The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-27
THE DRUM CORPS
Captured St. Louis and
the Reunion With Its
Music.

To the Editor: On to Richmond
early in the morning, used 20 be the
cry all through the war by the differ
ent commanders of the Army of the
Potomac, but when they attempted
to make the trip, they soon found out
that they had a LOngstreet to travel
a Branch to cross, and on the right
and left two Noble Hills appeared,
with a Stonewall in their front, and
Lee Gold MarSe Robert in command.
They indeed had hard job, but that
time has passed and on the 18th inst.
the l.. OBJ. Branch Camp Drum Corps,
under the command of Major A. h.
Stronach boarded train &c (Which was
late one hour and forty-five minutes)
for Richmond, arriving at Richmond
at G:20 that evening. We imme-
diately made our way to the capitol
grounds, and gave our concert as ad-
Vertised. There we met a great many
Tar Heels, among them was Major
Cad Iredell whom many of our older
citizens will remember: also Mr..
Frank Register, Mr.. and Mrs Charles
Johnson, Mr. Wicker and many others,
who was glad to meet US and to shake
our hands, and to renew the tie that
binds all Tar Heels together.
After a stroll around Richmond we
returned to the station, and at 10: As
p. m. we resumed our journey to
Louisville, passing through Gordon
vile, Stanton, Charlottesville. Clifton
Forge and many other smaller towns,
striking through the Allegheny noun
tainS, running alongside of five differ
ent rivers (the names of which I've
forgotten) for over two hundred miles.
There / saw some of the finest scenes,
passing before us like a grand piano.
rama as they came in view. Leaving
the mountains and it's fine scenery, we
struck through the heart of Kentucky,
famous Blue Grass regions, from Lex
ington to Frankfort to Louisville. AS
far as the eye could see were wheat
fields, rye fields and blue grass. With
fine cattle and blooded horses and red
headed women kentucky cannot be
beat.
Arriving at Louisville at $50 we
We're met at the depot by Mr.. John
Carter can old Raleigh printers and
his wife, who is "A sister TO Mrs j. G..
Birdsong; Mrs. M. r. Haynes and
Mr. II. II. Croker. whom we were
glad to meet and they were glad to
see us. After shaking hands with our
friends We made our way to our
headquarters, as we thought, but by
some misunderstanding we found that
Tennessee had been given the quart
Stronach to q great deal Of unneces-
sary trouble. Nobody could tell us
anything, even man with the word
''InfOrmation," on his hat, knew no
more than we did. Well, after sitting
on the streets for about one hour and
half, Major Stronach came back
from headquarters, when we were as
signed to a school building on Gray
street, near Second, which was very
1T For tlh 10 i.A,,t ltr
RANGED.
Wednesday morning after q stroll
around the city, we went to North
Carolina headquarters. whore we play
ed old time war tunes. and were given
a big time by the old Tar Heels that
had come from other States to shak q
the hands of their brothers, and as we
walked the streets, you could hear the
challenge, What State are you from /?
North Carolina, and invariably you
would hear: God bless old North
Carolina coming from moro than a
score of voices. Thursday we visited
the soldiers Home. a beautiful place.
about seventeen miles out from Louis
vile. Before we arrived, there came
up terrible rain storm, and for a
few minutes, one would have thought
a second food had set in. About five
o'clock the rain abated and we pro
Home, about three hundred yards
from Peewee Valley Station, as it is
called. Entering the Home grounds.
playing THE Girl | Left Behind Me-"
and finishing up with "DiXie"
When we reached the home there
We're two bands, but it was not long
before we had silenced both of them,
and they left as everybody fell in line
with US. AS we marched through the
dc. laI ~, l,
lucky women and Major Stronach
We left the Soldiers Home with
| everybody crying, God Bless Old
North Carolina
We were ordered Thursday night to
/ report at North Carolina headquart-
ers at nine o'clock Friday morning
sharp. ready for the big parade, which
was scheduled to come off at 1890 a.
m, but we did not move until one
O'Clock. With no water on the line
of march, few thoughtful citizens.
after we had marched several blocks
met us with water, which was a God
send to us. The big parade was a
big thing and is worth going thousands
OF miles to see. And as we would
oass those who had met us before
We would hear them say: "Here comes
the only Rebel drum corps living"
Then there would be roar that al
most shook the earth, as shout after
shout would go up for Raleigh d
her Rebel drum corps, the only one
in existence
A word about our commanders
There is but one, A. b. Stronach. SO
full of city and State pride. He makes
himself popular with every one and
we all love him because he makes us
love him.
What will you take for your drum
corps. Major?" was the question ask
ed him more than once while in
Louisville.
What, my drum corps from Raj
eigh?" he would ask. "Ah, there is
something that money can not buy"
was his quick response
I'VE just simply can't do without
them" said Col. III. A. London who is
another son, all North Carolinians
love to honor.
| would like to say more, but I am
afraid that | have already taken I'M