Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-22
9n 3alrutnrjant.
RICHARD ALEXANDER WAYNE

RICHARD ALEXANDER WAYNE.
This gallant soldier and true gentleman de-
parted this life on Oct. IA last, and his remains
rest in the family burial place at our beaRtlfui
Laurel Grove Cemetery to quietly await that
great day when the grave shall give up it,
dead and an account be called fOr the deeds
done in the flesh. He was not unaware ef
the near approach of the end of his earthly
career, and was not afraid to die. He never
knew any such feeling as fear, and had often
expressed to the writer his conviction o. a
life hereafter, and the relief which death
brings to the weary. But 10 is not of his true
friendship; of his devotion to the
interests IF those he esteemed and respected
as his friends-fOr he stood ready at all times
TO stand by them at the peril Of his life and
liberty (and those who shared his confidence
know the import of this statementlJ-that 1t
Is intended here to speak. IL is of those
qualities as a soldier and man which fitted
him for high position, and which ne fully ex-
empll1cd on many an occasion IN the per-
fOrmance Of duty curing the struggle OF the
State of Georgia and her sister South
ern States for the m 8intenance OF constitution
al State rights, that honorable mention shsll
here be endurlngly made. In the incipiency
of that grand contest, on Feb. Z. 1861, he was
commissioned by the Governor of Georges
Captain of the Second Regiment OF Georgia
Infantry, until, in the language of the COM
mission. revoked whenever a government
shall be established by the Southern States to
which Georgia may accede." On Oct. 3, 1862,
he was promoted Major of the First Georgia
Regiment, T.. M" in the provisional army in
the service of the Confederate States; then,
on Sept. 3, 1864, Lieutenant Colonel, and
then to rank from that same date as
full Colonel, by general order of Gen.
Joseph Z. Johnston, which was afterwards
confirmed by com mission from President JEFF
fersOn Davis. He was in command Of his
regiment in many q hard fought battle and
glorious victory until the close of the war,
and at the surrender found himself unable to
part with the cOlOrs of his command. These
he carefully concealed upon his person and
retained during life. and they are now IN the
sacred keeping Of the Georgia Historical So
ciety with letter from COL. WAYNE, which
breathes his undylng devotion to that ever
living cause to which he freely gave the best
years OF his lIf-. He says as
mementO OF our gallant though lost strug-
gle: y teg leave TO ask your care
OF these c0lOrs-embems Of Southern deyO-
ton to Southern rights-whose folds were
only furled at the last moment, under the In
eXOrable decree Of fate, at, to us SOutherners,
the glorious surrender ut AppomattOX, where
our cause was lost but our honor preserved"
There Is 4 grandeur, a nobility of thought
and action, through poverty, sickness and
death, which sustains uDfalterlng loyalty to
Truth and Honor. Who can doubt its exist
ence here?
Col. WAYNE and his command took an ac-
tive part in the Virginia cam paiSns. and in the
historical battles OF Fredericksburg, Malvern
Hill, Savage Station, Peach Orchard, B0ones-
bOrO Gap, Manassas, Thoroughfare Gap, Rap
pahannOck, Sharpsburg, Dam No. l, Chantilly,
and Sharpsburg; in Florida, at OlUstee in the
defense of Savannah, Ga; at Cheraw. ). o.,
and Johns Island 5. c., where Col. WAYNE
drove back the enemy and performed feats OF
personal valOr which viii ever live in the
memory Of his comrades, and prevented
Judgment which would have imperiled the
position OF the Confederate army; and at the
battle OF AverysborO. which Immediately pre-
ceded Gen. Johnston's skillful attack at Ben
louisville, where he also participated. All
these names are emblazoned by blood
and shot aud shell upon the
battle scared colors of the First Georgia
Regulars, which was the name by which his
regiment was distinguished, and constitute
relict of heroic endeavOr and bravery by
which future generations would DO we'll 10 he
guided. It is we'll. perhaps, that republics
Should be ungr4tefGi that republican, institu-
tons may flourish. But lei Us not forget the
valuable services Of those who in Time OF sore
need and trial served their country faithfully.
We can and should at least do justice to the
memory OF those who deservedly lived and
deYOtedly died true to themselves. 70 honor
and to country. j.