Thanks to Mrs. Marilyn Houser for sharing the follow information with us:
On 26 June 1902, some 37 years after the Confederate surrender, former Confederate officer John S. Cleghorn placed an announcement in the Summerville News. (Cleghorn had served with Company H, 39th Georgia Regiment, Army of Tennessee.) Cleghorn's announcement read as follows.
That grand old hero, our illustrious, John B.
Gordon, will deliver his celebrated lecture "The Last
Days of the Confederacy," at Trion Factory July 4, 1902,
at 10 o'clock a.m. I want every confederate veteran in this
section to meet and welcome him at that time. Bring your
haversacks well filled with provisions and we will have a
glorious celebration and reunion.
John S. Cleghorn,
Commander Camp 422 U.C.V.
On 10 July, the Summerville News reported that an estimated 6000 people attended the gala event, surpassing all expectations. The Trion Company had cleared land, set up seating and provided a speaking area that was covered. The speaking area was touted to seat over 3000 attendees. A brass military band, from Chattanooga, provided the music.
Two hundred Confederate Veterans heeded Cleghorn's call and assembled at the crossing at the livery stable. The Veterans, under the control of Cleghorn, again formed ranks as they had done during the war years of 1861-1865. In the morning heat, the aging Veterans of the Army of Northern Virginia and Army of Tennessee awaited the train carrying Major General John Brown Gordon.
Upon his arrival, the General was greeted with the famous rebel-yell that only true veterans of the Confederate Army could emit. The group made its way to the grove of trees, just north of town, where Gordon's speech was to take place.
At 11:00 Gordon appeared at the speakers stand and was introduced by Wesley Sproshire. Gordon was once again greeted with immense applause. The News reported that General Gordon appeared feeble (Gordon was 70 years of age in 1902) yet delivered a most grand and captivating lecture on the Confederacy. His address lasted for almost two hours.
During the Civil War, Gordon had won laurels on many a hard fought field of the Army of Northern Virginia. Gordon became one of General Robert E. Lee's most trusted officers and commanded the 2nd Corps in the Army. During the surrender at Appomattox, Gordon was selected to represent the Army of Northern Virginia at the surrender ceremony. After the war, Gordon returned to Atlanta and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1873 and 1879. He worked in railroad ventures in the early eighties returning to politics in 1886 as the Governor of Georgia. After his term, He was again elected to the Senate. (1891-1897) He died on 9 January 1904.
In a more simple time such celebrations were a great form of entertainment for the local people. In 1903 Trion Factory would once again invite General Gordon.