The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-06-03
OLD SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED
A Splendid Dinner Given to the Mar
ion County Confederate
Veterans


Veterans
Dickson Chapter. L. d. c. to COM
nICmorate the Tooth anniversary of
Jefferson Davis, president of the Con-
ft derate States, rendered the members
Uf Marion Camp No. sc, L. G. v,
magnificent dinner in the Gary grove.
Which was served promptly at noon.
end although a slight shower fell at
11:45 it in no way disturbed the meet
ing. The veterans gathered around
The festive board and did justice to
the repast that had been prepared by
the noble women who constitute the
Ooala chapter.
After dinner the veterans were call
ed to order by Comrade H. w Long.
VI no introduced Captain w. L.
Ditto as the oldest member in the
camp he being past 81 and still hale
and hearty. He returned thanks for
the bounteOus feast served them by
the ladies and in doing so gracefully
referred to the memorable parsonage,
Wtose memory they celebrated today.
That Of Jefferson Davis. He gave
number of incidents of his life and
dered his country and the South.
Rev. c. G. Carroll was called on and
made one of his characteristic bril-
liant and inspiring addresses. He
put everyone in a good humor by tell
ms story about the darkey and pos
sum and then gave thrilling incidents
OF his life as a soldier for six months
during the Spanish-American War.
Mr.. Carroll then told of some of the
great men of the Lost Cause" in
which the names of Davis and Lee
brought forth applause.
AS all the other comrades declined
to speak, Hon. Henry w. Long, a gal
liant soldier of Marion during the SOS,
was asked to add his mite to the days
"reminiscences and did so in a thrilling
narrative Of his experience at Coal
HarbOr, Va, on the 3rd of June, 1854
telling how his regiment got into q
bloody fight and almost in a breath
JOG of them had been killed or wound
ed. He told of the gallantry and hero
ism of Captains Byrd and Fleming,
and many other incidents of intense
and thrilling pathos.
Col. John M. Martins memory was
refreshed on the incident told of by
Mr.. Long and he contributed his voice
t. thrilling narrative of the occa-
sion, differing with Mr.. Long is one or
two minor points.
The editor of the Star was called
Oh for few remarks, but he declined
to make a lengthy address, thanking
the ladies for the toothsome spread
he had been invited to and after MAX
ing few remarks about the celebra-
ton of such days and nations heroes
retired.
1t was then recalled that DR.. w. H.
Lodge was also a veteran, but whose
presence was overlooked because he
&c me late to dinner. He was called
on and responded in a light vein of
humOr that quickly won his hearers
to him. He denied the soft impeach-
ment that he was a veteran, but had
escaped it's glory because of his youth
and pointed to his dome of thought as
proof Of his assertions which had
been overlooked by Chairman Long,
VI no apologiZed to the youthful SOL
der
He told of his experience in Column
bus. Ga, at the close of the war when
he and faithful servant of the fam
lily were called to save the stock of his
widowed mother and how with hair
breadth escapes and thrilling incidents
OF that night they succeeded.
Mr.. II. w. Long then recalled the
fact that one name in this days COM
memoratiOn had been overlooked, that
Of General Stephen D. Lee, late COM
mander of the Confederate Veterans,
to whose brilliant memory as soldier
and citizen he paid a glowing tribute.
Mrs. Fannie r. Gary, president of
Dickson chapter, then presented
cross of honor to Andrew J. Harrell
of Lake Weir. This worthy veteran
was not present, but Mr.. John f.
Bailey accepted it for him. Mrs. Gary
said she had no speech but the
sentiments she had so often spoken
on similar occasions would voice her
sentiments today.
This closed one of the brightest,
sweetest and happiest days in the life
az the old veterans present and every
lcck, and gesture attested the deep
love and gratitude they felt at the