Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1904-08-24
AFTERMATH.
Incidents OF the Reunion Of 0rr's Regiment Of
Rifles at WalhaIIa.

Incidents OF the Reunion Of 0r's Regiment OF
Rifles at WalhaIIa.
The exercises were interspersed with
music by t. A. Y, Jaynes and S. X.
Dendy, who played old time and familiar
tunes on violins. "Dixie" and "The
Bonnie Blue Flag" brought forth loud
cheers.
The two digs of Orr's Regiment are in
the archives at Columbia. They were
SO badly shot to pieces. and being old,
it was not thought advisable to bring
them to Walhalla. The flag of the Pal
metto. Sharpshooters was used instead,
and occupied place at the right of
President Hemphill throughout the ex-
ercises. This flag is in the custody of
c. L. Reid, of Walhalla, who, during the
war, received wounds under this flag
from which he can now show ten distinct
scars. The flag was presented to his
regiment by the Jades of Richmond,
Virginia, in the spring of 1862, just be-
fore the battle of Seven Pines. At the
conclusion of Col. Orr's address R. S.
Rutledge waved the flag and three cheers
The survivors of Orr's Regiment ex-
pressed high appreciation of the enter
tainment afforded them by the citizens
of Walhalla. They not only unanimously
adopted appropriate resolutions Of
thanks, but took their departure, after
giving many private expressions as to
the hearty manner in which they were
received and the courtesies shown them
while here. We know it was rare
pleasure for our citizens to have had the
privilege of entertaining the survivors of
this famous regiment for two days. 1t
was al occasion long to be remembered,
and should make lasting impression on
all. AS remarked by some of the speak
ers the number of survivors grows less
every year, and ere long those who now
remain will join their comrades on the
other shore. Tho debt due them by
their countrymen, and especially by the
rising generation, can never be paid, but
whatever can, should be done to smooth
the way as the sun of the heroes of the
Confederacy gradually sinks below the
horizon and the shades of evening gather
about them.
The statistics show that the casualties
of Orr's Regiment we're greater than in
any other regiment, North or South,
during the war. Of the thirteen hundred
| and thirtv-6ye m, an wbO pnarcboI
Virginia as Orr's Regiment only sixty-six
reported for duty at the surrender.
During his remarks Col. Orr told how
his mother enjoyed attending the reun-
ions as long as she lived. Sheitook pecu-
liar pleasure and regarded it as a sacred
duty, not only to those who hadIpassed
away, but also to the survivors. She was
ever enshrined in the hearts of the SOL
diers as the mother of the regiment
The officers Of the association were re-
elected as follows: R. R. Hemphill, presi-
dent; r. Y. Fl. Lowery, 1st vice. presi
dent; w. T. Magill, I'd vice president;
A. NJ. Guyton, Sd vice president; j. w.
Thompson, secretary and treasurer; Dir.
4. J. Mcbride, chaplain.
Wednesday, August 18th, 1904, is des-
tined to become an historic day in Wal
halla. On that day was had the thirty
first annual reunion of Orr's Regiment
and The Keowee Courier was made an
eight page paper, being fifty-five years
old
Camp Norton, U. c. ", was repre-
sented by Mrs. w. l.. Werner, Sponsor,
and her two Maids of Honor, Misses
Mary Stribling and Annie Werner.
Among the relics exhibited at the re-
union was a watch that kept the time for
Orr's Regiment during the entire four
years. The watch belongs to W.T.. Ellis,
of Due West, who was a member of
Company G.. He was member of the
band and beat time on the bass drum.
He carried the watch from the encamp-
ment at Sandy Springs until the surren-
der. While the regiment was crossing
the Potomac river on a march the watch
dropped out of his pocket. One of his
comrades saw it, and Immediately dived
to the botto of the river and succeeded
in bringing It up. AS soon as Mr.. Ellis
arrived in Walhalla Tuesday afternoon
many of his comrades were inquiring
about the old watch. He drew it from