The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-07-25
BULL RUN ROUT
Very Interesting Celebration Of Its Fif-
tielh Anniversary By
THE BLUE and THE GRAY

President Taft Takes Part in the Pro-
eram.-Reyiewed the Old Confed-
crate and Federal Veterans.-Oth-
er Distinguished People Also At
tend Exercises on the Battlefield.
The Blue and the Gray marched
across the fields ,of Manassas to meet
each other again Friday. This Incl
dent, unique in history, the meeting
of Federal and Confederate veterans
on the field where they fought a
mighty battle just SO years ago, at
tracted as witnesses the President
of the United States, the Governor
of Virginia, the home of the Co1fed-
crate capital, and visitors from many
States.
1t was the crowning feature Of
the Manassas peace jubilee and re-
union which began last Sunday with
a sermon on the court house lawn
by Rev. H. N. Couden, chaplain Of
the House of Representatives, who
lost his sight while serving in the
Union ranks.
President Taft and Governor Mann
long ago had accepted invitations to
be the guests of honor Of the day,
to review the lines Of gray-haired
veterans and make addresses in the
afternoon. In the evening they met
the old soldiers and other visitors at
public reception.
The following program was carried
out:
9 a. M, veterans in blue and gray
assemble at Henry House, on battle
field.
10 a. M, addresses of welcome by
Col. Edmund Berkeley, Eighth Vir-
ginia, and United States Senator
Thomas S. Martin, of Virginia.
Responses by Gen. Jno. E. Gilman,
commander-in-chief Of the Grand Ar
my of the Republic, and Gen. George
W. Gordon, grand commander of the
United States Veterans.
Presentation of souvenir badges by
Col. Robert NJ. Thompson, Of Wash
ington. .,..
| Noon, veterans marshaled I'll re-
view, and the men in the blue and
gray clasp hands.
l p. M, luncheon and love feast.
2 p. m, return to Manassas.
4p. m, forty-eight young women,
representing the States Of the Union,
clasc hands and forming circle, sing
the Manassas National Jubilee An
them.
4:30 p. M, addresses by the Presi-
dent of the United States and the
Governor Of Virginia.
It was on July 81, 1861, just SO
years ago, that Bull Run or the first
battle of Manassas, was fought. The
Ccnfederates, under Johnson, were
accredited with a decisive victory ov-
er the Union forces, under Mcdowell,
the retreat of the Federals leaving
practically a clear road to Washing
ton for the Confederates, it IS said,
had they chosen to continue their
advance on the Capital.
This was the first real battle Of
the war, and its result awakened the
North for the first time to a realiza-
ton OF what the secession of the
Southern States meant. 1t was here
that "StonewalP' Jackson gained
the name which will be associated
, with his memory for all time.
In August, 1862, Manassas was
again the scene of bloody battle.
Lee and Pope contended for the mas
terry. AS in the former battle, the
Federals were terribly beaten, the
Confederates capturing thousands Of
prisoners and millions Of dollars
worth of stores, thousands o! small
arms and many cannon The battle
lines in the second battle wee re-
versed from those Of the first battle.
The Jubilee reunion was planned
| by committees Of the Grand Army
Of the Republic and the United Con-
| federate Veterans. Interesting events
have taken place each day, sessions
of the national organization of "The
Blue and the Gray and Their Sons,
being held F"iday.
The Manassas National Anthem,
adopted by the committee, was writ
ten by Mrs. Mary Speed Mercer, of
Elm City, N. C. This is the chorus:
America, all hail to thee;
Thanks be to God who made us free,
North South, East, West, hand clasp
ed in hand.
! United we, thy children, stand
Thin lines of veterans of the blue
and gray, with halting steps, slowly
advanced toward each other and
meeting, clasped hands in fraternal
greeting at noon on the historic ba-
tlefield, where fifty years ago they
were engaged in the battle Of Bull
Run, the first great conflict Of the
war between the States.
This. one of the crowning events of
the Manassas peace jubilee. was wit
messed by six thousand people, in
cluding many prominent persons.