The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-01

achievement and struggles, but none
more sanguinary than the field OF Mum
fordyille, an exhibition of patriotic dis
cipIine and unfaltering obedience in the
face Of death never perhaps excelled, q
sore and regretful sacrifice, but an ex-
ample Of unhInching fulfllment of duty
that enriehes the annals of our race. In
the loss Of these dear, devoted men the
costly price was paid; the memory Is
ever green with Us, and forever within
this Enclosure may their ashes repose in
peace.
THE TNvAILISG SPEECH.
When Mr.. Smith ceased speaking
Maj. E. 7. Sykes stepped forward and
delivered the unwilling speech. He
prefaced his remarks by saying that un-
der ordinary circumstances he would
not have come the long distance between
this point and his home to be present on
such an occasion, but when he consider
ed the fact that the generous man who
was the host of all present had come
over 5000 miles Of the stormy Atlantic
to pay this tribute of fraternal love and
of respect to that good old State, Mis-
sissippi, he would not hesitate. They
we're present to witness the unwilling of
the monument in honor of Col. Robert
A. Smith. The speaker had known that
hero, and he paid him this tribute, not
alone as an officer in his command, but
as friend. Col. Smith, he said, was
born in 1856, at Edinburg, Scotland,
and was the youngest of FIVE sons and
daughters of James and Anna Smith.
His father, hale and hearty, though
ninety-six years old, is still living. At
fourteen years of age Col. Smith came
to this country and settled in Mississippi,
where he had been preceded by his
elder brother, who raised this monolith
to his memory, and sister. He imme'
| diately became associated with his
brother in the latter's prosperous drug
business, and few years found him at
its head, Mr.. James Smith having re-
turned to Scotland.
At the breaking out of the civil war,
Robert entered the ranks as Captain of
the Mississippi Rifles, a company raised
from his fellow-citizens at Jackson.
Their first duty was to escort the newly
elected President of the Confederate
States TO the capital, then at Montgom-
cry They afterwards proceeded to Pen
sacola, where they became Company D.
of the Tenth Mississippi Regiment. Col.
Philips, the commander, died later on,
and Capt. Smith, already recognized as
the best drill-master and disciplinarian
in the brigade, was unanimously elected
| to that position. At his first opportu-
nifty, at Shiloh, he showed the knightly
spirit that was in him. Amid the roar
of artillery and the rafting of the mus
kerry this born soldier seemed to acquire
new life, and was conspicuous for his
gallantry and the skillful holding of his
troops. Thus he won his spurs and the
esteem alike of his troops and superior
officers. Such was the feeling inspired
that it was believed that had there been
vacancy for Mississippian he would
have been made Brigadier-G General.
The speaker then read a touching
tribute which had been paid to his MEM
DRY by Gen. Bragg. A brief sketch of
the battle in which Col. Smith lost his
life followed, and the rashness of Gen.
Chalmers in sacrificing his men without
orders from Gen. Bragg and without
cause, was referred to. The surrender
which took place two days later was de-
scribed, and then glowing tribute was
paid to the gallant man and devoted
brother who had come SO far to erect
this last memorial to the memory of the
dead hero, so dear to him, and of the
unnamed but honored dead who fell
with him. In the beautiful cemetery in
Jackson, Miss, the bones of Col. Smith
rested and there monument was erect
ed to his memory, as was another at
Edinburg, Scotland, and the third they
had all assembled to dedicate.
The speaker went on to say that his
loss was the severest blow that Mississip-
pi received in the Kentucky campaign,
He was a hero like many others who
survived, but there was something more,
and higher and greater in his character
than that of his associates.
All deploled his death, and all sympa-
thized with his generous hearted broth
er. The latter had not been unmindful
of the State of his adoption and had
given permission to have inferred in the
lot the bones of those members of the
regiments who had been in
tered ia the field.
The speaker had introduced a resolu- |
ton in the State Senate, and $500 had |
been appropriated for this work in which |
they had been most kindly assisted by |
Mr.. A. L. Woodson, who owned the
on which the battle was fought |
The labor of love had at last been ended, |
and now all had assembled to witness
and assist in the browning act. With |
the aid of the neice of the dead hero
and The daughter of his brother he
unvail the monument destined |
~ reflect imperishabfe honor upon Mis-
;issippi and those of her sons who had
,allen in fighting her battles.
When the speaker had concluded the
7ast congregation repaired to the monu-
nent. The inscription was covered with
| white vail, which was removed by
Miss Smith and Major Sykes. 1t stated
hat 420 west and ninety poles distant
vas the spot where Col Robt. A. Smith,
# the Tenth Mississippi Regiment. was
1862.
Col, White followed the unwilling
With the reading of a highly compli-
nentary set of resolutions which had
'een passed by Col. Smiths war COM
AIDES in honor of Mr.. James Smith.
He was followed in brief but elo-
nent address by Mr.. Alexander Watt. ,
distinguished solicitor Of Glasgow, who 4
poke as follows; IL
REMARKS BY Mr.. WATT.
l have been deputed by my friend Mr.. a
ames Smith, under whose auspices |
aye come from old Scotland to take
art in this most touching ceremony, t Il
nder to Mr.. Woodson, on his behalf
Id On behalf of his family and friends
Ieir warmest thanks for the great in 3 9
rest and trouble he has taken in con-, r
sction with the proceedings of to-day. I
AN readily believe from Mr.. Woodson's +,
sympathy With the cause and =,
It'll the occasion of our gathering, that q
looks for no return; hut we feel that ty
could not separate without recording 70
the strongest terms our appreciation al
his noble and generous conduct. And m
lille on my feet will you allow me to Sc
press how profoundly impressed have
en- with to-day's proceedings; for | tn
d the honor of Col. Robert A. Smiths SCI
quaintance, and little did think when an
It he was in Scotland, and VIC wandered m'
lidst the western highlands Of nv an
tive land and climbed the hills TO- oil
Their, that was never to see him in no
; flesh again; that my first visit to va
> great country should be pilgrimage e,
the scenes of his early death, But a IN
it was ordained to be. whom the AZ,
ds love die young And, as often ~
les in the past have shared in the n
5 and pleasures of my dear friend. ali
James Smith, so now am thankful ov.
have the privilege of standing BY bis dei
2 on this-to him and to many of us ]
aaFed spot, and from our common out
IF derive closer bond. dis
~ friends, I feel that this & scarcely in
ting occasion to speak at length of the
terrible struggle which for a while his
t this great continent. The war has sta
ed, the strife has ceased, the result per
been accepted, and all that we can der