The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-09-22
WILDCATS HOLD REUNION
IN CAPITAL CITY


place for Program this Morning and
Afternoon.
Beaucoup Wildcats have followed
the long, long trails awiding from
their haunts all over these United
States and are in Columbia for the
first annual reunion Of the Eighty-
first division. Even the highest hopes
of the local committee in charge Of
the plans have been exceeded by the
attendance and last night the veter-
ans were still arriving. 1t is conserv-
atively estimated that more than 1000
are here.
And the town belongs to the visitors.
The Wildcats have already realized
lhlS to be fact, not fiction. After the
cordial greeting upon arrival, the gen
crous use Of automobiles. the throw
ing open Of Columbia homes, free
movies, the special vaudevill perform
ance, free dances, little courtesies too
many to mention, the splendid dinner
yesterday, the reception and dances
| last night, after day Of these things
the veterans know well that Colum-
| bia is happy to be the host.
1t has been oft repeated that the
program is made up with the hopes of
striking the right thing with little
speech making and more opportunity
to renew acQuaintanccS and refresh
| ing pleasant memories. The committee
has done Just this as was demon
Slratcd by yesterdays events. In the
morning separate organizations gath
cred at designated places ITO sec who's
mere. After dinner there was q band
concert followed by the formal vel
there were the reception and dances.
This morning the reunion moves to
camp Jackson the native soil of the
Eighty first. where a greater part of
| the day will be spent. Tonight the
Wildcats are back in Columbia for the
dances which end the reunion.
Division reunions are composed of a
multitude OF little reunions. The
dances and the speeches and the din
ms II! very pleasant in themselves
ana adding materially to the general
saletE OF the occasion arc in reality
Dut 2alnishrS. like currant iellv
around duck. But the real meat of a
reunion is the exchange OF rccollec-
tions OF events which transpired while
men were in service together
mere were scores OF these little"
reunions held yesterday and MANY
amusing experiences recalled by men
who even now wear the khaki with
lest ease thana short while ago.
Among the important events of the
day was the arrival of Brig. Gen
oharles }. Bailey, who came in from
the North shortly before noon. The
former commanding officer of the
Eishty-frst was given royal recep-
ton by his men both on the strects
ana when he spoke from the State
rouse steps yesterday afternoon. The
men were likewise glad 10 see Col
I'~harlos Barth, who was the first com.
mander of the division. and who win
| SPEAK at the Liberty theatre today
General Bailey is the guest of Edwin
| w, Robertson at hi shomc on Laurel
| Hill and Colonel Barth is visiting the
governor at the executive mansion A
number of other high ranking officers
or the division are also here.
Ihe officers and the men of the
| wildcat division worked in such har-
mony in the army that there is no
wonder that fine feeling exists be.
tween them as shown at the reunion
such thing as rank has been forgot
ten as far as possible and the veterans
mingled as men who fought for tho
same cause and who alike feel proud
OF tho splendid record made by the
famous division.
1T is said on what is believed IN
be authentic information that the ot-
tendance at the present reunion out
srips that of he other divisional re-
union this year. The division has
hoped for this distinction.
For months preparations have been
under way and the reunion call has
been heard in at least &c states. for
there are veterans here from this
many. AS matter Of fact the Wild
| cat division has ex-members in eyery
| state in the union. but, OF course. in
| the Far Western states the member
! ship is very limited.