Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-11-16
Thoughts of the Reunion.

The reunion at Chattanooga was
GREAT success. The Indian word Chat
tanooga is "crow's or eagles nest"
which is very appropriate. The river
there makes an abrupt bend in the
shane of a bowl OF nest, hence the
red man gave the name, Chattanoo-
ga. long before the white man passed
that way. Also, Chickamauga, "the
river of blood"
We were all proud of Chattanooga
in the magnificent way in which she
took care of the old fellows upon
whose heads the snow that never
melts hath fallen. I recall no reunion
where every detail was so perfectly
carried out. was told that at least
1000 were bountifully cared for day
and night. The governors address,
though brief, was to the point, and
altogether impressive. 1t showed that
his heart was loyal to the constltu-
ton and laws of his state, and that
his blessings in all their fullness
rested upor the Confederate soldier.
The parade at night was grand to be-
hold. At least 10000 people witness
ed this military parade. If reunions
are held, it is to revive memories, to
strengthen colnradeship, to answer
roll calls that grow shorter each year.
1t was a thrilling contrast in line this
morning of now and fifty years ago.
Then their locks were black as the ra-
ven's wing, now as white as the drift
ing snow. The bands played the Did
tunes and the new. How the music
stirred me, and those about me! How
it quickened the footsteps, How
memories crowded one upon another
and marched us out of the present IN
to the long ago.
No Southern city could have given
the survivors more touching greet
ing than they received at the city by
the eagles nest. The flag of the Unit
ed States futtered besides the "Stars
and Bars" which told the story of
what was and what is-one flag, one
people and one country-that's all.
Yes, the bands played "Suwanee Riv-
,er" with it's call to sentimental
thoughts; "old Black Joe," bringing
memories of darkies and ante-bellum
days; "My Maryland" with its mar
tial swing" and how the old fellows
would smile when "Dixie" was play
ed, no matter when, or where, every
body would cheer and heart-beats
were faster. I repeat, Chattanooga
gave us a warm reception.
No organization received greater
applause, none deserved more. And
now we all come with gloves off and
hat in hand and bow our thanks and
give our love to the city of ChaEta-
nooga and all who dwell within her
gates.
Now give me your attention Just
a short while, and 1 will tell you
about the great battle lat Chickanau-
ga, Ga. This is six miles from Chatta-
nooga. / went our there, went to
where we formed our line of battle. I
walked up the hill where we charged
a battery. I then went to the spot
where Barton fought and Bland fell.
The pine tree still stands fresh and
green where Col. Bland fell and died.
No braver man ever lived. The 7th
S. C. Regiment loved him as moth
er loves her first born. While going
over the ground where we fought, l
could see the boys in my imagination
as they fought and fell that Sunday,
September 2Oth, 1863.
All the blood shed by Longstreet's
corps was not poured out on the Po-
tomac, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg and
many other battles in Virginia. On
September the 10th, 1868 two mighty
armies met in fiercest conflict on
stream near the Georgia and Ten
nessee line under the brow of Look
out Mountain, called Chickamauga,
a name antedating history, and call
ed by the red man "stream of death"
or "river of blood" In this battle
Lonestreet commanded the left wing
and opened the battle and led in the
van. Hoods division broke the fed
eral lines at the beginning, later in
the Longstreet drove his column like
a wedge into the Union center, rip
ping asunder the stead lines of the
federal division. 1t had been said the
federal line had never been broken
until this battle. The praises of Long