Minutes of the annual meeting

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LIBRARY

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THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

THE LITTLEFIELD FUND FOR
SOUTHERN HISTORY

Tut the full and impartial study or the South tind
of itu part in American History— Littlefleld

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ANNUAL MEETING

Minutes of the Immortal Six
Hundred Society

Mobile, A!a., April 26-28, 1910

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Minutes *Q:fvAnnual Meeting

of tK«

Immortal Six Hundred Society

Keld at

Mobile, Ala., April 26-28, 1910

' ' ;tf E^Diju^j^TEW 'St^V^y/ Immortal 600. ' '
•-V,;//" ■.. '*"'-* Bienville Hotel,

V: ) : Mobile, Ala,, April 26, 1910.

The annual meeting of the Satfet^Vi'yi^ortal 600 was called to
order 11.30 this a. m., in the parlor'of *the hotel, President J. L,
Hempstead in the chair.

The session was opened with fervent prayer by Chaplain Rev. %^
S, Armstead, our beloved comrade, who suffered with us during^
the days when the United States Government inflicted upon us the
cruelty of Morris Island and subsequent barbarity at Fort Pulaski
and Hilton Head, when we were helpless prisoners of war.

President Hempstead made a short address of congratulation at
again meeting the comrades of the 600 Society, He then presented
Mrs. J. W. Mathews, matron ; Miss Mary Coffer Grayson, sponsor,
with her maids of honor, Miss Rebecca Morgan and Miss Carrie
Lee Bell, with the following ladies of the society : Mrs. A. M. Bed-
ford, Mrs. E. Lee Bell, Mrs. R. M. Fletcher and Miss Jennie Fon-
taine.

Secretary Murray called the roll. The following members were
pi-esent: President, J. L. Hempstead: first vice-president, J, W.
Mathews ; second vice-president, T. C. Chandler; secretary, J. O.c;-
den Murray ; chaplain, T. S. Araistead ; G. N. Albright, A. J. Arm-
strong:, E. Lee Bell J. Charles Carson, Lamar Fontaine, R. ^I.
Fletcher, D. C. Grayson, J. L. Greer, C. C. Grace, B. L. Grant, P,
Hogan, W. W. Haliburt, W. G- Herrington. B. D, Merchant, T. B.
Martin. Twenty members present.

Minutes of the Memphis meeting read, discussed and adopted.

Secretary read annual report, 1910, which was adopted.

Secretary's Report, 1909-10

i 'OMRADES : Another year has passed into eternity since our last
iiu'oting, bringing us all nearer the end. Our society, since its or-
pnnization at Louisville, Ky., is growing in favor each year as our
.(*»ry becomes known, and the w^hole civilized world seems to know
II. The past year has added names to our roll of dear old comrades
who were true during those days of torture on Morris Island, at
Tori Pulaski, Hilton Head and on the prison ship Crescent. These
«lt':ir old comrades w^ere marked deaden our roll after repeated efforts
I < I llnd them. In my search for these comrades — they had moved from
I 111' residences given while on Moms Island— the postmasters to
u liom I wrote replied these comrades were dead or unknown.

The new comrades I have found and am in correspondence with
iirt^ Capt. J. D. Jenkins, of Tennessee, now of Texas ; Capt. J. G.
KiiDtt, of North Carolina, now of Missouri; J. W. Hughes, Vir-
i'jnia ; J. F, Heath, North Carolina ; Capt, J, C. Blair, North Car-
niina. J. C. Allen, of Virginia, now of Missouri, is alive I learn,
Iml I can get no response to my letters and they are not returned,
\ had information that Capt. W. N. James was alive, but since 1
wrote him 1 had a letter from his wife saying the captain had died
November, 1909, shortly after receiving my letter. I am trying to
iWid Capt. Bradly, of Tennessee, who, I am informed, is alive* I
fninul Capt. 'Tom' Boyd, of Tennessee, away out in Texas, so we have
iitided to our list, with the name of Capt. J. H. Darden, of North
Carolina, eight survivors.

I Jeath has been active' in our society in the past year. We have
lost some grand old comrades : J. L. Cantwell, Capt. F. C. Lewis,
Noith Carolina; Z, W. Ewing, W, N. James, Tennessee; F. C.
Humes, Virginia; Isaac Kuykendall, W. Va., all true Immortals
iii»w. These were all true men of the 600 death has taken from us.
Six honored and loved members.

We have two dear old comrades who are in bad physical condi-
ilon. Capt. Thornton M. Hammack, suffering from pamlysis at his
liorne in Sturgis, Ky., and Capt. J. C. Blair, suffering from a fall

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4 THfe' iMMO^TAL six" HUNDRED.

he had ten years ago from which :ii<3'/jMs aever recovered. Com-
rade Blair is the comrade the nigger sentinel shot in the shoulder
at the same time shooting Comrade J. W. Harris in the kneecap,
the morning we left Morris Island for the torture prison. Fort Pu-
laski. I try my best to keep in touch with all our dear old comrades
by letter. It is a hard task, but they are my true comrades and
the duty is one of love to me.

As directed by vote of society Hon. James Hay, of Virginia^ upon
my request introduced in Congress for the relief of the survivors
of the GOO the following bill which is still in committee unreported,
and I have a doubt if it will, owing to the political complexion of the
committee and opposition of the G. A. R. Yet the introduction of
this bill for our relief has done much to call attention to our claims
for justice, and if the Murdock bill or the Taylor bill is acted upon
by the committee so must ours be reported or the bill for the relief
of Union soldiers is dead.

There will be a political change in the next House of Congress,
and I sincerely believe our bill will be passed as all our friends in
Congress recognize the .justice of our claim. Col. Hay and other
members of Congress will see to it that we have fair considei-ation
when the bill comes up. In this matter Judge Jno. N.- Southern.
of Missouri, has rendered me much aid with legal advice and help
in finding laws of belligerency governing our case. I have given
78 books, "Immortal 600/' free to members of Congress to post
them on our claim.

Ihave collected now 125 photographs of deceased and living mem-
bers of our society which will go to the Battle Abbey when finished.
I hope before I die to have photographs of all the true 600, that
they can be preserved to future genei-ations- in the Abbey*

EXPENSES OF THE SOCIETY, 1909,

January, 1909, printing circular letter, envelopes and stamps_ $49 30

Collections, dues and contributions, 1909 ..„___ 41 50

Deficit in 1909 __.. 7 80

This does not include nor has it any connection with the Monu-
ment Fund. The cash in hand of the Monument Fund is about $300.

(Promised) bill passed by Virginia Legislature $225 00

U. D. C, Grand Chapter . 100 00

'THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED, 5

HiiMimore Chapter ._ .,--. 25 00

I'npt. T. C. Chandler. paid__ --- -^^- 25 00

.1. Harry Mathes Chapter, Memphis __^ 25 00

iU'iK K. Craycraft Chapter, Arkansas___l -^ 25 00

I cannot make positive statement until the money promised is

nil paid in ; then I shall give names and amounts. In work for

<iiir l>i]l before Congress and replying to letters on business for the

i.iiri<'ty I have not had time to make out as clear a statement as I

will do at an early day and print.

J. Ogden Murray,

Approved. Secretary of 600 Society.

Comrade Bell introduced the following constitution and by-laws
ft)!- 1 lie government of the Society of the Immortal 600: (Adopted. )

By-Laws and Rules

TO GOVERN THE

Society the Immortal Six Hundred.

I, This society shall be known as the Society of the Immortal Six
i I u ndred, Confederate officers who remained true unto the end under
Hit' retaliation by the United States Government upon us 1864 65.

II. The object of this society is to get into the organization all of
\Ur six hundred Confederate officers who were placed under fire of
niir own guns on Morris Island, South Carolina, by order of Edwin
M. Stanton, United States Secretary of War, 1864. Further, it
uhull be the duty, aim and object of this society, to keep alive the
utory of our terrible days on Morris Island as prisoners of war and
(he inhumanity and brutal treatment inflicted upon us by the United
Nlntes Government, and give to our children and the world a true
hirttory of our tortures on Morris Island, South Carolina, and subse-
■ liK'nt brutal treatment atFortPuiaski, Georgia, andatHilton Head,

lonth Carolina, by Gen. J. G. Foster, U. S. A., under order of Sec-
ivlary of War Stanton ; feeding us rotten cornmeal food and acid
^^rlion pickles. And it shall be our duty, so far as we can, to vin-

b THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED."

dicate the, South and her people from the slanders of the North
*' that we of the South and the Confederate Government were cruel
and inhuman to prisoners of war.*'

Further, it shall be the object of this society to help,, so far as
we can, in a practical way, and minister to the wants of our com-
rades and members of the Six Hundred who remained true unto the
end of the ordeal of fire and stavation.

III. The membership of our society shall be of two kinds. The
active membership can be composed only of the men who remained
true and did not take the oath of allegiance to the United States
until the surrender of the Confederate armies. Those officers of
the Six Hundred who took the oath cannot have any part or mem-
bership in our society*

The society, if it elects to do so, can elect contributing- members,
but such membership shall carry no right to vote or voice in the
affairs of the society, but such contributing members shall be en-
titled to wear such badges as shall be designed and arrang:ed by the
society, and suchcontributingmembers shall be entitled. to all social
privileges of the society. Contributing members must be elected
by the society in session, and one adverse vote shall forever exclude
the name of applicant from again being- considered,

IV. The officers of this society shall be president with two vice-
presidents, one secretary, chaplain and calor-bearersandan execu-
tive committee of five active members in good standing ; these offi-
cers to be elected by ballot and to serve one year from date of
election.

The duties of the president shall be to preside at all meetings of
the society. He shall keep order, appoint committees, settle all
points of order, and shall cast the deciding vote upon any question
or motion before the society in tie. No poHtical o^' religious dis-
cussions shall be indulged in before the society.

The duties of the first and second vice-pi^esidents shall be to pre-
side in the absence of the president, with all his powers to act, the
vice-presidents to act in the order of their positions.

The secretary shall keep a correct and detailed history of all meet-
ings, collect dues, conduct all correspondence for the society of an
official character. Keep and report all moneys received and paid
out by him, and shall always keep his books open for inspection of

THE IMMOKTAL SIX HUNDRED, 7*

iIh< society when called for, and he shall make full report annually
to I he society of his office.

The color-bearer shall hold and be responsible for the society's
l.anner and have same at all meetings of the society. If the color-
b.'urers cannot be present they must express to the president or
iMM-r-etary the banner that it may be used in the parades of the soei-
ri,\' with the United Confederate Veterans, Grand Camp.

The chaplain shall open all meetings with prayer and close same
\\\\U benediction.

There shall be an executive committee of five who shall have
imvver to act for the good and betterment of the society in all mat-
tri's not stated in these by-laws and rules or otherwise provided for,
iind shall be empowered to make orders for betterment of society,
111) their work and ordei-s to be approved by society Vote.

V^ If an officer of this society shall absent himself for more than
llueetimes from the meetings of the society, without good and
imtVicient reason, his office shall be vacated and another elected in
iris stead.

VI. The annual dues of active membership shall be one dollar
($1.00) per annum. The dues of the contributing members shall be
(wo dollars ($2.00) per annum. All dues shall be paid to the see-
i>'tary and treasurer on notification from him before the annual
iiu'ctingof the society. The secretary and treasurer shall report
all delinquents.

VIII. The uniform of the society shall be the officer's unifonn of
lilt' Confederacy, and the insignia upon the collar of the coat of the
rank the member held in the army of the Confederacy or when pris-
irier of war.

The rules shall not be changed nor amended except by a two-
Ihirds vote of this society in meeting assembled.

The wives and daughters of all the active members of the Im-
MH.rtal Six Hundred are to be honored and are considered honorary
members of this society.
The following rule of exercise shall be the order of all meetings :
President calls meeting to order.
Prayer by chaplain.

President's annual welcome and address.
Roll call by secretary.

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THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

Secretary reads minutes of last meeting and his annual report

Roll call of the dead.

Special reports.

Committee reports.

Unfinished business.

New business.

Collection of dues (suspend business ten minutes).

Election of officers for society.

Good of society. Under this call all members are expected to
have something to say to the society. It would be well if all mem-
bers would have their speeches written that they may be printed,
as it is an impossibility for the secretary to Ret accurately all that
membei's may desire to say and print.

Constitution adopted.

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Death Roll Since the La^ Meeting at
Memphis, Called by Secretary.

CAPT. ISAAC KUYKENDALL.

Capt. Isaac Kuykendall,, Hampshire county, now West Virginia,
di(^[| at his home '* Springfield," Nov. 29, 1909, a true member of
Ww Immortal Six Hundred Society. Our comrade was exchanged
iVorn Morris Island just before we were transferred to Fort Pulaski
find he escaped the fortunes of Hilton Head, Fort Pulaski and the
I'ntten cornmeal and pickles. Comrade Kuykendall commanded
< 'iiiiiljany F, Seventh Virginia cavalry, the old Ashby regiment.

Kor four years he followed the fortunes of Lee and Jackson. The
hist, ten months of the war he spent in prison, being one of the
" Immortal 600 '' placed under fire on Morris Island*

I lo was a brave soldier, but it was as a soldier of the Cross that
liri life was most conspicuous. For thirty years he was an elder in
( III' l^resbyterian church. He was so broad in his Christian fellow-
itliip that the humblest follower of Christ had his sympathy and
li'-lp. He received the king-dom of God as a little child and followed
lijM f.ord with true and -loving" devotion/ He was a lover of men
nrnl ever faithful in pointing" them to Christ

( -omrade Kuykendall was seventy years old, a brave, noble man.
When the end came, our dear comrade obeyed the summons, know-
In k" the Lord he had loved and served had provided for him in his
I'ump of love beyond the river of life. He is now a true immortal.

< -apt Kuykendall and myself were members of the same regi-
iiHHit. We were warm, personal friends and I do not recall abetter
' i(i/.en, a braver soldier, nor truer Christian gentleman than he.
\io did not attend our reunions, yet he took great interest in the
vv.'ifare of our society. Peace to his ashes* He was tome a lovable
1 1 1^ lid, a true comrade of our society.

CAPT. JOHN LUCAS CANTWELL.
Col. John Lucas Cantwell, veteran of two wars, honored citizen

10

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

and soldier, one of Wilmington^s oldest and most beloved of men.
passed away shortly before the stroke of last midnight at his home,
No, 814 Princess street.

The end came peacefully at 11.40 o'clock with all members of the
family at his bedside. He had been sinking for several hours, but
had retained consciousness almost up to the last moment His pass-
ing was as if into a long sleep, a smile upon his countenance and
his features giving no sign of regret or emotion other than that
deep resignation which was always one of the characteristics of his
long and useful life in yielding to the inevitable and the voice of
his Master. Col Cantwell had been In declining health for several
years, due more to the infirmities of age than to other causes, and
it was only his I'emarkable vitality that spared him to the family
and loved ones for so long a time as he had lived. Up to the last
he was bright and cheerful, never murmuring, never complaining;
tenderly devoted to his family and to The Six Hundred of which he
was a beloved and honored member until the last. The news of
his passing will be received with infinite regret everywhere he was
known.

CoL Cantwell, while a man of the strongest convictions upon all
subjects, never hesitating to express an opinion nor to defend a
position, was yet geniah and kindly and made friends of all who
came within the range of his strong personality. Possessed of a
high sense of honor, urbane and military in his bearing, he stood
among his fellows a type all too rare in this last generation. His
presence and his influence was an inspiration to youth in whom he
ever took the kindliest interest. He was singularly devoted to the
Confederacy and the city in this decade has lost no more valuable
citizen in this regard. He made friends of the close and lasting
kind and hundreds and hundreds in all walks of fife will today mourn
the loss of this good citizen and friend.

CoL Cantwell was born in Charleston, S, C, and would have been
eighty-one years of age on the 29th of this month. He joined the
famous Palmetto regiment of South CaroHna and valiantly fouglit
the battles of his country when a mere youth during the Mexican
War, Returning to the East, after the close of this conflict, he
located in New Orleans for a few years and served as a drug clerk
there through three yellow fever epidemics, coming to Wilmington
in 1851 and engaging in business, which was soon interrupted by

II

I

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

(iiHiUier call to arms in the bloody conflict between the states from
l^tW Tk On the 28th of April, 1858, Col. Cantwell married Miss
KmIi' Theodosia Calder. a sisti2r of Mr. William Calder, of this city,
hiiil (>r this union there are now surviving an only son, Mr. Robert
I '. ( ^untwelh She passed away in 1863, and after the w^ar, on April
yu, 186J>, Col. Cantwell married a second time, Miss Kate Theodosia
Ittinint, of Woodville, Miss., and she with three daughters and one
h.Mi now survive^ having the tenderest sympathy of a host of friends
Iht*' and elsewhere in the great sorrow that has come to them.

As one of ''The Immortal Six Hundred," placed under the fire
III" I he Federal fleet during the Civil War on Morris Island and later
Nhirved almost to death at Fort Pulaski, he compiled a roster of that
liiinil of patriots and the original is now among other valuable papers
uhichhe has left He, with his brother, the late Edward Cantwell,
wuHone of the founders of the Wilmington Light Infantry as first

■ recant and was seven times its captain. Until his death there
;is no more devoted friend of the local organization than Col.
I Miitwell, and there were no extremes to which the young men of
I his command would not go for him.

* "ill. John Lucas Cantwell, of Wilmington, a veteran of two wars,
w'liH born at Charleston, S* C, Dec. 29, 1S28, From 1844 he resided

(I Culumbia, S. C, until the beginning of the Mexican war, when
In- i-nhsted as a private in the Richland Rifle Guards, Capt. William
l> [>eSaussure, which became Company H, of the Palmetto regi-

n1, Cob Pierce M. Butler. Mustered in at Charleston, Dec,

rMJ, he served in Mexico with Gen. Scott, participating in the

\ry\i\ of Vera Cruz and the battles of Contreras, Cherubusco, Molino
ilrl Itey, Chapultepec and other engagements until discfiarged at
Hii- ('ity of Mexico on account of disabilities due to three wounds
rived at Cherubusco. He left the Mexican capitol in the same

' ■.\y:or\ train with Gens. Quitman and Shields, Nov. 1, 1847, and

' lurned to his parental home at Charleston.

" fie received three wounds in the battle of Cherubusco and after
I'ju'hing the City of Mexico, when the war was virtually over, he

vjis discharged on account of disability causedby these wounds. ''

Dm Dec. 21, 1909, this true and gallant old soldier, a true mem-
hi-r of the Immortal Six Hundred Society, closed his eyes in death.
IN'iK'c to his ashes. He is now safe ir the arms of Jesus he trusted

Hid served.

12

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

H. H. Cook was to speak of Lieut. Z. Ewing, Capt. W. James,
Tennessee, and Capt. F. C. Lewis. I can learn but little of these
two last gallant and approved comrades, but will not give up my
effort. They were true unto the end.

R a BARNES, 56th VA,, DIED JAN. 27, 1910.

Died at his home near Wylliesburg, in Charlotte county, Va,» on
Jan. 27, Francis Cargill Barnes, in the 74th year of his age. In the
spring of 1861 he enlisted for the war in the company of Capt T.
D. Jeffress from Charlotte county, which was attached to the 56th
Va. regiment. Lieut. Barnes was a faithful and brave soldier.
Amid the terrors of battle he was unflinching. His memory was
remarkably accurate. A few years ago he pointed out to meat
Gettysburg the place where his regiment formed near the woods
for Pickett's charge, and said before we reached the place that I
would find a large sassafras tree just in rear of the 56th which he
saw on that eventful day 44 years before, and sure enough it was
there. He pointed out the spot, put his hands on the wall as be
supposed the identical place where he got over it, and the place he
was standing when Gen. Armstead fell and he was taken prisoner.

He was one of the "Immortal 600 officers/' taken to Charleston,
S. C, for retaliation and probably the last one from Virginia. He
was true and loyal to his native state. His virtues exceeded his
frailties. His friends and comrades will ever cherish his memory.
May he rest in peace. T. D. J.

HON. Z. W. EWING.

Hon. Z, W. Ewing, prominent as lawyer, statesman, churchman
and one of the foremost citizens of Tennessee, died at his home in
Pulaski Monday about noon. If he had survived until Saturday he
would have reached the age of sixty-six years, having been born
Aug. 14, 1843, at the old Ewinp: homestead in Marshall county,
where his ancestors for more than a hundred years have lived.
His parents were Lile A. and Rebekah A. Ewing,

In boyhood he attended the neighboring schools, also the school
at Lewisburg and at Cornersville. Later he went to Maryville Col-
lege where he was a student at the outbreak of the Civil War.

He came home at once and volunteered, entering the 17th Tenn-
essee Infantry, joining a Marshall county company. He was pro-
moted for gallantry at the battle of Shiioh and made second lieu-

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

13

I

t

irnant, being placed in command of the provost-guard, in which
ijiDudty he served until the battle of Chicamauga. The duty of
lh(^ provost-guard was to look .after stragglers, a position which
kept the guard in the rear and practically out of danger. But at
riiicamauga learning that the senior officers of his company had
brrii killed or wounded, the young soldier then only about twenty
\**:u's of age, reported to the commanding general on the field of
l.;itllc; and asked to be transferred from detached duty back to act-
ive service. This was done and he was thus sent to the relief of
bin company and took command. This act of unusual bravery and
Knllantryata time when so many officers were being shot down
a:is recognised and appreciated by the commanding officers and
vviiH heartily commended in official reports.

Mr. Ewing's command was with Gen, Bushrod Johnson on his
in id into upper East Tennessee. Return was cut off by the Feder-
iils and so the command passed into Virginia. Thus it happened
ihal Mr. Ewing was made a prisoner of war at Petersburg, Va.,
iitid was sent to Fort Delaware. This leads to a very trying ordeal
ilii-iHjft'h which he passed.

A I. the outbreak of the war the Confederates seized and held
l''i.rl Sumpter in Charleston harbor, S. C. The Federals however
t lift i lied an island nearby from which they began a bombardment
III' the residence portion of Charleston, near the water front, in
I SIM. These residences were occupied by non-combatants, women
iiitl children, and to stop the bombardment the Confederates placed
;i hand of Federal prisoners along the shore. In retaliation for this
(lie Federals sent to Fort Delaware and brought down six hundred
I 'iin federate officers, Z. W. Ewing being included in the number,
iiiul placed them in front of the fortification on the island so the
Confederates could not fire on the forts without killing their own
iiu'n. The Confederates looked upon the use of prisoners to protect
women and children and private property as very different from the
use of picked officers to protect well-equipped soldiers inside a for-
iilication. This band of Confederate officers was kept under fire
\'^>v several weeks when the survivors were moved to Fort Pulaski
iiml kept on short rations until they were almost starved. When
liny were returned to Fort Delaware later they were so emaciated
I hat the authorities would not send them to Richmond for exchange,
inid thus they were kept in prison till the close of the war.

14

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED,

No other citizen of Pulaski or Giles county would be missed more,
and the death dfiio other \vould'be more sincerely mourned by the
people generally. A great and g-ood man has gone to his reward
and the entire community is bowed in sorrow, A lovable comrade,
peace to his ashes. A true 600,

Good of Society.

Secretary Murray read history of 600 and financial report.

The history of our society, its organization and its membership I
have for want of time delayed until now. It is proper you should
all know this history, my stewardship as your secretary and the
results of the work for the betterment and success of our society.

After the surrender of all the Confederate forces and the release
of Confederate prisoners of war from the Northern military prisons,
the 600 officers who were placed on Morris Island, S. C, under fire
of our own guns and starved on that ration of ten ounces of rotten
cornmeal and pickles at Hilton Head and Fort Pulaski, became sep-
arated, going to their respective homes in the different states to
begin life anew and dig out as best they could for their loved ones
a living and build up homes upon the wreck left by the war. We
thought then little of the glorious past andits impress upon the future.
We did not think of our gathering together the 582 true men of the 600
into an organization to perpetuate our glorious record made under
trials such as no men were ever called upon to endure.

After most of our comrades had gotten beyond the line of want,
beyond the struggle for existence, we began to think of the terrible
ordeal and some wrote of it. Judge H. H. Cook, of Tennessee, wrote
of our tortures. Major W. W. Goldsborough, of Maryland, wrote out
the story for a local paper of Baltimore. After many years of
struggle and I had passed the danger line of need, it struck me that
the record of this band of men, who could endure for principle's
sake all we did endure, should be preserved as part of Confederate
history. It was in convei^sation, in Washington City, with Col.
Van H. Manning and Lieut. Crisp, both true men of the Six Hun-
dred. It was suggested by them that I should undertake the work

TIIK IMMORTAL SIX lIUNDJtlOD.

t'1' organizing into some form the survivors of the Six Hundred,
lliat the record might be preserved and a true story of the inhuman
barbarity inflicted UD6n us helpless prisoners of v^ar given to the
world. At this time Comrade Manning was a member of the United
States Congress and Comrade Crisp Speaker of Congress. I con-
eluded to do this work and had started to arrange for it, but before
; I rrangements were completed both Comrades Manning and Crisp
died and for the time the work was dropped. It was about this
lime that Major Goldsborough, the gallant Marylandcr, one of the
i.nie Six Hundred, had begun writing his story for the Baltimore
local papers, giving a history of the trip from Fort Delaware to
Morris Island on the prison ship Crescent. I had never seen this
work of Major Goldsborough until a few months ago it was shown
1o me by Comrade D. C. Grayson, who preserved a copy of the
I lapers*

Just before the death of Col. Van Manning I went to see him and
lu; exacted from me a promise that I w^ould again take up the work
of trying to get together the survivoi^s of the Six Hundred and pre-
serve the record and publish the names of the true and false mem-
Ix'rs of our party. I felt the great burden I was taking up. Being
.i( the time engaged in newspaper work I concluded to begin again.
Hut, as I stated before, the deaths of Manning and Crisp delayed
my work. After sometime I begun getting together as best I could
irmember them, the facts and incidents of the trip and obtaining
from the war records of the United States Government such official
[lata as was published bearing on our imprisonment under hre, etc.,
I begun a series of advertisements in the local papers of the South
for information of the Six Hundred Confederate officers who were
under fire on Morris Island and remained true unto the end. This
I did at my own expense, the Veteran and its editor aiding me very
tiinch in the way of advertisenients, After much hard work and
writmg hundreds of letters I succeeded in finding nineteen old com-
rades and getting photographs of them. With this date I begun
work on my book, **The Immortal Six Hundred," the history of
niir trip and cruel treatment by the United States Government,
using the roll of Capt. John L. Gantwell. made at Morris Island and
l"\)rt Pulaski and now on file in Washington, D. C;, and used as
official roll by the Government From this book I did expect to get
:Lt least returns sufficient to pay me for its publication, its cost only.

16

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

But, I tell you, on my honor, I have not realized one penny from
the work in profit and yet owe $150*00 debt I do not tell you this,
comrades, to ask or suggest your aid. It is all a part of our his-
tory, as a society, and for this reason I incorporate it in this paper.
It took many copies to advertise the book, I gave away books to
libraries and schools in the South that our side should be known at
least to our own people. There are fully 300 copies in Northern
libraries. After the book was ready to put on sale, I again began
a system of inquiry of comrades by writing to the postmasters at
their residences, as given by comrades while on Morris Island, add-
ing in papers like this :

ATTENTION COMRADES OF THE 600.
Major Murray,
Secretary Society Immortal 600, wants the names and addresses of
the North Carolina Confederate officers who were placed on Morris
Island, 1864, by order of the United States Government and subse-
quently starved on rotten cornmeal and pickle at Fort Pulaski and
Hilton Head.

He wants all the information he can get of the deceased and living
comrades. Address,

J. Ogden Murray,
Charlestown, Jeff. Co., W. Va.
Box 404.

I found dear old Fete Akers and then Capt. J. F. Hempstciid.
our president, and with their assistance went about the work uf
perfecting an organization of the survivors of the Six Hundred as
I could find them. Often I was on the point of abandoning the
work, more from financial reasons than any other, but with God's
help I kept at the task until organization was made and today,
comrades, we are organized into a society honored and loved by our
old veteran comrades and respected by the world that knows our
story for the manhood and courage of our convictions and adherence
to the right. As I said before I was for financial reasons ready to
quit, for reverses had come to me. I wrote to my dear old comrade
Hempstead and while he was not at all sanguine of success in getting
the survivors he helped me on in the work in a financial way doing
all we could. Up until Comrade Hempstead came into the work I
had financed it myself.

THE MORRIS ISLAND MARTYRS.

Alvon, W. Fa., Jtme 11, 1896.
Tl^ the Editor of the Dispatch :

I see in the columns of your grand old Democratic paper the sketch
Kiven by Lieut. Barnes, one of the 600 prisoners sent from Fort
Delaware to Morris Island, S. C, for retaliation, as the Yanks
'-.illed it, but we thought it was done to show the fiendish and brutal
I iv^atment of the North towards the Southern people. Lieut. Barnes
rails a few names of the 600 martyrs for the Lost Cause who are
:;(i[l living. We name a few more :

Col. D. W. A. Ford, Lewisburg ; Rev. D. M. Layton. Frankford ;
Capt. J. W. Mathews, Alvon (the three above named all live in
Creenbrier county, State of West Virginia) and Capt. Alford Edgar,
llillsboro', Pocahontas county, W. Va.

1 would name the T. J. Jackson monument, in the Capitol Square,
.1.^ the place, and July 1 at 8 a. m. as the time for the meeting of
■ ill the survivors of the immortal 600 who may attend the reunion.

Col D. W. A. Ford has a list of names of the 600, taken at Fort
I'ulaski, Ga. jyj^

This notice was put in Richmond papar, but failed to get survi-
vors together.

At Louisville, Ky., June, 1905, the reunion of the U, C. V. Grand
Camp, we succeeded in making a partial organization of the society
with the following survivors present: Comrades J. L. Hempstead,
W. W. Haliburt, T, M. Hammack, K Hogan, Lamar Fontaine, J.
VV. Matthews, J. H. Johnson, C. P. Harper, W. D. Ballantine and
.1. Ogden Murray ; this meeting was called to order by J, Ogden
Murray, After stating the object of the call, to form a society of
the survivors of the six hundred officers who were placed under fire
nn Morris Island and remained true during the brutal treatment in-
llicted upon us and all true men be considered active members, but
I he seventeen who took the oath should be forever barred from
membership of this society and only those whom we knew to be
I rue should be admitted to membership. This motion was adopted,
On motion of Comrade Hammack, Capt. J. L. Hempstead was elected
inesident and J. Ogden Murray, secretary of the society ; then upon
I he motion of Comrade Murray the society adopted as its name,

The Immortal Six Hundred,"

•mm

18

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

Comrades Hammack, Fontaine, Hempstead and Murray recited
their experiences on the prison ship and their trials under retalia-
tion. On motion of Secretary Murray all survivors who remained
true and all those dead should have their names enrolled upon the
roll of the society, barring only those from membership who took
the oath. This meeting was adjourned to meet at St, Charles Hotel,
New Orleans, in 1906, when the Grand Camp should meet.

During- the years 1905-6 I succeeded, by advertising and letter
writing, in adding- to our roll a number of survivors.

On the 26th day of April, 190fi, again our society met at the Victor
Hotel, New Orleans. The society was called to order by President
Hempstead. Secretary Murray called the roll with the following
members present : President Hempstead, Secretary J. Ogden Mur-
ray, Col E. M. La Breton, Capt. Jestremski, Maj, D, B. Coulter,
Capts. J. W. Matthews, J. H. Polk, Z. H, Loudermilk, Lamar Fon-
taine, P. Hogan and D. Mahony.

After reading the proceedings of the Louisville meeting, they
being adopted, election of oflfieers was had, J. L. Hempstead, pres-
dent; J. Ogden Murray, secretary. On motion of Comrade Jes-
tremski Secretary Murray was requested to go on in the work of
perfecting the organization^ and a vote of thanks was tendered the
president and secretary for their work. Letters were read to the
society from Comrades Bedford, E. L. Bell, D. C, Grayson and J.
L, Haynes and others whose names had been placed on the society's
roll. Secretary Murray announced the death of the following com-
rades during the year 1905-6 : Lieut R B. Akers, Virginia ; P. H.
Benson, Arkansas ; W. B. Ballantine, Florida; W. H. Griffin, Mary-
land ; W. W. Goldsborough, Maryland ; J. G. Angle, Louisiana,
and J. B. Lindsay, North Carolina, Appropriate resolutions were
adopted by the society. Secretary Murray outlined a design for the
official badge of the Immortal Six Hundred, which was adopted
The secretary recounted his work of the past year and the efforts
to get the names and addresses of all survivors of the Six Hundred.

On motion of Secretary Murray Mrs, J. W. Matthews, wife of
Comrade Matthews, was elected matron of the Immortal Six Hun-
dred for all time. After business meeting of the society had ad-
journed to meet at Eichmond, Va., 1907, the members were invited
to partake of a banquet tendered the society by President Hemp-
stead. Speeches were made by all those present. At New Orleans

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

Ihe society as an organization marched as a body under its own
banner.

May 31, 1907, the Society of the Immortal Six Hundred met in
session at Medical College, Richmond, Va. The meeting was called
(o order by President Hempstead in the chair and Secretary Mur-
ray called the roll, with the following members present : Msj. J,
MeD. Carrington, Capts. Thomas Pinckney, D. C. Grayson, J. W.
Matthews, B. D. Merchant, J. P. Kelley, J. W. Mauck, J, H. Polk,
■lackson Kirkman, Lamar Fontaine, C. P. Harper, E. Lee Bell, Geo!
W. Cracraft, E. H. Miller, P. Hogan, W. W. George, George F.
i^:eiser, T. C. Chandler, S. H. Hawes, Z. H. Loudermilk, W. W.
1 Tali hurt, and A. M. Edgar. After the reading and the adoption of
Ihe minutes of the New Orleans meeting, election of officers was
held, resulting as follows : President, J. L. Hempstead ; first vice-
Iiresident, J. W, Matthews ; second vice-president, T. C. Chandler;
secretary, J, Ogden Murray ; color-bearer, W. W. George. Roll
mil of the dead was made by the secretary : Col. S. M. Le Breton,
Leon Jestremski, W. H. Hood, Lucien Green, George W. Carter.
The secretary reported new members found : Rev. D. M. Layton,
liev. T. S. Armstead. J. M, Alien, E, D. Camden, Henry Allen and
S. D. Bland, whose names were put on the roll. Maj. Carrington
.Ltid Capts. Cracraft and Pinckney spoke on the intention and aims
of the society.

On motion of Comrade J. H. Polk a membership due was fixed
:it one dollar per annum, to be collected by the secretary, and the
j>rice of the metal badge was fixed at sixty cents to cover cost of
same.

Collection of dues, first ever collected, was as follows :

I'ollection of dues of membership,, ^ ^26 00

EXPENSES FOR YEARS 1906-7.

Kadges to members and families. „„_ _ $9 00

l-f^tter heads, envelopes and stamps ,.__ ~~[ 12 OO

I'i'inting minutes ___, __.._._. ^ 5 oo

liamiei'and staff ^ --.^----",11"""" " 6 00

I'lrivelopesto mail minutes and stamps -..._""""" " 3 50

Paid colored janitor of hall by order of President Hempstead" 5 00

I'ostage, newpaper advertising for survivors. , 12 50

Total ___ ,_ $53 QQ

I'lies collected after reunion at Richmond by mail $20 00

H

20

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

After the meeting adjourned to meet at Birmingham, Ala., 1908,
the society was the guest of Capt. Thomas Pinekney and his son,
Mr. C, C. Pinekney, who entertained us by ride to and luncheon at
Brookhill, home of Mr. Jos. Bryan, of Richmond, a true Confeder-
ate soldier.

The expenses after the Richmond reunion and before Birming-
ham were as follows :

Circular letters for meeting at Birmingham and mailing same $7 25

Postal cards and printing _____ -.- 2 50

Envelopes and letter heads ^ 00

Postage, etc., reply to letters, 1907-8 --- - 7 26

Printing and envelopes - ■■ 2 50

Total

S24 53

During the years 1907-8, I succeeded in getting information of
ninety-seven old comrades dead and living.

On June 11, 1908, the Society of the Immortal Six Hundred met
in session in the church of Rev. Mr. Eves at Birmingham, Ala.
Meeting was called to order by President Hempstead, prayer by
Rev. Dr. Eves. Roll call by secretary showed following members
present:

President Hempstead, Vice-president J. W. Matthews, Secretary
J. Ogden Murray, with Comrades Hogan, Herrington, Ewing, Cra-
craft, Cook, Grayson, Bell, Grant, Fontaine, King, Enps, Camden,
Fickerson, R. H. Miller, B. D. Merchant, Z. H. Loudermilk, and
G. N. Albright Matron, Mrs. J. W. Matthews. Sponsor, Miss K
W, Merchant Maid of Honor, Miss Rebecca Morgan.
Minutes of Richmond meeting were read by secretary and adopted.
Secretary laid before the society letters of Hon. Judge Southern.
of Missouri, relating to bill which has been introduced in Congress
asking from the United States Government indemnity for the cruel
and inhuman treatment to the Six Hundred when prisoners of war.
On motion of Comrade Fontaine Secretary Murray was directed to
go on with correspondence in the matter with Judge Southern and
pledge the society and personal aid in the fight*

Letters from members detained at home were read by Secretary
Murray. Resolution of Secretary Murray looking to building of
monument to the dead of the Six Hundred was adopted. On mo-
tion of Judge Cooke secretary was directed to obtain all the data
possible relating to members of the Six Hundred.

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED. . 21

Owing to the illness of Color-bearer George our banner did not
aiTJve. Comrade Fontaine generously furnished printed banner
and badges for the parade.

The following officers, by unanimous consent, were re-elected :
President, J. L. Hempstead ; first vice-president, J. M. Matthews ;
second vice-president T. J. Chandler ; chaplain, R^v, S. T. Ann-
istead. Death roll, J. F. Lytton.

At Birmingham the Society of the Immortal Six Hundred was
recognized by the Governor of Alabama, Grand Commander Evans,
with uncovered head, as the parade passed the reviewing stand,

COLLECTIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS AND DUES.

Dues and contributions .„„_ $49 OO

Expenses _ , \S..S^^ 49 30

The Society of the Immortal Six Hundred met in session at the
Fransolia Hotel, Memphis, June 8, 1909. Roll was called by the
secretary and showed present : President, J. L. Hemstead ; first
vice-president, J. W, Matthews ; second vice-president Thos. C.
Chandler; color-bearer, Maj. D. B. Coulter. Comrades, G. W. AU
bright, J, M. Allen, R, C. Bryan, D. B. Coulter, Judge H. H. Cook,
E. D. Camden, R. M. Fletcher, J, Pickerson, Lamar Fontaine, B.
L. Grant D. C. Grayson, P. Hogan, W. H. Morgan, Gen. Z. H.
Loudermilk, R. H, Miller, W. C. Nunn, J. H. Polk, D. T. Bronaugh,
R. J. Howard, W. G, Herrington, D. M. Coffman ; Mrs. J. W. Mat-
thews, matron ; Miss Emma Cracraft, sponsor ; Mtss Morgan, maid
of honor. Ladies present : Mrs. J. H. Polk, Texas ; Mrs. E. D.
Camden, West Virginia ; Mrs. Geo. K. Cracraft, Arkansas ; Mrs,
G. N, Albright, Tennessee ; Mrs. R. M. Fletcher, Arkansas.

COLLECTIONS AND DUES, 1909.

Dues and donations . ,. $41 50

Expenses.-. 1 --._.._■ _.„ _ 49 30

I>eticit ,. ;!!;il""";;."_""^; $7 80

COLLECTIONS FOR 1910.
^ea "- = ■ ^-- ,- , $40 00

EXPENSES.

Deficit ___ $7 go

Letterheads - .., 3 50

Stamps, cards and printing . _._ 4 oo

22 THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

Envelopes „-„--, .. 2 00

Printing'notice circulars of meeting ...^ - 3 00

Stamps .._.... 1 00

Stamps Febmary, March and April .. 2 30

Badges for sponsor and mail _._.__. . 4 50

For members and daughters 2 75

Typewriting . .._._.. 2 50

AprH stamps i 1^^ — . 1 00

$34 35
Balance on hand... .._._____.__ $5 65

J. Ogden Murray,

Secretary Immortal Six Hum/red.

BIENVILLE NOTES.

Mobile, Ala., ApHl 26, 1910.
Election of officers of society for 1910-11* On motion of Com-
rade Haliburt the secretary was directed to cast the vote of the
society for the old officers to serve 1910-11, which vote cast elected
Capt J. L. Hempstead, president; Capt. J. W. Mathews, first vice-
president ; Capt. T, C. Chandler, second vice-president; Maj. J.
secretary and treasurer ; Lieut. W. W. George
Coulter, color-bearers ; Rev. Lieut. T. S. Arm-
Executive committee : Capt. D. C. Grayson,
G. N. Albright, Lieut. E. Lee Bell, Capt. T. B,

Ogden Murray,

and Maj. D. B.

stead, chaplain.

chairman ; Capt.

Martin, and Capt, B, D. Merchant. Adopted.

Capt. D. C. Grayson, on behalf of the donors and subscribers,
Hon. Jas. B. McCreary, T. C. Chanler, D, C. Grayson, D. B. Coul-
ter, J. H. Polk, E. D. Camden, J. Garden Murray and Mr, C, Court-
ney, son of Comrade Thomas Pinckney. presented to the society a
beautiful satin and gold banner. This banner and its inscription
was suggested by Capt. E. D. Camden that we could explain why
we were all titled soldiers of the Confederacy and not after the
war colonels, but commissioned Confederate officers.
Comrade D. C. Grayson read the following* paper:
My Dear Comrades : It is with feelings of profound gratitude
to God that he has in His merciful providence permitted me to greet
you once again in this fraternal association of comradeship and hal-
lowed fellowship begotten by the mutual suffering we endured and
the object of which is to perpetuate the immortal principles that
animated and sustained us. We were the subjects of a most atro-

TH]

cious and cruel torture devised and executed by order of Secretary
of War Stanton under the specious plea of retaliation, the authen-
ticity for which was refuted by the testimony of Union prisoners
of war and today remains so upon the war records. The United
States Government stands indicted before the civilized nations of
the world as having sanctioned this inhuman treatment of helpless
prisoners, and unless condemned through some statutory law for
reparation and renunciation of this brutality it will remain a last-
ing disgrace to our boasted Christian civilization and will some day
i-aise its hydra head to plague our body politic as a precedent in
justification for like treatment in case of war with some pagan
nation.

It gives me great pleasure to look into your faces and clasp your
hands as veteran soldiers of the most splendid example of heroic
devotion to an undying principle and allegiance to a failing cause
that the world has ever known. The remembi^ance of those days
are now sanctified and hallowed by the tie that binds us together
in this sacred union. When the sound of the guns of Sherman's
army at Savannah were echoing through our casemates at Fort
Pulaski as bells tolling the death knell of our loved cause and the
effects of brutal retaliation by starvation was gnawing at our very
vitals, the oath of allegiance was all that was required to allow us
to breathe the free air of heaven, but yet under these trying ordeals
all but eighteen remained true and spurned liberty at the cost of
honor. The title we bear has in no sense been designated to clothe
us with any exalted virtue or superior distinction either assumed or
implied only so far as it represents the true spirit and loyal devotion
to principles and honor that are immortal.

I regret to observe that there is a petty spirit of jealousy cropping
out among our comrades who were not so unfortunate as to have
endured prison life, speaking rather derogatory of our making so
prominent the history of our enforced suffering.

We do not arrogate to ourselves any superiority for devotion to
principle, loyalty to cause and country, or any self immolation that
we do not cheerfully accord! to them, and pay them the tribute to
say that we believe that the same number of soldiers could have
been taken from the rank and file of any of the Confederate armies
who would have proved as true and endured the same with as much
fortitude and defiant spirit as we did.

24

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNBRKD,

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

25

We only claim that as it fell to our lot to really undergo the test
which we did and maintained the honor, di^j^nity and adherence to
principle that was incarnate in every true Confederate soldier and
which has won the admiration of the world. We would not pluck
a laurel from any brother comrade and only ask that the history of
our enduran'ce, fidelity and torturous treatment may be accorded
its rightful place among the illustrious deeds that crowned the glory
of our Southern Confederacy.

Secretary Murray made the following report of px'ogress of the
bill before Congress for the relief of the Immortal 600 :

After much hard work I succeeded with the help of Comrades
Maj. Carrington, Chandler and Grayson in getting into shape such
bill as would be legal, respectful and just to present to Congress.
The bill was introduced by Hon. James Hay, of Virginia, and re-
ferred by rule of Congress to the war claims committee where it J
still remains unreported, but I am sure next Congress will pass
the bill.

There was, of course, much objection to this bill by members of I
the war claims committee. All the minority members, Democrats,
of course, favored the bilk There were some elimination of words
demanded which I made at the suggestion of Hon, James Hay,
who has been the patron and friend of our bill. I have tried time
and time again to have our bill reported, but the Republican chair-
man will not make a report and I give it as my opinion he fears,
the protests of the G. A. R., who are all powerful for themselves,
but against all things fair and just due Confederate soldiers. Yet
I do believe our bill will be passed by Congress and justice rendered
us who suffered, and by such action the South will be vindicated
from the slanders of inhumanity to prisoners of war.

The members of Congress we are indebted to for help in our bill
are Hons. James Hay, Virginia ; D, R. Thomas, North Carolina ;
Thomas Spight^ Mississippi ; W. A. Ditson, Mississippi ; Hull,
Mississippi ; R. Bruce Macom, Arkansas ; Senators Taylor and
Frazier, Tennessee, and Senator Bailey, of Texas, all promise their
support of the bill. All Democratic members pledge help. To post
members of Congress I gave away about sixty or more books of the
Immortal Six Hundred which were more eifective in posting mem-
bers than talking with them* Judge John S, Southern, of Inde-

pendence, Mo., has rendered me much help with legal advice. All
the work before Congress was done by myself. No one could help
me except by letters of introduction and writing to their members,
but I want to say all my old comrades have sent me their best wishes
and written letters to their Congressmen which helped me in the
work. This was all I could expect. I do honestly believe this bill
can and will be passed at the next session of Congress. It is just
and the people will recognize its justice. I presented books of the
Immortal Six Hundred to President Taft and Hon. Wm. Warner,
of Missouri, and I do know they read our side of the story.

After this statement by Secretary Murray a vote of thanks was
tendered to the Senators and Members of Congress who aided our
secretary in his efforts for the bill. On motion of Comrade Gray-
son, seconded by Comrade Bell, Secretary Murray was instructed
to go on with the work and not change the bill in letter or spirit,
no matter what compromise was offered to do so.

It was suggested by Comrade Grayson that all those legal heirs
and representatives of the dead members of the Six Hundred be
requested to aid in this work before Congress, which will benefit
them and contribute to the cause.

Secretary MuiTay's woi^k was approved by the society and a vote
of thanks given him.

On motion of Secretary Murray a vote of thanks was given Hon.
A, L. Keyser, House of Delegates, and Senators R. S. Parks and
R. W. Ward, of the Virginia Legislature, for their aid in passing
the following bill for the Immortal Six Hundred Monument Fund.

The heartfelt thanks of the Society of the Immortal Six Hundred
survivors is hereby tendered Hon, A. L. Keyser and Senators R. S.
Parks and R. W. Ward for their aid and work in passing the appro-
priation for the monument to the dead of the Virginia members of
the Immortal Six Hundred, the men who died for principle's sake.

HOUSE BILL No. 17.
A BILL

To appropriate $225 to Monument Fund of the Immortal Six Htmdred Confed-
erate VeteraTis,

Patron— Mr, Keyser.

Reported from Committee on Finance.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia, tiiat the treasurer of the
State of Virginia be, and xs, hereby ordered and authorized to pay out of the

26

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

27

moneys in the treasury department of the State, not otherwise appropriated, tho
sum of ($225) two hundred and twenty-five dollars, to the treasurer of the mon.
ument fund of the Sooiety Immortal Six Hundred, the Confederate officers who
were inhumanely treated by the United States Government while they were
prisoners of war, confined on Morris Island, South Carolina, under the fire of
their own guns. This money appropriated is to be Virginia's tribute to her aid .J
o_t the monument fund for her gallant sons who remained true during their ter-
rible ordeaL
Money will be paid to Secretary Six Hundred June 15, 1910. ,,

Secretary Murray exhibited photograph of intended monument
for the dead of the Six Hundred Society, made by Miss Josephine
Gulledge, of Mississippi, daughter of a Confederate soldier who
died for the South ; the matter was laid over until the meeting: of
the society in 1911 at Little Rock, Ark,

On motion of Comrade G, N, Albright, a history of the Immortal
Six Hundred was presented to the Lone Star Chapter, U. D. C,
San Marcus, Texas, by the Society of the Immortal Six Hundred!
with the society's love and gratitude to the peerless women of the
chapter. Secretary ordered to forward bock at once to Mrs. G. K.
Miller, president of chapter. Adopted. Book sent by Secretary
Murray, with letter.

On motion of Comrade R. M. Fletcher, the society was requested ^5
to make an appropriation to print minutes. Secretary ordered to
notify members after he obtained estimate of cost, etc. Adopted,

President Hemstead read the following: poem ;

ODE TO THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

How did ye, my comrades, with battle's ire,

Uphold the tenets of equal rights for ail,
Bequeathed from each brave Southron sire.

To sons who answered the Southland's hasty call.
We live to see the cause for which we bled,

The leading issue in the forum of each state,
Resurrected from the grand storied dead,

Ai-med with law and constitutional debate.

Up from the braziers of the heroic, warlike past,
Brave incense rises from the ashes of defeat.

The glowing cloud grows brighter, grander, fast.
To halo halls where truth and justice meet*

Great principles live on, they cannot die,

Where human rights make man a God,
Though seeming dead they slumbering lie.

To be a guide, an Aaron's chastening rod.

Out from the bloody past we live to see

A specter who with warning hand,
Upholds the laws, each severe decree

Will bury greed and save our native land.

Our clarion cry, the rights of sovereign states,
To mould and execute the people foreordained wills,

Central power now stifles forensic debate.
When bribery follows with attandant ills.

Comrades, ye fought for principles to us so dear^

North and South and East and West»
Bring year by year these questions near

By ballot and by eloquence expressed.

Shall central power o'eride the laws of state,
And ermined will make void our laws ?

Stern jn.stice with impatience waits
To crucify the docket's venal flaws.

Junius L Hempstead.

The following letters were read by the secretary from absent

comrades :

Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company,

Warsa/7V, Ajjril 10, 1910.
Mr. J, Ogden Murray, Charlestown, W. Va.

Dear Old Comrade : I regret very much that I will not be able to be present
at Mobile on the 2oth. I had to go to a sanitarium in Richmond the 4th of Feb-
ruary and wasunabte to get out to business until the 28th of March. But I am
glad to say that I am physically O. K. again with business far behind. 1 would
be pleased to meet our comrades as I recognize the fact that time is getting
short and there can only be a few more annual meetings. I hope you all wiil
have a good time. My "heart will be with you though I am absent. If you meet
any that remember me tell them T am still living and active enough to look after
a division of railroad 125 miles in length. Hoping to hear from you on your re-
turn, I am, yours truly,

S. A. Johnson.

Shaw$villej Va., March 2U, 1910.

Mai. J. Ogden Murray, Charlestown, W. Va.

My Dear Comrade : In reply to yours of recent date must beg to say that
owing to the condition of my health I will have to deny myself the pleasure of
meeting at Mobile with the old gallant true and tried band of 600, whose nerves
and loyalty to the cause we loved so dearly was so severely tested bjj torture
while in the hands of the Federal authorities as prisoners of war on Morris Island,
Hliton Head and Fort Pulaski in 1864. I am proud that I was a member of the
gallantband, notwithstanding the humiliationy and trials and tortures we under-

28

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDUKU.

29

went. I feel that I have a rich inheritance to hand down to my only son nr
being one of a distinguished body of men whose record will live after alt of thi»
party shall have passed away. While I cannot be with you to shake thy wnrm
hand of friendship and enjoy meeting with men that I know have beon tnt^d :im
men never were before and proved to be men in every sense of the term my
heart and best wishes will be with you and the comrades whom 1 shaJl ever lovu
and hold their memories as a sacred trust.

Your comrade, J, W. Helm.

Maj. J, Ogden Murray, Charlestown, W. Va.

Dear Comrade: Your postal of the fiSth ult. was duly received and ought L»
have been answered more promptly. I have been in no condition physically nr
mentally to do so sooner and now I have the writing done for me, so please ex-
cuse me for the delay, assuring you it was not a feeling of indifference, but of
my mabihty to write sooner.

.I-?!: \°^' ^ ^^'^^ ^ ^^'^'^ ^^ ^^^*^^ y^^ ^" Mobile, enjoying the little remnant of
Ihe Immortals" in sweet, loving heart to heart converse with the dear old
boys and mingle tears and smiles like April days, tears for the ones dead anti
gone and smiles for the ones-still lingering^at the portals of "that undiscovered
land from whose bourne no travel leturns," and where no alarm of war ever
disturbs their peaceful and happy rest, and where corn meal, pickles or eats art'
never served by devils of human kind, but where we will be received by angelH
in white and shining robes with glad acclaim greet us in that glory land where
we shall ever feast on love and nectar of heaven's own distilling.
With best wishes from your old comrade,
Salem, Va. y, W. Kelly.

GilliamsviMe, Buckingham Gounty, Va., Ap7-U I.% J910.
My Dear Comrade and Friend : I am sorry that I cannot attend the reunion
at Mobile, Ala. You know- that I have lost the best man to travel with I evvr
met with and its too great an undertaking for a man of my age to take with
strangers. _ Give my love and best wishes to the boys and tell them that I am
with them in the spirit if not in person, and if we never meet again on this earth
let us try to meet in a more glorious world than this.
With a comrade's love I am, aa ever, your friend and comrade,

Robert Miller.

Vanceboro, N. C, March J, 1910.

Brothers and Comrades of The Immortal Six Hundred Soojety : It would
afford me one of the greatest nleasures of my life to meet with you at Mobile, ,
but my physical condition will not permit. Time and that terrible ordeal we ^'
underwent at Morris Island, at Fort Pulaski, Hilton Head and on board of the
prison ship Crescent, has made me an invalid, unable to risk ihe long travel to
meet you. I send you this greeting through our secretarv and comrade Mur-
ray, one of the foremost leaders in our group, ever trjdng to console us in our
suftenngs and privations unjustly inflicted upon us by the United States Gov-
ernment in 1864-65.

My dear old comrades, I often recall the ordeal. I think of those terrible days
that tried men's souls and the temptation of the oathof allegiance to the United
States to seduce us from our love and loyalty to the cause oi the South and dis-
robe us of our manhood and honor. I think of the starvation rations of rotten
cornmeal and pickle to force us to perjure ourselves, and in all this my prayer
of thanks goes up to God that I was one of the six hundred Confederate officers
who suffered with you, and I thank God again and again for the courage and
strength He gave us to be true unto the end. I love you all, the true. men
of the Immortal Six Hundred, I honor your manhoodj I know your integrity

andcourag^^the world also knows it, Your heroic manhood is the admiration

of all honest men, for you did give the world in the ternble test the idea of what
the true Confederate soldier would do and did do for principle. We have no re-
grets for our parts in the past nor part in that patriotic war for the Constitution
given us by our fathers. 0, comrades, that I could be with you today ; that I
could grasp each one by the hand and renew the old love of comradeship and
brotherly love for each" other made in those days of our tribulation, when we
divided our rations one with the other and gaveour lastchewof tobacco to some
<lear old comrade.

Remember me, dear old comrades^ when you meet at your council table at
Mobile; as you grasp each other's hand, do not forget us who are absent. , I
can never forget you while time lasts. My love grows more intense for each
comrade that remained true unto the end now we are on the shady side of life
marching with the burden of years upon us down the picket line of life where we
shall all cross over the river. God grant that we may all strike hands on the
other side in the camp of God's love, where we shall part no more Where the
bickering of life will cease and eternal peace and rest be ever ours ; where we
will praise forever God our Father who made us men of honor, 1 ask that all
my dear old comrades will write if only a card for I love you all who were true.
May God bless and keep you all.

Your devoted comrade and friend, J. F. Heath.

Hotel Astor, New York, March 30, 1910.
Maj. J. Ogden Murray, Box 404, Charlestown, W. Va.

My Dear Major : Your postal card dated March 25, 1910, was received this
morning. I note your statement that the annual meeting of the Immortal Six
Hundred Society will be held April 26, 1910, at Beinville Hotel, Mobile, Ala.

Mv engagement required me to come to New York and if I complete the busi-
ness" which compelled me to come to this city in time to go to Mobile by the 2Gth
of April r will with great pleasure meet my comrades of the Immortal Six Hun-
dred. If I am not able to be present give my love to all of them and tell them
I hope Godwin bless them, and that we may some time in the Great Hereafter
meet in that other and better world of Which religion teaches.

Your friend, James B, McCreary.

Shethyvilte, Tenn., May 20, 1910.^
Maj. J. Ogden Murray, Secretary Six Hundred.

My Dead Comrade and Friend : Say to the dear old comrades, as the days
and nights roll on, lam impressed with the thought that the great reunion is
drawing near where the gray in my vision iind dreams I see coming into Mobile's
historic gates. I see the dear old comrades of the Six Hundred marching proudly
down the line and I am not with them. Age and infirmities keep me home. My
Houl is with you : in the spirit I am with you. I went with 'you all through the
fiery ordeal. I stayed with you to the end. I love every one of the true men
of the Six Hundred with my heart and soul. My prayers go out to God for you
all, my comrades, my brothers.

Your comrade and friend until death, J. H. HASTING.

Willard, Go.. , April 25, 1910.
Maj. J. Ogden Murray, Mobile, Ala.

My Dear Old Comrade and Friend : Please pardon me for not writing a
letter to be read to my old prison comrades. I am not in condition to do so, but
say to them if not with them in person I am in spirit Give them all my love.
I remember Cot. McCreary very well. Express to him my highest regards.
Say to the old boys for each of them to send mc one of his photos. I want to

30

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

have them framed and hung up beside the twenty-five you have sent me which
3re already framed. Weather is quite cooi I'or April ; itsnowed some thin morn-
ing and is still cloudy, with wind from the northwest. Thermometer at ^a now
at 1 clock p,_m ; death on young cotton ; hope you all may have a good time.
We are anxiously awaiting your visit ; hope you can eome by to see us
With a heartfn! of love, your old comrade and friend, ' ;

C. R. EZELLK.

Speeches of love and affection were made by Comrades Geer,
Haliburt, Fletcher, Bell, Grayson, Mathews, Fontaine,- Hogan, Bed-
ford, Armstrong: and other comrades. The secretary regrets lio
could not take them down for printing.

After fervent prayer and benediction by chaplain the meeting
adjourned to meet at Little Rock, Ark., in 1911, at the meeting: of
the a C. v.. Grand Camp.

In the parade Comrade Hogan acted as color-bearer with Sponsor
Mrs. Grayson and Maid of Honor, Miss Morgan, as color guards.
The Six Hundred was cheered by all the old veterans and the popu-
lace as they passed in line.

J. Ogden Murray,
Secretary and Treasurer of the Six Hundred,

May 20, 1910.

Jl

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

Comrade Bedford presented the following poem :

AN INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED IN 1862, DURING
THE WAR.

A POEM BY C- C. SOMERVILLE, SAVANNAH, MO.

:jl

The sun had dropped into the distant west.

The cannon ceased to roar, which tells of rest,

Rest from the shedding of a nation's blood,

Rest to lay their comrades 'neath the sod.

'Twas early spring, and calm and still the night,

The moon had risen casting softest light.

On either side of hill the armies lay

Waiting till morn and then renew the fray.

So near together a sound was heard by all,

Each could bear the other's sentry call.

The bivouac fires burned brightly on each hill,

And, save the tramp of pickets, all was still ;

The Rappahannock sUentiy flows on

lietween the hills, so fair to look upon,

Whose dancing waters tinged with silvery light,

Vie in their beauty with the starry night.

But list ! from northern hill these steals along

The sweetest strains of music and of song.

The '* Starry Banner," our nation's glorious air,

Which tells to all of gallant flag " still there."

Then "Hail Columbia" a thousand voices sing

With all their soul, which makes the hilltops ring.

From fire to fire, from tent to tent there fiew

The welcome words, "Lads, the 'Boys in Blue,' "

And well they sang, each heart was filled with joy^

FroiTi first in rank to little drummer boy.

Then loud huzzahs and wildest cheers were given.

Which seemed to cleave the air and reach to heaven.

The lusty cheering reached the Southern ear^

Men who courted danger, knew no fear,

Whilst taking of their scanty evening meal,

And each did grasp his trusty blade of steeU

Those very strains of music, which of yore

Did fire the blood, are felt by them no more.

How strange 1 what now they scorn and taunt and jeer

Was once to them as sacred, just as dear.

And when the faintest echo seemed to die,

The last huzzah been wafted to the sky,

The boys in blue had lain them down to rest,

32

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

With gun and bayonet closely hugged to breast,

There c!ame from southern hill with softest swell,

The air of " Dixie ', which was loved so well

By every one who wore the coat of gray,

And still revered and cherished to this day,.

In Dixie land they swore to live and die— ■

That was their watchword, that their battle cry.

Then rose on high the wild Confederate yell,

Resounding over every hil] and dell ; ,

Cheer after cheer went up that starry night

From men as brave as ever saw the light.

Now ail is stilS. Each side has played ^its part,

How simple songs will fire a soldier's heart.

But hark ! across the Rappahannock stream there floats

Another air, but ah ! how sweet the notes.

Not those which lash men's passions into foam,

But richest gem of song—" Home, Sweet Home !"

Played by the band, which reached the very soul,

And down the veteran's cheek the teardrop stole.

Men who would march to the very cannon's mouth

Wept ]ii<e children— from both the North and South.

Beneath those weJI-worn coats of gray and blue

Were generous, tender hearts, .both brave and true.

The sentry stopped and rested on his gun,

And back to home his thoughts did swiftly run ;

Thinking of loving wife and childi-en dear,

With one left to guide them, none to cheer.

The stri]jling lad, not strong enough to bear

The weight of saber or the knapsack wear,

Tried to stop, with fooliah, boyish pride,

The starting tear, but well try stop the tide,

Of ceaseless rolling ocean, just as well,

As stop those tears which fast and faster fell.

Then, lo, by mutual sym[>athy there rose

A shout tremendous— forgetting they were foes—

A simultaneous shout, which came from every voice.

And seemed to make the very heavens rejoice.

Sweet music's power! One chord doth make us wild;

But change the strair, we weep as little child.

Toiich yet another, men charge the battery gun,

And by those martial strains a victory won.

It matters not from whence, how far we roam.

No heart so cold that does not love sweet home!

Roll of Survivors.

This roll of survivors is correct up to January, 1910.
the survivoi^ are feeble and do not write often :

Some of

Capt. J. L. Hempstead, president .^Jennings, La., box 960.

Capt. J. W. Mathews, vice-president. -^.-^,-„„,.Alvon, Greenbrier Co., W. Va.

Cajjt. T. C. Chandler, vice-president _„__„_„_. „_„_ Bowling Green, Va.

Maj. J. Ogden Murray, secretary Charlestown, Jefferson Co., W. Va.

Capt, W. W. George, color-bearer, ,,„_„,,„„„, ._.. „ _„. Saltville, Va.

Maj. D. R, Coulter, color-bearer 115 Washington St., San Angelos, Tex.

Rev. T. S. Armstead, chaplain Bowling Green, Fla.

Capt. A. J. Amstrong Columbia, Ala., R. F. D.

Capt. G. N. Albright ___ _ Stanton, Tenn.

Capt, J, G. S, Arrants _ _ Selma, Cal.

Capt. H. A. Allen __ Portsmouth, Va.

Capt J. M. Allen ___.._ ___Water Valley, Miss.

Capt. J. C. Allen Seneca, Mo., R. F. D„ No. 1

Capt. Tom Allen _..„Aurora, N. C, R. F. D.

Capt. Thomas Eoyd___, _ Ducater, Tex., H. F. U.

Capt. E. LeeEell _ 317 Fifth St., Lynchburg, Va.

Capt. A. M, Bedford _.,„.,,_ „^„.„,., „.. .Savannah, Mo.

Capt. J. A. Burnett„„_. Bluff City. Tenn.

Capt J. W. Brothers. _..... Institute, N". C, R. F. D.

Capt S. D. Bland Guthrie, Ky., R. F. D.

Capt P. G, Benton__ Wall, Tom Green Co., Tex.

Capt R. C. Bryan _ 16 Front St. Bristol, Va.

Capt. D. T. Branough. . ...Neshoe, Ctay Co., Mo.

Capt J. C. Blair ,_.. Whitnel, N. C.

Maj. J. McD. Carrington._..Atty-at-law, Fifth St, N. W., Washington, D, C.

Capt. H, H. Cooke .._,,_.__,_. ^^_ Atty-at-law, Franklin, Tenn.

Col. C. B. Chrtstain ,.. Walker's Ford, Amherst Co., Va.

Capt Wm. Page Cartej._._ 1314 N. St, N. W., Washington, D. C.

Capt. J. Charles Carson NatcheK, Miss.

Capt E. D. Camden _ ^Sutton, W. Va.

Capt. Ed Carter , Warrenton, Va.

Capt G. E. Campbell Manchester, Tenn., R. F. D.

Capt George W. Corbett ,.._Cnrrie, N. C.

Capt D. M. Coifman Portia, Ark,

Capt George M. Crapon ..___ 12 Pollack St, New Berne, N. C.

Capt D. A. Coon , Lincolnton, JN. C.

Capt. T. S. Doyle Soldiers' Home, Richmond. Va.

Capt J. H, Darden-.__ .__. Falling Creek, N. C, R> F. D.

Capt J. D. DeLoach Glenville, Ga., R. F. D,

Capt. W. H. DeLoach — _ __Penaacola, Fla.

Capt. Lamar Fontaine __ _, „.-LyonH, Miss.

Capt. J. O. Frink San Angelos. Tex.

Capt C. R. Eaelle ..Willard, Ga.

Capt R. M. Fletcher ___ Osceola. Ark.

Capt W. L. Enos ---,Ark, Gloucester county, Va.

34

THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED.

Capt. A. M. Edgar _ .__.... ..Acmlcmy, W, Vii

Capt. William Epps ^ 23 Orange St., AHhv"i]le, N. C

Capt. D. C. Grayson _ _ _-_411 G St., N. W., Wuahington, I), C

Capt. W. W. George ._'._.. ___.Sa]tvi[]e, Vii

Capt. J. L. Geer McKinney, To.\,

Capt. J. W. Gillock __^ .V. M. I., Lexington, Vn

Capt. D.W. Gai*r«tt Bedford City, Vii

Capt. B. L. Grant Avery, Ti'x

Capt. J. D, Greever _ Burkos Garden, Vn

Capt, C. C. Grace ___,-_^, ^^__.___. _Screven, Gii

Capt. C. P. Harper 618 South Sixth St, Louisville, Ky,

Capt. P. Hogan Terrell, Tex., R. F. J)

Capt. S. H. Hawes _. ___. Office Gary St., Richmond, Vii

Co!. W. W. Haliburt__ So, ExpreasCo., Atlanta, On

Capt. D. F. Harris ._._ . Lavonice. Ga

Capt, Hopkins Hardin ._.,_. _ . Iiidependen<re, Mo,

Capt. T, M. Hammac^k ,_,,^_ Union Co. Stui'ges, Ky,

Capt. J. M. Hergest .„_,_,„ __. New Berne, N. ('

Capt. J. W. Harris Robertson, Va., R. F. I)

Capt. J. W. Helm . Shawsville, Vn

Capt. Lewis Hannan _ .„._. Staunton, V:i

Capt. S. J. Button N. & W. Ry., Glade Spring, Vu,

Capt. J. H. Hastings __ _ _._^ Shelbysville, Temu,

Capt. J. L. Haynes. _ .„.__Anna, Tex,

CapL H. E. Henderson, M. D 1924 Sixty-sixth St., Cleveland, Ohii

Capt. R, J. Howard .__. . Byhalia. Mjkm

Capt. W. G- Herrington .___. Hermansvillej Miss., R. F. Il,

Capt. J. F. Heath Vaneeboro, N. C, R. F. 1),

Capt. J. M. Hemy- . Bramford, Tenn.

Capt. J, W. Hawkins _ .„..__Ronie, G;i.

Maj. D. A. Jones .__^ _ „..___Abingdon, Va

Capt. S, A, Johnson _,,„„..__ Huntersberg, Dubois Co., Ind

Capt. J. D. Jenkins ._._„., 506 Ogdelleta St., Shnwnee, Oklu,

Capt. S. A.Johnson - Warsaw, N. C,

Capt. J. P. Kelley _._. ..Pulaski City, Vn.

Capt. George F. Keiaer _.__ ...... Stuarts-Draft, Va

Capt. F. W. Kelley. __.. Salem, Va.

Capt. J. S. King .„ ....Abingdon, Va., R. F. D

Capt. T. N. Kent „ .__._ Wrightsville, Ga,

Capt. J. G. Knox ..„ Senaca, Mo., R. F. D., No. L

Gen. Z. H. Lowdermilk ,,„Joplin Club, Joplin, Mo,

Capt. Schuyler Lowe ,._:..■_ Independence, Mo,

Col. J. B. McCreary .. ..Richmond, Ky,

Capt J. W. Mauck . ,_.Mt Clinton, Va,

Capt. V\A. H. Morgan -...' Floyds, Va

Capt. B. D. Merchant ____.^.. Manassas, Va

Capt T. B. Marlin _ _._ , .._ ..Fair Forest, S. C

Capt W. C. Nunri, M. D West Point, V;i

Capt. Thos. Pin(5kney South Bay St, Charleston, S. C

Capt J. H. Polk Polk Bros., Fort Worth, Tex

Maj. W. E. Stewart _„.--___.——..... Atty-at-law, Denton, Mel

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