Old Soldiers Banqueted

CLEAVES SEE ARTICLE FOR ALL THE NAME LISTED

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 3/23/2006 at 16:11:29

Cherokee Democrat April 10, 1895

OLD SOLDIERS BANQUETED

Celebration of the Anniversary of Lee’s Surrender

It was a happy thought that struck Dr. R. L. Cleaves when he concluded to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the surrender of Lee at Appomattox by serving an oyster supper to the old soldier boys. The event took place at his office rooms last evening and was made one of the happiest times the “boys” have ever had in Cherokee. About fifty of them were present—just enough to fill the rooms comfortably. Dr. Cleaves was obliged, for lack of room, to confine his invitations to old soldiers residing within the incorporation. The front windows were tastily draped with a large flag, and the rooms decorated with smaller flags and bunting. Small tables were spread in the three front rooms, and after the guests had all arrived they sat down to a feast of oysters, coffee and sandwiches, etc. The feasting was intermixed with social chat and personal recollections. The tables being cleared away Dr. Cleaves spoke a few words of welcome in a feeling manner, after which the following toasts were responded to:

Recollections of Thirty Years Ago—Rev. Jesse Cole.
A Re-United Country—Dr. J. H.Burlingame.
The Government Mule—Major R. M. Smith
How the news of Lee’s surrender was received by the different departments of the army—Ed. P. Morgan.

The remarks of each speaker was enthusiastically received. We regret that lack of space prevents our giving a synopsis of each. When the boys dispersed it was with hearts full of gratitude towards Dr. Cleaves for providing such an excellent feat and enjoyable occasion.

The veterans present were: L.W. Beal, Jos. Dowding, Joseph Russell, J. H. Burlingame, James McConnell, O.W. Wells, C. H. Russell, J. A. Wade, John Glidden, W.D. Lathrop, Reuben Gross, John Snidecor, John Nicholas, Thomas Heymer, John J. Trahn, E.A. Hulburt, T.F. Shannon, Wm. Foye, O.G. Walrath, R.M. Smith, John McLaughlin, F.G. Campbell, Newton Scurlock, J.R. Hess, W.B. Chick, J.M. Starr, P.P. Bennett, S.J. Bushlow, D. Reddington, J.M. Johnson, Charles Stephenson, T.W. Faus, Rev. Jesse Cole, C.W. Turton, G.W.Raymond, J.M. Starbuck, W. Pelton, David Bates, Daniel Unger, E.F. Morgan, R.J. Smyth, George E. Beebe, Alden Wheeler.

The refreshments were served by Bain & Foye, under the supervision of the veteran cook Charlie Stephenson. The tables were waited on by half a dozen handsome young men. In preparing for the event Dr. Cleaves was ably assisted by his wife and daughters and his son Ed.