Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-07-02
Big Bud Tells of the Reunion.

After spending 'ome time on this his
toric spot, we went to the old Bland
ferd church erected in about 1903. We
fought all around this old church which
after standing nearly 100 years in al
most complete ruins. was repaired
and each Southern state has memori-
al there. General Walthal and other
distinguished Mississippians were pres
ent when our window was dedicated.
English bauonets, British, continental
and Confederate soldiers and old set
tiers lie buried around its sacred walls.
Leaving this old and valued historic
place, we motored through the modern
city which bears no resemblance to the
beleagured and shell-torn city as |
knew it in the winter of ga. Major
General Malone lies buried here and
they told me the people here were get
ting up subscription to build him a
monument. He deserves one, for he
was one of the best division command
ers in the A. N. V. However, | re-
membered that he did not divide fair
ly with me the blankets, lot of which
we captured when was acting courier
for him on the Weldon railroad where
we routed the famous General Wilson
and his raiders. We got about twelve
blankets which carried back to Pet
e, sburg on my horse. When we went
to divide them. he said. "Cavett, you
do not want but one," and from the
tone of his voice l knew he thought |
ought not to have more than this, so |
said, 'No Sir, one is all I want" That
was story for thought l would get
I at least or 4; so did not contribute
to the monument.
We motored back to Richmond, 60
ing at once to the hospitable home of
Mr.. Tuck and found regular old fash
ioned Virginia welcome. He and his
good wife did all in their power to make
our stay pleasant, having us to lunch
and dine with them and then carried
us out to the fair grounds to see the re-
production of the crater, that | have
already writtepabout. Late that night,
tired and weary, we bade this splendid
Virginia couple good night and repaired
to the hospitable home of Col. Palmer,
spent the night and the next day, refus-
ing the kind ii,gitatioa af=.,lr gocd
friends to stay longer, took the train
for Washington. told them | had
started to Washington once with lot
of other boys and got as far as Gettys-
burg and the yankees got so mad and
kicked up so much hell we turned back,
but as things are little different now,
I | thought would make the trip. We
went by that other old historic battle
ground, Fredericksburg, on the way,
seeing the house that General Jackson
died in. 1t is owned by the railroad
and is well kept up, a bed of flowers
being planted in front of the house so
as to tell in large letters that Stonewall
Jackson died here. 1t was a sad sad
day for US when he received his death
wound, for although the old army of
Northern Virginia fought many hard
| fight and held the enemy out of Rich
mond for two years longer, we gained
10 more such victories as Chansellors-
vile. General Miles in a book written
after the war, while he was at the head
of the U. s. army said that Lee had
here only 65, 900 men and Hooker had
1876, 900 and still Lee gained a wonder
full victory. | always thought Chan
cellorsvile was responsible for Gettys-
burg for Lee whipped Hooper and Sed-
quick so completely with Longstreet
and two of his divisions away out in
North Carolina that this inspired Gen.
eral Lee and his men with too much
confidence. had horse killed under
me at this battle on the plank road near
Fredericksburg that evening while car
rying a dispatch to one of the colonels
of regiment in our brigade. AS soon
as the horse was shot and had fallen,
finding that | was unburt, | carried the
dispatch on foot and deliveredit. Here
it was that Meagher's Irish brigade
charged Marye's Heights at the first
battle of Fredericksburg. Seven times
did these gallant lrishmen charge this
impregnable hill defended by the brave
South Carolinians under General Gregg,
who was killed here, and seven times
the gallant Carolinians laid them low;
so great was their loss that this brigade
was not factor in the war after this.
The first time | heard of this brigade
was when William Price. gallant
member of the Noxubee rifles, 18th
| Mississippi regiment, lay wounded at
Seven Pines. He laid on the battle
field all night; the next morning mag
nificient body of men came into line
near where he was, and he asked what
brigade that was, the men answering
"Meagher's Irish Brigade of New
York" Price said. tell General Meagh-
er that I little thought when read his
magnificent speech made to the people