The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-05-17


All probabilities are in its hands,
No danger daunts and no foe withstands;
In its sublime audacity OF Faith,
BE thou remoyedv it to the mournful saith,
And with ambitious feet, secure and proud,
Ascends the ladder. leaning on the cloud"
Who, that was present, does not remember tn
ty-moving spectacle presented by the dead bod
les OF the handsome boys, who died on this field
as they were tenderly cared for and prepared TO
their soldier graves by the ladies Of this town
who, with the natural promptings of mother
and sisters thought Of the desolatfon OF heart II
dead sons should reach them. Many soldier VIII,
had faced death on bloody fields without emotion
found himself brushing away the tear from hi
| forms silent in death. Yet we would not nov
have it otherwise. They died gleriously in tn
discharge OF duty, and the memory Of their deed
and death shall always be tenderly cherished, re
fecting, as they did, imperishable honor upol
| their State and her Military Institute.
BRECKENRIDaE.
But time admOn1SheS me that cannot Longer
dwell upon the recollections OF this day OF battle
but that must meet your expectations and inyi
tation. by speaking OF the life and character o
| the illustrious man, who, on that occasion, LEI
and directed our forces.
To me. however imperfectiy may perform tn,
task, it is labor OF love, for it is one Of the mos
pleasing "reminiscences OF my own life that fo
years he honored me with his friendship.
When, on the 18th May, 1875, it was announced
that he was dead, the heart OF the whole natior
was saddened, for all men admitted that maj
great in intellect, OF great purity and integrity O
life and of heroic devotion and loyalty to princi
Every where throughout the land respect wa
shown to his memory; and it was proper that i
should be so, for in his life he had offered obi
example for after ages to follow and reverence
He was born to be leader Of men, and, although
as men estimate, he died in his meridian his lit,
was Of great duration, if I'VE live in deeds, no
years; in thoughts not breaths." As was said o
one of his ancestors, His mastery life from he
ginning to end. most imposing and illustrious
character in all respects. noble and pure. H,
was man whom all noted whilst he walked
amongst them, and when he tell all mourped'
John C. Breckenridge was born in Lexington
KY, on the 18th January. 1921 His father JOSEPH
\ Cabell Breckenridge, was q native OF Albemarl,
\ Co., Va, but was taken when very young to Ken
lucky, where, although he died at the early age O
| IS, he was man OF great distinction, being
prominent lawyer. and serving two terms 81
Speaker OF the Kentucky House OF Representa-
tives and at the time OF his death, being the Sec
rotary OF that Commonwealth.
HIS mother was most accomplished lady, tn
daugpteR OF that eminent man, samuel Stanhop
Smith, President OF Princeton College He
mother was the daughter of Jno. Wetferspoon
who Yves one OF the signers OF the Declaration q
| John Knox. ~ ~S0'sV 'ts+
The paternal grandfather Of Gen, J. G Breckep
| gi4ge Was aohn breckenridge, one OF the mos
d tasaea pubic men of his day. as lawye
WV w ssapssitat, VINO was born in Augusta county
On, Hepfeselted the County Of Albemarle in til
at an early day, which State he also served Nit
to apiIy IN her first constitutional flonveI
Son. anu IN her Legislature ia which latter bod
.,o WAS tne aAfhar or the celebrated Kentuck
IeSuaueions OF 1888. which produced so deep
+4hh aprn upon the constitutional history {
rasanttiy; he also served his State as her rel
fesehtative in the Senate OF the u g. and wa