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®:t)ronicleanD_snitinrl. WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5, 1874 EIGHTH DISTRICT CONGRESSION AL CONVENTION. The State Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Georgia recommend that the Congressional Nominating Con vention for the Eighth District be held in the city of Augusta, on the fir?t Wednesday (the second) of September. THE OLD THIRD. We devote the greater portion of our available space this morning to the re port of the Reunion of the Third Geor gia Regiment. It will be seen that in teresting addresses were delivered by Col. Claiborne Snead and Capt. San ders. CORN AND COTTON. Rev. S. H. Cox, who is constantly traveling in Central Alabama, informs the editor of the Mobile Register that he finds many persons in that section of the State who have planted corn and cotton together this season on Captain Isaac Donovan's plan. They all seem to vote it a decided success, and are ex tremely well pleased, as it gives them two good crops for very little more than the labor necessary to the production of one. The corn is drilled in the same row with the cotton, and being an early variety, is ripe and removed before it gets in the way of the cotton crop. OPPOSED TO A THIRD TERM. Mr. Bonner, proprietor of the New York Ledger, and a personal and politi cal friend of President Grant, discoun tenances the suggestion of a third term. The Ledger puts this emphatic protest on record against the re-election of Presi dent Grant; “At the end of eight years,” it declares, “General Grant will quietly walk out of the White House or he will forever place himself outside of the esteem of the American people.” Harper ’# Weekly indignantly denoun ces the suggestion of a third term.— Among the prominent members of the Republican party, the feeling is equally pronounced. COMING HOME TO ROOST. A few years ago, says the Cincinnati Enquirer, Harriet Beecher Stowe, the sister of the Rev. Henry Ward Beech er, deemed it her duty to resurrect from the almost forgotten past the scan dals against the immortal poet, Lord Byron, growing out of his relations with his wife. She even w'ent to the length of charging him with the crime of incest with his sister. The book was a most shameful one, and by its nature incapable of doing any good. Retribu tion has come. Her brother is in a much worse position than Lord Byron ever was. None of Byron’s liasons rests upon such solid evidenco as that' of Beecher with Mrs. Tilton. TJie Puritan, who went out of her way to assail the great est of English writers, now has an op portunity for defense iii her own house hold. There is a law of recompense or retribution, of which Mrs. Stowe is now fully aware. The wife of her brother is another Lady Byron in injury, and as such she will descend to history. ABUSE OK THE PARDONING POWER. The Charleston News shows up the abuse of the pardoning power by Gov. Moses. Since his installation, a period of about nineteen months, ho has grant ed 421 pardons. The crimes embrace almost every offense forbidden by the laws of God and man. The offenses of which (ho persons pardoned were con victed are shown by the following state ment, which is condensed from an of ficial paper obtained by the News from the office of the Secretary of State : Murder, ‘2l; manslaughter, 2f>; rape, 10; infanticide, 5; burglary, 33; forgery, 4; arson, 24; highway robbery, 3; per jury, 4; larceny, 110; bigamy, 6; assault and battery, 1 i)7; horse and mule steal ing, 6; libel, 1; kidnapping, 1; abduc tion, 1; tresspass, 4; miscellaneous, 38; official misconduct and malfeasance in office, 12; total, 421. This wholesale abuse of the pardoning power is sufficient to consign Gov. Moses to the penitentiary for the balauco of his natural life. N EWSPA PUR ENTEHPRISE. The great newspapers have under taken to accomplish what powerful na tions have failed to do—to explore the wilds of Africa and discover the sources of the Nile and the haunts of the slave trade. The New York Herald and the London Telegraph, representing the journalism of America and England, are .engaged in fitting out an expedition for this purpose under the command of Mr. Stanley, The Herald says that this ex pedition will be “more numerous and better appointed than any that has ever entered Africa on an errand of explora tion.” When the electric current flashed Stanley’s discovery of Dr. Livinostone in the faces of the readers of the Herald, people were incredulous, but the truth forced conviction and the American mind acknowledged that Mr. Stanley did ■bake hands with the great African ex plorer. Our readers need not therefore bo astonished wlieu they see in the papers some fine morning that the joint ex ploring expedition of the Herald and Telegraph has accomplished what the venerable and lamented Livingstone lost his life iu trying to find—the sources of the Nile. The Herald, not content with sending Stanley to Africa, is fitting out another expedition to Iceland. This will be commanded by l)r. Hays, the celebrat ed Arctic explorer, who is to study its character, its soil, its volcanoes and its history, with a Yiew towards solving many of the problems that now ceutro around the Arctic regions. We are not prepared to appreciate the benefits that these expeditions, if suc cessful, will confer upon the civilization of this day and generation. We are like many others who fail to see the good to be accomplished by sending missionaries to Africa to be eaten by cannibals, when there is so much to be done at home in convert ing civilized people to Christ. The New York Herald and the London Tele graph could spend a milliou of dollars among the poor of New York and Lou don to better advantage than in hunting for the sources of tlse Nile or in fooling about for the North Polar Sea. The enterprise, however, that prompts these expeditions is indicative of the genius and power of the leading journals of Europe and America. The growth of journalism in this country has been marvelous. Whatever looks like enter prise will be appreciated by the Ameri can people. Knowing the predominant appetite in the American character for something that is new and sensational, the proprietors of the great dailies never wait to connt the expense. An Outuaok. —What must have been the commingled feelings of shame and indignation in the heart of the modest and beautiful young lady of Mont gomery, when invited by a negro, revelling in the “odor of nationality, to accompany him to church ! The ex planation of such wonderful, such devilish impudence as displayed by the negro is found in the fact that the father of the young lady is a rabid Radical politician. Does it seem just that the sins of such parents should be visited upon their children? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNI VERSITY. To the Editors of the Chronicle and Sentinel : . May not the many friends of Samuel Barnett, Esq., of Washington, Ga., call attention to his name in connection with the election of Chancellor for the L ui vereitv of this State ? All who know the man will agree that his qualifications are ample and his abilities unsurpassed. pEOBOU. REUNION OF THE OLD THIRD. THE SOLDIER IN THE DAYS OF PEACE. Every Company Represented on the Ground—And Peace Hath its Tri umphs no Less Renowned Than War —The First Day’s Proceedings. [SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE CHRONICLE AND SENTINEL.] Union Point, Ga., July 31, 1874. Arrival of Additional Delegates. With the trains which come down from Athens, Atlanta and up from Augusta this morning, there arrived many addi tional members of the renowned Third Georgia Regiment to take part in the festivities of the social reunion for the first time since their blood stained ban ner was forever furled at Appomattox, nearly ten years ago. That Old Banner on the Ground. Colonel Snead took from his valise at the hotel last night a faded, bullet pierced and shell-torn piece of bunting. It was the identical battle flag which waved over the regiment in every battle from Malvern Hill to the surrender. When the order came down the line to strike it, Colonel Snead tore it from its staff, and, wrapping it around his body underneath his clothes, brought it back to Augusta, and it is here to-day to speak with tongue mute yet eloquent of the scenes it passed through. Preliminary Meeting. There was a preliminary meeting of the officers of the regiment this morning, for the purpose of perfecting organiza tion, and taking up such other matters as were necessary to be considered. The main proceedings of the day, however, were postponed until four o’clock this afternoon, when the regiment assembled on the platform erected at the Fair Grounds. It gave way temporarily to a meeting of the Grangers and to hear an eloquent speech from Gen. A. H. Colquitt. But whilst on the matters appertaining to the regiment, I will finish them connected ly. After the Grange meeting adjourned, Capt. C. H. Andrews, of the Madison Home Guards, took the Chair, and Mr. Quinn the position of Secretary. Capt. Andrews made a short speech, referring chiefly to the history of the regiment. Resolution by Capt, Corker: That a committee of eleven, consisting of one from each company, be raised for the purpose of considering to-night and re porting at 9 o’clock to-morrow morning a plan in detail of permanent organiza tion. After which there were several im promptu speeches made by various of ficers of the regiment. It was evident that these old veterans were more gifted in the line of Mars than Cicero, but the delight expressed upon the faces of their old comrades was eloquence impressive and eloquently expressed. Each speak er spoke the pulsation of the heart of all in the expression, “I am glad to meet you here to-day in this social reunion— to greet yon in the hour of peace—to know that you survived the perils of war andarestill on earth.” “ The memo ry of your regiment will not die with your bodies,” truly said one speaker. But the main speeches of welcome and response, together with the oration of the occasion, to be delivered by Colonel Snead, will be delivered At Night—TUespus and Terpsichore. The good people of Union Point did not fail to provide amusements for last night, anil one had choice of patronizing the ball or the theatre. Having not seen a moral thespian company for more than a score of years, like the majority of the Augusta delegation, I preferred that. Nor -did any of us regret doing so. The plays selected were Bulwer’s Lady of Lyons and the farce, Loan of a Lover. One accustomed to stage rant, dramatic situations and overdrawn scenic efforts would look upon the per fectly natural acting last night with a high sense of pleasure. The character of Pauline was taken by the beautiful and intelligent Miss Emma Hart, of Union Point. Knowing the person who personates the ideal character has a great deal to do with one’s interest in it, and hence the audience wont there last night prepared to be pleased with the effort of Bliss Emma. At various points throughout the play she rose to almost a real conception of the great author of perhaps the best play he at least ever wrote. In the scene between the de ceived wife and the mother of Claude no one could help the tears falling, and looking about I saw all the old Augusta theatre-goers present with their hand kerchiefs to their faces. Claude was played by her brother, Mr. J. F. Hart, and Beausoieant by Mr. T. M. Bryau. I have seen them, as well, indeed, as the whole play, acted worse by regular professionists. But I must pass on. It was an enter tainment that the Third Georgia will not soon forget, and by no means the least interesting of the many amuse ments provided here for them. Ball at the Fair Grounds. Those who did not prefer going to the theatre, had the opportunity of taking part in a ball given at the platform uu derneath a beautiful grove of umbrage ous trees, mellowed by the soft moon light, which stole through their foliage, shedding just light enough to make na ture ami human nature look all the more romantic. Gardner’s band fur nished the music, Union Point and its county the beauty, and the Third Geor gia the chivalry, supported by plenty of indigenous gallantry. The Jo-lock had passed the stroke of twelve before auy of us regained onr temporary homes, and as is usual, the incidents of the day had all to be told over before a surren der to Morpheus could be agreed to. The night was deliciously cool, with a pure breeze of Heaven creeping through the groves and through the lattice, and with nothing but pleasant dreams of the incidents of the day, one could scarcely help welcoming the coming morning, refreshed by a sound sleep. Meeting of the Grangers. The Patrons of Husbandry held a meeting yesterday morning, and or ganized a council by the election of Mr. A. Lane, President, and J. B. Hart, Sec retary. After the election it adjourned permanently until the 14th of August, and to 4 o’clock that afternoon to hear a speech from the head of their order in Georgia. Speech of Gen. A. H. Colquitt ou Di rect Trade. Gracefully introduced by Mr. J. B. Ilart, the renowned Georgia soldier and planter said: Ladies and Gentlemen: I am glad to meet the veterans of the Third Georgia Regiment here to-day. I know of nine who do or ought to take a deeper interest in the agricultural af fairs of our State than the soldiers who defended it so heroically as they. It is looked upon as a little peculiar that farmers should meet in convention these days. Others meet for their in terests and devise means for protection and advancement, but when a farmer does so it is regarded as a singular cir cumstance. And I dare say that when some of these country gentlemen go home to-night they will be twitted by their neighbors for having lost valuable time to their fields and asked “liow much grass did you kill, how much did you plow ?” They will be told that the speeches were gas, and big talk which produces no cotton, and that the sum and substance of farming in this coun try was not in windy resolutions but in the way the lauds were cultivated. But take away from you what yon know about farming, what you have learned from your fathers, and you■ would not know when to plow even, i when it was too wet or too dry. So we j propose iu our associations to teach one j another, by coming together and inter changing views and opinions. That is ' the main purpose of our organization. ; Is there anything to excite peculiar in quiries iu all this? If not, why is it that so many appeals have to be made to get yon to combine to protect your selves against the combinations every where existing against you? The General went into an elaborate explanation of what was really meant by the Patrons of Husbandry by direct trade. It was uothiug more nor less than the selling of farm products to con sumers, and getting rid of annoyance and expense of third parties. It was proposed to establish a cotton ware house at Augusta and then receive the cotton direct from the farmers, sell it ou the spot o’ ship it to Liverpool, as the producer directed; and in all things to act honestly and squarely. After he had concluded his speech, Gen. Bryan, of Augusta, opened the books of subscription to this warehouse, when 81 shares were promptly subscrib ed. SECOND DAY. Union Point. Ga., July 31, 1574. A vast concourse assembled at the Fair Grounds this morning, to hear the speeches and to partake of the barbecue. The first business in order was that of the report of the committee upon perma nent organization. The following were choseu as its officers: Colonel Claiborne Snead, President. Colonel J. S. Reid, First Vice-Presi dent. Major John J. Jones, Second Vice- President. Captain A. A. Winn. Secretary. Lieutenant S. J. Bell, Assistant Secre tary. Captain A. Philip, Acting Quartermas ter. . , Commodore G. N. Dexter, Assistant Quartermaster. Rufus K. Reaves, Commissary. \V. D. Luckie, Assistant Commissary. Dr. John T. Kilby, Surgeon. Dr. W. T. Hoi ingswortli, Assistant Surgeon. Rev. J. M. Stokes, Chaplain. Captain C. H. Audrews, Historian. Speech of Captain D. N. Sanders. After which Captain D. N. Sanders made the following speech of welcome : Fellow-Soldiers and Friends—May I not add the dearer word brothers, for together we have received the fierce bap tism of fire, aud our blood has mingled on a hundred fields of battle. Asa substitute for my brother officer, who was selected to meet you with words of gratulation and welcome on this occa sion, I make my appearance to-day, for the first time, in the role of orator. While my words of greeting may not be adorned with such flowers of rhetoric, or fall from my lips in such harmonious accents or such finished periods as from his, yet they will come from a heart as full of joy at this happy meeting, and which is a"s true to the ties and memo ries of the past, as any that beats in all this assembly. In behalf of my company, and of all the good people of Greene, I extend to you a most hearty welcome. We rejoice that the ball set in motion weeks ago by our comrades of company D has cul minated to-day in this happy reunion of so many of the surviving members of the noble Third Regiment. We thank you for having designated Union Point—a place known during the war to every soldier who passed over the Georgia Railroad for its lavish hospi talities and the beautiful ladies who dis pensed them—as the point of meeting. Their doors have never been closed to fair women or brave men, and to-day they stand wide open to receive you as welcome and honored guests. Though an Augusta soldier has long since pluck ed the fairest flower that then adorned her Soldiers’ Home, to-day she has many fair daughters left to perform all the rites of hospitality. By selecting our native county as the place of meeting you have not only given us the pleasure of taking yon by the hand as comrades, tried and true, but you have afforded us the additional happiness of presenting you to our mothers, our wives and our children, and saying to them, these are the brave men who stood shoulder to shoulder with us through four years of unparal leled hardships and dangers, whose un swerving patriotism and unflinching valor nerved our own hearts to nobler deeds of daring—who freely divided with us the last cup of water, the last crust of bread, and who watch&l over and supported us, when sick or wounded, with all a father’s strength, a mother’s tenderness. Third Georgians ! after a separation of nine years we meet again to renew the ties of affection, to strengthen the links of friendship formed and cemented du ring our unhappy civil strife. We meet again to revi\e the many pleasant recol lections of the past, to extend the hand of brotherhood to the living and to let fall a tear of sorrow aud affection to the memory of the dead. While I retrospect the past, a thou sand recollections crowd upon the mind. Thirteen years ago, iu obedience to the call of the sovereign State of Georgia, you, her gallant sons, flew to arms, aud marched to defend the soil of the noble old Commonwealth of Virginia against an army of invasion, just as ninety-eight years ago the sous of Virginia had marched to defend the soil of Massa chusetts. A band of gallant youths, with hearts fired with patriotism and filled with vis ions of military glory, taking a hurried leave of home and friends, yon hastened to Augusta to organize the gallant Third Regiment, which so nobly illustrated Georgia on the battle fields of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. There, on the balmy Ist of May, 1861, you met to gether for the first time to pledge fideli ty to Georgia and to each other. As it had been but yesterday, I re member my own Spartan mother, as she approached to buckle on my knapsack and bid mo God-speed. Presenting me a Bible with one hand, my musket with the other, she bade me bo true to God and the land of my birth; to go forth with a mother’s blessing, and followed by a mother's prayers, to win a soldier’s laurels, or to find a soldier’s grave. My heart yet glows with happiness as I recall to mind the lovely daughters of Augusta, whose slender fingers plied the nimble needle in stitching our uniforms, while their ruby lips distilled honeyed music sweeter than a Syrens voice. Oh, how are youthful hearts swelled with thoughts of high ambition, and glowed with a rapture, as they pictured to our imagination our return from the wars, covered tvith glory and fair wo man’s smiles. Long after my uniform had gone to tatters, and been numbered with the tilings that were, visions of the briglit-eyed girl who made it still lived fresli and vivid in my memory, driving away, on the long, weary march, all thoughts of blistered feet aud empty haversack; filling my dreams with pic tures of more than mortal happiness, and making the hard root upon which I reclined my head at night feel softer than downy pillows are. Some of the honey distilled from her virgin lips, “as she kissed me for my sister," and bade me fight as her knight, still lingers around my mouth. God bless the beautiful girls of Geor gia, who made us feel that to die in the effort to win their approbation was sweeter than to live for all else beside. While I live I shall always love them, and I love to live to love them. With hearts buoyant with youthful hope, confident in the justice of your cause, and in your own prowess, you hurried to Virginia, eager for tlie fray. Little did you then imagine that tlie dread prophecy of the Harpy Celens : ‘' Te fames accisis coget dapibus con sumere mens as," At which tlie stout knees of the brave Trogan bands smote together with fear and trembling, would be more than ful filled in your experience. Even the dauntless heart of dEneas quailed be fore the prediction tliat ere he reached a peaceful haven hunger would compel him to consume his half eateu trencher with his meat; but often you found yourselves with neither trencher nor meat to satisfy the fierce cravings of your hunger. During a long and trying conflict yon stood shoulder to shoulder with un wavering devotion to the flag you loved. Your fortitude knew no limit of en durance, your courage quailed before no danger. Opposed to a powerful and well disciplined army, superior iu num bers and iu all the appliances of war, you ever offered a dauntless front to the foe, and never refused the gage of bat tle. During those four years of doubt ful sanguinary conflict—belonging to an army rarely equalled, never surpassed in the annals of history—you ever stood the bravest of the brave, rarely yielding an inch of ground upon which your feet once had pressed. Always readier to charge upon the foe than to receive their onset, you never once were the last to advance or the first to retire. Though most of your bodies are pitted with bul let marks, gou bear no scars upon your backs. h ever was a grander spectacle presented to the world than you of fered to their wondering gaze during the last sad year of the struggle. With decreasing numbers,but unabated resolu tion, you opposed your breasts as a ser ried wall of defense against the great army that was pressing toward the Con federate capital. Again and again did you decimate their ranks iu desperate conflict, only to see them refilled the next day with fresh recruits. But iu vain was your valor, in vain the libations of blood you poured out like water in defense of a cause that fate had decreed should perish. The defenses around Richmond were soon to be abandoned, because the brave hearts that had manned them were mold ering beneath the sod. And now comes the saddest and gami est page of your history—your retreat irom Richmond to Appomattox. With despair iu your hearts but defiance iu your eyes, you still rallied around your flag aud your chieftain; and left to his tory another “retreat of the ten thous and” ,not surpassed in heroism by the retreat of the Greeks from Persia. Fighting your way by day, scarcely halting for an hour’s rest by night, your fortitude and heroism shone forth dur ing that eventful week with ever increas ing luster. You did all that was possi ble for human endurance and courage to achieve. At length, exhausted by hun ger and fatigue, your weary limbs re fused to move, aud your arms fell from your nerveless grasp. And the flag which you had so often borne to victory —which vou had wreathed with glory, and which you had learned to love with a devotion equal to your love to woman, was furled forever. Ah ! life had iu store no bitterer cup than was then presented to your lips. But the gloom of that dark day on which the great heart of our honored chieftain was broken, on which proud form of Gordon (the noblest of Georgia’7 poble sons), which had never shrank from mortal danger, was bowed in anguish, that day on wil”h every heart was filled with sorrow, every ey’d was dimmed with tears, is relieved by the magnanimity displayed by the brave ar my iu blue. Never did that army pay you a higher compliment, or do them selves a greater honor than by their eon dnet and words on that occasinn. From the commander-in-chief down to its humblest follower, yon received words and acts only of consideration and kind ness. Not a word of boasting or of insult was heard from all that great army. 'The truly brave ever must and will honor the brave. If the adjustment of differences’ at the close of the war had been left to the brave men who had faced each other in battle, the gulf of separation would have been bridged over, and complete harmony restored before the end of a single year. Fellow-soldiers, it is a source of con gratulation to ns all on this, our first reunion, that our own State has recov ered from the effects of war; that our waste places have been rebuilt; that our State government is well administered and commands the respect and confi dence of all parties; that our laws are honestly executed, and that the greatest harmony exists between all classes of our people. I rejoice to see many evidences of a revival of the ancient military spirit of our people, without which no State or people can long preserve their liberties. Let us revive this spirit in our own breasts and awaken it in the breasts of our children. While deep down in our hearts we will ever cherish the memory of the banner which represented our loved “ lost cause,” let us re-adopt the grand old flag of the Union. ’Twas the loved flag of our fathers ; let it also be ours. Our grand sires made it glorious by their valor, and consecrased it with their blood ; let us, their children, still claim it as our birthright, and defend its honor as our own. Third Georgians 1 With mingled feel ings of joy and sorrow I cast my eyes along your ranks for the first time since the fatal field of Gettysburg. Left wounded upon the field, I was carried to a Northern prison, and held captive till the war was over. From that day I was prevented from sharing with you your hardships and dangers. Like the He brew captive, I could only look south ward from my prison window at morn ing, noon and night, and pray to the God of battles to preserve and shield you. I see before me the familiar faces of many who have endeared themselves to me by the possession of every manly grace, every soldierly virtue. As my eye rests upon their noble forms a thou saud incidents of camp and field flit through my mind, and my heart leaps to give them a joyful welcome. I see before me strange faces, to whom I shall offer the hand of friendship aud brotherhood for the first time to day. I read their history when I see them in your ranks. They came to you during the last, trying years, to swell your depleted numbers. Patriotic aud brave, they desired to go where brave men were needed, where the battle shouts rang fiercest, | and where gallant blood flowed freest— in the ranks of Lee’s infantry—and they came to you. I am glad to see them here, and with all my heart I bid them welcome. But I look iu vain for the noble forms of many who were wont to be seen in the front rank of battle, and whose shout of defiance or of triumph I have often heard ring loud and clear above the muskets’ rattle. I miss the tall form of your first chief tain -the brave and noble Wright— whose clarion voice could stir your hearts to deeds of wildest daring. I miss the gallant Sturgis, the fiery and impetuous Hays—than whom two truer men never offered up their lives upon their country’s altar, I miss the beau tiful and boyish form of Perry, the dar ling of the regiment, whose soul was always waked to ecstacv by the cannon’s roar, and for whom the humming of bullets made music sweeter than the songs of birds. The commanding form and eagle eye of Armstrong; the manly grace and open countenance of McWhorter ; the young and gifted Hillyer, uniting iu his person a woman’s tenderness, a Hampton’s chivalry and a sage’s lore, have all gone from your midst forever. The courtly Luckie and the gallant McOrea are no longer seen at the head of tlieir companies. The chivalrous Dennis fell by my side on the glorious field of Manassas, and died as he had lived—without fear and without reproach. But the day would not suffice to repeat the names and recount the virtues of our comrades who to-day fill a soldier’s honored grave. Iu the bloom of youth, with every pulse beating high, with health and hope, they have offered up their young lives, a rich sacrifice upon the altar of patriotism; but have they died too soon who died so well ? To-day they sleep beneath the sod—unknelled, uncoffined, but not unsung. When the granite shaft above their graves shall have crumbled into dust their names and deeds will still live iu song aud in story, and fair women will bedew their memo ry with tears and strew their graves with flowers. “Dulce et decorum est, pro patria mori." Let us (my comrades) who survive cherish their memories aud emulate their virtues. As the Angel of Death shall souud the recall from the battle of life for one and another, and our circle evernar rows from year to year, may the sur vivors be drawn into closer and closer bonds of union. Let it ever be the proudest boast of your lives that while some of Georgia’s sons —deaf to the calls of patriotism—sought only how to fill their coffers, and loved their gold more than their country’s weal—that you were prompt to offer life and fortune in her defense. Wealth may vanish like the morning dew, but a rich legacy of glory and honor is re served to your children forever. ‘■For gold the merchant plows tlio main, The farmer plows the manor ; Bat glory is the soldier’s prize, The soldier’s wealth, his honor.” He was responded to by W. D. Luckie, of Atlanta. Owing to the great pressure around the stand, the reporter could not catch it. Address of Colonel Snead. Col. Claiborne Snead then delivered the historical address, as follows: My Comrades—Centuries ago a great explorer crossed an unknown sea, and traversed the hills and glens of a hither to unexplored country. Ascending the tallest peak of the isthmus that connects the North with the South American Continent, the calm blue waters of the Pacific burst upon his view; when, beck oning his companions to come and see what he liad seen, he joyfully pointed to anew ocean dazzling iu the sunlight of Heaven. We are all explorers in this mundane sphere, passing over moun tains and hills, through vales, down rivers, on and ever on to the great ocean of eternity. And while pausing this day in contemplation of a grand dis covery—the glorious spectacle of the re union of my comrades of the Third Georgia Regiment—l would that my voice could reach every veteran of the old Confederacy, aye, I would that it might ride on the wings of the wind and penetrate the confines of earth itself, and I would appeal to all mankind to come and see what I have seen and feel what I have felt. Nine years ago that flag upon which the starry cross is now scarcely dis cernable ceased to wave over us. Dark ened by smoke and torn by shot and shell, carried in triumph through every important battle of the historic Army of Northern Virginia, and never desecrated by the hands of an euerny, it went down in a blaze of glory at Appomattox. Through no fault of ours it was furled, and sorrowfully we parted for our homes, satisfied that the cause for which we had fought—the cause of separate independ ence—was finally overthrown. We in dulged in uo mawkish grief, no unman ly tears, but we felt a deep, agonizing sorrow at the loss of the dear cause for which we had struggled so hard and so long. We believed our defeat undeserved, that it was an outrage on suffering hu manity, a crime against civilization, a wrong without a parallel—so great a wrong that tlie earth should have been clothed in sack cloth aud ashes in uni son with the thunders and lightnings of Heaven that knelled sympatliizingly on that day ou the demise of so sacred a cause. Nine years, however, have passed since the storm of war rolled over this land, leaving sad desolation in ’ts track and many lowering clouds behind. Nine long weary years have come and gone, filled with suffering and oppression, full of sorrow and unjust humiliation; and to-dav, standing upon the soil and be neath the blue skies of our own loved Georgia, we are proud to recount tlie glorious history of the old organization and the immortal career of our first commander, Gen. A. R. Wright. But while scanning your ranks with pride and pleasure a, feeling of sadness comes over me to which I must first give vent. I miss some of the brightest jewels that adorned your crown—some of the choicest spirits that went upon a field of battle in this or any other age. Where are they ? They rest upon the historic fields of their heroic fame. They have ferried over the dark stream that separates time from eternity, and there, upon the opposite bank, the gentle Sturges, the generous Walker, tii6 knightly Hamilton, tho cool Haves, courtlv Luckie and a host of others, led bn bv the peerless Wright, who lately' joined them, pass in review. To us, standing ou this side of the river, they point to a career which, like the face of the sun, has no spot to blemish its beauty—a career tnat dis mays all that is noble and chivalric in man— a career so bright in their blood as to dazzle even the stars in brilliancy. Though their brave hearts beat no more, 1 though their bps are forever closed, there comes wafted hence, sweet and sad as tits manner of falling waters amid flowery groves at eventide, a silent vet thrilling appeal to gwara and per- 1 petuate their memories. If is an appeal ( that reaches the heart and touches a j responsive cord in the bosom of every true son ot Georgia. And I would tnat t I possessed all the ability necessary to a j proper response thereto; I wish that for j one moment I possessed golden» ehain of Mercury—the fabled god of Eloquence—that I might tell what mor tal heart feels, but wliat mortal tongue cannot adequately express But this response can here be made : They have left their impress so indellibly stamped on the sands of time that the tramp of succeeding ages can never obliterate. Though the historian may not properly record, and the muses may fail to weave iu poesy and song all of their glorious deeds, yet the waters of our near Oco nee, which pass through the centre of that State they loved so foudly, and for which they died so nobly, ceasing to flow towards old ocean, may turn its coarse back to the mountains; the ocean itself in the circles of time may cease its rockings and its throbbings; but this generation and generations to come will never cease to remember their matchless valor. In the earlv part of May, 1861, the following companies, constituting this regiment, assembled in the navy yard at Portsmouth for the purpose of organiza tion: The Confederate Light Guards, commanded by Capt. E. J. Walker ; the Wilkinsou Rifles, by Capt. W. A.Bealle; the Brown Rifles, by Capt. R. B. Nisbet; the Athens Guards, by Capt, H. C. Bill ups ; the Young Guards, by Capt. A. H. Lee ; the Home Guards, by Capt. J. S. Reid ; the Dawson Greys, by Capt. E. L. McWhorter; the Governor’s Guards, by Capt, J. R. Griffin ; the Burke Guards, by Capt. W. C. Musgrove, aud the Blodgett Volunteers, by Capt. Foster Blodgett. The election resulted in the choice of Ambrose R. Wright for Colonel, James S. Reid, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Au gustus H. Lee, Major. W. W. Turner was selected as Adjutant. C. H. Andrews was elected Captain of the Home Guards, vice Capt. Reid, pro moted; and John F. Jones, Captain of the Young Guards, vice Capt. Lee, pro moted. In a short time the Blodgett Volun teers were transferred from the regiment and the Clark County Rifles, commanded by Capt. Herndon, substituted iu their place. As thus constituted this was the first organized regiment of Georgians that stood upon the soil of Virginia to hurl back the threatened iuvasion of that no ble old Commonwealth. They arrived upon the banks of the beautiful Eliza beth river before the secession of the State, and organized amid the smouldering fires and crumbling walls of Gosport Navy Yard. They were no band of adventurers, they were neither soldiers of fortune or of pleasure, but the very flower of our youth, at the bid ding of whose State they enlisted and cheerily went forth to meet the shock of battle, carrying with them their great hearts, every impulse of the soul and all the energies of their nature. A few months thereafter the regi ment, under the command of the la mented Wright, was sent up the Eliza beth river, and through the canal con necting the river with Albemarle sound, to reinforce Fort Hatteras, that was besieged by sea and by land. While in transitu, and when only four com panies had arrived in Pamlico sound, the unwelcome tidings were received of the fall of the fort to which they were proceeding as a re-inforcement. Hence they landed on Roanoke Island, which, in a narrow strait between Pal mico and Albemarle sounds, guards the entrance to the latter, through which Norfolk and the whole of Northeastern North Carolina can be assailed. Here one day after the surrender of Port Hat teras, and within two hours sail of the enemy, solitary and unaided they plant ed the Confederate flag, and worked continuously for months—working by day, and the moon shining on or the darkness of night still enveloping them at work—building entrenchments aud batteries at this and adjacent points for the protection of the inland coast of North Carolina. On the Ist day of October, 1861, re ceiving information that a Federal steamer had been seen just south of the Island, Col. Wright at once determined to intercept and capture her; display ing at the very commencement that acuteness of forethought, wisdom in contriving and decision in acting which rendered his subsequent career so brilliant. He improvised three small steamers, placed guns upon them and crews from the regiment to work them, took with him three companies armed with Enfield rifles—the Dawson Greys, the Governor’s Guards and the Athens Guards—and with this force moved down the sound to attack the enemy. In less than two hours the object of the cruise was plainly seen; and when with in range a brisk fire was opened, which was promptly responded to. Advancing rapidly, with the intention of grappling aud boarding the foe that exhibited so tnucli spirit in her responsive fire, when immediately her colors were struck, and then up to the mast-head went the Con federate flag amid deaf ning shouts of the victors. A crew of forty-nine men were captured, besides army stores in cluding one thousand new overcoats, with which you decked yourselves on your triumphant return to Portsmouth. ■This was the first naval success in North Carolina, the first capture made by our arms of an armed vessel; and more than all, it was a naval victory achieved by infantry marines. By the Capture of this steamer, Fannie, it was ascertained that the enemy had established a camp at Chicamaeoinico, on Hatteras Island, forty miles from Fort Hatteras, and near the Southern extremity of Roanoke Island. The Twentieth Indiana regi ment had there gone into camp, whither the Fannie, when captured, was proceed ing with commissary and quartermaster supplies; and it was evident the enemy intended the new position as a base of operations against Roanoke Island. Col. Wright seeing a crisis at hand, and appreciating the danger of being isolated aud attacked at a disadvantage, promptly determined to move forward and strike the first blow. Passing with liis regiment down Palmico sound, he arrived off Cliicamacomieo and about three miles therefrom, on the Gth day of October. Nearer to the shore they could not get because of the deep draft of the vessels, except the Cotton Plant, upon which Col. Wright, with three companies and two howitzers, command ed by Lieut. Sturges, proceeded two miles nearer, and then leaping out in the water advanced, tvading a portion of the way up to their waists, and opening fire upon the enemy who stood iu line of battle upon the beach twelve hundred strong, according to their muster roll.— They retreated hastily and in great dis order in the direction of Fort Hatteras. Tlie most of our regiment effected a lauding in the same way as the three preceding companies, when theie com menced a chase which lias been proper ly styled the Chicamacomico races—the enemy running pell-mell for twenty miles, and pursued with a loss to them of eight killed and forty-two captured. At one time Col. Wright, being in ad vance of the command, overtook the rear guard, who fired upon him, bring ing down his horse; but with one hand seizing a small drummer boy that he held in front as a shield, and with pis tol in the other hand, he advanced, cap turing the Sergeant-Major and four others of his regiment. The daring aud skill displayed by Col. Wright through out tue whole affair won the implicit confidence of his men, which he retain ed during tire entire war. This brilliant victory, achieved witli the loss of one man, established at once the character of the regiment, and at the same time exploded the fallacious idea that the Western were superior to the Northern men of the Federal army. The truth is, there was no real differ ence between them, nor between them and us, except our personel as a body was somewhat better. We were one people, animated by the spirit of liberty and fighting for separate independence, possessing the dash,: impetuosity and macurial temperament peculiar to all Southerners of the Caucassian race. They had the coolness, steadiness and perseverance common to all Northern climes, and inspired with the cry of the old flag and the Union, were fighting for our subjugation, and made drafts upon Europe, Asia and Africa to accomplish the result. That was all the difference. Major General Huger, the department commander, appreciating the self-sacri ficing devotion and arduous labors of men hitherto little accustomed to man ual work, and withal the signal gallantry —approaching moral sublimity—lately displayed at Chicamacomico and in the capture of the steamer Fannie, ordered them back to Portsmouth, which they entered, welcomed by waving handker chiefs, by martial strains and by roar ing cannon. Rome, in her palmiest days, never gave her conquering legions a grander triumph than was awarded the Third Georgia Regiment on that day by the sons and daughters of Virginia. After the departure of the Third Georgia Regiment Roanoke Island fell a prey to Burnside, who attacked it with overwhelming land and naval forces; and thus the whole of Northeastern North Carolina, and even Portsmouth by way of Dismal Swamp Canal, was thrown open to the attacks of the ene- ! my. Hence this regiment was sent to the head of the canal, and 1 was scattered in companies from Elizabeth river to South Mills, to watch and resist any invasion that might be made. Your commander here engaged in an expedition which more i than any feat of arms attested his de- , votion to country and his willingness to die if need be aii ignominious death in 1 her service. A large force of the enemy occupied Elizabeth City, and it was of the utmost importance to ascertain their numbers and intentions. In the emer gency, Col. Wright, accompanied by j Major Lee, went forth to perform the ; dangerous duty. Eluding the enemy’s i pickets, they entered the city disguised as citizens, where they remained for several hours conversing with Federal soldiers, from whom the desired infor mation was obtained. In the silent vigils of the night they made their way oat of the lines, and at once prepared to anticipate the coming storm, destined in a few days to culminate in a glorious victory to our arms at Sawyer’s Lane. It will be borne in mind that Pasguo tank river is at the head of Dismal Swamp Canal, and runs into Alber marle sound at Elizabeth City.— The Third Georgia Regiment, with a battery of Western Virginians, under the command of Capt. McComas, were on the southern side of the river, scattered, as I said before, at a distance of fourteen miles. The enemy, shelling Elizabeth City and the banks on the southern side as a feint, moved up the river in trans ports, landing a brigade of six regiments and a battery, under command of Gen. Reno, on the northern side, near Camden Court House, on the 19th of April, 1862, with the intention of coming up to and crossing at South Mills—thus to cut us entirely off, for there is no other outlet through Dismal Swamp. But Col. Wright, no way disconcerted, with the battery of artillery, supported by the Dawson Greys, the Home Guards, the Browu Rifles and Burke Guards, boldly advanced out two miles from South Mills to meet the foe. With the military perceptions of a true soldier, he selected for the battle field Sawyer's laue, which runs perpendicular to the Camden Court House road, up which the enemy were advancing, dense woods being in the rear and with open fields in front. And so that the enemy might, have no protection in their advance, some houses were burned in front, and fences after being torn down were thrown into running parallel to our lines, and fired. Sending hurriedly Major Lee for the Young Guards and Athens Guards that were left to burn Pasguo tank bridge, and for the other companies that had to march several I miles to reach the field, calmly he went i before that small band, and disguising : nothing, truthfully told them of the I numbers of the enemy and the dangers which environed them. There he stood like a] god of war, inspiring them with his own intrepid spirit and unflinching courage, as his voice rang out along the line clear as the notes of a bugle: Though . you may fight ten times your number, i nothing is impossible with men like you determined to conquer or die. At mid-day the enemy made their ap pearance, marching by the flank in files of four at a route step, when Captain McCormas opened with his artillery, fir ing recochet shots down the road. Im mediately deploying into line,they moved ! forward in columns of regiments to take the battery. First one regiment and j then another was put forward until three j separate and distinct charges were | made and as many times they were driven back in great confusion. Finally, the last charge was being made by the Hawkin’s Zouave Regiment of New York. Dressed in crimson uniforms, they steadly moved on in splendid order, with heads erect, carrying their arms at a trail and firing not a gun. They come within one hundred yards of the battery, which seems to be lost. Well do I remember that memorable moment as the gallant Lieut. Col. Reid directed the company I had the honor to command (the Confederate Light Guards) to their position, who in fact led all the rest of the reserves to their posts. Just before reaching the lines the pulseless form of the chivalric McCormas met our gaze as it was being carried off the field, and the agonizing cry of his men pierced our ears, “Boys, save our battery,” as they were trying to limber up the guns to prevent cap ture: Col. Wright, in his shirt sleeves, throwing up his cap high away in the air, cried out, “Hurrah boys, give them .” Gathering strength for one supreme effort, this regiment heroically hurled back an entire brigade, killing and wounding over one hundred. Our loss was twelve wounded and five killed—the latter I here record, for their names de serve to be xvrittc n in letters of gold : Private Mallory, of the Burke Guards ; private Lovrey, of the Clark County Rifles; and privates May and Widener, of the Confederate Light Guards, These brave comrades fell upon a bat tle field where victory perched upon our banner, notwithstanding the most fearful odds and under the most galling fire. In proportion to the numbers and personal respectively engaged on each side, it is unsurpessed by any engage ment of the war, It is unexcelled by any of the conflicts of war ranging back even to the morning of time. The regiment again reorganized by the election of the following command ing officers of companies : Confederate Light Guards—Captain Walker; Wilkin fttra Rifles—Captain Carswell; Brown Rifles—Captain Nisbet; Athens Guards —Captain Billups; Young Guards—Cap tain Jones; Home Guards—Captain An drews; Dawson Grays—Captain Grier; Governor’s Guards—Captain Hamilton; Burk Guards—Captain Corker, and the Clarke County Rifles—Captain Mc- Crea. Ambrose R. Wright was elected Colonel; James S. Reid, Lieutenant Col- onel, and John R. Sturges, Major. Many changes and mutations in rank subsequently occurred from disease and from death and wounds in battle; line officers being promoted to field offices, and privates rising to the rank of Lieu tenants, Captains and to the position of Adjutant of the regiment. Heretofore I have given a detailed history of its operations while an independent com mand in the Department of Norfolk; but now I shall be more general, for upon the evacuation of that department our commander was soon promoted to a Brigadier General, and we became a part of Wright’s celebrated brigade, merging our individuality into that of the grand army of the sainted Lee. Your fame henceforth became theirs, and their glory yours. You gained still greater renown by your gallantry, as well as by the increased lustre reflected from the union of the whole patriot band, which from that time till the end was like the waters of the great ocean—but one. Fassiugover the fight atFrazier’s Farm, in front of Richmond—where you drove back for more than a mile the 16tli Massachusetts Regiment,killing eighteen and capturing a score or more, mourning yourselves the loss of five, I come to a general engagement, the first in which you participated, but one that severely tried the souls of all. The division to which wc were attach ed (Huger’s), after marching and coun termarching on the Williamsburg and Charles City roads, and vice versa, num berless times for one day, and on the next going through the same provoking and bootless task in the jungles of White Oak swamp, thus letting McClel lan slip through the net work contrived by the genius of Lee for his capture, on the afternoon of the third day—the me morable Ist of July, 1862 —you reached the deep and woody ra vine at the foot of Malvern Hill. The winds moving to and fro these giant oaks were soon des tined to whisper sad requiems to de parted heroes, while the rippling rivu let, meandering there through, was to change color as it commingled its waters with some of the best blood of Georgia. Except Holmes’ division, in isolated woods two miles and a half off, Wright’s brigade was on the extreme right of the army, and for some reason unexplained found itself subject to the orders of Maj. Gen. Magruder, who immediately gave the order—“ Charge !” Not a sin gle gun up to this moment had been fired on either side. To this order Gen. Wright protested that it meant simply destructi n, for it was not within the power of man with his little brigade to stand much less to assail to any advantage the infantry and artillery of McClellan on the heights beyond, which he had recon noitered. But no, the order must be obeyed. Up the liill side and through the intervening trees you moved to the open space—a wide clover plain with no risings or underlations as far as the eye could discern, and dotted with neither tree nor shrub—running up to the crest of the hill studded over with j fifty pieces of artillery, when imme diately a lurid flame burst forth, caus ing the very earth to tremble beneath your feet, and knelling the departure of souls for eternitv. Though the order must be obeyed, yet General Wright, seeing that it was im possible to persue it literally in that direction, ordered the brigade back to the woods, where amid bursting shell and falling trees he filed to the rLht for some distance, coming out again into the open plain in a hollow, unobserved, and three hundred yards nearer the enemy. The command being again given to charge, your commander, Maj. Sturges, remarked to a captain: “I have a pre sentment that I shall not survive this charge, but I am willing to die for my country.” The accomplished Hamilton conversing with me said: “This is murder, but nevertheless I will stand it,” at the same time buttoning up his coat and putting on his gloves as if to prepare for interment. At the very com mencement of the charge the former fell pierced through the brain, while the latter, fearlessly entering the fiery or deal, was consumed by it. Closing up the gaps as fast as they were made you still moved on, nearing the guns of the enemy, when they limbered up and then suddenly there arose out of a hol low in front a long line of infantry that poured in a destructive fire. There the conflict raged for a full half hour, when finally they were rolled back and you occupied the ground from which they were driven. About this time, far on our left, Cobb's Brigade, Toombs’ Bri gade and brigade after brigade were seen deploying into line, and the firing became general along the front of McClellan’s position. The sun went down and the moon rose upon yon in possession of the field you had so gallantly won, every other brigade ex cept Mahone’s having retired to some convenient position to renew the fight next morning. Major-General Magru der, in an official letter of the 6th of Ju ly, after alluding particularly to “the military skill and intrepidity” of Gener al Wright, says this and Mahone’s Bri gade “occupied and slept upon the field of battle which was won from the ene my.” But more than the testimony of oue man or a dozen commauders, the de tailed list of casualities—l43 killed and wounded—made out by Adjutant Walter Perry, speak in thunder tones of the gallantry and sacrifices, of the Third Georgia on that eventful day. In less than two months you were on the historic field of Manasses, fighting nearly over the same ground where the la mented Bartow fell the year previous.— Oh, that our entire people had been ani mated with the unconquerable spirit of the noble martyr who uttered the parting sentiment, “Never give it up. I am dying. I look over this to distant fields where ‘the brave will tremble and the pious even doubt the favor of God.’ Never give up this battle, and never tire in succeeding conflicts till the cause is finally won.” Several brigades having been repulsed and driven out of the woods at the point where Gen. Wright with his brigade was ordered in, you not only held your posi tion, but actually drove the enemy through the woods and over a field in the rear. Your loss in killed and wounded was thirty-two. Maj. A. B. Montgomery, your commander, after being shot in the thigh, remained on the field the entire day and following night displaying great coolness and for titude. Rapidly followed Sharpsburg—the third general battle—in less than three months. Before becoming actually engaged yon moved forward under artillery fire : more than a mile, when coming to a ! picket fence in an apple orchard, iinrne t diately to the left of Sharpsburg, it was torn down in less time than it consumes to tell it, and you were brought to close quarters with the foe. Gen. Wright, while fearlessly leading the brigade under a shower of grape on the right flank and musketry in front, was shot in the breast and thigh, and forced by his men in a litter from the field. Yet a further charge was made, causing the enemy to break and run, in which Lieut. 001. Nisbet and Adjutant Perry fell at the head of the regiment; the former se riously wounded, and the latter mortal ly, being riddled by seven balls. Fi'om recent excessive marches through Virginia aud Maryland and (immediate ly previous to the fight) during the en tire night from Harper’s Ferry to Shep ardstown and in the morning, without scarcely a halt, this regiment was re duced to one hundred and thirty-eight men, seventy-two of whom were killed and wounded. It was by far the most sanguinary battle of the war, in propor tion to the numbers engaged, and was a decided victory, as the object for which it was fought was accomplished—to draw the army and its trains safely from Maryland. In the order of succession the next battle was that of Chancellorsville, com mencing on the 2d of May, 1863, and continuing for several days. Gen. Wright, under the immediate supervision of Stonewall Jackson, moved his brigade on the left of the plank road leading from Fredericksburg to Chan cellorsville, with his right resting there on—the Third Georgia Regiment being deployed in front as skirmishes, pushed forward, driving the enemy a mile and a half to their outer line of works. Carrying the rest of the brigade two miles on the west to “the Furnace,” which was threatened, this regiment was left in their advanced position in the woods, where it contended with a whole brigade till sunset brought relief, hold ing its ground even against one attack made in column of regiments. The next day Jackson’s men moved in a long, steady stream by the left flank to gain tlie enemy’s right and rear. The sight of the Southern Achilles, as he sat on his charger, with india rubber coat, and cap drawn down on his face, quickly moving those thin lips and flashing a piercing eye as he gave his directions, awakened the unbounded admiration of all, to whom the very presence of Jack son was a precursor of victory. On the morning of the third day, amid the booming of guns on tlie distant left, coming slowly but gradually nearer, General Wright moved the brigade for ward on the line of breastworks that had an abattis of fallen timbers in front, while behind was a large force with heavy batteries to protect them by di rect and flanking fires. This was oue of the severest fights for an hour, the enemy pouring in a ter rific fire of grape, canister and sclirap nel. But the roaring of Jackson’s can non coming still nearer and louder on the enemy’s right, you charged tlie breastworks, driving them back to their second line of trenches—rifle pits in the field around the Chancellorsville House. From these you were momentarily re pulsed in endeavoring to enter; but just here Jackson, having opened fire on our immediate left with a strong battery of long range guns, the brigade moved forward in column of regiments—with tlie Third Georgia in front—leaped the rifle pits and drove the enemy from the field. Here our commander, Major Jones, had an arm shot off just at the time when the Seventeenth Connecticut, with its Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel and Adjutant, were captured by two companies of this regiment. While the army was victorious around Chancellorsville, Sedgwick’s Corp, four teen miles below, had captured Marye’s Heights, and were advancing in our rear. But General Lee turned upon him with two of his victorious divisions, and attacked him on the high range of hills along the plank road above Fred ericksburg. Wright’s Brigade being formed around the base of the hill leading up to Dowman’s house, made a decisive charge under the eyes of General Lee, which was highly complimented by him. The loss of this regiment in all, killed and wounded, was ninety-two. This was the most glorious victory of the war. Fought upon a field of the enemy’s own choosing and against odds of at least three to one, it shed undying lustre upon the immortal Lee. Attack ed in front and rear by overwhelming numbers, but rising to the height of the occasion, like a tiger at bay, he first springs on one and then on the other, until finally there he stands, ■‘Like some tall cliff whose awful form. Swells in the vale aud midway leaves the storm, Though round its breast the valley clouds are spread, Etomal sunshine settles on his head. Passing through Virginia and Mary : laud into Pennsylvania, on the 3d of ! July, 1863, we come to the field of Get tysburg—the Barodino of the war. Like that dread field in Russia which lost to j Napoleon his magnificent empire, this caused our fortunes to wane and our arms to gradually fall. S andiug on a ridge, we could see a long range of hills, running parallel to our position, occupied by masses of in fantry and artillery, with an intervening space of what seemed to be a level plaiu. At 5:30 o’clock General Wright ordered an advance down through the woods in to the open fields below. Rushing down the hill-side into a valley broken into small ridges and hollows, we were greeted by a sheet of fire rolling out from the opposite side, the smoke ex tending and ascending until it darken ed the rays of the sun. But on we moved, scarcely seeing one hun dred yards ahead, across the Em metsburg road, until you came to a rock fence, from behind which a fire of musketry riddled your seried ranks. Leaping over it, seizing artillery horses, shooting down the riders and cutting the traces from the casons, you press on over these guns up to the crest of the hill, where thirteen otiier pieces of artillery are captured—thus cutting entirely in twain the army of Mead. If the same advance had have been made on our left a different history might have been written wherein Gettysburg, instead of being “the Head of our woes,” would have been the Salamis and Mara than of our independence. But without help and having penetrated too far, assailed on the right, on the left, in front and partly in our rear, we were pushed back down the hill—this regi ment loosing in killed, wounded and captured at least one half of its number. Papers in Virginia about the time and since have lauded Picket’s Division as having made the charge, going far ther 6ver thi3 very ''ground than any other body of men. And while I would not, if I could, de tract one iota from that grand division or pluck one leaf from its well earned crown, yet it is due to the vindication of the truth of history to say that they did not even get to the rock fence much less to the heights beyond, over which Wright’s Brigade passed on the preced ing day. If there is any doubt, here is the testimony of one who knows, and who dealt out impartial justice to his followers: General Lee, in his official report, says: “Wilcox and Wright’s Biigades advanced with great gallantry, breaking successive lines of infantry, and com pelling him (the enemy; to abandon much of his artillery. Wilcox reached the foot, and Wright gained the crest of the ridge itself, driving the enemy down the opposite side.” In this connection, I will state from my own personal knowledge, received from the lips of Gen. Lee, that he knew and recognized as well merited your fame as a regiment. In passing through Augusta to Florida a short time before his death, whither lie was going with the vain hope of recruiting a shattered constitution and a broken heart, I re marked to him: “General, all Georgians feel attached to you, aud so far as the regiment is concerned which I once - had the honor to command—the Third Georgia their attachment simply amounts to worship.” “All (he replied, the tears gathering in his eyes), I re member them well, they were a part of Wright’s Brigade. Say to them that I shall never cease to love them.” Here I bid farewell to our friend and lamented first commander, for, being a captive myself for several months, during which time he became a Major- General and was sent to the South At lantic coast, I never again saw him in the heat and smoke of battle. With no wish to disturb him, I leave him in his glory, among our other comrades, free from the pains and trials and troubles of this transitory life. ”1 never expect to look upon liis like again, For the elements were so much mixed in him. That nature might stand up to all the World and say this was a man." Passing through Crumpton’* Gap, where Walker fell; over the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and other battles around Petersburg, where Luckie, McCrea and others left us forever, down to Fartn ville where, on the day before the sur render at Appomattox, under my com mand you charged, seized and dragged from the very lines of the enemv a regi ment of Pennsylvanians—l have reach ed the end of my story. But one thing more is necessary to close the record up —a special reference to the privates and non-commissioned officers who, for four long years, fearlessly trod the path of duty with u devotion and fidelity equal to that of the Imperial Guards of Na poleon or the Tenth Legion of Cresar. Days of romance are filled with inci dents where knights have performed “deeds of emprise,” or crossed lances beneath the smiles of some fair lady, who stood with wreath in hand to deck the victor’s brow, while with no less of the romantic but more of the terrible Napoleon in all his majesty, stood at Jena, at Ulm and at Austerlitz, to reward with his Imperial Eagle and the Cross of the Legion of Honor, the most daring of his battalions; but where on earth’s green surface can be found a brighter spectacle than that of the private or non-commissioned officer who, in many instances, without the chances of promo tion or honors of office, rushed onward with a sheet of fire blazing in his face, keeping only in view the banner of the army to which he was attached and (he liberties of his country. Such fidelity not only deserves the praise of mau, but merits that of angels and of God. Life is but a fleeting span, and I know not not whether mine will be brief or extend ed, but whether long or short, I ask for no higher honor than the continued friendship of such men. In the lan guage of Ruth to Naoni: Entreat me not to leave thee, nor to return from following after thee, for whither thou goest I xvill go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge, thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. A few words as to the future and I have done. The past we cannot recall, our desti ny we cannot change; then as reasonable men let us make the most we can of the situation. This is a great country as it is. With a national story so brief in existence as scarcely to reach the name of history, with forty millions of people spread over an immense territory, with boundless resources wooing the atten tion of enterprise, the world of mind and matter moving on as it has never moved; this country is destined at some .future day to eclipse the glories of the Grecian and Roman Empires. It is our property, for we have a fee simple title as tenants in common with the people of all the States. We have a full share in the common heritage of Yorktown end Saratoga, of Eutaw and Bunker Hill, of New Orleans and Lunday’s Lane, of Buena Vista and Cheru busco. If one section proudly points to their esteemed statesmen, Webster and Douglas, with equal pride, we eau point to our Clay and Calhoun; and if they will lift the veil of our late civil war, and refer in terms of admiration to the greatest living soldier, U. S. Grant, with a holy pride we can refer to a peer whose purity was like the snow flake, while his genius flashed as the sunbeam, Robert E. Lee. Grave differences we have arising out of the late civil war, but, having an abiding confidence in the integrity of purpose of mankind in general, when the passions subside and reason resumes her sway, I believe all the differences will bo finally settled upon principles of equity and justice. Such is the history of Spain after the junction of the houses of Castile and Arragau; such of England after her war of the roses; such of France after Robespierre and the car nival of the Septembrisers; and such of Austria after the subjugation of Hun gary. We can not constitute an exception to all people of all ages, and remain for ever the victims of continuous wrong and oppression. No ! my comrades, justice, acting under the inspiration of Divinity that doeth all things well, will again resume her throne ; and while greeting her in a genuine spirit of con ciliation, coupled with a firm adherence to principle, I would invoke that “ Dread power ! whose empire-giving hand Has oft been slroiclied to shield the honored laud! Strong may she glow with all her ancient tiro : May evory son be worthy of kiH sire ; Hold may sho brave grim danger’s loudest roar, Till fate the curtain drop on worlds to bo no more.’” THE LAST DAY IN THE EVENING. The Fatted Calf, the Fatted Shout and the Fatted Lamb on Duty “And Great Basketsfull were I,eft After all were Fed” -Greene County and Union Point to the Old Third Honors to the Living and Honors to t lie Dead— The Post Prandial Toasts, Senti ments and Speeches The Veterans and Beauty Mingle to the Sound of the Castinet. [special correspondence chronicle and SENTINEL. I Union Point, Ga., July 31, 1874. I closed my report this morning with the conclusion of the historical address of Col. Snead, which was listened to with the most marked attention and frequent ly applauded. It was very perceptible that the gal laml Colonel of the Third Regiment and now honored citizen of Augusta still has the affectiou of his old heroes, and that they would to-day once more rally under his standard if called upon to do so. At 1 o’clock the regiment was formed in line, when Col. Snead took command and marched it to the tables, where a barbecue dinner was in waiting for it and for all. It is scarcely necessary to say that this command was readily obeyed or that the dinner received its highest compliment of approbation by being partaken of most heartily. There was the greatest abundance for all, con tributed by Greene and the adjoining counties and prepared by the good citi zens of this most hospitable of all vil lages. And just here I may most truth fully remark that the old soldiers and all who came to participate in their re union certainly owe a hearty vote of thanks to the people of Union Point. Like myself, they will leave it with nothing but pleasant memories. The Toasts and the Responses. After dinner Col. Snead mounted one of the tables, and rapping the audience to order, read the following toasts : 1. Robert E. Lee—The noblest Ro man of them all. Responded to by Capt. S. A. Corker. 2. The Third Georgia—The first Geor gia regiment on Virginia soil. Respond ed to by Capt. C. H. Andrews. 3. Col. Claiborne Snead—lts last com mander. Responded to by Capt. D. H. Sanders, 4. Stonewall Jackson—The lion of the valley. Responded to by Capt. Math ews. 5. Jefferson Davis—The gnarled oak may break, but never bends. Respond ed to by Muj. Jones. 6. Our Hero Dead—Responded to by Maj. Sidney Herbert. 7. Our Battle Flag—Carried in tri umph through every important engage ment of the historic Army of Northern Virginia; it was never touched by the hands of an enemy. Responded to by Lieut. A. A. Winn. In his speech, Major Sidney Herbert said he had served four years in the Northern armies, and had met the vet erans of the Southern army around him face to face on the field of battle, and that a braver or nobler army than that of the South was never seen in this wide, wide world. When he said that the audience thundered the loudest ap plause it spoke during the day. There were many other eloquent passages in the speech of the Major, which made the forest resound with applause. At the conclusion he read the following beautiful and patriotic poem, written by Prof. Fletcher J. Cowart for this occa sion : “ Our Heroic Dead.” Harp of the Southland, though thy strings are broken, Aud silence decks thee with her cypress wreaths, ’Yet give to me one funereal token, A wail for the brave hearts now stilled m death. How can we see the pall of silence settle O'er nameH whoso lustre should be over bright— The heroes stricken in the stonn of battle, Struggling for home, for kindred aud the right. O let their doods in deathless song and story He cherished always with a mournful pride ; Let unborn millions swell the strain of glory— How hard they struggled aud how nobly died. I In far Virginia many a one is lying. Old Georgia’s hills are whito with bleaching bones ; And cold iho sea’s restless waves aro sighing Above the bier of loved and noble ones. Shall the sad breezeH of the pitying heaven Around tlinii low graves be the only dirgo f And to the sea’s dead shall no rites be given Except the thunder of tho ocean surge ? Shall wo, for whom tlioy suffered, bled and perished, Oblivion's mantle o’er their memory throw ? Nor hold their deeds and treasures proudly cherished ? Nor pay the debt of honor that wo owe ? No ! it shall bo our over sacred duly Upon their names with honor’s due to wait; To yearly dock tlieir graves with floral beauty, While longue and pen rehearse their tragic fate. Letters were read from Hon. Alexan der H. Stephens in which he regretted not being able to attend, from Lieut. R. A. Stanley, of Dublin, Ga., from John D. Carter, of Savannah, and from sever al other members of the regiment. At the conclusion of which volunteer toasts and speeches were called for. Fiually Col. Snead formally introduced Sergeant Cyrus B. Barrow, Who came upon the platforn in a suit of flax linen and in otherwise contrast to many speakers who had preceded him. In a few moments, however, he electri fied the audience with the finest oratory displayed during the day. The old bat tle flag was suspended over speaker and bis apostrophe to that I must give you at length, and regret that the report is al ready too long to send this remarkable speech to you entire: “Do you love that old flag hanging there, all torn, ragged and dilapidated V Emblem of what our country was four teen years ago, typical of what it is to-day. When it was first presented to the regiment by the ladies of Ports mouth it was bright, beautiful, unsul lied by a single stain, unrent by a single bole, each and every star and stripe without a blot. To-day you see it in tatters and rags, pierced witli holes, torn and shattered, all soiled, drooping. So was our country thou, so is our country to-day.” Speech of Captain IV. 1). I,tickle, Tho following speech of W. D. Luckie, Captain of the Governor’s Guards of Atlanta, should have ap peared in the proceedings of this morn ing. It was in response to the address of welcome made by Captain D. N. Sanders : Comrades —l came not hero to-day to make a speech. J simply came to grasp in friendly and fraternal greeting the hands of my old companions in arms. I rise before you laboring under great embarrassment, for 1 remember that I take the place of one upon whose shoul ders lies gracefully folded tho mantle of eloquence, and whose fame and whoso name for oratory have spread through out Georgia’s wide domain. Gallant, sir, would that just for to-day I were possesssed with a silver tongue, so that I might, in behalf of the survivors of tho Third Georgia Regiment, express to you in fitting terms our grateful, heartfelt thanks for the kind and generous wel come you have so beautifully conveyed to us on tlio part of tho citizens of Greene county. Comrades, when I look around and about me upon your familiar faces my heart swells witli joy and gratitude that 1 have been enabled to mingle with you this day. But when 1 remember Fred ericksburg and Chancellorsville, Gettys burg and Sharpsburg, the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, Petersburg and the crater of hell; when I remember that ter rible retreat and Appomattox, my heart could weep tears of blood for those gal lant spirits who so freely gave their lives to the cause wo loved so well. Com rades, where are they to-day ? Go to ward tlie sunrise; go to where Lee, our grand old hero, swept with his victo rious banners across the valleys and over tho mountains of Virginia; go to any and all of her fields made memor able by their baptism of fire and blood, and there you will find the mouldering bones of our brothers and comrades. And shall they have died in vain? Shall the principles for which they died bo forever trampled in tho dust ? I tell you no. So sure as there is a God above us. so sure will they some time be vindicated. They were true and right, and they must triumph. It may lie that tho burning fiery elo quence of Southern statesmen may pre vail aud lift them on high, or it may ho —but we all love peace and detest war, and our prayer is that tho whito robed angel may forever brood over our land. But I feel assured if tho time should ever come the Third Georgia Regiment xvill in the future, ns she has in the past, enrve high in glory’s temple an immortal name. Comrades, ere another twelve months roll around some of us may have “passed over the river” and ho resting “under tlie shade of the trees” with those im mortal heroes who havo gone boforo. Lot us, therefore, so order our lives that when the last battle of life hns been fought, when from the gloomy walls of the grave we have snatched and clothed ourselves in the robes of victory, when xve have plucked the envenomned sting from the insatiable monster, when wo havo passed through the dark valley and across the murky waters, standing in Iho presence of our last great Judge, xvemay receive from tho lips of Him,.who spake as never mau spake, the same salutation xvith which Georgia’s sons and daugh ters greet us this day—“well done.” The Moonlight Hop, After Kitppcr the members of the regi ment again assembled at the platform, and tlicn and there met a largo number of ladies of Union Point and Greono county. The dunce commenced soon after dark and was kept up untill after midnight. I presume all enjoyed it, at least all appeared to do so. With the ending of the bull closed the reunion of the Third Georgia. Good-Bye, Nearly every one left Union Point last night for home and for congratulations upon certainly the most pleasant episode which has taken place in the history ot the regiment since it surrendered at Appomattox. Letter from Gen. Horrid. * The following letter from Brig. Gen. Sorrel was received by Col. Snead too late to be read at the Reunion : Savannah, July 29, 1874. Col. Claiborne Snead, Union Point, (7 a.: Mx Dear Colonel — l must say to you, and through you to tlie survivors of the Third Georgia Regiment, how much I regret my inability to be pres ent at their reunion at Union Point. It would be a great happiness to meet the survivors of that famous ami historic regiment, whose services on almost every field in Virginia have contributed to our Confederate renown. My own connection with the brigade, of which it formed so conspicuous a part, was unfortunately brief, but long enough to endear it to me by its splen did soldierly qualities, and l>v the trust ing confident!j exhibited to a brigade commander, young and comparatively a stranger. I think of those trying days with gratitude to the men and pride in their achievements, ands wish f could avail myself of the opportunity to say this to them personally. The reunion of the survivors is a hap py thought, and it is gratifying to know that it has been so successfully carried out to its fulfillment. I hhevo the oc casion will be productive of great and lasting good in keeping alive the manly feelings of fellowship, in devotion and danger, anil, above all, in honoring with a breathing, living love and pride the dead of the old regiment; the glorious dead, whoso names, from the heroic Wright to the humblest soldier, should live, indelibly stamped on our hearts. I trust that this initiative of your former command may soon he followed the by other regiments and battalions* the Twenty-second, the Forty-eighth, the Sixty-fourth, the Second Battalion’ the Tenth Battalion, Georgians and com rades all, that Wright led at Chieka hominy, Manassas, Sharpshurg, I red oriekslmrg, Chancellorsville and Get tysburg. To yourself, Colonel, yours should no no common pride. The surviving Co lonel of the Third Georgia Regiment yours it is to revive its memories and guard it,s fame. Permit me to say, with the survivors whom you are to meet, that this trust is safely placed. Again, and deeply re gretting my absence on this most inter esting occasion, I am, Colonel, with great respect, yours truly and faithful- G. M. Sorrel. In “ A Rebel’s Recollections,” in the August Atlantic, George Cary Eccle xton pays an appreciative and just tri bute to the devotion of the women of the South. Says Mr. Eccleston : “Tho women of the South could hardly have been more desperately in earnest than their husbands, brothers and sons wero iu the prosecution of the war; hut with their woman natures they gave them selves wholly to the cause; and, having loved it heartily when it gave promise of a sturdy life, they almost worship it now that they have strewn its bier with flow ers. To doubt its righteousness, or to falter in their loyalty to it while it lived would have been treason and infidelity; to do the like now that it is dead, would be to them little less than sacrilege.” Talbot county planters complain of Jilack rust in cotton. There is also an insect resembling red rust. Tho War Department promises that the work of improving the Chattahoo chee and Flint rivers will commence at an early day. * I