Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-05-17

that scorched the groundn
beneath their feet in times that tried |
mems souls, am reminded of those gor-
geous scenes that Moor depicts in the
HVale of Cashmere" where music and
love combined for time to make a
heaven Of this dull earth-and / rejoice,
with exceeding joy, that am permitted
to take part with your people here to-
day in the honored ceremonies Of this
grand event. The holy chords Of the
memory Of the past are once more VII
brating and strains from distant hard
fought fields came floating before me.
Yes, l remember that when the red hoof
of war pressed upen Virginia's bosom,
men from her loving Southern sisters
came rushing to her defense. Louisia-
ma, contemplating the bloody spear up
Oh which she was soon to lean, pointed
with the gauntleted hand Of her pride
to the first Confederate successes at
Sumter and Manassas, won by the genius
Of her own Beauregard In the ebb and
flow of the crimson tide that for four
years afterwards surged over the Old
Dominion, Louisiana braves who fol-
lowed the feather of Dick Taylor, of
Harry Hays, of Seymour, of Nichols, of
Starke, of Stafford, of Davidson Penn,
of Old Bob Wheat, and host of heroic
leaders, rode upon the crested waves OF
war, and the story of their services would
comprise much of that splendid Army
Of Northern Virginia itself. Now, when
the wand ofpeace is waving wide through
sea and land now, when no war or bat
tie sound is heard; now, when the shield
and spear are high uphung, and the
broken chariot stands unstained with
the soldiers blood, survivors Of a gallant
band are lofty and lasting attestation to
commemorate their love for the memory
of their great commander.
Eyes, Won granite minstrel's voiceful stone,
In deathless song shall tell,
When many vanished year has flown,
The story how he fell
Nor wreck, nor change, nor winter blight,
Nor times remOrseless doom shall dim one ray
OF holy light that gilds his glorious tomb"
1t was upon the twenty-hrst of Janua-
~, in the year 1924, that boy was
born in the town Of C]arksburg, then ia
in Virginia. Three brief years had
scarcely rolled on and he was moth
erless; but four years more and he was
fatherless, and the protecting roof of his
fathers house sheltered the poor orphan.
At s years fage, becoming satisfied that
he could not agree with his ady's hus-
band, with that resoluteless of will that
SO strongly characterized his every ac-
ton afterwards, be LETT the friendly
shelter, and, walking eighteen miles,
sought another home at the house OF a
half of his father Ever rest
less even at SO tender an age, when nine
years old he departed from his second
home, and in company with brother
only three years his senior, he ventur-
ously embarked Oh tiat-boat plying
it's trade on the Ohio river to seek his
fortune, staring fate in the face and
trusting all to an untiring energy ane
courageous heart. For time he disap-
reared from the knowledge of relatives
and friends; the lost boy was on an is
land in the Mississippi river, this son o
adventure was cutting frewood, to be
used in the steamers floating upon tht
bosom of the great Father Of Waters
Engaged in such occupation, withou
previous acclimation, he was soon pros
trated by malarial fever his youth
could not not contend against, and get
ting better, with a discretion that die
honor to his valor, made his way bacl
to the home lie had left. Thus, in TIL
only instance within my knowledge, dit
chills and fever, the arch enemy ofSouth
water courses, perform a friendly act
placing under a debt of gratitude
grateful people. Once more at the HON
of his half-uncle we find this perambu
lating boy making himself useful on
farm, interspersing such healthy occll
patton, the historian tells us, with oftel
exercising his relatives horses by da
and going to the dances in the neigh
borhood at night.
In le42, when Is years old, hearing
that the cadet from his district at th
United States Military Academy at Yves
Point had, for some cause, given up tn
place, he packed his wardrobe in PAL
of leather saddle bags, and in homespu
garments started to Washington to Sc
/; Mr.. Samuel Hays, his representative il
: Congress. Once there, he presente
himself before the Secretary of War
mountain boy-seeking military edit
cation. The indomitable pluck of tn
youth won deserved success. He'ws
: appointed cadet and graduated, an
q was commissioned as a lieutenant in tt
q First Regiment of Artillery, Unite
: States Army, in. 1916. In his book {
t maxms he had written: "You may b
: whatever you resolve to be-" He dec
: ded to be soldier! And now what ar
Q the wild waves of the gulf of Mexit
t saying to this unfedged young officer,
d he listens to their ceaseless roar, whe
/. entering upon his first active milita1
a service? The surging pillows tell hi
}, that the asdent to the Temple of Fan
f for the soldier is dangerously steep, al
0 the whole world has seen but few
e them reach the very summit of the dix
e heights. Is he dismayed! Does he ia
e ter? All, no! he is resolved to climb
', and the rising fame of young soldi
r, lights up the glorious track made by Il
j. gallant heroes Of Winfield SCOTS arm
d from Vera Cruz through Cerro Cord