Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-07-13
RICHMOND REUNION
AS a Veteran Saw 1t.

Reunion held by the Confederate veterans
at Richmond is written by Veteran Roger
Pinckney, who is at present making his
home here with his daughter, Mrs. R. S.
Leak. Mr.. Pinckney is 80 years old, and
served in the Confederate Navy. The
Posi- DISPATCH is glad to publish this
article. ---Editor.)
For a second time, after an in
terval of nearly sixty years, |
visited Richmond on the 10Th of
June, in attendance upon the
Reunion of the survivors of the
Confederate Army and Navy, en-
Toying the privilege of going with
the contingent from Rockingham.
At intervals during the Civil
war, / was in touch with the
gallant soldiers from North Car
olina, and the dauntless bravery
displayed by them on all occa.
sions, as demonstrated at Eller-
sons Mill just preceding the
larger battle at Gaines Mill,
where they won the admiration
of the entire army and were en-
Titled to record on their War-hapS
me Plus Ultra" And this proud
Irecord remained unblemished,
until at Appomattox our flags
were forever furled.
Early in the war, | received an
appointment in the Confederate
Navy, and was not a participant
lin the many battles fought by
IGen. Lee and his matchless
Iegions which entities them to
an immortal record on the pages
of the Worlds history.
Beginning with my departure
from Rockingham, | visioned a
revelation which expanded until
Reunion week ended. Never
have seen such an abasement
| of self for the comfort of others
as was manifested by all in min
listerilg to the wants of the gray
headed and form. bent veterans.
| When at times the trains were
crowded until even standing room
lin the aisles was in demand,
young ladies vacated their seats
and would not be comforted I'm
til they were filled by veterans.
| Watching, I pondered, and the
thought came into my mind, that
probably, beyond the limits of
our Southern States, such a gath
Iering, with such manifestations
Iof humanity in its highest devel-
opment, was not possible. My
life path is rapidly ending; what
live seen, and experiences at this
Reunion, is indelibly fixed on my
mental tablet, and will be a souvce
|of comfort to the end.
| Arriving in Richmond with its
| grand and glorious past, | was
|amazed when contemplating its
| physical expansion. Nearly all
the wartime landmarks were not
only obliterated, and almost for
gotten, but those still standing
transformed, and | must admit,
embellished by architect and en-.
gineer beyond recognition. In
those days of devastating war,
the unit of measure employed
was the city square or block.
Now the unit is the mile. Then
a tangled jungle, almost impass-
able for man stretched from
Richmond to Drewry's Bluff.
Now, the two points, as fresh
in my memory as though of yes
terday, are united by a broad
macadam road and at no point
when travelling the road was
out of sight of splendidly devel.
loped land, fine residences. I sui
fered some disappointment INN
visit to the Drewry Bluff defences
on James river. With difficulty
/ located the burial ground, from
which the monuments had beer
removed, and ! am still in doubt
as to the location Of the spot
made sacred by the morta