The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-24
INTO THE PRESENT
THE PAST'S GLORY
Major London Speaks to
the Old Veterans.
IT is MILITARY DAY
And Robson Gathers into Warm En-
brace The Heroes Whose Deeds
for The Lost Cause Have Cir
cIed Her BroWs With a Fade
less Nimbus.
less Nimbus.
Especial to News and Observer

Red Springs, N c., Aug. 23.-Today
is military day in the Robson re-un-
ion program and the occasion is a
most gloriousone. The crowds pour
ing in from all sections of the country
number about three thousand people,
andthe old veterans of the sixties are
in evidence on every hand.
On account of the lateness of the
train the eloquent and magnificent ad-
dress of Maj. London was not delivered
until after dinner. Immediately after
the arrival of the train the procession
formed headed by Maj. London, the
orator of the day, and moved to the
college auditorium in the following
manner:
Fayetteville Light Infantry. Maxton
Guards, Lumber Bridge. Guard and the
Fayetteville Grays.
They halted and came to port
arms" at the entrance, and the old vet
Grams, a hundred and fifty strong, with
uncovered heads, marched through TO
the hall, While Miss Mary Mcneil Nc
Eacnan presided at the pipe organ
and magnificently rendered beautiful
march.
Rev H. G. Hill was presented and
invoked the blessing of Almighty God
upon the meeting. Prof. Carlyle then
fittingly announced the order of the
meeting. He said his speeches We're
usually neither beneficial nor pleasing
but on this occasion he was sure his
address would be most pleasing ana
ENJOYABLE to all. In glowing words OF
eloquence ne paid a tribute to the he
hoes of the sixties and then announced
dinner in the dining room, where all
would make one more famous and
valiant charge. The rules were read
by Dr. Vardelland twenty-three veter-
ans were called up in numbers by sew
ems and crosses of honor were pinned
upon their coats by seven of the fair
daughters of Robeson amid applause.
A beautiful solo, THE Conquered Ban
ner' was sweetly rendered by MISS
Mary Eliza Robeson of Red Springs,
while Miss Ida Law officiated at the
piano. 1t was announced that MAJ.
London would address the veterans at
O'Clock. Then the old soldiers and
the military proceeded to the spacious
school dining room, which had been 50
elegantly prepared by the good ladies
of the county. the Daughters of the
Confederacy. The fatted calf. the
frolicl<ing lamb, the spring chicken.
had been killed. The robe of hospi-
tafity was flung round them and the
ring of love and honor was theirs.
There were over three hundred plates
at the tables which were presided over
bv the noble and beautiful women OF
Robson.
recess was taken and greatly en-
loved by all. The gallant youth with
the blushing lass strolled to the
springs chatted under the shade OF
the trees and in the buggies. The
old vets "Swapped" yarns and reminiS-
cences and the soldier boys sung and
gave their yells.
The weather is intensely hot but all
had glorious good time.
Later the crowd assembled in the
hall and Senator Joseph A. Brown of
Columbus county, Introduced Maj.
London to the audience. Maj. London
spoke three quarters of an hour. He
said it was always great pleasure to
him to address an audience of North
Carolinians and greatly inteH>~ied him
where it was a company of Confeder-
ate soldiers, the grandest body of men
that ever lived. 1t is proper that
North CarolnianS should hold them
i'm grateful memory and that the wo-
men should perpetuate the deeds OF
the States greatest heroes teach the
children how gloriously they fo15ht
and how bravely the ydied. Their
valor and herois:n has never been sur
passed in any country on the globe.
They were not rebels, but fought for
their rights of self-government They
are as loyal TO the United States as
any set of men, demonstrated during
the Spanish American war. They are
as true to the stars and stripes today
as they were to the stars and bars of
the Confederacy. They bore the pri-
vations and hardshiDs without muir
mur or complaint, and when the COM
mandto charge was given, though
stupified with want of sleep, famished
for food and foot weary, they rushed
forward with steady foot and indomi-
table courage. North Carolina lost
more men in killed and wounded than
any three States of the Confederacy.
There were North Carolinians found
Gead and furthest at the front at Get
tysburg than of any other. He paid
a graceful and deserved tribute 10 the
noble women of North Carolina who
stayed at home to suffer the ills and
privations of war.
His address was received with mark
ed interest and applause. Mr.. j. II.
Currie, on ehalf of the veterans. fit
tingly and eloquently expressed to the
Daughters Of the Confederacy their
appreciation of the royal manner in
which they had been entertained
This is the one hundred and twelfth
anniversary of the Fayetteville Inde-
pendent Light Infantry "Grays'' and
the Daughters of the Confederacy,
knowing this. fix this as the date for
delivering crosses of honor to the vet
erans.
The game of ball between Red
Springs and Dunn today was won by