Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-05-24

c the artillery fire inont and on both tanks terrible
that by the time these devoted troops got within musket
rang their numbers had greatly deere: SD
Aremendous cannonadc preceded this movement which
exhausted the ammunition Of the Confederaies fact which
Cen Lee he did not know when the assault took place
The Fecrals replied for time but dyinng the hrc the
artillery the prelude infantry charge wisely ceased
firing and Oh further shots for the attacking column
The troops ordered forward and the steepped
lines began their march over the plain OF death and
down the slope and how magncently and with what
and wondered This small force was charging too into the
Jaws of peath" and into the '.mouth Of hell" Round
shot and she'll shot and canister raned upon them
the whole line OF Cemetery dge burst into fiery flame.
continue their wild charge Hancocks corps is in their
'front.' Meades headquarters just behind his position.
pierced but so could it be held Standards Vernon
tiers are now pouring CALLING fire into the right line held
which manned the wall in front rolled up and rolled
away by the impetus Of the fierce attack Brave old Arm
the point Of sword that amid the dense smoke his hat
might follow him the men followed the white plume
Of Navarro so many has leaped the wall and IS in
among the guns and gunners OF Cushng battery. There
this brave hero is killed and Gushing falls almost simuta
neously by his side Gallant Ganrtt is killed. while
ageou Kempcr severely wounded and suffers to-day from
the wound Men OF five bgades have broken through the first
Federal line and hurting themselves the second Alas
three Sides for Hancock and Gibbons rushing up fresh
troops The death storm swept them and all is lost
save honor This too was grand and glorious proof OF
human valor This too magnificent but vas this too
war; What good could Leondas expect by the sacrifice OF
his band of heroes and why should Napoleon grow desper
Why Lord Lucan did you misunderstood your orders and
plunge six hundred in the valley of death and why
this small force thousand yards away from
their comrades and friends, and supporfs Where was
McIaws' division and where Hoods headed by his
plies trusted staff officer who told him the assault, was
made he intended, by saying Il know it, knowit
of Washington and Lee University, Had had Stonewal
Jackson at Gettysburg, would have won great victory
Oh military cri tics the Confederate commander did
lose his head that equpoise which SO characterized
him His plans well conceived, the execution detective
And only remains for accept in behalf OF the
soldiers ofhe Southern army of the genius Of
Elder supplemented by the skill of Buber Mayit
stand lasting estaon that they deserved the words
of their commander inscribed the face Of lis pedestal
They died in the consciousness of duty faithfully per-
formed
Alexandria will guard this statue with sacred care. |
know voice the sentiment Of her people whenever they
visit the graves of their dead soldiers, when say with the
poet:
Rest on embalmsd and santei dead
Dear the blood We gave,
No impious footsteps here shall TT eai
The herbiage your grave.
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While fame her record keeps,
And honor points the h,owed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps
Yon figure OF bronze on voiceful stone
In deathless song shall tell,
When many vanishing year has flown
The story how he fell.
Nor wreck norchange, winters big t,
Nor times remorseless doom
Shall dim ray Of holy light
That gilds your glorious tomb.
When Gov. Lee concluded his sp, ech calls were
made for Cen. j. F. Johnston. Gen. Johnston
responded in few words, saying he only wish ed
to tell his hearers that he was the friend of the
{ 80 men in war in whom the people of AleXsn.
dria were most interes ted-Gen Robert f. Les
and his brother, Capt. s. 6. Lee, the Governors
father.
At the conclusion of General Johnston's
marks b"nedic,ion was pronounced by Rev.
Ki.loch Nelson and the assembsge dispersed
After the ceremonies the speakers and distin-
guished visitors were escorted to TIE Braddock
House where handsome banquet had provided by
| Lee Camp.
The citizens committee took charge of the visit
ing organizations and escorted them to the City
Hall where bcuntiful banquet was spread.