The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-02-26
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"Reminiscences OF Gen. Gordon.

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"Reminiscences OF Gen. Gordon.
In August, 1895. the writer heard
the late Gen. Gordon lecture upon
The Last Days OF the ConfedeTacy'
at Ocean Grove, N. j. There were
10000 people present in the vast au-
ditorium, many of whom hardly knew
whether to be friendly or hostile to
the great leader.
L shall never forget the opening re-
marks. After the usual preliminaries
of addressing an audience, he said, in
an intensely attractive and thrilling
way: My countrymen!" With those
words he captured his audience and
held it spell-bound for two hours. l
may say that of all the impressions
the lecturer made, that of intense de.
votion to the cause for which he
stood, plus his love for the whole
united country, were lasting and deep.
In the vast audience were many OF
the Blue and Grey, whose cheers and
yells were abundant. The closing
part Of the speech I will never forget.
Some one evidently had questioned
the loyalty Of the South to the flag.
1T was an incident that fired the gal.
liant soldier-lecturer. Then, too, there
might have been little home-sickness
upon his part; for the tribute of un-
dying devotion to his native South
land, what she would do in case our
country was attacked, satisfied the
most skeptic. 1t was an occasion of a
life time for many of us. Long before
this incident the speaker had caught
the inspiration of his vast audience;
and, it will always seem to me unpre-
meditated, seizing large American
flag, amid tumultuous cheering, inter-
spersed with the old tiger yell of many
a hard fought battlefield, he said:
We lift aloft this proud banner of
freedom and bid universal humanity
to catch its inspiration.
The next time / heard Gen. Gordon
was Brookville, Penn, during coun-
ty teachers Institute The subject
OF his lecture the same. During this
evening Gordon spoke Of one BATTLE
In which men were slain until the
dead were several feet high. He said
he believed more men were slain in
this battle than any other battle dur
ing the war, according to the number
Of men engaged He then said: II
suppose there is no one here who was
in this BATTLE" Up arose a tall gen.
tleman, Major MacMurray, and said:
General. | commanded the men you
refer to" Both were oblivious to the
hundreds present, as they talked as
men can who fought one another
tiercely. 1t was graphic in the ex-
treme. The Majors comment after
wards was He (Gordon) was not
only fine fellow, but brave man."
Let me close this narrative with an
incident Of a Deacon of the
church ] was pastor of in Brookville.
Deacon l.. drew a large pension
from the government. 1t was gener-
ally conceded that the deacon's feel
ings were hurt more during the war
than his body was injured. This good
man approached his pastor and said:
understand you have heard that
rebel Gordon" Now, the deacon was
always in the front seat in church,
until ] called upon him to pray. Ever
after he was near the door, when he
vas du CllulCll. toO my reply was:
: Deacon, | have heard Gen. Gordon.
You go and hear him, and if you are
not satisfied let me know and I will
refund your money He went, and
as usual occupied the front seat. Gen
Gordon spoke of some battles that
were won by the Federals. Each in
cident increased the deacon's enthusi-
asm until the audience was amused at
his actions. The lecturer then men,
toned battles which were won by the
1t was case Of quiet,
more quiet, then graveyard stiffness
upon the part of the deacon. when
Gordon turned and slapping him fran
tically upon the shoulder said:
Shout, comrade. Why don't you
shout?"
In both of these cases the gallant
soldier made hosts of friends. His
devotion to his comrades of the eos
and his country were uplifting to
many. All eagerly listened, laughed,
cried and cheered during his thrilling
lecture Last Days Of the Con-
ra1pracv