FARMINGTON TIMES, Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri, Friday, October 27, 1916 SUPPER AND SMOKER TO CONFEDERATE VETERANS The Supper and Smoker given at the home of Mrs. Anna Lloyd last Friday evening by the John B. Gantt Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy to a number of Confederate Veterans, was a most delightful and enjoyable affair for the old soldiers of the "Lost Cause." The day and the evening were cold, raw and unpropitious, for men whose ages ranged from more than three score and ten to four score years -- the youngest being 73 years -- but there were ten of the old boys who stepped to the tune of Dixie present. But for the cold and threatening weather there would have been several more. Those present were: E. Meysenburg of Grafton, Ill., Co. E, Second Missouri Cavalry. John W. Blue of Farmington, Co. E, Second Missouri Cavalry. Wm. H. Mitchell of Flat River, Co. C, Third Missouri Cavalry. Wm. S. Miller of Farmington, Co. C, Third Missouri Cavalry. James M. Morris of Farmington, Co. D, Forty-Fourth Virginia. Judge C. T. Tullock of Bismarck, Col. White's Regiment, Parson's Brigade. H. J. Wray of Bismarck, Capt. Martin L. Clardy's Company, Col. Bloodgood's Regiment. John A. Cunningham of near Farmington, Col. Jack Smith's Regiment, Gen. Jeff Thompson's Brigade. Luther K. Peers of Farmington, First Missouri Artillery, Gen. Jeff Thompson's Command. Theo. D. Fisher of Farmington, Co. F, Second Missouri Infantry. The following feeling letter from Phil E. Peers of Dickinson, Texas, a member of Co. E, Second Missouri Cavalry, was received and read: Dickinson, Texas, Oct. 15. J. M. Morris and Others: Comrades: Your bugle call "to the right into line!" greeted me on the bright morn of the 14th instant, and with all the thrill and impulse of the old soldier I longed to comply, but alas, the many infirmities of four score years past called the halt, and with a sad heart I am forced to inform you it is impossible; but be assured that if not in person, yet I will be with you in heart, memory and soul on that occasion. Please say to the assembled comrades how earnestly I desired to be with them and again shake the hands of "the tried and true." Express to them my best wishes for the balance of life's march, and the hope to meet them in the bivouac "over the river." Comrade, PHIL E. PEERS, Co. E, Sec. Missouri Cavalry, C.S.A. The supper -- well, when a lot of enthusiastic women put their heads and culinary knowledge together to get up a repast to tempt the most epicurean taste and to excite the longing envy of the dispeptic, you may rest assured there is going to be a feast worthy the gods. And that is what these old fellows sat down to, and there were no dispeptics among them. We have verified this statement by the relish with which they ate, the large amount of everything that disappeared as if by magic, and the chipper, bright appearance each presented the morning following. And it was well that "good digestion waited on appetite," for with a whole host of charming, smiling daughters beguiling them, pressing this and that upon them, "do have some of this," "why, you haven't eaten anything-let me help you to some chicken," "you haven't tried these sweet potatos yet," and so on, over and over, it is a wonder the old heroes were not vanquished. But not they! Ice cream and cake came charging in phalanx, but the line of sturdy old soldiers never wavered -- they were veterans -- and coffee whose aromatic flavor drowned and intoxicated the senses. An orchestra discoursed sweet melody during the supper hour and the "boys" pricked up their ears and clapped their hands as the stirring strains of "Dixie" filled the rooms, but out of deference to the company they refrained from giving the famous rebel yell. Then the smoker. From fragrant Habanas floated clouds that curled and drifted in rings and eddies -- Mrs. Lloyd didn't care if Lady Nicotine did brush with tawny fingers her lace curtains -- as the old soldiers reminisced, recalling scenes and battles that they are glad are only memories now, paying tribute to some brave comrade who fell 'mid blazing musketry and screaming shell, the while laughing over many funny experiences which were also a part of the soldier life. Enjoy it? Indeed that evening will remain with them as one of the sweet, bright experiences of their halting march toward the last camp and tattoo, when they shall lay them down to rest to be awakened by the reveille of eternal morn. They did not essay any formal resolutions of thanks to their gracious hostesses, whose honored organization is purposed to keep green the memory of the "Lost Cause," but through one of their comrades expressed with sincerest feeling their earnest appreciation and love to the daughters of John B. Gantt Chapter for one of the pleasantest and most memorable incidents of their lives.