Newton County GaArchives News.....THE RE-UNION, LAMAR’S INFANTRY AND 53RD GA. HOLD THEIR FIRST RE-UNION September 12, 1889 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 August 25, 2005, 9:34 pm The Georgia Enterprise September 12, 1889 PATRIOTIC SPEECHES, BARBEQUE AND BASKET DINNER. 3000 IN LINE.. Thursday last, Sept. 5th, 1889, was a memorable day in the history of our town and county. In the Academy Grove a platform and band stand had been erected, seats for several thousand persons had been provided, near an acre of land had been taken for table room. Town and County had joined hands to assist the Veterans in entertaining the “human family and the balance of mankind” and they were here by a large majority. We cannot well personate, where all worked so hard and did so much to make the occasion a success, it is best to returns thanks to every one who gave any assistance to the worthy cause; and this the Veterans did by resolution early in the morning and again at the close of the festivities. A Confederate Soldiers Re-union means something more than a gathering “to speak and eat, and then to speak and eat again.” It means the rekindling of that brotherly devotion which was born amid the tragic scenes of blood, death and carnage, and it means ten thousand times more than this, for the old soldier, in imagination, fights anew the battles of the past, relates the incidents of the field and camp, presses the form of living comrades to his throbbing breast and drops many tears to the memory of gallant brothers who “sleep the sleep that knows no awakening.” Now to the incidents of the re- union: Gen. and Mrs. GORDON came down Wednesday evening and spent the night with Capt. and Mrs. PACE. Early Thursday morning the people began to gather on the public square. At 9 o’clock members of the Lamar Infantry and Co. B and E of 53rd Ga., met in the court house and transacted some important business and returned thanks for the assistance and returned thanks for the assistance tendered them by the general public, thereby making their first re-union a grand success. At this meeting Col. JOHN ROQUEMORE was commissioned Master of Ceremonies for the stage, while Rev. THOMAS GRIER was appointed Chaplain. At 10 o’clock Marshal of the Day, Col. R. W. BAG Y, with Col. JAS. W. ANDERSON, as Aid, appeared on the streets. Both were riding spirited horses. The Marshal wore a handsome red silk sash around his body, his hat being caught up on one side and decorated with a large jet black plume; while his Aid wore no ornaments. Gen. GORDON then appeared on a fine horse. The band played and cheer after cheer rent the air. Judge LESTER, of Marietta, Mayor MIDDLEBROOK, and a few others were mounted. The armless sleeve of BAGBY and of LESTER, of J. P. LOYD, S. M. JOHNSON, W. B. HAYGOOD, JIEKANIAH YANCY and W. C. LEACH, the limp of maimed veterans, the bullet marks on the cheek of GORDON, the old battle flag of the 53rd, in the hands of Captain GRANT D. HEARD, the dear old “jacket of gray” and army canteen, worn by Private HOUSTON A. JONES, were jewels which silently told the story of war more forcibly than tongue can express or language convey There was no delay in forming the line, although there were perhaps 2,000 persons on hand. The Covington band lead off with a lively tune, with Lamar’s Infantry, Companies B and E, of the 53rd Ga., following: then come old Veterans of other commands, then the Salem Light Infantry and citizens. The line of march from the court house to the Academy Grove was without accident. Prominent veterans occupied seats on the stand, while the audience was composed of Georgia’s fairest daughters and most patriotic sons. Everybody was in a good humor. After music Rev. THOS. GRIER, the soldier preacher, opened the ceremonies with an appropriate prayer. Mayor MIDDLEBROOK delivered the welcome address in pleasing language. He informed the audience that the city of Covington had suspended it’s ordinances, the citizens had opened their hearts and their homes and the entire town had been placed in the hands of it guests. Captain J. M. PACE then delivered the best speech of his life. He implored the people to cherish and keep alive the memories of the past, and with ringing eloquence declared the duty demanded that a monument be erected in honor to the Confederate dead of Newton County. Gen. GORDON was, as usual, in the best of spirits, and thrilled and enthused the audience with patriotic utterances with rich anecdote. Judge GEO. LESTER followed with an entertaining and humorous speech. It captured the audience and gave everybody a good appetite for dinner. He made many friends here. Dinner was announced at 1 o’clock. Plates had been spread for about 3000 persons and well filled baskets were near in case of emergency. The large crowd came to the feast through the proper entrance and the best of order was observed. The tables were filled with an abundance of everything good to eat. The bill of fare was full and complete. The ladies had exerted themselves and did all in their power to make the occasion a success. Hundreds of baskets had been sent, which was convincing evidence that the ladies were as enthusiastic as were the men. Besides the baskets there were over 1000 loaves of baker’s bread and about 40 barbequed shoats, kids, lambs and calves. There was an abundance for all and no one went away hungry. Mr. SAMUEL McCart and sons, Mr. SILAS JOHNSON and a few others superintended the barbeque and no finer cooked meat was ever seen in Georgia. After dinner Rev. S. A. BURNEY, of Madison, electrified and charmed the audience with an address that will not soon be forgotten by those who heard it. Colonel E. F. EDWARDS announced that he did not intend to make a speech, although he felt very much like it, but desired that a Confederate Veteran’s Association be organized in Newton County, and that every Veteran, now in the county, would be expected to meet in the court house in Covington, on the first Tuesday in October for the purpose of perfecting said organization. Oh no, we had not overlooked our gallant friend, Master of Ceremonies JOHN ROQUEMORE. It is our custom to save the best for last. His introduction of the speakers was one of the most interesting features of the day. In peace, as in war, this heroic patriot proves himself equal to any emergency and is always ready to discharge any honorable duty. We waive individual compliment, because it is difficult to personate and not fail to leave out the names of some who did all they could to make the re- union a grand success. Some did more than others, but all did well. It gives us pleasure to bear willing testimony to the good order observed by all present. Nothing of a boisterous nature was noticeable during the entire day. It was an occasion that will always be referred to with pleasure and delight. Let us have another next year. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/newton/newspapers/thereuni749gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 7.5 Kb