The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-04-11

=. .WELn.DEsEgyRp ColPLMKNx; PAID
QoLpAEn TRoMHs Ms41iF7ghA Of
Aoefs and ehployeessbf Ehe Riohnond
and sDanville and Piedm1nt Railroads
gave:a banquet }Bt Zetellets, last night,
in honor OF their late General Saperin!
tendent, Colonel Thomas Dodamead,
before partaking Of which, however, 8
magnificent gold hunting cseA watch
and chain was presented him by his late
assooiaties, through Colonel Lewis F.
Harvie, who was called to preside. and
appropriately addressed himself to the
occasion as follows: .':,s'! t = f'-''s
"Colonei Dodamead; I have been lse-
lected by the officers and agents OF the
Richmond and Drnville and Piedmont
Railroads to present to you on their be-
half this beautiful and valuable watch
and ohain, as o testimonial / OF their
esteem and high appreciation. This
manifestation of their regard and conf.
denoe. resulting from long and familiar
intercourse of the closest Character, both
socially and officially, is O just one, as I
am sure 1t will be priced as grateful
tribute to your worth as q man, and
your qualities and qualifications as an
officer. Cordial and kindly relations,
such as you have established among
your former colleagues in the employ
ment of the railroad company here rep
resented, tested md strengthened BY
constant and close official and social in
tercourse, could only be cherished and
confirmed by just and meritorious con-
duct. That man whose position gives
him power and makes him the dispenser
of patronage, must use both discreetiy
aud properly to command the respect
and confidence of those subject to his
in n11
the hope of reward and the fear of pu-
nishment. That such compliment ns
this should be accorded to you. after
your connection with them has termi-
mated, and both power and patronage
have been surrendered, is the best evi-
| dence they can give that you hive dis
charged your duty faithfully to the
company that you served and the men
that you controlled. Permit me to add
my testimony to theirs, based upon
similar associations, and even 6 ,nger
acquaintance, running through your
terms OF service on nearly all the princi-
pal roads in Virginia. This it was that
prompted me TO advise your appoint
ment first on the Piedmont, and then on
the Richmond and Danville Railroad, in
our hour Of greatest trial and difficulty,
when the transportation of supplies for
over those roads exclusively. ] can and
do most cheerfully bear testimony to the
efficiency with which you discharged
your duty as Superintendent of Trans
| portation over both roads.
avail myself Of this opportunity to
| make statement in this connection. It
has been said that Gen. Lee, upon the
occasion Of his retreat to Appomattox,
issued orders that supplies OF provisions
| should be brought over the Richmond
and Danville Railroad to Amelia Court
House, and deposited there for the use
Of the army. have no doubt that such
orders were given, but affirm here that
no such orders ever reached or were COM
municated to the President, Superin-
tendent, or any officer or agent of the
Richmond aud Danville Railroad Com
pany, and that they were never heard of
by any one connected with the company
until Gen. Lee, with his army, reached
Amelia Court House, when he expressed
his astonishment that no supplies were
there. How or why the orders failed to
reach us know not, but such is the fact;
ond no responsibility rests upon the rail
road authorities for that sad calamity.
I cannot close this address without ex-
pressing my sincere Qualification that the
officers and agents of the railroad com
pany, among whom are many of my old
officers, associates and friends, have
chosen me to represent them on this oc-
casion, and will add that it is most con-
genial to my own feelings to unite with
them in extending this just tribute to
you. Permit me. sir, to express our
sincere hope that in your new field you
will secure ns true and warm friends as
those you have left at home, and enjoy q
full measure of prosperity and happi-
ness.
Col. Dodamead, in replying, said lie
felt entirely unable to express his feel
ings on the occasion. He had made no
preparation, and, indeed, his feelings
would allow him to mako none There
were contending emotions which he ex-
perienced- first, his separation and gra-
tification at the expression of friendship
and regard toward him. He had passed
through somo trials and difficulties, but
lie had always found his officers and en-
ployees true and steadfast; and, with
their cooperation, ho had overcome