Memorial Exercises Held in Chesterfield, Three Thousand People Gather to Participate "Experience Meeting" of Veterans  PAPER: The State 1908-05-12 Memorial Exercises Held In Chesterfield transcribed and submitted by Pam Rathbone Chesterfield, May 10: In the entire crowd of 3,000 people who were at Chesterfield for the reunion of the Confederate soldiers yesterday, the only exceptions to the general good time were those who were sorry that they were not "old vets". The early morning train which brought the veterans from the western part of the county was met by a committee from the local chapter of the U. D. C. and hot coffee and sandwiches were served in the waiting room, which had been decorated for the occasion. From then until the arrival of the 10 o'clock train from the Cheraw the old soldiers had the town in charge and were occupied in renewing old friendships and telling war-time yarns. Another large crowd came in on this train, together with the Columbia Concert band, which had been engaged for the occasion. The exercises at the court house were opened by a prayer by the Rev. B. S. Funderburk, pastor of the Baptist church at this place. The Hon. G. K. Laney, the speaker of the day, was then introduced and gave a very appropriate and thoughtful speech. Mr. W. J. Hanna, commander of Camp Winnie Davis, then called for a general experience meeting form the veterans. This was one of the best things of the day, as among other things he called on W. T. Lowry, a member of the Eight South Carolina regiment, to explain how he got out of the smoke-house when he was foraging and was locked in by the lady of  the house. The Hon. J. M. Hough, who is one of the most popular of all the veterans of Chesterfield, although he is now a resident of Chester county, then gave a talk which was very greatly enjoyed by all. Mr. Hough said that statistics show that there were 26 Yankees to four Confederates and according to that the Yankees must have been cowards. But to call the Yankees cowards was an insult to all the Confederates, as no army of cowards could have held the Confederate army for four years., no matter how great the odds. Crosses of honor where then awarded to 11 veterans by Mr. W. J. Hanna, who presented them with a little speech, stating the meaning and significance of these badges. The concert band then made to the academy grounds where the provisions had been placed. After the veterans had finished the crowd was then fed and all were satisfied. After dinner another informal experience meeting was held on the academy grounds and a fine program rendered by the band. The crowd then proceeded to the cemetery in the same order as the morning parade and the graves of all the soldiers were decorated. This was the end of a happy and glorious day.

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