Article about the 1895 Veterans Reunion

Marriage Record for Elijah and Martha (Dunn) Boynton

Atlanta Constitution – 27 Jul 1895
IN ANNUAL REUNION
Veterans of the Thirtieth Regiment Met Yesterday in Jackson

In the cool, shady groves of Jackson the surviving members of the old Thirtieth Georgia regiment held their annual reunion yesterday, and as the battle-scarred veterans mingled with each other and recalled the memories of the lost cause, many a tear trickled down their cheeks and their frames quivered with emotion.

The meeting was called to order at 10 o’clock by President T A Ward, and was opened with prayer by the chaplain, Rev Mr Gardner. The usual business of the session was transacted, and then the interesting programme that had been prepared for the occasion was reached.

Judge Marcus W Beck, of Butts county, and judge of the Flint circuit, made the address of welcome, which was brief but well received by the audience. Mr Beck, though not numbered among the old veterans, saw a great deal of service in the late war and when he referred to the bravery fo the men who wore the gray he was cheered to the echo.

The address of welcome was responded to by ex-Governor Boynton, of Spalding, who has been one of the most active veterans in perpetuating the memories of the men who suffered and died for their convictions.

The next speaker introduced was Judge John L Hardeman, who made an eloquent address to the veterans. He spoke at length upon the trials and hardships that had been endured by the veterans and paid high tribute to the noble work that had been accomplished by southern women. Judge Hardeman said that he was anxious to have a law passed requiring the tax collectors to secure and perfect a list of the confederate veterans of the state so they could be looked after by the association and a complete record be made.

At the conclusion of the programme the veterans were tendered an elegant barbecue and basket dinner by the citizens of Jackson. The dinner was spread beneath the dense shade of the trees, and it was a feast fit for the gods. The tables were arranged in line and the dinner was eaten while stories of valorous deeds were recited.

The Evening Session.

At the evening session a programme equally as interesting as the one rendered at the morning session was given.

Several recitations, speeches and addresses were given, and at the close of the programme the election of officers took place. President Ward was re-elected for the year, and A P Adamson was made secretary. Orchard Hill was selected as the next place of meeting, which will occur on the last Saturday of July.

Among those present were:
Field and staff, Company A – Colonel J S Boynton, Lieutenant M O McKibben, J F Carmichael, L J Ball, Z F Harkness, W A Mangham, J C Standard, A C Maddox, J B Carmichael, J T Castleberry, J W Price, I J Hannel and G W Folds. Company B – Captain R Hightower, T A Ward, W H Smith, J H Burks, L N Kirkland and T E Moore. Companies C and D were not represented. Company E – A P Adamson, R S Ozburn, A J Camp, E W Boynton, T J Askew, R T S Hine, G W Hine, W M Stephens, G B Stephens, T J Stephens, M Crow, S E Toney, P J Daily, E D Campbell, F P Smith and J H Hamrick. Company F – W G Cooper, C A Cooper, T J Crawford, William Johnson, J W McCord, T J Westmoreland and R M Mays. Company G – Lieutenant Elias Adams. Company H – Lieutenant W R Elder. Company I – Lieutenant W D Curry, Lieutenant J M Ingram, John A Dodson, M H Gaston, J N T Mayo, J H McCollum, J M Holifield, C F Ethridge, R J Mayo, B T Deeson, J T Stewart, J C Barnes, H C Barnes, Zeno Cook, Elam Cook, Willis Gumels, George Spinks, John F Preston, T J Preston, J O Beauchamp, T J Holifield. J L Barnett, J L Byars, David Nelms and W J Barnes.