The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-07-22
Echoes from the Reunion.


It is the unarimous verdict that ths re-
union was perfet success To make 1t
so recui,e ed great deal of rlanning and
work. For this all Cap. A. P. West is due
almost the Gre dit. He worked and planned
almost necessarily until it was impossible
for anything to fail. He formulated sub
iects. invited speakers, appointed commit
tees and arranged everything in the mas
terly characteristic of the old leader On
the day of the reunion he commanded the
Cd Soldiers. marching them to the College.
He presided over the sessions with great
care and dignity. introducing the speakers
in the most appropriate terms Just be-
fore the children >ang when the Boil is
Called Up Yonder. the Captain said:
Comrades: We stand here today battle
SCARED and manned. boasting that we are
a remnant of that army which fought tor
the Confederate States of America-the great.
est army that ever entered battlefield or
bivoucked on Americas hallowed soil
How many old comrades our little band
will be permitted tn meet In future re-
unions we know not? We have been spared
through many battles to live in happiness
and peace at our homes and with our fam
lies for thirty-nine years. For all of this
we should indeed be Thankful! and should
lead blameless and spotless lives as becomes
soldiers Faithfully watching our post
ard soon We will join our dear comrades
who have gone before to be with Lee.
jackson and our beloved Hampton on the
other shore.
..When the roll is called we'll be there.
The Captain was the master mind that
planned and executed the magnificent pro-
gramme and made it such success.
BE then introduced DR.. D. NJ. Crosson.
Mayor of Ieesville. who spoke as follows:
"As true son of q faithful, patriotic and
Confederate veteran, feel it an honor and
my duty, whenever I meet "Old Confeder-
ate Veterans. to pull my hat to them In
recognition of the respect and honor due
them; for their interest, their fortitude and
their deep devotion to their country, and
what was right in the times that tried mems
courage and their souls which was nothing
short of marvellous. and the equal of which
when con pared with the true grit. cour-
age and devotion to duty, as in our South
ern soldiers in the late war between the
States. mean to shake the hand Of every
veteran here today and in behalf of the
Town of Leesville. which is noted for its
educational interests, its hospitality and its
liberality, extend to him hearty. enthu:
siastic and generous welcome. The self
| emb acing air of our beautiful ridge towE,
made hi rtorlc because. adjacent to 1t, lies the
| bodies of the courageous Butler and
! his comrade of Revolutionary fame. These
remains. serving to give inspiration with
war like courage that has been handed
down faom our forefathsrs to US and our
wives and children, and will be handed
downeto oursposterity yet unborn. Such
sentiments thrill US from the Oldest to the
youngest OF our inhabitants, and We throw
wide open our arms to embrace you-each b
and every one of you, who are but part
of the remaining heroes left Of the grandest
army of men that ever shouldered a gun OF
heard the "clank OF musketry", or the
whistle of the ene mics bullets in any coun-
| try. You are the precious jewels that ar =
left to US of that magnificent army, raised
under the banner of JEFF Davis, who was
the embodiment Of Southern sentiment and
! right. You followed where Lee, Jackson,
I.ongstreet, Gordon, Beauregard, Gary,
Butler, Kershaw and our noble Hampton,
and others of our true and brave Generals
led and you were always encouraged by the
daring spirit of "Old Confederate JOE
and when true history is written, which al
all wise provideL CO will in the future dl
rect. the records will show that you did
your whole duty on every occasion. This
is attested to bv the part You played q
G. ttysburg. Bull Hua and the Ma ASS anc