The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1909-06-25
iEEMInPIHIS REUNION.
HELD IN The CITY Of MEMPHIS, TENN,
JUNE 8, 9 AND 10 1909.
Many Sights Of Interest Seen Along
The Route.

iub hOutAs
Editor Herald:-The Nineteenth
Annual Reunion and Convention of
United Confederate Veterans was held
in the city Of Memphis on June s, 8
and 10, 1909. Its actions and deliber-
ations have been commented upon by
the press both North and South, en-
tered upon its minutes and passed
into history. God bless the Grand
Camp of Confederate Veterans, COM
posed as it is, of the very best blood
in the country, it is indeed a noble
body Of men. Some predict that
these reunions will cease to be, but
not so. We will meet and greet
each other in annual convention so
long as the old boys Of Clos can find
enough living to till the offices Of the
Grand Camp
1t is not my intention to write along
the line Of the Grand Camp and
its actions, but being a delegate
desire to tell Of my trip and the sights
seen and enjoyed along the way.
On Sunday, the 9Th inst, at 1886
a. M, Ben Foster and son, Tom
Smith and myself boarded the y. & w.
train here. Arriving at Roanoke we
stopped off and awaited train No. Al
through from New York to Memphis.
This put us in Bristol at 9.l5 a. m,
central time. Here we left the
n. G. W. and took the Southern
tracks, arrived at Knoxville :45 p. m,
Chattanooga 5:55 p. m. and landed in
Memphis at 10 a m Monday, the
9TH We thought we would be the
first to reach Memphis, but to our
surprise we found the Camp Lee boys
from Richmond and many other old
vets.
Tom Smith left US at Chattanooga
for Nashville On arrival at Mem
phis Ben Foster and son left me alone,
they going to visit one Of his sons
near Memphis. found quarters at
the Franciola Hotel, rooming with
Armstrong, Reed, Murphy and son,
from Roanoke, and Striker, from
Winchester. Armstrong, Reed Strik
er and myself formed ourselves into
the big four, a combination which re-
NAMED intact so long as we stayed in
the city, and never before were four
more congenial old Rebs punched to-
gether. We slept in the same room,
ate at the same table, in a word we
were just inseparable. AL three Of
the old Johnnies were widOwers and
it was all could do to keep them
from courting every pretty girl they
met. | was satisfied that Striker was
looking after a girl in the Valley,
Reed one in Knoxville, and Armstrong
possibly one in Chicago, so thought
it my duty to keep an eye on the
three.
The headquarters Of the international
500 was also at our Hotel, Major
Murray in command. They had their
sponsor with them, Miss Morgan, |
think from Richmond The old
Major was also widower, but being
in such company gave him up.
The reunion and parade Of the
old vets was a grand success. We
remained in the city until the night
of the 10th when the big four broke
camp, Striker returning to Virginia,
Armstrong went TO Chicago, Reed and
myself to Vicksburg, Miss. As usual
wherever | 90 am sure to run across
some people know Here in Vicks-
burg | met Reeves Allen, Spencer
Powers and his son, also a DR.. Good
man, all of whom were very nice to
f us inviting us to their homes and in
: every way making our stay agree
. able.
!. Standing on Main street near the
First National Bank very fine look
ing gentleman came up and finding
out we were from old Virginia, en-
tered into conversation with US asking
me where | was from, and being told
. he wanted to know if knew the
Warrens and Walkers. OF course
told him yes. He then said, Mrs.
f Ella Walker is the only first cousin
have in the world. | found him to
be the Hon. X. v Booth, whose father
T. had moved to Mississippi many years
6 AGO. Mr.. Booth was born at Oakley,
a about eight miles east of Vicksburg.
Q He graduated from the Cumberland
II University at Lebanon, Tenn, De-
cember 1860 He entered the Con
. federate service in 1861 as member
k of Co. A, Dist Mississippi. He held
e many responsible positions during the
3 war, the last being with Gen. Frank
is Armstrong, at Macon, Miss, with