On August 31, 1917, a remarkable reunion took place in Madison, Florida, bringing together elderly veterans of the American Civil War. More than fifty years after the conflict ended, these former soldiers gathered once again, offering a rare and moving glimpse into a generation that had lived through one of the most defining events in U.S. history.
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The black-and-white photograph shows a group of aging men, many seated in the front and others standing behind, their faces marked by time and experience. By 1917, most Civil War veterans were in their seventies or eighties, making such reunions increasingly rare. Events like this served as moments of remembrance, camaraderie, and shared reflection on battles fought decades earlier.
The image documents veterans who served in the Confederate States Army, reflecting the strong Southern memory of the Civil War that persisted well into the early 20th century. Several individuals in the photograph are identified,
- Front row (seated): John Terry, John Vann, an unidentified veteran, B. F. Moseley.
- Standing: Louis G. Leslie, Frank Ferrell, Andrew Leslie, Matt Leslie, Hill Bridges Henderson, and several others.
- Back row: Another unidentified veteran, John Lyons, J. B. Hardee, Jim Watts, Billy McDonald, plus unnamed figures
More than a simple group portrait, this photograph captures the closing chapter of a living history. As these men gathered in Madison, they represented a fading link to the Civil War era — a time that would soon pass fully from memory into history. Today, the image stands as a powerful reminder that history is preserved not only in documents and monuments, but in faces, friendships, and moments like this reunion.
Source - WikiMedia