Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-09-04
The Two Manassas.
A MONUMENT ERECTED To THE HEROES
WHO FELL,
Compiled from the reports of the Bait. Sun an
Rich. DiSpatch.l

WHO FELL.
Compiled from the reports of the Bait. Sun ant
Rich. Dispatch.l
MANASSAS, VA, Aug. 30.-People from
all over Northern Virginia hocked here to
| day TO witness the dedication of a monu
ment to the memory of those who risket
and lost their lives in defense of the South
ern cause in the two memorable conflicts
on the plains of Manassas. Every event Of
the day was full of historic significance
The voices which did reverent tribute tC
the deeds of the men above whose remain.
the monument rises were in several cases
the same as those which once shouted the
loud command upon the neighboring PLAINS
A son of the Confederate chieftain was
among the speakers, and the orator of the
occasion was Senator John w. Daniel,
whose crutch and hating gait told of the
gallant sacrifice he had made for the fallen
republic. Never did brighter day grace
public ceremonial. The sun smiled down
upon the throng from early morning, and
although its beams were little hot they
were no fiercer than those which fell upon
the warning armies near Bull Run. The
earth upon which the monument stands
has been pressed alike by the feet of blue.
coated "yank" and green. coated "Confed,' -
and five miles distant from it is the battle
field of Manassas. The town itself, which
was scarcely more than railroad depot
and few stores before the war, was the
prize of one of Jackson's most daring raids,
and many people now live in it to whom the
features of Lees great lieutenant were
familiar in life.
The attendance was large considering
the county is thinly populated.
The exercises of the dedication began a
little after one O'Clock. Facing the monu-
ment on the east was gaily decorated
stand. Bunting and flags f0ated from it at
every point, but not sign OF Confederate
banner was to be seen on the ground. The
''stars and stripes" were visible from every
angle, and small national flags futtered
proudly from each of the four corners of
the shaft. Of to the west rose the blue
outlines Of the Bull Run mountain, and tall
golden rods waved in the grass round
about. Upoa the stand were seated in
addition to the speakers, members of the
Ladies' Memorial Association of Manassas,
through whose efforts the shaft was built:
representatives of r. E. Lee Camp, No 8,
Confederate Veterans, of Alexandria, Va.
under command of Capt VIM. II. Smoot.
Gen. M. d. Corse and Mr.. Frank Hume, of
Alexandria. and Col. Catlett Gibson, of
Culpeper.
The Stonewall Brigade Band, of Staun
ton, which furnished music for tho Jack.
sons foot cavalry when they were on the
march, played the opening overture. TWEEN.
ty- eight members of the band were present
among whom were ]. A. Armentrout, Chas
E. Haines and R. A. Hamilton, who be.
longed to the original number. One of the
selections they gave was "Dixie" and the
crowd could scarcely contain itself while
the inspiring notes filed the air.
Rev. Richard T. Davis, of ST. James P.
E. Church, Leesburg, delivered the opening
speech, and Mr.. J. B. T. Thornton intro
duced the speakers.
Hon. E. G. Meridlth, State Senator from
the Prince William district handed over
the monument on behalf of the Ladies'
Association. Following is brief of his re-
marks.
SIT is a pleasing duty to present this
monument on the very fields once ploughed
by shot and shell and Redeemed with the
blood of heroes. l now, in the clear sum
light of history and with due regard to nv
duties as a citizen Of this nation, say that
they died for cause they knew to be right.
Their deeds have caused Virginia to be
come the Niobe of the world. While sue
cess might have made them patriots, defeat
has made them rebels. May this monu.
ment, which has for years been the unceas.
ing solicitdde of the ladies, now become
your constant care"
To this address. Hon. John W, Daniel
responded. The theme of the Grafton was:
First, the real cause of the war between the
States; secondly, the characteristics of the
military leaders on the Confederate side:
and thirdly, the sublims and superior atti
tude in the history of the Confederate priv
ate. Senator Daniel was the aide to Jubal
Early, and lost a leg at the Second Manass-
as. He insisted to day that the North mis-
conceived the motives of the South in
bringing on the war. The northern idea
that the southern politicians and leaders
fired the southern heart and precipitated
the war he discarded and secuted. 1t was
the Abolitlonists, the fear that abolition
doctrines would imperil the safety of per.
son and property and subvert the social pyr-
amid aud place it on its apex, that united
the South in resistance to what it conceiy-
ed to be the aggression of the North.
He enumerated the Confederate chief
tains and complimented them, but before
and above them and above all the heroes of
history he put the Confederate private.
Without commission to tickle his pride,
without command to engage his attention,
without pay to fill his purse, without prov
isions in his haversack, but with loyal
heart and bright musket he bounded for.
ward in the line of duty and patriotic en-.
deavor. The highest example we have
from our commanders is from Jackson and
Lee. The one when wounded displayed a
serene resignation to the Divine will. The
al 1al l. A.
ordeal of self abncgation and self denial in
the years that were allotted him after the
war. Let US, said the,speaker in moving
oratoTy, emulate these subj me models.
The example set US by Gen. Lee, said he,
is that of resignation to the Divine will.
But greater zeal is t. need of the private
soldier. His pagnanimity is fifty typifed
in the monument recently erected to the
Confederate dead at Alexandria. 1t is the
figure of Confederate soldier resigned to
his inevitable fate, with folded arms and
downcast look and saying in his attitude as
intelligibly as in words, "'Thy will be
DONE"
After Senator Daniel was through Gen.
eral w. ii. f. Lee, congressman from this
district, was called on. He made a brief,
appropriate speech. 1t was the remark of
many that he is getting more and more like
his illustrious father, the chieftain of the
Confederate cause.
Gen. VIM. Payne, the first captain of the
famous "Black. House Cavalry" responded
most happily to clamorous calls from the
vast audience.
This day will be memorable in the annals
of the Confederate soldiers in all this re-
gion. They will hand down the tradition
of it to their children and their children's
children.
W.L.OLIVIER