Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-08


CUMBERLAND Co, June lst 1861.
To The Editor Of the Wig:
About a mile west of Cumberland Court House il =,
quiet aud dreamy spot of Garth poet or ranscen
deEtas in his most astidcus moments could wish for
No dull rumble Of hcaviy-laden disturbs its peace
no unnatural railway whistle swskes the echo on il.
ueghborng hills and the Little Guinea "a branch of the
AppOmato1l passes modesty by as any respectable
branch should. 1t cIuts in the euphonous name Of
"Tarewelet" Not far from the public road in a grove
of majestic oaks is pain buildingths is "Tarewalet
Church" When first visited this spot we were forc
by reminded of Wirts "old wooden house in the for
est The Church has the appearance of having e1pe.
rienced the storms Of many years And though it has
no ornamental succo to grace its wa stately dome
to add to its architectural beauty tall pre to reflect
The lustre Of the setting SUI, yet uupretendirg as s
it has had its thousand and one 'reyvas" and many a
weary traveller has within its walls listened to sermons
! perhaps eloquent that of the blind preacher Of
Augusta.
This spot, the Champ de Mars upon which many bat
ties have been fought and won against the arch enemy
Of God and man, appropriately selected by portion
OF the citizens of Cumberland to compliment by grand
barbecue the Rough and Ready Volunteers now under
orders to meet with the sword Of the spirit, but
with muket and bayonet and ball catrd ,e the hordes
Of cut-throats and robbers of his black majesty the
prince Of the White House.
1t is universally admitted that the assembage at "Old
TarewalIe' Tuesday last was one Of the most alma
ing spectaccs witnessed in Cumberland for many Years
On entering the church the scene that met the eye wa.
most imposirg The building crowded to its utmost
capacity In front of the pulpit the brave daughters Of
Cumberland renowned for their peerless beauty were
closely grouped while on either side the volunteers in
their gay uniforms and the citizens generally occupied
every available spot. High above all proudly aoAted
the flag of the Southern Conederacy. Afer some beau
iul and e1quste airs by Prof Mahr the viCiu, as.
sisted by Mr. Merryman on the flute, which greatly con-
buted to the pleasures Of the day, Frank D. Iryirg
Ed advanced to the front Of the platform, and was
received with the lveest demonstrations Of applause.
OF Mr.. lrTing5 address, il would be impossible to
peak in terms OF approval exceeding its merits rising
il ir queuy did, to strain of poetic beauty aad bril-
lance of thought aud conception rarely equalled and
still more rarely surpassed Mr. Irving in the pogres-
Of bis speech into full detail OF the wrongs aud
justice which the South had suffered At the hands OF
the North aud after advertiag to few incidents in the
life Of oug Commandern-chisf General Robert Lee con
cUded his brilliant addres. by saying that he thanked
God an end had been proclaimed to temporizng e1pe-
dents, to artlu delay and political chcluery-thst
the people had demanded their rights ami would sup
por, them with their lives aud forunes-.hlt spin.
7ad been aroused that would triumph the tosl eKir
alton Of Yankee desposm-tha a. for himself bis Ut
zeal should be eIerted in defence Of the dcares,
rights aud sacred honor of Virginia
L.. ID
-cme length II handsome address was listened to with
much attention, and resuuing his seat he liter
ally sormcd by shower of bouquets from the ladies' Il
the gsiut young gentleman dodge the bullets of the
Yankees well az he did the bouquets of the ladies'
their best rife shot will not touch him.
The hour Tor dinner having arrived, the audience re
tired the yard enjoy the good things bounteous
ly spread before them. We will not enter into any de-
scHpton Of the Bill Of Fare, bu. will say that the
dinner did great credit to the gentlemen who had been
Instrumental in getting it up. Taken altogether it
ore Of the rechrehs aud complete affairs of the
kind we ever have seen.
After dinner, Johu T. Thornton, Esq, of Prince Ed
ward who happened to be in the negLborhood, was IL
vitcj TO speak On rising, Nr Thornton said that in
Cumberland the happcst ysars Of his M had been spent
and bis earie5; friendships formed-,hl he had never
forgotten them-aud when after years Of absence be
found himself again amoug,, those we-remembered
iu -ght of the graves OF bis parents that
the lrcndsh ps he most valued long ago. and
living stil-that part of his humble career had
found lvor in the eyes Of the best and most honorcd
citizens Of bic native county-a this to him a
| of legitimate pride and qualification which words could
not adequately express Mr.. Thornton then proceeded,
in a strain of glowing eoquence deliver one Of the
most brilliant speeches have heard for many years
His friends say that il of the bappest efforts OF
his life In lis oratoy, Mr. Thornton exhibits something
of the electric fire of Achilles the polished dignity of
Hector and the captivating eoquence OF Nestor His
peroration sublime. To such pitch Of enthusiasm
had he wound his audience that believe we never
saw any speaker warmly appauded. Though young
in years, Mr. Thornton may well be styled "the clear
toned speaker" Of bis people, eJas a tng'a meHs dI
eior fuit serDo
At the close Of Mr. Thornton's speech suggest
ed that subscription should be taken up for the beue-
fit of the "Rough aud Ready Company" The liberal
cum of four hundred and twenty five dollars col,
lec.ed aud handed over to Captain Baugban. We can.
not refrain from recording here admiration Of tho
way in which these noble fellows have for the last cigh
teen months preserved and held their organic atom
under circumstances that would have tired and broken
the spirit of veteran solders We believe they have
not been benefited by the bonds of the county
court 1t would be lasting disgrace to Cumberland to
have these volunteers quit their homes to fight the
battles of their country without supply them
selves with a comfortable outfit and to other
cessary expenses. Many Of the citizens of Cumberland
have acted with the most liberal and commendable
spirit While such exhibitions Of patriotism in this crisis
rebound to the credit of the community, they will 90
far TO prove the sacrifice are prepared TO make in
defence Of our rights liberties, and our fresides
We would here suggest that such persons have not
contributed on this or any former occasion should send
their subscriptions to Mr. q. b. Woodson, who, we
are sure will take pleasure in receiving any sums how
ever small for the benefit of the Cumberland volun-
teers It would be gievous il such should be ex-
posed to the danger of discomfort by the feeling of be-
ing neglected.
Cumberland has been one among the frs. counties to
respond to the call of patriotism The Cumberland Ora.
goons Capt Johnson and the Black Eagle Company
Capt Harrison, are now in the field to reap as rich
harvest of aures for their county and State crown
ed their fathers in the of 10 and 1872 That these
heroic sons will add new briancy to the glory of their
iusrious sres, TO man, that knows them, can doubt
What pity that such men should have their opponents
in the field of battle the cuthroats of Yankee des
pot But we must remember that right has been
maintained-that liberty has been purchased, By
brave and noble spirits by base and mercenary
hrelings. J. MEG.