Pike County Georgia Archives News War Concert September 25 1890
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Lynn Cunningham lcunnin1@bellsouth.net December 1, 2002, 5:17 pm

The Barnesville Gazette. Barnesville, Ga.

‘Twas Grand
The Concert of War Scenes Much Enjoyed..
A Brilliant Success.

Thirty years, with the changing work of time, have passed since our southern 
countrymen fought for their rights, but the bravery of our confederate soldiers 
and the devotion of our pure, patriotic southern women, have builded [sp] for us

a name that will live in the history of this country forever - a name that will 
produce respect and admiration in every age of the worlds history, past, present

and future.

An emergency or crisis shows the greatness of a person or people and the cruel 
crisis of 1861 to 1865 showed the southern people - men and women - the equal, 
if not superior, of any people on the face of the globe. It brought its trials, 
its afflictions, its sorrows, it is true, but it brought its honor and glory 
that will not only remain on the generation that engaged in it, but it will 
follow posterity for generations to come.

Some of the great generals, by their leadership, made honor for themselves; it 
was the suffering soldiers and patient and enduring women who made honor for our

country, and to them, more than to the leaders in the government, or to the 
generals on the battlefields, is due the honor of a great name in the world's 
history. The old people of today love to tell of the days that "tried men's 
souls," because they have a distinct recollection of their experience; the young

people love to learn of them because of the love we bore to those who suffered 
for us. Hence when it was announced that a war concert would be given at Granite

Hall Friday evening last, it was assured an immense crowd, and they were there, 
filling the hall and the galleries.

It was estimated that nearly four hundred people were present, and before we go 
any further, we wish to say that every one of this large number votes it one of 
the most pleasing, satisfactory and successful entertainments ever given in 
Barnesville on any occasion.

The hall was appropriately decorated with portraits of generals, and old flags, 
and at half past seven o'clock everything was in readiness.

Maj. John T. Hunt, dressed in a gray uniform, and with a pleasant and 
enthusiastic countenance, characteristics of the confederate soldier, addressed 
the audience with a few well chosen words. He said the entertainment would be by

ladies and gentlemen dressed in costumes of thirty years ago. He said, too, that

the ladies then in that dress somewhat peculiar to the present day, were as 
pretty and sweet as our modern girls and he asked the audience to pay strict 
attention, for the ladies had not appeared on the stage in about thirty years.

The Program Begins

Southern Marseilles, a grand chorus, was a splendid beginning and at once 
captured the audience. This was sung by quite a number of ladies and gentlemen.

Mrs. M.F. Cochran astonished everyone with an instrumental solo, and if there is

much difference in her playing and the instrumental music of today, none were 
hardly able to detect it.

"Maryland, my Maryland" almost caused the rebel yell as it was sung by the 
ladies as it brought to memory the feelings of the old war days.

Mrs. John T. Blalock next favored us with instrumental music, which showed she 
played well in years agone, or that she has been practicing considerably of 
late.

Mrs. L.K. Rogers recited in a very impressive style a beautiful poem written by 
herself entitled the "Battle of Sharpsburg."

The tableau representing a domestic scene of the war period was one of the most 
interesting parts of the program. In it was the old spinning wheel and the old 
reel, being in actual use by the ladies, some sewing, knitting, and some doing 
other things making it a natural and homelike affair. As all of this was going 
on, a soldier comes hobbling through and the curtain drops, but it was too good 
to be so short, and it was encored, with tremendous cheers.

Reading "Music in The Camp," by Mrs C.E. Elder was very much enjoyed. She would 
read a paragraph and behind the scene (in the camp) you could hear the bugle 
notes of Dixie, Bonnie Blue Flag, etc., after each reading.

Mr. Johnstone of Griffin sang a solo, which was very much enjoyed. Other 
features of the program were an accordion solo by Capt. E.J. Murphey. Tableau, 
"A soldiers dream of home, a tableau representing the soldier of ‘61 and ‘65, 
and other songs by the ladies and gentlemen.

One of the best things of the evening was the violin solo by Maj. John T. Hunt, 
seconded by Mrs. Hunt on the piano. For some time Mr. Hunt tried to tune his 
fiddle for the piano and twice or more they started off with the violin out of 
tune and of course they had to stop to tune it up. Finally, Mr Hunt turned to 
the audience and smilingly explained that it was a war piano and he asked for a 
little more time. However when they were ready again, it was very good music, 
and everybody enjoyed it.

One of the best things was a tableau representing a scene in camp. One was flat 
on the ground, drinking with a small cup from the pot, one was loading his gun, 
some were doing other little things like the above and at a small fire near the 
tent were two men. One had a piece of bread apparently enjoying it immensely, 
while the other fellow was teasing him for a piece of it. A scuffle results over

the bread and the curtain falls. This had to be repeated and the audience were 
really anxious to witness that the third time.

The exercises closed with Dixie as the grand closing chorus.

The entertainment was a grand success in every particular. Especially so, 
because it represented war times in its truest sense. The ladies, many of them, 
wore the same dresses that they wore during the war. Their hair was arranged in 
identically the same way, and it was a true representation of thirty years ago. 
It was a indeed a success and has been praised by everyone who was present.

Ice cream, war coffee, war cake, and lemonade were the refreshments and after 
the program was over, nearly everybody remained in the hall for quite a time 
enjoying the refreshments, and seeing the relics in the museum.

The Gazette extends heartiest congratulations to each one connected with the 
entertainment, and if necessary, we would assure them that it was a brilliant 
success.

(Transcribed 12/1/02 Lynn Cunningham)
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