Barton's Springs—Bubbling Waters and Good Cheer

The Austin Daily Statesman
Thursday, July 8, 1875
Article provided by John Chapman

On Wednesday, the seventh, as per previous announcement, the surviving members of Terry’s Regiment held a reunion at Barton’s Springs. The weather was warm, but the surroundings of the place are so delightful that this objection was to a great extent overcome. The clear, limpid, dashing stream added its cheerfulness to the scene while soldierly hands once more clasped each other in brotherly affection. The meeting was held under the majestic walnut grove that lies adjacent to the bold and beautiful spring belonging to Capt. Walsh.

At 12 o’clock the meeting was called to order by Capt. Rufus C. King, now of Lee county. Capt. King is the only living original captain of the regiment. He raised a company in Bastrop county and became the ranking captain in the regiment. He remained with the Rangers until the battle of Shiloh, where he received three balls in his body, one passing through his shoulders, another shivering in his arm and the third spending itself in his thigh.

Rev. R. S. Bunting, now pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Galveston, and chaplain of the Rangers during the entire war, pronounced a beautiful, most appropriate and feeling prayer, after which the roll was called, to which the following members answered:

Members present at Austin reunion Terry Texas Rangers, Eighth Texas Cavalry, Confederate States Army: R. F. Bunting, chaplain; P. C. Baker, T. K. Thompson, S. B. Noble, W. H. Albertson, Lytle Crawford, Chas. D. Barrett, C. C. Mayne, Louis Le Gierse, J. C. Justice, W. R. Jefferson, Isaac Fulkerson, John M, Claiborne, Sam Sashe, A. L. Steele, J. A. Jackson, Wm. Owen, J. E. Thornton, R. Y. King, Geo. B. Zimpleman, Wm. M. Penn, C. J. Caldwell, W. H. Caldwell, W. W. Lock, Chas. W. Stone, Samuel T. Stone, Nat Holman, W. M. Lewis, W. T. Fitz, Wm. Wallace, A. M. Beall, J. A. Deviney, Osceola Archer, G. T. McGehee, C. W. McGehee, D. S. Combs, Fergus Kyle, Curren Kyle, Sam Piper, Wm. Davis, R. E. Hill, D. O. Hill, P. J. Watkins, Jim Brown, W. A. Standifer, Richard Berger, N. C. Rives, Jas Nicholson, Dan. W. Graham, G. Bacon Burck, Joe B. Davis, James M. Branum, A. A. Stovall, Jas. P. McArthur, John Washington, A. T. Logan, J. B. Campbell, J. C. Harris, J. W. Burleson, T. B. Banks.

Gen. Braxton Bragg was present, and, on motion, he was elected an honorary member of the organization, and his name ordered at the head of the roll.

Mr. Osceola Archer, of Travis, was then called upon for a speech, to which he replied in words of welcome on the part of the members of the old regiment of this county. He took occasion to review the character of the survivors, and felt proud to be able to say that they ranked high in the social and business world.

Gen. Bragg was then called out, and, like a soldier, obeyed. His remarks were on the style of “a little more grape,” and were enthusiastically received by his hearers. His towering form, noble demeanor, suavity and age, are such as to command the respect of any one.

Rev. R. F. Bunting made some remarks about the collection of historical facts for the use of the organization, and, among other things, read the following unpublished farewell address of Major General Joseph Wheeler, who, at the close of the war, was commander of the cavalry corps of the army of Tennessee under Gen. Bragg:

HEADQUARTERS, CAVALRY CORPS,
April 30, 1865.

Gallant Comrades—You have fought your fight: your task is done. During a four years’ struggle for liberty you have exhibited courage, fortitude and devotion. You are the victors of more than two hundred sternly contested fields. You have participated in more than one thousand conflicts of arms. You are heroes! Veterans! Patriots! The bones of your comrades mark battle fields upon the soil of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. You have done all that human exertions could accomplish.

In bidding adieu I desire to tender my thanks for your gallantry in battle, your fortitude under suffering and your devotion at all times to the holy cause you have done so much to maintain. I desire, also, to express my gratitude for the kind feelings you have seen fit to extend towards myself and to invoke upon you the blessings of our Heavenly Father to whom we must always look for support in the hour of distress.

Brothers in the cause of freedom, comrades in arms, I bid you farewell.

JOSEPH WHEELER,
Major-Gen. Com. Cavalry Corps.

He also returned thanks to the resident members of the organization in Travis county for the hearty welcome given its members on the present occasion.

Capt. Ferg. Kyle was called upon, but, in his pleasant style, declined to make a speech.

Dr. Swearingen was nominated for honorary membership and elected. He replied in some beautiful remarks, full of incident and feeling. He referred to a period in his war record, near Farmersville, when Gen. Davidson ordered him to hold the road with his company against the advancing enemy and that he and his men must all die or do so. He was performing his duty when Gen. Wheeler ordered him to the rear, to be relieved by the Rangers. He stated, pleasantly, that the brilliant advance of the Rangers was only surpassed by his unequaled retirement from the terribly exposed position. He thanked the Rangers for the honor conferred upon him. He spoke of the woes of the past, but felt it the duty of all to set to work to retrieve the fallen condition of the country. He loved the lost cause, but wanted to see the animosities of the past all buried. He believed they would be buried, and that in their forgetfulness the nation, and Texas especially, would advance more rapidly than in the past.

John M. Claiborne, the adjutant of the regiment, read the proceedings of the last annual meeting, held at Houston, which were adopted.

Letters of regret at not being able to be present at the meeting were read from Gen. Harrison, president of the association, and Capt. Weems.

Rev. Mr. Bunting again addressed the meeting upon the subject of collecting his-[illegible] … committee for this purpose, at the […] meeting, he had to report no pro[???] […] Further time was granted. At the me[???] […] in Houston the organization pledged […] to raise $1000 toward historical purpos[??] […].

Capt. Kyle forgot his resolution […] speak, and told an incident in […] war history of the Rangers. It […] at Atlanta, where he heard […] dent Davis pay the highest compli[???][…] to the Rangers. The president said […] he had no further demands to make […] the Rangers; they had done all that […] in the power of soldiers to do. He […] nominated Gen. N. B. Forrest as an […]orary member of the asociation, […] that had this distinguished soldier […] education of Napoleon, he would have […] trifled the world with the military […] of the great Bonaparte himself. Gen. […] rest was elected an honorary member.

The Treasurer’s report was read […] adopted.

George B. Zimpleman moved the ele[…] of all the old officers of the association […] another year; carried, except as to the […] responding secretary, John M. Claiborne being elected.

J. R. Lubbock was elected honorary member of the assoication.

Mr. Bunting read a letter from Mrs. […] W. Hollins, accompanied by half […] old flag with which the regiment went […] the service. Mrs. Hollins was for[…] Miss Jefferson. The historic remnan[…] received with thanks.

Galveston was selected as the plac[…] the next annual reunion, and a vo[…] thanks was extended to the members […] association of Travis county, the off[…] railroads and press, for discharge of […] and courtesies, after which the assoc[…] adjourned.

A bountiful repast, supplied by the […]dent members of the association, was […] discussed and enjoyed. A number of […] and two or three dozen embryo […] from one to ten years old, were […] ground to add variety and pleasure […] occasion.

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