The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-06-19
Editor Evening Telegram:

am at Florence, S. C.-"side
tracked" And as l will be in South
Carolina for 4 or 5 months l have
concluded to write brief account of
my trip to Washington, d. c.
1t was my honored privilege to at
tend this, the Reunion at Washing
ton, as delegate from Lakeland
Camp To me, tenderfoot, a trip
to and sojourn for four days at our
capital is an event in my life which
would be unprecedented when Wash
ington was normal This Reunion
forward to this time | said to myself
Our presence and actions while in
the midst of such world of other
busy beings would be much like a
rain drop in river. One moment
then gone forever" This measur-
ably was so. And yet, their was dur
ing those four days a visible Old Vet
feature playing over Washington's
social touching-so pronounced and
pominent AS to cause we are find
ing Old Vets everywhere to say they
are like frogs in Egypt, even in the
bread trays. And this prominent
and pronounced was emphasized by
the time and place and Presidential
recognition of us Old Vets equal to
and alongside the man who wore
the blue. There was another agree
able surprise. | attended this, the
first Old Vets ReUnon north of Ma
son and DiXons line fearing, almost
anticipating, cold, if not even sour
or unkind, attitude towards us. Such
was not the case. Rather Washing
ton equalled, and | am almost ready
to say eXcelled, even Birmingham
and Richmond, yet | dare not say ex-
celled, but cling to equalled Birming
ham and other former cities who in
vited and entertained us. Personal
ly, | am glad to say everybody was
kind, respectful, and even sympathe-
tic could scarcely realize the
Washington as entered and received
its hospitality, was the same spot
when in the COS it was our foe. Up
to these recent days have been
"a Thomas, utterly hcredulous as
to the bloody bloody shots being bur-
ried and real heart to heart recon
ciliation warranting meeting and
mingling of Gray and Blue. Now |
am assured, with all the best people
North and South there is a bonded
reunited people standing under one
tiag-facing one foe. OF course, can.
dor compells me to note a measured
failure in preparations to meet 10.
cate and place in comfortable sleep.
ing quarters. Unlike other places,
there was no scouts or committees or
individuals to meet and assign us
except registration place, and this
you mad to hunt up
| concluded to try camps" again
but when unloaded like sheep with.
out shepherd from a crowded au.
tomobile at Convention Hall, | found
headless mob, and it was grab a
mattress as unloaded and sleep on
the floor, or go further and fair
worse. with many others went
further, paid dollar night for a
cot in narrow alcove. Fortunately
it was clean one, and a measure OF
quiet allowed me to sleep well.
went to camp Mess Hall. and
found the fare a happy medium be-
tween Richmonds wedding feast and
Birmingham convict fare. OF
course the same disorder was there
All roofing in. and cropping out from
a positive selfishness, which is pain
full to behold
| cannot say how others saw the
rank and file of the old Vets The
larger portions, three fourths or more
were verging on three score and
ten" and were hating and sometimes
almost helpless-all more or less
must as | am. dead leafless branch
on once green and vigorous life
tree. Many of them trembling shak
ing almost now hating to the tomb
which doubtless awaits them before