| From the Savannah Morning News |
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| July 29, 1861 |
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| Thanks to Charleston |
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Savannah, July 27th |
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Mr. Editor |
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As one of the committee of the Oglethorpe Light
Infantry who were dispatched to Charleston to meet the remains
of our lamented Col. Bartow, I feel that a more detailed account of
the manner in which we were treated, is due to the hospitable
Charlestonians. |
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The train on the Charleston & Savannah Railroad bore us
to our destination in due time. When we reached the wharf we were
waited on by a joint committee of citizens and Aldermen, and
conducted to the Charleston Hotel, where accommodations had been
prepared for us. Amongst the committee of Aldermen I recognized the
genial countenance of our mutual friend, Robert N. Gourdin, Esq.,
whose efforts to make us comfortable left nothing to be desired.
Each member of the committee did the same, and the sad feelings
which the occasion of our visit impressed on us, were softened by
such evidences of regard. |
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When we left home the gloom which was over the city was
like a pall; it was the same in Charleston. Two noble spirits, who
claimed that city for their home and South Carolina as the State of
their nativity, had also fallen on the same battle field with
Colonel Bartow, and the memory of the three clung tenderly around
the hearts of this generous people. Their grief was not confined to
their own loss, but embraced Georgia's son, whom they delighted to
honor in life. |
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We found every preparation made for the reception of the
distinguished dead; the City Hall was draped in mourning and three
biers erected on which to place the bodies while they laid in state.
It was the earnest wish of the citizens of Charleston that Colonel
Bartow's remains should stay in their city 24 hours, but
circumstances forbade it. |
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On Thursday morning Mr. Ravenel, President of the
North-eastern Railroad, sent a special train up the road, which bore
the Charleston committee and ourselves. We waited for the down train
at Mr. Porcher's, about fourteen miles from Charleston. It arrived
about twelve o'clock with the hallowed remains of Colonel Bartow,
General Bee and Col. Johnston. The cars were appropriately decorated
with the Confederate flag and draped in mourning, and the boxes
containing the bodies were covered with wreaths made of Laurel, Bay
and Palmetto combined. |
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The train soon reached Charleston, and the solemn cortege
moved through the streets crowded with sad and weeping countenances.
No stores were opened, and the whole city was given up to mourning;
bells were tolled and cannon fired as we moved to the City Hall. The
bodies remained in state till four o'clock in the afternoon. We were
then furnished with an escort of cavalry under the command of
General William E. Martin, and accompanied by a committee of
Aldermen, and also by a detachment of the Charleston Riflemen,
we moved towards the Charleston & Savannah railroad. |
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Here we found everything in keeping with previous
arrangements. Col. Thos. F. Drayton, the worthy President had
prepared a bier upon which the body was laid while crossing the
river, and another in the car which brought us to Savannah. This car
was also clothed in black and decorated with appropriate emblems. |
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On the train from Savannah we met a Committee of
Aldermen, consisting of Messrs. Solomon Cohn, John L. Villalonga and
John F. Wheaton. Here we parted with all our Charleston friends
except the Riflemen, and the train bore us swiftly on. In less than
four hours from leaving Charleston we were in Savannah. |
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The remains were accompanied by Lieuts. J. M. Berrien, D.
G. Lamar and Mason, who were aids t Gen. Bartow. |
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I cannot close this belief account without again thanking
the citizens of Charleston for their kindness to the Oglethorpes,
and assure them that the seeds of friendship thus sown will grow in
our hears till death calls us to follow our lamented commander. |
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F. W. Sims |
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Capt. Comd'ing Co. G, Oglethorpe L. Infantry |