Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-02-03
For THE VIYD1cATor

Il
The streets Of Staunton were. on satur-.
day last, enlivened ey.the smiling ana fa-1
miliar faces Of the men who constitute
Ctpt, A. W. Garber's Artillery Company.
These veteran soldiers, Who have by their
deeds OF daring On almost every battle
field in Virginia, attracted the attention of
the country and elected the praise of tie
Commanding General Of the Army Of
Northern Va, were, by some Of the patti lot
ic ladies of our town, invited to partake Of
a dinner, which had by their zeal and en-
ergy been prepared for them, as testino
Euial of their gratitude for the distinguish
ed services rendered yy them as company
to the country.
At half past three o'clock, the shrill
blast Of the bugle assembled the men in
front of the American Hotel. After the
lapse Of few minutes, they were marched
into the large dining room. of this building,
where their eyes and hearts were gladden.
ed, aud their stonaehs refreshed, BY a
feast, that for abundance and quality, would
have reflected credit on better times AT
ter doing ample justice to the good things
set before them, which had been aacmen-
ted in pleasure by the presence of Gen'I
Early and staff, and the smiling faces OF
the iaa!ses, they qnictly withdrew, and form
ed themselves aga;n in froat Of the Hotel.
and began shouting vociferously for SEMI
Early to make them a speech. The Genl
come forward, and ia his plain aud earnest
manner spoke in substance as follows:
Soldiers--I enjoyed the Dime. prepared
for you. BY the ladies Of your Town, very
much-bat it Afforded ne much more pleas
uro to know you eajayed it-because you
richly deserved it. It has always given
me pleasure to speak Of the heroic coaiact
Of the Artillery on every battle field il
the Valley campaign; and in view Of your
past services haze given permission fol
you to stay IN town to night. and enjoy
! yourselves ir any innocent way you may
deem proper. / am sure you will not abuse
this indulgence. and that your conduct in pri
vate life, will Be as unexceptionable, as i,
always has been IN the preseAce Ct the En-
emies of your Country
4 Col. Wan. H. Harman, was then called
on. ard responded il a short aal stit ring
address.
After Colonel Hartman. tie Battalion
Commander, and Company Officers, wer
called on, but did notl ing more than cx
cuse themselves, by telling the men, .ha
their talent lay in the fighting and not i,
the speaking lies. After the speech max
, ing was over, tie men Quietly returned t
the homes of their families and friends til
whole affair having been complete sue
cess.
1t affords Us great pleasure to say Ties
, brave men, although they have passe'
through the hardyhips snd dangers OF ev
cry considerable battle fought on the sci
of Virginia, are as firm ana and as uaal
alteras - heir determinations to DO ire
{ free from yaukee rule, as they were o.
the dav they enlisted.
An honorable peace YOU'D be most agree
able to them. bat they will never be viii
ing . abandon their arms for any thins
short Of absolute and complete indepond
enca. 10 obtain tnis Independence 70
their CouattrF, they are wiling to Eght t
the last extremity. and even to the lis
man They deem il car better to join th
ranks Of the silent, but. r"(ettersd host
wtlo sleep calmly and sseetly Oh the bes
, ON Of their mother State, than II wa
{ the billed Chains, and enjay the laxurlais
ease, tka5 q Bringing submission, or a cow
) asdly polio, might purchase t,r them :
The spirit that aninlstes this Company ii
common with the army OF Northern Va
ought to make the croakers and suibulss
iousts of this and otaer sections, hans
their heads ia shame, that they ever des
paired Of the liberties Of the country, OF
ever, il any way, inpeded the success 0
, our cause.
If this class, Instead of disheaftening am
disoouraging the army, would only vie
!, with the ladies, and other good Citizens
in administering to the wants of the sol
diers, and thereby nerve their hearts ans
hands for the work before them, this wa
would - lie llouelt to successful
Do as they may however, tie patriotisn
Of the ladies and soldiers, viii, some day o
otho", triumph. over ali obstac es, aud btius
our Country to a glori Gus independence.