The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1920-05-06
ANNUAL EXERCISES
AT RIVERS BRIDGE
3. D. CARTER, ESQ, OF BAMBERG,
ORATOR OF THE DAY.
University Men Sing.
Hundreds Gather to Honor Those
Who Fought For the Con-
federacy.

Last Thursday was memorial day at
Rivers's Bridge, a spot twelve miles
below Olar, where an engagement of
the Confederate war was won by the
Southern troops. This annual cele-
bration always takes place on the last
Thursday in April.
The decrease in number of old vet
erans in attendance from year to
year is very noticeable e-this time on
ly IL being in line as they marched
to the grave of their comrades who
are buried at this hallowed place.
DR.. N. F. kirkland, now SO years
old, has been president of the Rivers
Bridge Memorial association for many
years. He was present, as usual, but
requested Prof. F. C.. Chitty, of Olar,
to preside over the exercises. A cadet
from Carlisle school was bugler for
the day.
In response to the bugle call the
large audience of about $500 people
flocked to the stand to enjoy the ex-
ercises of the day.
A quartette of the University Of
South Carolina glee club had charge
of the music and they thoroughly de-p
lighted the audience. After their OPP
ening number, the invocation was pro-
nounced by the Rev. G. M. Peeler, OF
the Olar Methodist church. My
Country 'Tis of Thee was then
sung by the quartette.
At this time Prof. Chitty delivered
a short address, impressing upon the
audience the Importance of the day,
and the true meaning of the icele-
bration.. He then introduced R. Fair
Goodwin, who presented the univer-s
sity quartette in very complimentary
terms. Marked enthusiasm was man {
ifested by continued ovation over the
next number, Dixie" by the quar-
tette, after which little Sara Pearl
stin, member of the advanced first
grade in the Olar school, gave a re-
citation, tThe Flag of Dixie
Prof. Chitty then presented the or
ator of the day, B. D. Carter, ESQ.,,
of Bamberg. Mr.. Carter's address
was we'll received. He said that I'VE
love to tell the story of the Confeder-
ate war to commit it to posterity, the
worlds historians failing to give JUS
tice to the Confederacy in not giving
a. true and full account"
He paid a glowing tribute to the
old veterans present and assured them
that although they could not, accord
ing to the laws of nature, remain with
us much longer, they would never be!
forgotten, and that this assemblage
was to confer honor on them as well
as to honor those ''who sleep in yon-
der grave"
He also praised the good women
who responded to duty in. the homes
and hospitals. He reviewed some
historical facts relative to the war
and reconstruction period, referring
to the carpet-baggers and giving
much credit and praise to General
Wade Hampton. He declared that
the struggle was not in vain and that
it was best for all that the fight was
fought without compromise. Defeat
implies disaster, but not disgrace,
he said. "The Confederate soldier
brought home a consciousness of du-
ty performed.
After a selection by the quartette,
Miss Juanita Neeley, of the Olar
school, read an essay on "Why the
State of South Carolina Should Erect
a Memorial to the Boys Of the World
War" After the quartette enter
tanned the audience for quite while (
the old soldiers formed line and
marched to the grave, where it was
covered with beautiful flowers. A
delightful basket dinner was served
on the grounds.