This following was published in the 5 Oct 1899 issue of the Marion County News. (I have 8 ancestors who wore the gray, one of them might have been there…)

Confederate Reunion. Written for the News. Last Thursday and Friday, the 28th and 29th of September 1899, were days that will live long in the memory of the people of Winfield. For a time it had been announced that there would be a reunion of Confederate veterans at this place, and the people had been making preparations and looking forward to this occasion with high hopes and anticipations. From what the writer saw and learned every hope and anticipation was fully realized.

As a great number from this section was in Col. Patterson’s regiment during the Confederate way they invited him to be present on this occasion. As he was expected on the east bound train Thursday the old veterans were requested to be in town by 12 o’clock, so as to meet this train from Memphis at one. Long before the appointed time they began to gather in, and by the time the train arrived with Col. Patterson quite a number of his regiment were in line at the depot to welcome their old colonel.

Captain Bankhead had arrived a short time before and was in waiting with the crowd at the depot. As Col. Patterson alighted from the train many and eager were the hands that sought his to welcome him here on this occasion. After the handshaking, Captain Bankhead, in a most appropriate little speech introduced Col. Patterson to the crowd following the introduction, Col. Patterson delivered a short but most feeling and appropriate address to his old comrades, in which he expressed himself most happy to meet once more with those who had fought with him in such a noble cause.

As night drew on, the old soldiers gathered around the camp fires that had been kindled just south of town, and there cooked and ate their supper as they did during the war. In this scene doubtless many memories arose in the minds of those participating of trials and hardships endured in the war, but now for a long time forgotten.

After supper, while shooting and cannonading was being indulged in on all sides the old soldiers led by martial music marched to Col. Patterson’s hotel and called for him. He responded by giving some very interesting and instructive reminiscences of the war.

After the crowd returned to the camps, Captain Bankhead was loudly called for and responded by a most feeling address to his old comrades in arms and then discussed some of the leading political issues of the day in a masterly and winning manner.

Friday the long looked for and most eventful day of the occasion dawned, and though a little threatening in the early morning, proved to be a most beautiful day, marred only by the dust.

The people began to assemble quite early and long before ten o’clock both the streets and the grounds were crowded. It was estimated by various parties that there were between two and three thousand people on the grounds during the day.

The street parade was followed by an opening address by T.V. Hill, which was eloquent, well timed and appropriate. Then came the “Daughters of the Confederacy”—thirteen beautiful young ladies tastefully arrayed in snowy white, each representing by a recitation one of the States that formed the Confederacy.

Following these opening exercises were two as fine speeches as this people probably ever had the pleasure of hearing. The first was by Col. Patterson of Memphis, a true Confederate and one who is proud to own that he took part in defense of the so-called “lost cause.” Then followed the Hon. John T. Morgan, a man of national reputation. With his eloquence and sound thought, Senator Morgan held the audience spell-bound for quite a while, and made us all fell glad to have such a man as he in the South.

By the time Senator Morgan had closed his address the dinner hour had arrived, and so bountifully had it been prepared that there was an abundance on the ground to supply the crowd. Everybody was invited to partake, and if anyone went away hungry it must have been his own fault and not that there was not a sufficiency of dinner.

Dinner being over a few announcements were made and then the crowd began to disperse. Some to their homes, but many led by the old soldiers in line marched up town and gathered upon the streets and about the depot to await the train that was to carry our distinguished guest, Col. Patterson, to his home in Memphis.

By the time night had gathered most of the visitors had returned to their homes and left Winfield once more quiet, but glad that she had had the encampment of the reunion within her limits.

Thus closed this great gathering without any disorder or disturbance of any kind. Yours truly, C.H. Webb, Winfield, Alabama.