The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-05-16
Letter from Mr.. Bellinger.
Montgomery, Ala, May 9, 49,

Friend: Since leaving nome have
been so constantly on the go that l
have had no quiet time for writing.
AS most of the route from Bamberg
to Macon l have traversed so often
as to be quite familiar and shall only
speak of Macon and other points of
interest on my trip over here.
Macon, the great central city Of
Georgia, surely did great credit to
herself in entertaining the great
crowds of the old veterans and visit
ors that claimed her generous hospi-
tality and was displayed with such
fullness as to measure up to our full
est expectations 1t is needless to say
that the old soldiers were well cared
for, food and shelter were quite
ample. Furnished with commits
sary ticket I had the opportunity OF
taking several meals where the veter-
ans were fed in great numbers with
breakfast, dinner and supper. 1t
was sight to see more than thous-
and all marching in at one time and
quietly and orderly seated at the
long tables we'll furnished with a
substantial fare, such as ham and
eggs, coffee, etc., and with a fare
we'll reminder of good cheer each
plate was furnished with nice or
ange. 1t was the kindness and
thought that gave double value to
each gift and attention.
1t would be incomplete not to men
ton the "boy scouts" for theirs was
a noble part and it filled the hearts
of all of the old soldiers with Joy and
gladness. AS soon as we landed we
were met by some of this noble band
of young heroes. 1t was their kind
maners that readily impressed you,
for with a cheerful salutation they
received you and after being regis
tered they stayed with you and con-
Quoted you to wherever you were as
signed, and they cid it with such a
genuine gust of delight. I, in COM
pany with my old friend, Mr.. Calvin
Rentz, first went to quarters at the
great camp ground, Camp J. B. Cor
don.
But the weather was very threat
ening, so we concluded that we would
move up into a more central part of
the city and we found comfortable
quarters at the Y. NJ. G. A., new
large tablishment, just completed,
with all conveniences and, comforts.
Here in large hall one hundred
nice, clean cots were provided, and
here our comrades found most de-
sirable place of rest and refreshment
at reasonable rates.
And all was quite orderly and
quiet, and nothing was allowed that
would disturb sleep or rest; and this
was the headquarters for many OF
our chief officers with whom we free
ly mingled and held pleasant inter-
course and conversation.
1t would have done you good to
have seen my old comrade, Mr.. CAL
vim Rentz, how he enjoyed it and his
tongue gave full utterance to his
feelings. For it was here at Macon
that our old friend was mustered into
service, in a Georgia regiment more
than fifty years ago, and here he Is
again to meet his old comrades of
his young and strong days. We spent
a few days together in Macon, and
then travelled together as far as
Americus. Here we parted, leaving
him with his old friends, who so re-
luctantly gave him up more than
fifty years ago when he enlisted in
the Confederate service; and after
the war, as we all know, has made
Ills uOuS Ill duu uCai oo"OSA .,
whose hospitable home is ever open
to his numerous friends.
After leaving Americus, and in
fact west of Macon, we passed
through a very desirable farming
country, not only cotton, corn and
oats, the staple products of this Sec
ton, but are extensively engaged in
the peach business, more so than any
other part of the State or the world,
as far as I know, for they have Or
chards embracing hundreds of acres.
was speaking to gentleman on the
car just in from west of the Missis-
sippi and he said that the crops here
were more advanced than any he had
seen, and it only confirmed my opin-
pinion that they were decidedly the
best I had seen since left home.
I am with a host Of relatives here
and enjoying myself, but only for
brief time, when I hope to be back
at home with my dear old friends.