Military: Confederate Soldiers Reunion, 1886, Winn Parish, LA Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: August 13, 1886 Southern Sentinel Soldiers Reunion A reunion of Winn Rifles at Montgomery, Members of the 27th, 28th, & 12th, La. Regiments take part, Several prominent speakers, The old battle flag on the ground, Steps taken to organize for a reunion every year, &c. According to previous appointment members of the Winn Rifles 3d La. Regiment held their first reunion at Montgomery, La., Tuesday, August 10th, 1886. Several members of the 12th, 27th, and 28th, La. Regiments who were invited took part in the proceedings. The people began to assemble on Monday, and by 9 o'clock Tuesday there were more people in Montgomery than was ever present there at one time. The audience was estimated at 1500. The old Soldiers about 210, assembled in the Masonic Square and fell into line and marched to the sound of the drum around to a beautiful grove, where a platform beautifully decorated for the speakers, musicians, news paper reporters &c was prepared, and seats in the grove for the accommodation of all. Messrs. W. T. Barnett and I. N. Hicks were the color bearers, Mr. Barnett with the stars and stripes and Mr. Hicks with the old 12th Regiments battle flag, tattered and torn with bullets, which clearly showed that it had been in many hot engagements. It was borne by the 12th La. Regiment in the following battles: Columbus, Ky., Island 10, Tenn.; Fort Pillow, Tenn.; Port Hudson, La.; Corinth, Miss.; Bakers Creek, Miss.; Resyka, Ga.; New Hope, Ga.; Altoons Mountains; Atlanta, Ga.; Cassville, Ga.; Nashville, Ga.; Kingston, N. C. It was under fire 20 days in the North Ga. campaign and was surrendered with Johnson's army April 23, 1865, at Gouldsborough (Greensboro?), N.C. Capt. W. J. Calvitt was elected president of the meeting and C. V. Porter of the Democratic Review , Secy. Theo Haller of the 3d, Capt. Jno. Jordan of the 12th, J. W. Jones of the 27th, R. C. Jones of the 28th, La. Regiments, W. A. Strong, representing fractional parts of the Confederates, and Jules Lameraux, representing the Federal forces were chosen vice presidents of the meeting and invited to stand. Capt. Calvitt introduced Miss Creola Lameraux, who read the original address made by her mother, Miss Rogers, on the presentation of the flag to the Winn Rifles and Capt. Pearson's (Pierson) reply on the reception of it April 30th, 1861, at Montgomery, Winn Parish, La., now Grant Parish. The addresses were published in the Southern Sentinel in 1861. In introducing Miss Lameraux, Capt. Calvitt said: "She is a beautiful type of the blending of the Blue and the Gray, her father wore the Blue, her mother was a daughter of the South. Programme Music by Natchitoches Brass Band followed by Montgomery Choir. Prayer by Rev. C. W. Tomkies of DeSoto Parish, La. Music by band, and song "Tenting on the Camp Ground". Address by Judge Pearson (Pierson), song, "Conquered Banner". Music by band, and address by Dr. J.F. Kelly. Music by band, and song "Our Flag" by Montgomery Choir and Bonnie Blue Flag. Dinner After dinner address by Col. J. C. Wickliffe of Colfax, La. Music by the band and choir, and an address by A. G. Thompson, the boy soldier. Song "Cheer Boys Cheer" and music by the band. Resolutions were adopted appointing the following members of the 3rd, 12th, 27th, and 28th La. Regiments, Judge D. Pierson, J. McCain, Hon. Geo. A. Kelly, R. C. Jones, and Gen. Will A. Strong and J. Aphonse Prudhomme of 2nd La. Cavalry, to arrange and appoint a place for the next reunion, as they will organize and have their reunion every year. The thanks of the audience were tendered the several speakers present, the Natchitoches Brass Band and to the several citizens who had lent their aid to make the occasion a success. Too much praise cannot be given the Montgomery people and vicinity for the excellent arrangements made. The vast concourse of people present certainly were treated royally, and especially the newspaper men, whom Mrs. J. M. McCain furnished with plenty of good edibles, for which, she specially has our thanks. Major McCain of the 12th La. Regiment applied to Capt. J. W. Dryan of the Continental Guards of New Orleans for an old Confederate flat, and Capt. Dryan secured from Washington old 12th La. flag for the occasion. Many of the 12th La. survivors who were present actually shed tears at the sight of their old battle flag. But over and above all floated the stars and stripes and may they continue to be wafted to the breeze as long as time shall last over a free and independent people.