The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-22
FIRST MANASSAS
FIGHT REMEMBERED
FoRTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY
WAS CELEBRATED by THE OGLE-
THORPE LIGHT INFANTRY.

1ng-OccastOn n Most Pleasant One.
Under leaden skies, which were soon
to be exchanged for the scintillations
of electric lights around the festal
board, the Oglethorpe Light Infantry
began it's celebration of the First Bat
tie of Manassas yesterday afternoon
with parade, completing the exercises
with a supper and speech-making at
Thunderbolt.
Yesterday was the forty-third ami
versary of that great battle, whose re-
suits brought hope and unity to the
Confederate cause, and in turn drove
the federal troops from Virginia with
a wholesome lesson of the prowess of
their opponents arms.
Among the companies which partic-
ipated in that famous battle, none gave
a better account of itself than did the
Oglethorpe Light Infantry, the de-
pleted roster telling the gallantry of
those who constituted it's membership.
While the younger generations was
much i'll the majority yesterday, there
was still a remnant of the old company
that had taken part in the battle, to
join in the observance of the occasion.
Six of those who fought marched to
the Confederate monument in the Park
Extension, and with crowding memo
ries, stood by while the salute of three
guns was fired by their companions.
Start from the ArmOry.
There was a delay of some minutes
in starting from the armory of the
First Regiment, where the Oglethorpes
had assembled at 6 o'clock. When the
order to march was given the COM
pany, with three officers and forty
seven men, emerged from the hall, and
turned with quick step into the street,
with Capt. Robert NJ. Hitch in COM
mand.
The colors of the company were car
ried by Mr.. C. C. Purse, one of the
veterans of the original company, who
held aloft the beautiful silk banner up
on which was inscribed the list of for
ty odd battles in which the old COM
pany had taken part in the Civil War.
Mr.. Purse was the only one of the
veterans who made the entire march
with the active members.
Earlier in the afternoon a rainstorm
threatened to seriously interfere with
the parade, but when the time for the
start came the rain had ceased,
though the sky was still dark Once
or twice during the parade few drops
of rain fell, but not enough to dampen
| the enthusiasm of the boys.
Leaving the armory the company
marched south on Abercorn to Hall.
west on Hall to Drayton street. turn
ing north towards the business part
of the city. The company presented
a handsome appearance as, with
swinging step, it kept time to the mu-
sic. Those who lived along the route,
| and passersby, stopped to watch the
soldier boys and to comment on their
smart appearance. AS the march
progressed there was a mixed con-
course of followers who kept pace
with the moving company.
SaIuted Confederate Flag.
The march progressed without special
incident down Drayton to Bryan, west
on Bryan to Bull street, and after rest
ing for a few minutes, the company
turned south on Bull to Chippewa
Square, where the company passed the
home of Mr.. S. e. Theus. from which
was flung to the breeze Confederate
flag. AS the company passed the flag
they gave the marching salute.
On the south side of the square the
company was halted and forming in
double columns in front of the statue
of Gen. F. S. Barlow. the first COM
mander of the company, the present
arms" salute was given.
The march south on Bull street was
then resumed. At CASTOR the COM
pany turned east and thence into
Drayton to the Park Extension.
At Hall and Drayton streets the
I ~. -. 1t.
members, Messrs. S. E. Theus, H A.
Crane, Frank B. Bevel, w. S. Rock
WELL l.. A. Mccarthy and Louis Lipp-
man.
With the veteran recruits the COM
pany marched in front of the Con-
| federate statue. and fired a salute of
| three guns, the salute being fired with
precision and unanimity.
The company then marched back to
the armory, where the guns and belts
were laid aside, preparatory to the
trip to Thunderbolt. where the con-
| GLIDING exercises of the evening were
! to be held.
vided and quickly filled by the com
pany, their visitors and the band.
Along the way the band dispensed
music, while the soldier boys showed
their appreciation by occasional cheer
ing.
supper At DdnnOhS Lodge.
AT the Bannon Lodge the company
disembarked from the car and marched
to the pavilion. where everything was
in readiness for the supper. Plates
were laid for seventy, and all but four
of these were filled.
In the supper which followed the
management of the lodge sustained and
even increased Its reputation in the
cuisine line, and officers, members and
visitors thoroughly enjoyed the menu
The following was the menu served.
! Terrapin Stew. Sailed Banouets
Thunderbolt Whiting. Summer Trout.
Saratoga Chips.
Bannon House r oils. Sailed Peanuts
Olives. To matoes Pickles
Bell Peppers a rItalienne.
Crabs ~ la Diable.
Lettuce and Shrimp Salad, with Nav
onnaise.
Maraschino Ice Caeam.
Assorted Cakes.
Roquefort Cheese. Toasted Crackers.
Coffee.
Cigars. Cigarettes.
Punch.
When all had been well fed. over the
cigars the speakers of the evening were
introduced by Ca Ut. Hitch, in happy
little speeches.
Gen. Gordon First Speaker.
Gen. w. W. Gordon was introduced
as the first speaker, and one who had
seen service in two wars. Col. G.. A.
Gordon was referelyd ~ as n sscbin oef