The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-08-03

Will try" SO our dead c0mrade bad sol.
dier's arm to strike when duty bade him
draw bis b1ttle.bIade, aud woman's heart
to forgive and to respond to every appeal
which helpless sorrow made to bis sympathy.
And yet, modest and upostentatious as
was this quiet citizen, his name is iusepara-
ply linked in the momentous event in our
history. l say more; his name will shine
Win uniadirg lustre On the brightest page
Of our Confederate annals. Gettysburg
was the elimination of our prelL strue.
gle, and 1t was there that General Pickett.
at the head Of bis, not g. 900. as my gallant
friend Msjor Wise has said, though a
does not become me to question the state
ment Of military man-at the head Of
less than 5000 men Governor Kemper
said 4,500) moved down the slopes with the
precision Of regiments on parade, amid q
fiery storm of shot and shell, officers and
men falling In appalling numbers, but the
ranks steadily closing up and pressing on
with the calmuess Of 4 courage too sublime
for doubt Or fear until the heights were
gained and all that human Valor could
achieve was won. The charge of the Light
Brigade at Balaklaya was magnificent,
but it was a mistaken one as q
military movement. The charges Of
Soult and Murat at Austerli!z we're
splendid when their great Captain fired
them by. saying, "Come, let us end
the war with clap OF thunder /" the charge
of the Old Guard ut Waterloo was resistless !;
but history chronicles no greater charge, Mr.
Chairman, than that which Pickett led, and
in which you received your honorable
wound. [Long-continaed applause.] Well
has it been said, "On that day the name of
Virginia was baptized In fire and will illu.
inmate forever the temple OF sto.y."
But why speak of these things now2 l
shall not ask pardon for reminding you OF
the greatest of present duties. Under the
spell which this Providence lays upon our
hearts, who does not feel the intuite pro-
priety of the prayer of the Psalmist: So
teach US to number our days that we may
apply our hearts unto WISDOM
Whether the golden bowl of life is broken
by the sudden shock of battle. or whether
The silver cord is loosed by the slow band of
disease, the inevitable hour must come. Let
us live, then, not only in expectation of death,
but in preparation for it, so that when the
summons comes it may find us with life's
duties all becomingy discharged, at peace
with God, in perfect charity with mankind,
our souls safe in the hands of their Redeem
er, and thus enter upon eternal life and bless
edness.
LETTER FROM DR.. MINNIGERoDE.
The following letter from Or. Minnige-
rode Was read
RICHMOND, August 2, 1875.
To his Ercel!ency Governor James L. KEN.
per:
Dear Sir,-In my character as pastor OF
General Pickett and his wife l feel it my
duty aud my privilege to unite with our fel.
low. citiz,ns who are to meet tonight under
your auspices in bearing testimony to the
sorrow in which his death has plunged our
community and the whole State OF Virginia.
In honoring the brave we honor ourselves.
A previous engagement Of much import.
ance prevents me from attending the meet.
ing, greatly to my regret; and can only say
that will feel honored in cooperating in
anything that the meeting may resolve or
and in which my services would be desira
bic. Very respectfully,
CHARLES MINNlGERoDE. :