The farmer and mechanic., 1915-06-15
SOME IMPRESSIONS OF THE
CONFEDERATE REUNION
(By @. A. JOHNSTON.l

incle Henry did not go with me to /
the 25th reunion of the Confederate |
Veterans in Richmond last week, l |
asked him to go, and he was almost |
persuaded to do so, but when l told |
Aunt Martha to get out his old grey
coat and cap that she had 50 dill |
gently kept the moths from for To- |
these fifty years, that Uncle Henry |
was going back once more to Rich !
mond, going back where for SO many
months he had followed Lee, to walk
once more over the hills and across
the fields, down ravines and through
the valleys that fifty years before he
had seen run red with Southern blood,
YES to- Richmond, but not the Rich
mond Of fifty years ago, Aunt Mar
tha's face grew grave, her lips per-
ceptibiy moved, but she spoke no
word. The tears ran down the
trenches cOrduroyed by the hand of
time and told more feelingly than
words could express that her mind
was dwelling on days that had long
been passed. Uncle Henry would not
Ieav, her. But for the benefit of the
Uncle Henrys / will write these lines
and tell you some of my impressions
of this my first attendance of re-
union of the United Confederate Vet
Grams.
After reaching Richmond on Wed
nesday about two o'clock and pro-
viding for future lodging, in spite of
rain We surged right out into the
midst of the city which was literally
sprinkled with Confederate veterans
from one end to the other. You di"
not have to inquire where they WEI,
from, as all were provided with
badges indicating their State, regi-
ment etc. The afternoon Of Wednes-
day was spent observing these old
comrades renewing their acquaint-
ances, swapping tales, and recalling
yeminscences of the days of SO.
! could but notice that nearly with
out exception they would all intro
duce their narrative with these words,
Il know it's hard to believe" or 1T
may sound like lie, but it's as true
as gospel Then they would pro-
ceed to tell their story. And whether
ii happened to be true or false mat
ters nothing. who cares, let the boys
talk. mayhaps they will never be
called upon to prove it anyway, and
If they should be, they have told their
tales so many times they have grown
to he the truth any way.
How did you rest last night?"
asked one old veteran, next morning
"Oh. | had a good night, slept gooC
and snug all night"
DO YOU know last night was the
first time / had slept in Virginia since
the winter of siXty-four. That night
the last | spent in this State, / Slep
upon a pile of straw and leaves.
had a wooden blanket, and com
rade had rubber one, and we slep
together. The next morning we Wer
covered with 10 inches of snow, bu
we were warm, and l cannot say bu
that / was as comfortable as I wa
last night
Present From All Quarters.
Did ! wish to speak to some on
from any particular State? If so, t
my right stands a gentleman frOr
Florida, upon my left is a followe
of Lee. What State did you say
Kentucky | notice upon his badge
And so it was. Mississippi stood fac
to face with Georgia. Virginia is lock
ed arms with Alabama, Texas KEEP
step with South Carolina and me
who were old in fact were young one
more in sentiment.
If | ever had reason to believe thG
the old time veneratiOn for the South
ern soldier had in the least vance
that thought was thrown to the vino
when ] reached Richmond. Who,
the face of the many evidences l sa
could dare entertain such thoughts
Camp Henry Stuart was the nam
given the headquarters of the ol
soldiers in Richmond, and the grOun
upOn which those tents were pitche
seems almost hallowed by the man
many acts of kindnesses shown tho.
old soldiers during the reunion. d
the weather turn the least bit cool'
"r anybody suggest anything th
would add, in the least, to their con
fort, such as an extra supply Of blal
kets, or more nurses? They we
quickly provided. And a great mar
accepted of their blankets and car
stools to bring with them to rest up>
on their return home. Heard
every side were praises and kin
words for the more than hospital
way that Richmond entertained h
guests.
Parade the Climax.
Thursday was to be the grand C
max of the reunion, the parading
young, old boys, from Capitol Squa