The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-08-24
CONFEDERATES IN
ANNUAL REUNION
VETERANS PARTAKE OF THE
LAVISH HOSPITALITY OF THE
GLENDALE PEOPLE.
ABOUT 1900 IN ATTENDANCE.


The reunion of the Confederate
soldiers at Glendale yesterday was a
great success. about fifteen hundred
people being present, with many
from other counties enjoying the hos
pitality of old Maury. More than one
OF the veterans commented on the
absence of their old comrade Benja-
min Thomas, whose hospitable home
was so near, and whose untimely
death two years ago has deprived
Confederate reunions of one always
heart and soul in these gatherings.
The through morning train was late
in reaching Columbia, and standing
room on it was soon at a premium.
Arriving at Glendale the crowd went
to the old camp-meeting ground and
the big schoolhouse near by, where
much larger crowd had assembled
in the cedar grove. The ladies' were
there in force, while sprinkled In the
crowd could be seen the grey uni
forms of the members of the Bivouac.
There was no set programme, and
every one was free to do as he or she
pleased.
The family of the Martins, always
ready to contribute their unique en-
tertainments for the old soldiers.
whether at an old-time fiddlers' con
test or Confederate reunion, were
there in large wagon, which they
used as stage, and kept hundreds
of people in good humor. Abe Fitz-
gerald and John Taylor also had Their
fiddles, and they played as only Abe
Fitzgerald and John Taylor can
About noon snowy table cloths were
spread on the grass, and the array OF
eatables set out by the good house
wives has probably never been sur
passed in Maury County. Glendale
certainly kept up the old-time repu-
tation of Hurricane Switch for good
feeding. Not only the substantials,
but seemingly all the delicacies of a
well-appointed dinner table were
there, and in lavish abundance. The
barbecue pit was about a hundred
yards to the south. and whoever the
chef was that cooked and seasoned
those meats, he was certainly an ar
fist in that line One veteran who
had filled up on mutton and chicken
said, after trying a slice of the barbe-
cue kid, that he wanted to begin all ov-
er again. There was enough left to
feed another crowd equally large
Lieut.. Jasper Horn said it was no use
to open his baskets and he saved them
for today's reunion. Barrels of Tee
water were soon emptied, only to be
filled and emptied again.
After dinner the adiutant of the
Biyouac sounded the bugle and most
Of the old soldiers. fell in line at the
command of Major Thomas F. Jem
eson. Major VIM. J. Whitthorne made
a talk of few minutes about the ar
engagements for the night and Mex
day. Capt Galloway said the school
house was at the service of those who
wished to camp that night, and plen-
" of rations therefor all who wanted
to stay Mr.. Harris Puryear said be
would have tise gallons of hot coffee
at the schoolhouse for supper.
In the afternoon the neighbolhcod
boys had good game of base bail
on the grounds A few Of the old vet
Grams got up game of marbles,
which showed that some of the play
ers had not forgotten how to kill a
man from taw. Most of the soldiers
we're busy reviewing former acquain-
tances, swapping anecdotes, or re-
calling war "reminiscences. There was
much discussion among the veterans
about the pension laws, trying to de-
wise plans for expedfting considcra-
ton of pension applications, and pre-
venting unworthy men from getting
on the pension roll.
Many had expected to leave on the
through train north at a quarter of
FIVE, which had been scheduled to
stop at Glendale, but through some
blunder of the railroad officials 1t did
not stop. A special was sent from
Columbia with the switch easino
which reached Glendale after seven
o'clock and took the passengers going
north.
In all the crowd there was no. one
or dscrderIy person, and
everything was conducted in the most
manner.