by the British fleet. but
not a school boy has probably eve
heard ofAtfis more daring feat of Chris
TOPPER c. Bland.
AROUND THE CAMP FIRES.
The camp fires, so to speak, were
lighted at the w. l. 1. armory last
night. The veterans gathered there,
renewed acquaintance, snapped expert
ences and told anecdotes. Among the
veterans is Mr.. Amos n. Johnson. of
Sampson county, who is 81 years of
age. He says he would not have MISS
ed he reunion for anything. General
John Gotten, of Tarboro, was a con-
spicuous figure in the crowd. but the
most welcome veteran in the party
was Captain James Parker. the heroic
leader Of thefederal marines and sailors
who made the desperate and bloody
attack on the sea face of the fort.
The veterans crowded about him and
were glad to see him. He mad a few
remarks in which he expressed pleas
ure at meeting his old enemies and
wished them peace, happiness and
plenty the balance of their lives. His
remarks were highly appreciated and
applauded.
Colonel w. W.. Lumpkin, OF Column
bia, S. c., also made remarks. and paid
a glowing tribute to the confederate
soldier. He was heartily appiauded
and his hand was warmly shaker
Souvenir badges were distributed to
the veterans. One of the souvenirs is
a white rimless button, around the cir
Gle being printed January Is, 1866
Fort Fisher August II. 1903" In the
centre is a battery of artillery. and
attached to the button are red an
blue ribbons. The other badge is a
bronze pendant on a blue ribbon. AT
the top is a scholl on which is the
word Souvenir" and on one side of
the of the medal is a confederate flag,
while on the reverse side is engraved
Fort Fisher January Is, 1865
Some of the Daughters of the Con-
federacy were also at the armOry last
night and kept their museum of Con-
federate relics open so the old soldiers
could view them. Many viewed the
museum relics on exhibition and were
deeply interested Interested especially
in the uniform n equipment of the
lamented General w. H. c. Whiting.
Captain E. D. Williams, the popular
commander of the tug Marion, sent to
the armory a box of candles which
were recently washed ashore from the
wreck of the blockade runner, Beaure-
gard lea Fort CaSWelL. They were
given to the veterans as souvenirs n
the old soldiers were greatly interested
in the relics.
The roster at the armory last night
showed that 268 veterans from outside
points had arrived in the city, but this
is not all, as there are many here who
have no reported at the armory.
PROGRAMME TO-DAY.
Cape Fear Camp, No. 524, Sons OF
Veterans, Cape Fear Charted, Daugh-
ters Of the Confederacy, members OF
the Wilmington Light Infantry n the
Naval reserves are requested to meet
at the armory this morning at s O'Clock
The visiting veterans are also ex.
| pected to meet at the armory at s a. m
At $50 o'clock a. m. the various Or
CARNATIONS will form a line of march
under the command of Colonel w. ]
Woodward, commander of Cape Fea,
Camp, and escort the visiting survivor
of Fort Fisher and veterans to tn
steamer Wilmington. The steamer will
leave promptly at 9 o'clock and pro
coed to the Rocks, making only on
stop at the pier at Carolina beach, t
enable the ladies of the party to dis
embark.
On arrival at the Rocks the veteran
will at once proceed to the old fort an,
there view the remains of the hiStori
spot.
Returning from the fort to batter
Buchanan, Mr.. Henry G. McQueer
chairman Of the committee of the sur
vivors, will call the meeting to ordel
the Rev. DR.. James Carmichael chap
lain of Cape Fear Camp, will offe
prayer, and Eugene S. Martin, Esq
will deliver an address.
The steamer will then return I
Carolina beach, where lunch will b
served by the Daughters of the Cor
federacy and addresses will be mao
by Governor Aycock, of North Carol
ma, Captain James Jarker. Of Ne
Jersey. and Colonel William Lamb, {
Norfolk, Va.
After the exercises shall have bee
concluded at Carolina beach, the We
Grams and friends VIII return TO Wi
mingtOn. reaching the city at 8 o'cloc
p. m.
This evening the veterans and SUI
viVorS will have an opportunity at tE