Thinning Ranks of Gray, now hoary, too, assemble at ???? Scene of "Harrisburg Battle" ? Steps taken to perpetuate spot after 68 years.
Tupelo, Miss., 14 July 1927 ? Prominent among the speakers
and guests at the celebration today in Tupelo of the 63rd anniversary of
the Battle of Harrisburg, or Tupelo, were W.A. Collier of Memphis, commander
Forrests' Cavalry Corps, Tom Collier of Memphis Gen. John N. Johnson of
Chattanooga, commander of Eastern Department of Forrest Cavalry, Major
G.B. Sale, of Covington, Tenn., member of the Staff of Forrest's Cavalry
Corps, Senator H.D. Stephens, of New Albany, Miss., and Capt. W.F. Wesson
of Whitehaven, Tenn., Staff of Forrest's Cavalry.
Congressman Rankin as master of Ceremonies introduced
the speakers. General Johnson, who was seriously wounded on the Tupelo
Battlefield and left there for dead, gave a vivid history of this the last
fight on Mississippi soil and the bloodiest of the engagements, considering
the number of soldiers in the battle. General Johnson on yesteiday visited
the ditch in which he lay all day after being wounded by a cannon ball.
Captain Wesson, also a veteran of this battle, made
an interesting talk.
General Collier and Major Sale, prominent in the Battle
of Brice's Crossroads, made most inspirational addresses, reviewing facts
connected with these great conflicts and holding the large audience spellbound
with reverance and attention. B.T. Clark of Tupelo and W.F. Riley, adjutanats,
Sons of Veterans were among the local speakers.
Congressman Rankin, presented Tom Collier with an
exploded bomb which was this week dug from a field near the battlefield.
One of the distinctive battle marks in America is the great battle?scarred
oak which stands on the famous field, its great body pierced by a cannon
ball during the battle.
The Daughters of the Confederacy served a feast on
the Country Club grounds, where the veterans and a great crowd of their
friends were assembeled.
Late in the afternoon the Old Soldiers gathered on
the Battlefield and rereviewed old scenes and points of interest. Plans
were perfected for the organization of the Brice's Crossroads ? Harrisburg
Association with Tom Collier, of Memphis, President; election of the following
officers: Mrs. W.W. Trice of Tupelo, Vice?President; Major James A. Finley,
of Tupelo Secretary and Treasurer.
The following resolutions were offered:
RESOLVED, to memoralize State Legislatures of States
repsented in these battles to appoint commissioners looking to the rehabilitation
and marking of the fields;
RESOLVED, to call on Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy
to help in the cause.
This is a forward step in the movement endorced by
Tom Collier , Senator Stephens, Congressman Rank and the South. in general
for rehabilitating the grounds and making memorial parks of them. A motion
of thanks to these three gentlemen for their part in the movement was responded
to by a unanimous vote from the large representative audience ? The Commerical
Appeal.
SOURCE: The Booneville Independent 22 July 1927