The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-02
CNFEDERATED DRUM CORPS.
More Incidents of the Visit to the Re
union by Member of the
Famous Corps.

|
Famous Corps.
To the Editor:-I did not think OF
writing anything about our trip to
Louisville but after seeing Brother
Haynes piece in Tuesdays issue OF
your valuable paper, l have concluded
| to say a few words.
Our trip was most delightful one,
and we enjoyed it to the full. We were
treated very nicely by all the railroad
officials of the Seaboard Air Line and
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroads.
They gave us all the information we
desired, and seemed to take pleasure
in so doing.
Our run from Raleigh to Richmond
was without special incidents. We left
Richmond Monday evening at 1O:45,
and about day passed through the big
tunnel just before reaching Staunton,
Virginia, thence on TO Clifton Forge
and through the Allegheny Mountains.
We're carried, l have not the descrip-
tive power to portray and can only
say it is magnificent, and to be truly
enjoyed must be seen.
Arriving at Louisville, we were re-
ceived by the people with open hearts
and bountiful hands, and were royalty
treated. The Drum Corps will ever
ity, and invoke for them the genuine
pleasures of this life and a blissful
immortality.
And now / must beg to demur to
Brother Haynes statement in regard
to the red-headed girls of Louisville;
in fact. he is SO partial to red-headed
girls, that he could, or would not, see
any others. And candor compels me
to say that 1 saw many pretty girls
M
hazel eyes; and l say, most heartily,
God bless them all for their kind
ness to the Drum Corps.
l had a right smart of trouble with
one of the Corps (Mr. Johnson) in
fact, in looking after him, l lost
my cap going and my hat coming
back. So fond is he of the girls, /
was bound to keep an eye on him all
the time.
We were ordered by our commander
to report at North Carolina Headquar-
ters every morning at 8 o'clock; had
to remain there the best part of each
day; consequently we could not see
as much of the city as we could have
wished. However, what we did see
was very pleasant to us.
On Thursday evening we went to
the reception at the Soldiers Home,
about seventeen miles from Louisville,
and Notwithstanding the hard rain on
the way we had a very pleasant time.
The Home is in the Pee-wee Valley,
and is a delightful place to behold.
We were escorted around the place by
the ladies, and the old soldiers God
bless them alb would wave their
shrivelled hands and smile at us. and
it made the tears we'll up in our
eyes and Jumps of compassion pro-
duced a choking sensation in our
threats. We heard lady present
banner to the Home, and also heard
q young lady recite two splendid
poems; and 1 tell you, if I had been
about As years younger and untram-
meled by matrimonial bonds, / do not
pretend to say what | might have
done.
On Friday we had the parade, and
that is a feature that will ever be re-
membered by us. 1t was about four
miles long, and the temperature was
very high, but strange to say, there
We're but three old soldiers who fell
out of ranks. We got through all
right, and at 6 o'clock p. M, left
there for home.
We had a pleasant time coming
back, and when we arrived at Rich
mond / went up and took tea with Mr..
Edgar Wicker and family. He has
an interesting little family, and is
Raleigh boy. We then left Richmond
at 10 p. m. sharp, and arrived at RAJ
eigh at a. M, Saturday morning.
L take this occasion to return the
heartfelt thanks of the Drum Corps
to the generous citizens who kindly
contributed to the fund that gave to
us this seaon of unalloyed pleasure.
They will always have warm place
in our hearts. May their days be many
and crowned with happiness and pros
perity.
But 1 must not close this sketch
without a word in behalf of our be-
loved commander, Major A. b. Stron-
ach. l am too poor a scholar to do
him justice, but can say truthfully
that he is the best commander in the
South. He seems ever to think of the
old soldier, first and last; not the Drum
Corps alone, but all old veterans who
come under his observation. At one
time at Louisville / began to fear that
the ladies would take him away from
us: but / do not blame any one for
loving him, for to know him Alright is
to love him. His soul is aglow with
love and sympathy for the needy and
suffering. Well, for fear you may tire
of this / will close, although 1 could
say much more Another thing about
him is, he is always looking out for
the pride of his State and city, for he
dearly loves them both, and we hope
he and his beloved family may be
blessed, both in this and
the life to come.
Yours,
j. ]. LEWIS.