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REUNION OF THE 30th
GA
The Survives
of This Gallant Regiment Meet at Jackson
_________
AND PASS AWAY A
DAY MOST PLEASANTLY
During the month of September
1861, the 30th Georgia Regiment, composed of ten companies,
and comprising an aggregate membership of some 1,000 dauntless
and valiant citizens of Butts and surrounding counties were
mustered at Camp Bailey
on the Atlanta & West Point
railroad between Fairburn and Palmetto, under command of
Col. David J. Bailey. No regiment of soldiers ever left
Georgia more imbued with the spirit of courage and conviction
of the right than did this gallant band on the memorable
occasion above mentioned. Right to the front they went and
battled for principles as dear to them as ever ranked in
the hearts of true and chivalrous soldiers.
Countless
numbers of those who marched from Georgias soil in the
balmy days of September, 61, have never returned, but their
bodies have found a resting place on the battlefields of
the north, while their names and daring deeds are written
indelibly upon the hearts of those comrades who were with
them in the thickest of the fight, but by the grace of God
were spared to tell the tale of their
trials and sufferings.
For the past seven or eight years it has been the custom
of the survivors of the 30th Georgia Regiment to hold an
annual reunion, and at Tanners church in Henry County,
their lst place of meeting, it was unanimously decided to
meet at Jackson, July 26, 1895, and perpetuate that feeling
of brotherly love which has existed since their organization.
Accordingly on the morning of Friday last,
countless
numbers of battle scarred veterans began to arrive in Jackson,
and by 10 oclock a.m., it seemed as thought the streets
were one solid mass of people. The old soldiers met
at the courthouse and after forming into line, headed by
the Jackson cornet band, marched to the Presbyterian grove,
whose speeches were made by their brother comrades Judge
J. S. Boynton, Hon. M. V. McKibben and Judge J. L. Hardeman.
An enormous basket dinner was spread and enjoyed by
all present. There was a sufficient quantity of edibles
on hand to feed twice the number, notwithstanding the fact
that at least two thousand people were there assemble. Hanging
on the lib of a tree near the speakers stand was the coat
worn by the secretary of the organization, Mr. A. T. Adamson,
and though it presented quite a mutilated
appearance,
it is dearer to his loving daughter than any similar article
ever made in a finer material.
The day was a most
gala one for the survivors of this noble regiment, and we
only wish that they may live to enjoy numerous others of
a like character.
The following letter was received
too late to be read at their reunion, and we publish it
for the benefit of those who were intimately acquainted
with the writer, and also to show the feeling of love which
exists in the hearts of those who though unable to shoulder
the gun and march to the front, were with them heart and
soul in their noble undertaking.
New Orleans,
La, July 24, 1895
Mr. Comrades and Friends;
I
noticed in a Georgia paper that you would have a reunion
on the 26th inst. I hope this will reach you in time to
add my heartfelt greeting on that occasion. Know that I
am with you in spirit, although my adopted home is so far
away. Often my heart goes back to the place where
the first scenes of my life are pictured on memorys page.
I, see myself a young girl again delivering the address
and presenting the stars and bars to a brave regiment who
were just starting for the scene of carauge(?) and if my
Georgia friends saw fit, nothing would pease me more than
to posses that same old flag that I gave so long ago.
How well I remember the good byes I gave to those fearless
souls, many of whom never returned but they will never be
forgotten. I hope some at my old home remember me as I do
them, with loyal affection. To all such, give my cordial
greetings, and lasting good will.
Very Cordially
yours,
Sallie Bailey Tebault
7 North LaFayette Sq.
*************************************************************
A Needy Confederate
Below we print a communication
received at this office in regard to the needy condition
of an old soldier.
In a letter he states that he
saw an account of the reunion of the 30th Georgia Regiment
at Jackson and hence he writes for aid from some of the
vets.
The case is a needy one and any contribution
left at this office will be forwarded to the old soldier.
The following is the letter received:
Pontotoc, Miss, May 14, 1895
To All Whom These Presents
May Come Greeting:
I, the under signed, do hereby
certify that Captain John N. Sloan, an old and respected
citizen of Pontotoc, Miss., was a Confederate soldier, and
was desperately wounded in the memorable battle of Chickamauga,
on September 20,1868, by having the most of his under jaw,
all of his upper teeth and part of his tongue shot away,
and his face terribly mutilated by the explosion of a shell
from the enemys guns; since which time he has had to lie
down when taking his meals and be fed with fluids altogether
as he cannot masticate food of any
kind. And in addition
to his unfortunate and irreparable wound, he has an invalid
wife and two invalid daughters, who are dependent upon him
for support. He is poor and unable to perform manual
labor.
I, therefore, most earnestly and respectfully
recommend him to his comrades and all charitable disposed
persons and friends as being a man and soldier in every
way worthy of their sympathy and charity; and any amount
which may be contributed to their relief will be gratefully
appreciated by your old disabled soldier friend and his
invalid family.
Witness my signature this the 14th
day of May, 1896
Chas. D. Mitchell Family Physician
State of Mississippi
Pontotoc County May 14,95
I, the undersigned clerk,
do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Capt.
J. N. Sloan and his family, and further certify that the
above statements made by Dr. C. D. Mitchell are true as
stated
R. B. Patterson Circuit Clerk
Jackson Argus Week
of August 16, 1895
Transcribed by Don Bankston
27 Jan 2005
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