Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-07
JUBAL At WINCHESTER.
Ills synopsis or Sheridan's Ride
Through the valley.

| 10y Telegraph 70 lnc Dlsphtcu.l
WINCHESTER, VA, June G.-The graves OF
! 500 veterans in the StonewiH cemetery
1 we're decorated this afternoon in the pres
ence OF 10000 people. General Jubal a.
Early, the orator OF the day, WAS introduced
By Ex-Governor Holiday in an eloquent
speech. General Early, in opening his adj
! dress. said
when last saw Winchester. which was
| the lheatre % so many stirring events. It was
amid the din OF battle, ACCOMPANIED with
| tie roar Of artillery and the fash OF
musbetTy. AFTER q desperate and most
unequal struggle, which lasted from day-
| break tin the dusk OF the evening,
my command was compelled 10 retire on
| that occasion before an overwhelming force
OF the enemy, which numbered nearly II not
| quite 30, Og0 men. OF whom more than 10000
were cavalry, superbly armed and equipped,
| while my entire force of all arms did not eX-
ceed $4,000 or 1900 at the iarthest. BY
command retired lighting. and all stores and
wounded, with the exception OF those whose
condition prevented their remoysl and some
who were on the field OF battle, were safely
carried 10 the rear, IS was my artillery with
the exception Of three pieces from which the
| horses had been killed, rendering il imprscti-
cable to carry them Of. II is for the purpose
|
brave men who fell on that occasion. as well
as on other occasions, especially under the
lead OF Stopewal Jackson, that you are here
assembled and that have come to unite
With YOU with all my heart. There is one
thing which must strike with great force the
| impartial student OF history who may read
the accounts OF the different battles and
campaigns Of the war written from Federal
or Union slandpOlnts, and that Is the Won
| derful capacity the Confederate soldier
had Of multiplying himself on the field
| Of battle. According 10 many Of these
| accounts there was scarcely battle or cam
paign in which the COniederates did not
| oulnumber the Union soldiers" After giving
G description OF the battle Of Cedar Greek
the General said: You will perceive that
| Sheridan made his famous poetic ride
"twenty miles away" over distance of
about ten miles, and that II took hin from
early in the morning untl about noon to
make It. lie then contratcted the person.
nj memoir Of General Grant and the Army
and Navy Journal in reference to
these battles, sdying these will give
some idea OF how our adyersaries
yindicate the truth Of history, and IL will
also show that our men had the faculty OF
multiplying themselves not only on the
| field out also after they were killed, wound
| ed, or captured. In speaking OF the deyas-
talon OF the Valley $50 that crow flying
over II would be forced TO carry rstiOns."
| the General said Sheridan was placed in
command OF the army that had been organ
| ized for the campaign IN the Valley on the
9th day OF August. and the orders previously
| given TO Hunter were turned over 10 him
| for his guidance. IL will be seen from the
directions OF Halleck that the devastation
OF this beautiful Valley was due rather
to the "magnanimity" OF Grant than to
the barbsrty Of Sheridan. The men whose
bodies now lie In this cemetery gave their
| lives for what they not only believed to be,
but what insist was just and righteous
cause. That cause was lost, but that did not
prove that II was wreng. The history OF
lie world abounas with instances IN which
might has proved more powerful than right.
The fact, therefore, that the cause for
which these brave men gave their lives
failed OF success that we have accepted the
result with a defamation 10 abide the issue
rs a iiual settlement OF the questions which
led TO the conflict, does not justify those
time-ssryers who pretend 10 have discovered
that they were on the wrong side OF the
contest, either from want OF manly courage
or from some sinister motive OF selt-tnterest.
As / have said GA former occasion. "f
ever repudiate, Gisown, or apollo
gize for the cause for which Lee
fought and Jackson died may the lightning
OF Heaven blast me and the scorn OF all
good women and true men be my portion.
Again say that the Confederate who has
deserted since the war Is infinitely worse
than one who deserted during the war, for
the former has gone over to the enemy at no
personal risk to himself aud simply from
motives OF gain. while the latter took his
life In bis hands, knowing that be would be
shot II captured, and in a number OF cases
he was tempted TO leave the service TO go TO
the assistance Of his family, which he was
induced 10 believe was starving at home"
The General closed by paying high tribute
10 the ladies' OF Virginia aud the South.