The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-09-13
AS He SAW THE REUNION
Member of Old Confederate
Drum Corps Writes of 1t
The North Carolina Veterans Had n
Best Time Of Their Lives and Were
Royalty Treated at Norfo;&-COvcr-
ed Themselves With Glory.

To the Editor: We left on the IL
train Tuesday morning and had
most pleasant trip, thanks to the con
ductor and other officials of the S. A
L.. who extended to US the ~courtes.
and kindness for which they are noted
We arrived at Norfolk about 9 oclocl
Tuesday morning, and were scortet
to the city hall and given the Tree
dom of the city, which was immense
After brushing up a little we march
ed to the Odd Fellows Hall (Whlcf
was decorated most beautifully ane
then the good time commenced. cen
Carr gave us a few words as to nov
we would be welcomed, and then the
mayor of the city, in his way
gave us q welcome and turned the
city over to US. Then DR.. Dixon, il
his inimitable style, responded, anc
can tell you he left nothing unsaio
thar was pertinent to the occasion
Good bless hi1n!), and when it comes
to his time to answer to the last fol
call, ] hope he will be ready to cross
over the river in peace and join tbs
ever blessed Father.
The ladies then gave us some OF the
best old-ti1ne music, such as Dixie and
other old airs. and | must & that
had never heard Dixie sung SO Splen-
didly and with such fcrvor as it was
rendered by the young lady Of Ports
mouth, Mrs. Griff Edwards. God be
with them all forever
After other matters We're attended
to Gen. Carr called on Brother Orrin
Smith (who is the designer Of the
Confederate fag) and he was escorted
to the platform by some gentlemen.
1t made the fears come into our eyes.
AS he assembled the platform he was
so overcome with emotion that he
could not talk, and asked the gentle
men to please read the paper that
r~rnl ~ nJynHtr no DDnCan fhQ$ n q
was the designer Of that great Con-
federate flag which SO many gave their
lives and their all to protect. May
his days be loflks and in his declin~
ing years may We have strength and
health; and when the last trumpet
sounds may he be found with the
chosen of the Father in Heaven.
And Their our Did, true-blue friend,
Brother Belts. who is always with us
at all our reunions, k the bless
ing Of our Heavenly Father on US all
and we we're dismissed.
After dinner we all went down to
Ocean View and there our annual
business meeting was held. All of the
old officers were reelected and then
we had a wonderful address by GoV
ernor Mann, Of Virginia. and it was
highly appreciated by all. h old
drum corps CT Raleigh participated IN
all these exercises and came through
with flying colOrs.
n most pleasant feature of the
entire encampment and the one that
I especially want to mention was the
care and attention that were given to
the old soldiers at the city hall. The
First and Second Companies Of Coast
Artillery were detailed to look after
them, and they certainly did perform
that duty to perfection. They would
go out on the streets and wherever
one was found who had fallen by the
wayside from exhaustion OF from tax
ing one "trip too many, he was kind
ly and tenderly taken up and care
fully carried to the city hall where
he was given every attention. Oh!
how it made my heart swell with graf
jtude towards them for such kindness
to the old soldier. Now. I stayed
at the city hall, and at any hour Of
the night you could see them going
around with ice water asking each
nan if he would have some, or if
there was anything that he needed.
Too much thanks canno be given
those brave boys for the care and
attention they gave us, and I hope
that the officers and all of the men
of those companies may be blessed and
that their pathway through life may
be watched over by the One who sees
and knows all things, and at the end
may they be received in the arms Of
the Blessed Father with the words
Enter thou into the joys of thy
Lord"
Well, the old Confederate drum
corps covered themselves with glory.
We played for everything on the
march. The military companies had
brass bands to lead them. and we lei
The old vets, and you may be sure
we did it to perfection.
L would say more, but Brother
is going TO say something,
and [ viii leave the field, with best
wishes for Norfolk and her citizens.
especially the ladies.
Kindly yours,
j. j. LEWIS,