The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-05
HARDEE HEARS AN
 INTERESTING TALK Samuel |. Vance Tells Many Good Confederate Incidents THE OLD WILCOX BRIGADE One Wing of the Army Was Composed of Alabamians and Saved Lees
 Army Three Times-The
 Southern Soldier.
THE OLD WILCOX BRIGADE

Samuel w Vance made an interesting talk yesterday at the meeting of Camp Hardee, U. c. ", on the civil war. He went into a number of little points of interest which do not appear anywhere in the history of the great struggle. He told of General Robert E. Lee, told or the strong points of the Confederate sol- dier which made him the greatest fighter the world has ever known, and gave some accounts of the Wilcox brigade, which was composed of Alabama regi- ments.
 The camp received two donations yes- terday for the refurnishing fund, one from Miss Abernathy, sponsor Of the camp. and daughter of Commander J. c. Abernathy, and one from Col. John w. Johnston, former commander. Miss Abernathy raised the money which she presented the camp, SIG. Ane camp was recently burned out.
 Capt. w. C. Ward read an extensive report of the Soldiers Home at Noun tain Creek which had been sent him by Captain Brooks, who has charge of the home.
 New Relief Committee.
 At the next meeting of the camp, Com mander Abernathy will name new relief committee, as the chairman and one or two members of the old com mittee have resigned on account of their inability to perform the duties of the office.
 The address of Mir. Vance was prepar- ed for the occasion He had expected to deliver it at a previous meeting of the cam2 but was unaL.e to attend. In speaking of the southern soldier, MT. Vance said:
 "The Confederate soldier was the best the world has ever known. A large num- Der of things combined to make him. For one thing he was intelligent. He had never been drilled into a machine by the tactics of the European powers, and he was capable of thinking for himself and acting for himself in time of danger and need.
 '"rhe southern soldiers knew each other, and knew that they could depend on each other They knew that Texas would stand by Virginia. Carolina by Kentucky. They were hardy lot They were used to fatigue and were able to stand 1t as no other soldiers ever did.
 Was a Peculiarity.
 'The southern soldier was peculiar un- to himself No others were ever like him. The south never suffered for officers. for If lieutenants and captains were killed, we had many men in the rank and file who could step forward and take the of ficers' place.
 "I have known of men 9 and 24 years old rising to the rank of major general, was recognized as the premier artillery officer of both sides.
 ''The Confederate was cheerful sol dier. He was always happy. although fre- quently hungry At night on a long, weary march you could hear company A at the head oe the line start tune and each company took 1t up. It helped us march.
 we knew our officers personally and believed in them and they in us We had confidence in each other, and knew that where one would go the other would follow. In camp we had various amuse- ments We had singing societies, de- batting societies and other diversions. These things kept us cheerful all the time.
 The Rebel Yell.
 ''The rebel yell was a great factor. I believe that it originated at the first battle of Manassas when General Beau regard went up and down the line yell ing like Comanchee Indian. That start ed the yelling and the soldiers took it up.
 Three times during the war I know that General Lee attempted to get in front of the line of battle and lead the boys to victory. First at Gaines Mills, next at the battle of the Wilderness and then at the Bloody Angle. Each time the private soldiers took his horses reins