"The old feet shuffled and faltered in a way which showed that their march was nearly over, and there were many tears.”

After the War Between the States, the Northern and Southern Veterans were united again into two separate organizations. The Confederate Veterans were united into a union, U.C.V. (United Confederate Veterans), which was composed of different groups or camps in each southern state. The Union Veterans were also united into a union, G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic), which was composed of different groups and camps belonging to the northern states.

The G.A.R. and U.C.V. met every year at their respective national encampments. The Veterans would conduct their business, elect new officers and spend hours reminiscing about the triumphs and tragedies of their soldier youth. Although partisan hatred faded with the passage of time, sectional pride remained strong and until the turn of the century and joint blue and gray reunions were rare.

The veterans of both armies insured by their separate Memorial Day observances that their fallen soldiers would be remembered. The U.C.V. declared the day of April 26th as their official holiday memorial observance (the surrender of the last Confederate forces serving under General Joseph E. Johnston’s Army). The G.A.R. selected May 30th as their annual observance.

General John B. Gordon, the first Commander in Chief of the U.C.V. stressed the patriotic duty of his organization. “The U.C.V. will cherish the past glories of the Confederacy and transmute them into living inspirations for future service to the living republic.” General Gordon unequivocally proclaimed: “If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold and the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remains in us.”

The leadership of the U.C.V. included dignified old warriors like Charles Alfred DeSaucer of Memphis, Tennessee, Richard A. Snead of Mississippi and A.G. Harris, a soft-spoken veteran of Henry County.

The stalwart boys in gray, now aging but vigorous grandfathers, treasured the heartfelt legacy of the “Lost Cause,” and found joy in the celebration of that never to be forgotten time.

On Confederate Memorial Day, April 26th, the aging veterans of Henry County would assemble at their annual Confederate Memorial Day Service. Each year they assembled at places like the McDonough City Square, Shingleroof Campground or the McDonough City Cemetery.

On April 26th, 1910, Confederate Memorial Day, a monumental event took place in Henry County, the Confederate Monument was unveiled on the McDonough City Square. Aging veterans and thousands of others turned out. One Henry County aging veteran who attended was Mr. W.H. Bryans; he was among the gallant defenders of Fort Gregg, a Confederate bastion that bore the brunt of the final Federal onslaught April 2, 1865.

Many of the old Confederate veterans who attended the event had 50 years earlier fought at places called Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Atlanta. Others had fought at places called Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor and Olustee, Florida.

The youngest veteran was reported to be 70 and the oldest claimed to be 104. The average age was 81. Many participants were feeble and many had limbs missing – some thanks to the Atlanta Campaign. But most came with a great sense of enthusiasm to celebrate a notable event in Henry County history.

The veterans were lined up for the parade in columns of fours, just like in their war days. Unquestionably, the youthful march out of McDonough 50 years earlier was fresh on the minds of those fragile soldiers who by 1915 were dying at a rate of 34,000 per year.

As in 1861, the historic McDonough Square echoed with hoof beat and marching tread. Men who had once carried the blood-stained banners of Henry County regiments, proudly revealed their colors.

While their determination never faded and their fervent patriotism remained undimmed, with the passing of time the veterans steps grew halting. Their bodies frail, many were too infirm to participate in the parade and watched sadly from the sidelines.

Spectators became silenced and were deeply touched as fading United Confederate Veterans ranks passed in brave array. Here they came, “living relics of a distant past.”

Ailing and bent with age, the tap of canes and the gentle creek of crutches kept pathetic time to the blare of marching tunes and the clank of arms. The old feet shuffled and faltered in a way which showed that their march was nearly over, and there were many tears.

At last, the inevitable end drew near. In 1927, the Henry County Colonel Charles T. Zachry U.C.V. Camp 108 disbanded. Reduced to a mere handful, the veteran organization held their last reunion. Their spirits strong though their bodies were weak. Their numbers rapidly diminishing, stalwart spirits at last bowing to remorseless time. The gallant once proud regiments of Henry County now but a shadow, narrowed and stooped with age, awaiting the last bugle call.

A.G. Harris was the last veteran standing when the last bugle called in Henry County. Mr. Harris was honored in 1938 when he was selected to represent the Confederacy by unveiling the Peace Light Memorial at Gettysburg Pa; signaling the 75th Anniversary of that battle. In 1939, he represented the Confederacy at the premiere of “Gone with the Wind” in Atlanta. Soon afterwards, A.G. Harris died peacefully just days before his 96th birthday on March 1, 1943.

Then it was over. The last of the thin gray line disappeared; and the power of their vision passed with their souls…and touched the hearts of many.