The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-03-21

Tallahasee, March j6.-(SpectaD-
The celebr alton held at Natural Bridge
in connection with the fifty-fifth ami
versary of the battle of that place, and
accompanying unwilling Of the monu-
ment commemorative Of that historic
event, were largely attended in spite OF
the unusual cold for this season Of the
year.
The veterans and those who desired
to attend were transported from Tai
Iahassee to Natural Bridge, sixteen
miles by automobiles, and the veterans
reported a pleasant but cold ride.
The monuments on the battle ground,
one on each side of the road leading
TO the Natural Bridge have been erect
ed by Conlrade J. =. Fletcher of River
Junction, with the assistance of Mrs.
w. McKeown, of Quincy. The spot
where the monuments are erected mark
the place where Houston's artillery
was stationed on the morning of the
fight. The first of these monuments
was dedicated on July 4th, 1919.
In the programme which was carried
out on last Saturday. General Newton
A. Bitch, Commander of the Florida
Division, United Confederate Veterans
presided, and in his preliminary re-
marks gave an interesting account OF
his participation in the battle. Among
the talks made were those by Conrad
j. b. Fletcher, Hon. H. Clay Craw-
ford and Hon. William HI. Ellis. Jus
tice OF the Supreme Court, the latter
being the orator of the day, who made
one of his usual splendid addresses.
At the conclusion of Judge Ellis talk,
Mrs. Mex Gown was called to the stand
and introduced TO the audience. after
which she gracefully unveiled the
monument to the accompanying ap-
plause Of those assembled.
The program was not further pro-
longed on account of the extreme cold.
1t had been expected that addresses
would be made by Veteran w. f. Nc
Cahagin, Commander of Marion Coun-
ty Camp No. Sc, Ocala, Florida, and
Col. William A. Rawls, Adjutant to the
division commander, of Pensacola, but
these gentlemen asked to be excused
on account of the weather.
At the conclusion of the program a
bounteous picnic dinner was spread,
particularly pleasing feature of which
was a plentiful supply of steaming hot
fresh water fish, the gift of Hon. G.
w Rhoda, of Woodville.
After the dinner all the Veterans
were requested to stand in line to be
counted. There were found to be
twenty-five present. twelve of whom
were in the battle.
Much credit is due to those in charge
Of the program on this occasion for the
excellent manner in which the exer-
cises were conducted.
It had been expected that General Ben
wv. Partridge of Monticello, former
General Commanding the Florida Divi-
sion of the United Confederate Vet
Grams would be present and take a
prominent part on the program. Ill
ness, however, prevented and General
Bitch received the following interest
ing letter from him:
Monticello, Fla.
Gen. Newton A. Bitch, Comm Fla
Div. u. c. V, Tallahassee, Fla.
My Dear Friend: Your kind personal
letter Of Feb. 10 inviting me to be
present at the celebration of the
fifty-fifth anniversary of the battle of
Natural Bridge came into my sick
room whore 1 had been desperately i'll
since FEB. 2 with the dread enemy,
Flu"
1t came at a period when loving
sympathy was worth moro than gold
or jewels and spoke of the thoughts
of my comrades dear whose personal
touch has been worth so much to me
for these long years.
/ am at last up and convalescent,
and although most rapidly recuper-
ating. I realize that a battle for pa-
thence for returning strength is to be
my daily test.
Much as I most naturally desire to
be with you, and all those who at
tend the celebration of this anniver-
sary. I yield to the inevitable and if
may be allowed brief space on your
program, send an effectionate greet
ing to my old comrades and a brief
statement OF some personal incidents
the memory of which makes me acute
" interested in this celebration
In the year 1865, late in the month
or February, / was a member Of the
the 18th Confederate Cavalry-an atom
OF the department OF the gulf. Gen.
Dabney II. Maury commanded with
headquarters at Mobile, Ala. His
Jurisdiction extended from Milton.
Florida, on the east to the Mississippi
river south of Port Hudson, La, on
the west.
The regiment to which I belonged.
was in Camp West of Mobile. was
granted a leave of absence to visit nv
home, after an absence of twenty one
months. In company with Major.
Robert ii. Partridge OF the 18th cav
airy and my captain, John Timer. of
CO. A, we rode our horses from Mo-
bile to the homes of our loved ONES
I found my mother and sisters living
temporary in Leon county-1s miles
north of Tallahassee.
The stirring events about Mobile
FASTENED the desire of ny Major and
captain to join their commands. The
freshet conditions through the usual
line from this section of our state were
unpredecented and blocked all posi-
biuty o. our return with our horse.
until the waters abated. There bs
some still among us who will recall
the Geneva, Alabama, flood and de
struction OF the little town in a night
The result of a council was the leav
ing Of the two officers by railroa,
lin and detailing of the writer witt