Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-04
HONORs TO THE GALLANTDEAD.
"Soldier rest, thy warfare DER,

LII cauuot always De remarked tDat the evil
men do lives after them, and their good deeds
are inferred with their bones, for the meeting
at the Corporation Court room, last light, fur
nished solemn exception 10 the assemblage Of
the SCARED and storm beaten veterans of what
was the memorable Picketts Division, to whom
it seemed that but yesterday they stood in
Battles magnifcently stern array"
marshalIed upon the bloody marge of war, and
now, whilst it's brazen throat is voiceless iD the
presence of the prince of Peace" they were
again gathered together, in sad convocatiou. to
grieve over the death of their chiettain; to do
honor to the character and virtues OF their be-
loved commander True it is that great men
are the productions Of great events, and like
the mighty throes of stupeDdous nature that up
heave lofty mountains from the level plain, so
from social convulsions spring those giants Of
peace and war, whose names and fame 20 down
the centuries. Had not Virginia barred her
bosom to the storm Of battle, and cruel war
lighted its luried torch upon her richest plains
and fairest Vallies, and had not the thuuders Of
Gettysburg showered upon the devoted heads
of Piekett's Division its storm of shot and she'll,
the names of many that now fill the trump of
fame would have gone down with their posses
sors into the valley of the shadow of death un-
honored and unsung. But as long as memory
lives; as virtue is exalted as heroic deeds are
cherished, or history continues the guide and
teacher of civilized man, with the valor Of
Varro aud the genteness of Gcrmapcus with
the brave, the gallant, the generous and the
true, the name of Gen. George f. Pickett
will survive, an honor and an ornament to the
age in which be lived, and to the country which
gave him birth.
At 8 o'clock last night the meeting of the
officers and soldiers of Pickett's division, to
take appropriate action upon the death of their
late commander, assembled in the Corporation
Courtroom, and was called to order by Cart
2. B. Hooe, who made a few remarks explau
atory of the purpose of the meeting, and nom
iDated Gen. NJ. d. Corse for chairman, which
was unanimously carried, and, on motion OF
Capt James NJ. Steuart, Col Morton Marve
was elected secretary.
Gen. Corse, on taking the chair, said
Comrades Of the late Confederate Stnt,s
Army, and teilosv citizens :-Iu obedience to
the Call through our local papers We have met
together Tor the purpose OF paying our respect
to the memory Of Gen. George +, Pickett.
will not attempt an euogy upon that heroic
soldier, patriot aud gentleman. have not the
gilt OF language or oratory to do him Justice
Suttlce 1t tor me to say be was my friend, as
we'll as the commender of the division in that
grand old Army of Northern Virginia" in
which | served. | knew him well and it gives
me pleasure to say, 10 social lite, it has never
been my privilege to know more genial warm
hearted, courteous gentleman, and when the
loud blast OF war sounded from his Mother
State. like dutful son, and true Knight, he
bucklcd on his armour, ready to do battle or to
die IN the cause, which. in his heart of hearts
he believed to be just. One beautiful and at
tractive feature in his character was bis pride
In, and his attectloDate regard for, every good
and true officer and soldier Of his division.
have met him often slucc the war, aud he has
never failed to ask in the most kindly and
touching manner after the dear boys OF the old
Seventeenth Virginia Infantry. Comrades, if
my feelings will not allow me to say more am
sure, in justice | could not say less of the SOL
der, to whose memory We have here met to
pay our tribute OF respect. l thank you COM
rades for the honor you have done me in call
ing me to preside at this meeting.
At the conclusion of Gen. Corse's speech,
which was received with applause
Capt. Hooe moved that committee of three
be appointed by the chair to draft appropriate
resolutions OF respect to the memory of the late
Gen. Geo. +. Pickett, and the chair appointed
Capt. +. b. Hooe, Capt. David l.. Smoot and
Maj. Linden Kent the committee.
Tho chair ipuito6 ro,no Ii, f,o,,
desired to speak, and
MIR. John NJ. johnson said
Mr.. Chairman Il shall say but a few
words while We are waiting for the resolutions
The announcement, few days ago, of the sud
den death of Gen. g. K Pickett, was receiv-
ed here With uDtelg0ed sorrow, and this meet
lng, tonight, is for the purpose of paying a
tribute OF respect to his memory. I see around
me chiefly men who fought under him, as a
commaoder, during the late struggle between
the States. | happened not TO be in the same
branch OF the service, and was not personally
acquainted with him, as most of you were, and
l should perhaps, have left it to such, to speak
on this occasion; but l know enough of his life
to appreciate his qualities and character as a
man. He, sir, was true to the land of his ma
tlVlty, to this Old Commonwealth of Virginia.
both 10 war and 10 peace, and it was for this
houored him living, and mourn him dead. In
the service of the United States. when the up-
happy conflict began, he felt constrained, BY
the highest motives which aclua,e men, to re-
sign that service and draw his sword 10 defence
of that cause his conscience approved, aud told
him was just and right. How hooorably and gal
aDtly be fought l shall not detaiu you to uarate;
but suffice it to say, that his fame then won will
last so long as heroic and noble deeds continue
to be admired and remembered. Upon the
surrender at Appomattox he pledged bis word,
the word of soldier, to abide by the result of
the contest how faithfully be kept it let the
history Of his day record. The bitterest parti-
Fan can find no fault 10 him, in this respect; he
he was true toit, as all brave soldiers have been,
aod never broke it, either by thought, word or
deed. 10 his death, Virginia has lost one of
her noblest SOUS, and his friends and comrades
may, truly exclaim, perfect gentleman, gal
liant soldier and true patriot, has passed over
the river