The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-10-23
OLD VETERANS DAY.
ORANGEBURG sURRENDERs II
TO TIE GRAND OLD HEROES.

They Parade Russell Street, Hear an
Address From Col. Coward and
Enjoyed Big Dinner.
The city of Orangeburg surrender
ed Internationally to the Old Con-
federate Veterans yesterday. The
grand old herpes came in goodly
numbers, and We want to congratu-
late them on their appearance. They
looked well, marched we'll and We
hope they will be with US many
years. AS soldiers on many a hard
fought battlefield they covered their
names with imperishable glory.
President Roosevelt referred to them
in one of his books as Lees uncom-
parable veterans. They deserved
this high compliment, and We are
glad It was paid them by a man
whose sympathies were on the other
side.
Marshal Fred S. Dibble formed
the Old Veterans in column about
seieven o'clock and they marched
down Russell street from Doyle
street TO the corner Of Broughton
street, where they eounter-marched
back to Middleton street and proceed
ed to the opera house, where the ex-
erises OF the day was to be held.
The Old Veterans were escorted by
the Tillman Volunteers, under COM
mand of Capt. ]. H. Claffy, the stu,
dents of the Orangeburg Collegiate
Institute and the students Of the Or
.Rngeburg High School, under the
supervision of Superintendent Thack-
ston and the teachers, in the order
named, the Old Veterans marching
in the position of honor at the rear.
The procession was headed by the
Orangeburg Military Band, under
command Of Leader o. K. Wilson.
Just in front of the band, at the
head of the procession, were squad
of policemen under command Of
Chief A. Fischer.
When the procession reached the
Opera House the escorting columa
halted before entering and opened
ranks and allowed the Old Veterans
to march through and enter the
Opera House first. On the stage
were number OF Old Veterans, the
ladies and gentlemen composing the
chair and the members of the press.
The meeting was called to order by
Prof. Stiles r. MelNchamp, who had
been requested to act as chairman.
He called on Rev. D. D. Dantzler
to open the proceedings with prayer,
which he did in a feryent petition
to the Throne of Grace. The prayer
was followed by quartette from the
Orangeburg Military Band, under
Leader o. K. Wilson, rendering
1.-The Vacant Chair" on their instru
ments. "The Bonnie Blue" was
then sung by the choir and the whole
audien1e under the leadership of
Col. Martinez clover.
Prof. Mellchamp then welcomed
the Old Veterans in short speech,
in which he took occasion to COM
pliment them on their appearance,
and extended them a hearty and
cordial wel.pme to the city of Or
angeburg and her hospitalities.
He spoke feelingly of the ever short
ening line of the Old Veterans, and
said in a few more years reunions
here would soon be over with the
veterans who wore the gray as well
as with the veterans who wore the
blue. He was literally applauded.
The choir then sang THE Old Ken
lucky Home" in which the large
audience joined in.
Prof. Mellichamp then introduced
Col. A. Coward in neat and ap-
propriate little speeJh as the orator
of the day. He referred to Col. Cow
ard as o gallant and brave officer,
who never failed to do his duty on
the tented field in the days when
the Stars and Bars were carried to
victory in many a hard fought bat
tie. The large audience Of veterans
and others endorsed all Prof. Melli-
champ said of this gallant and brave
soldier by cheering his statements
in reference to him to the echo.
AS Col. Coward arose and faced
his old comrades, he was received
with great applause by them. AS
soon as the applause subsided, he
began his excellent address, which
was given close attention and fire.
Quently applauded by the large au-
dience.
He spoke most feelingly and COM
plimentary of the deeds of valor
and herodsm performed by the Con-
federate soldiers, and related many
stirring incidents of battles in which
many OF the Old Veterans before
him had participated. He paid a
beautiful tribute to the gallant Gen.
Micah Jenkins, his most intimate
friend, who laid down his young
life for his country at the battle
Of the Wilderness. He also spoke
feelingly of Col. T. j. Glover, from
Orangeburg, who too offered up his
young life on one of the battlehelds
of Virginia for the Confederacy.