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USGenWeb Archives for Alabama

Civil War Soldiers Reunion

Civil War Soldiers' Reunion (date unknown)

submitted by:  Sabra N. Sudberry - added 7/16/02

Confederate Reunion - Civil War Lamar Co. - was Marion, Fayette Co., AL.  2 parts to this picture, made at Moscow Reunion.  Front kneeling 1st person on right - Sen. John Hollis Bankhead.  Front kneeling - 10th from right (light coat) John Evans Jackson (per Sabra)

Submitted by:  Kay Music lmusic1@bellsouth.net

I have what looks to be a much copied (dark) copy of a newspaper picture of one of the last Old Soldiers reunions.  It is from The Lamar Democrat & The Sulligent News, dated March 23, 1967.  It was made in the early 1900's and talks of how these men had meet at Ebenezer and marched off to the war of the States in 1861.  They had a reunion at Ebenezer every year (on the Thursday before the third Sunday), according to a Mrs.Arrie Mordecia, till only one was able to attend.  Captain LEACH was the group leader.  It has the mens names. I will try to get it scanned as best I can and send a copy to those interested.

Is this newspaper still in business?  I would like to know if anyone knows how I can get in touch with this Mrs. Arrie Mordecia, if she is still living?  Or any of her family?  We are related.  It says she is the granddaughter of Johnnie Lavender. Johnnie was my great, great, great grandfather. 

Better copy of above submitted by Jason Lewis:

REUNION- One of the last "Old Soldier's Reunions" held in Lamar
Co. was at Ebenezer Church in the early 1900's.  Shown here is a group of men
that met at the church, organized and drilled on the grounds, then
marched off to war in 1861 to fight in the war between the States.

        After the end of the war the soldiers would meet each year on
the same church grounds.  There they would have a celebration, the bands would
play, the beat of the drums could be heard throughout the country-side
as the "old soldiers" marched again.  Captain Leach was the group
leader.  The group vowed to continue the reunion as long as there were
two in number to meet on the Thursday before the third Sunday in July
each year, according to Mrs. Arrie Mordecai, granddaughter of Johnnie
Lavender, one of the leaders of the movement.

        It stated the reunion continued until 1920, when only one
veteran was able to attend.  People from far and wide attended the affairs which
included speeches, lemonade, ice cream, and baskets full of good things
to eat.  Mrs. Mordecai said this was the first time she ever tasted that
good old ice cream.

        Left to right the old soldiers are- bottom row:  John CURRY, Bob
FRANKS, Reuben TODD, Jack WILSON, Mr. HOLLOWAY, Aaron GODFREY, Johnnie LAVENDER, and William LAVENDER; top row, L to R- Gray Jeff ATKINS, Black B. SMITH, Balam SMITH, Big Bill SMITH, Jay GUIN, John FLEMMING, Rev. BEATY, John Q. JONES and Duff HALCOMB
 

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