Anderson Intelligencer
May 26, 1914
Page 44
THE
FIRST REUNION HELD IN THE COUNTY OF ANDERSON
The echoes of the Last Gun of the
War Had Scarcely Died Away When the Survivors Were Called Together Pleasantly
The following
interesting story is copied from the Anderson Intelligencer of August 3, 1864
For the Intelligencer:
Barbecue to
Palmetto Riflemen
Saturday, July 9th
will ever be held in pleasant remembrance by the members of the Palmetto
Riflemen and their friends, and the ____ generosity of Mr. Crawford Keys, of
Anderson district, will be regarded with lasting emotions of gratitude. To him belongs the credit of striving to
dissipate the clouds of gloom and despondency which had settled down upon the
people of this community, and of rendering the first tribute of ____ to some of
our brave citizens, after their return from the war. True its end has been most
unfavorable to our arms, most chilling to our hopes and most galling to our
pride, after all, we had dared and endured; but the brave Southern men have the
consciousness of knowing they acted well their parts in the struggle and
deserve as much honor and gratitude as if they had come out crowned with
laurels of victory to the sounds of martial music with banners floating and
shouts of triumph. Under such
circumstances, which of course would have been more joy in hearts of their
countrymen to prompt ovations, but their manly courage and endurance must be
rewarded. Nevertheless, though all has
seemed in vain, we might learn to bear our calamities with cheerful
resignation, knowing we were overwhelmed by superior numbers and appliances of
warfare, and that an overruling providence, which decreed this great resolution
in society, may cause us yet to see that it all has ended for the best.
“Let
us live with the hope of a better day coming
To
dark our dreams for awhile
For
there is joy in the thought of a brighter day coming
Then welcome our fates with a smile”
But I am to
describe the best ovation given to our soldiers in this immediate section of
the counties, as it was the generous desire of but one individual, of course,
the invitations were more limited than may yet be in future celebrations of the
kind.
The Palmetto
Riflemen was the first company organized in our village and vicinity and included
most of the flower of our chivalry.
They were among
the first to march to the rescue of Virginia and the last to leave a bloody
field of victories and defeats, unnumbered, but their proud career will be
given in full detail by the ____ orator of the occasion in another column. Yet, they must ever remember that every
record bore its ____ impression upon the hearts of the loved ones at home; how
in each battle the list of killed and wounded thrilled the anxious waiters, and
how fair citizens toiled to supply their want, and how many prayers were
offered for their welfare, and how they have returned, but a scattered remnant,
one half at least, of the original company buried in their long, last sleep, to
respond never more to the earthly greetings.
They have
inherited a far more glorious reward and await their comrades and friends in
far happier scenes of peace and joy than earth can ever afford. Let this urge us on to new hopes and new
duties in the life to come. On that
bright summer morning the Palmetto boys with their ladies and friends, thronged
together at the hospitable mansion of Mr. Keys, two miles from town, and
assembled ‘neath the pleasant shade of poplar and maple trees and by the bright
waters of his bold and beautiful spring to enjoy the social reunion, the words
of eloquence and the beautiful repast incident to the occasion. The burning sun of July which had seemed to
wither all vegetation and animal life for weeks was forgotten, and the pleasant
breeze and the rising clouds produced greater enjoyment.
There was no
longer a martial army in suits of gray, but sober citizens clad in emblems of
domestic industry and economy and with serene, ____ ____ as though they had
never worn the ____ of death-dealing warriors and suffered almost as martyrs in
their country’s cause. Thank heaven that
all this is over and we may rejoice in peace and security once more, however
different from our anticipations.
The old and young
were there united in a happy band prepared to sympathize and rejoice together
in all things. It seemed at first that
there was a feeling of timid reserve among the soldiers who hesitated in
attempts at gallantry, having been no long way from more refined society, and
indeed, the ladies who had struggled so long for their comfort and cheer, and
whose hearts had suffered most, no doubt felt themselves almost forgotten and
slighted. Yet, gradually, the genial spirit of mirth crept in, and there were
pleasant groups scattered over the well kept , well cleared, well seated
grounds prepared to hear the orators of the occasion.
Lieut. James A.
Hoyt, an officer of the company while disabled by a severe and most terrible
wound, was introduced to the audience by the first captain of the company, Maj.
Jas. H. Whitner, in a few quiet remarks appreciative of the occasion, then
followed the clear and graphic narrative given by Mr. Hoyt of the career of the
Palmetto Riflemen in the late war. His
calm, chaste effort was succeeded by calls for a brother in arms, Lieut. Warren D. Wilkes, a member of the
same regiment from the ____ ____ of participanted in the stirring scenes, with
his impassioned outburst of more general interest. The war spirit still flashed from the eyes
and he alluded to the glorious days of victory in which they had ____, and the
____ at Manassas, Sharpsburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg, Seven Pines, Chicamauga
and many more, caused every one present to thrill with a familiar feeling of
those days when grief and anxiety, triumph and fear, swelled our hearts with
contending emotions.
Though dark may be
the close of our national records, yet those days must be emblazoned on living
tablets in the “Temple of Fame, if not in mortal, in immortal with the names of
their heroes.”
“The gallant deeds
of this company countered with the famous Palmetto sharpshooters, can never be
forgotten, not can the noble devotion of the southern women ever cease its
influence,” was the tribute with which the eloquent speaker concluded. After conversation had become more general
and the fine improvements and pure, limpid waters of the ever flowing fountain
of nature been fully noted, as different groups would refresh themselves in the
cool grotto around the spring, all proceeded to partake of the generous feast
spread on table nearby, provided by Mr. Keys and a few other kind citizens,
glad of the opportunity to contribute their ____ to the grateful
enterprise. There was a rich and
tempting variety of barbecued meats of the finest quality and plenty of nice
bread, tomatoes and potatoes in abundance and ample appetites to appreciate it
all.
Then followed
dessert of cool and luscious melons, bright green and red or fragrant yellow
fluted melons that tempted all to indulge, and the gratitude to the giver of
all good things and to the providers of this ample collation.
Soon after this
the crowd began to disperse, mostly at the residence thrown open for dancing
and other amusements which were freely and generously participated in, without
that stiffness which sometimes assumes when mixed crowds are thrown together. A
string band with untiring energy lured on the dancers to trip the light
fantastic measures, affording mush amusement to the spectators, while song to
the piano and merry groups engaged in conversation or fortune telling, gave
variety to the scene. Thus passed the
long, sunny, ever to be remembered day, until the shades of evening warned us
that it, too, was ended, like all sublunary things of joy or sorrow, all united
no doubt, to invoke the blessings upon the kind and generous host and hostess,
with their gallant sons and daughters fair, and upon the brave survivors of the
Palmetto Riflemen.
Anderson S.C.,
Aug. 1, 1865
[Transcribed by: Sharon Strout]
