Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-01-15
Gen. John n. Morgan.

Of Kentucky, Gen. Jno. Fl. Morgan,
than in being present and witnessing
the truly hospitable and heartfelt re-
ception met with by him at our Capt.
tai. EIe was met by the committee Of
The Council of the City at the Depot
on Thursday 7fh inst. and conducted to
the Ballard House, where suite of
rooms had been secured for his accom-
mediation and preparations made for the
entertainment of himself and friends.
/ On the following morning military
escort accompanied him from the Ball
lard House to the City Hall, where he
Yves reserved and presented to the vast
multitude who crowded the streets,
eager to gaze at the renowned chief
tain, by Mayor Mayo, in a feeling and
appropriate speech in which he de-
nominated him the Marion Of this war.
Gen Morgan, amid deafening cheers,
made the following short and charac-
teristic response
Fellow Citizens.-I thank you for this
reception, and | hope that my future career
may prove that [ am not unworthy Of the
honor you have done me- Not being
speaker, will give waw to others who are.
Again thank you for this manifestation Of
your regard.
Generals A. P. Hill and j. E. B.
Stuart, Judge Moore Of Kentucky,
Ex-Gov. Letcher, Gov. Halves of Ken
lucky, and Gen. Edward (AlleghanyD
Johnston being loudly called for re-
sponded in speeches suited to the oc-
casion, after which Col. R. A. Aston,
of Gen. Morgan's Staff was introduced
BY Mayor Mayo and made a few re-
marks. In abiding to the treatment
of his General by the Yankees, he
said, that he had ordered the election
of barber in each Of his regiments,
who would carry q large pair Of sheers,
and by their assistance he hoped to
get even with the enemy for their treat
ment to his noble chief.
Gen. Morgan again came forward
and bowed to the multitude, and was
then reconducted to the Ballard House
where many crowded to see, face-to-
face, the maltreated hero and patriot.
Gen. Morgan on the following day
visited the Libby and conversed with
the Yankees confined therein many of
whom expressed their delight not on
/ ly to sc him but also that he had es-
capped. He was here introduced to
Brig. Gen. Neal Dow (of the Maine
Liquor law notoriety) to whom be OBJ
served "Gen. Dow, I am happy to
see you here, or, rather I should say,
since you are here [ am happy to see
you looking SO we'll, to which Dow
quickly replied, ssGen Morgan, I con-
graduate you on your escape I can
not say I am glad you did escape, but
since you did I am pleased to see you
here"
On Monday, by special invitation
he visited both Houses of the Gener-
al Assembly Of Va. being welcomed
by the presiding officers, in appro-
pirate speeches, one of which, being
from our distinguished representative,
Fl. w. Shelley, Esq. Speaker of the
House, and through him, although
representing the entire State there,
from his constituency also, we take
the occasion of publishing in this con-
nection---
GENERAL : In the name of these represen-
tatives of great Commonwealth, I well
come you to this hall.
Hundreds of hearts beat around you in
aroent sympathy with your knightly adven-
lures, surprising those Of romance, your
heroic achievements, and your glorious suf-
ferings. And as you now almost hear and
feel their warm and strong pulsations,
thrillil G your every emotion, be assured that
you are the centre Of a great circle of blen-
ded sympathy. admiration, and good will,
which. as Is swalls and undulates, shall pass
over this entire State; and as the wave beats
against the banks Of the Ohio and the bor-
ders of Pennsylvania, the sentimeut Of this
scene shall be borne even to our enemies
the bnrden still shall be, Honor to the
brave man whom coward foe sought il
vain to aishonor !"
Virginia loves and admires the chiyalric
and heroic wherever found and on this oc-
casion she assumes a mothers privilege,
now that Kentucky sits in the desolation Of
widowed sorrow, i'll opening her arms and
taking to her heart the brave son of her
elder daughter, and laying her hands on his
brow, as stainless in chivalric honor as be-
fore the badge of infamy was attempted to
be placed ON it, gives her maternal approval
and invokes Gods blessing on him
1t is my faith, General, and believe tits
yours, that the winged angels Of
prayer, springing from the sacred circle of
your own family and from the hearts Of
thousands in our land, gathered around and
safely conveyed you through the perils you
have SO recently escaped; and now the anx.
iety and suspense being over, and being
grateful to God for the deliyerance, we take
a long breath of relief as we realize that
ssMcGregor treads his own heather again"
that the lion hearted chieftain is free once
morc free to draw his tried steel and mount
his faithful steed-free to throw his battle
flag to the breeze, and at the sound of his
bugle blast to gather around him the clans
of brave men to strike once more for liberty
and home-to strike for comrades still Ian
gushing in those fellon cells-to strike for
loved ones still writhing beneath a tyrant's
power-to strike on until the whole land be