Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-30

occupied with credit and with honor. In
conclusion. he said, he took pleasure in
presenting Judge b. W. Lacy.
~.
PRESENTED BY JUDGE LACY.
He Pays n Tribute to His Old Commander
and Introduces General Lee.
Judge Lacy met with splendid recep-
tion from the audience. He said:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men, Comrades OF Wickham's Brigade
and OF the Army of Northern Virginia, -
Once more, surviving soldiers Of the
Southland, we are reunited to rekindle
the fires OF memory and by their light
behold again the noble deeds, the heroic
life OF departed chieftain.
The silent image soon 10 he unveiled
will speak Of form familiar to US amid
the stormiest scenes and beneath peace
full skies as well.
When few short years ago we
came bringing the scars OF battle and
the scars of years with the homage OF
oil our hearts TO lay the first stone OF
the noble pile On which the statue Of
General Lee should one day stand, as it
does stand to-day the admiration OF all
brave men and of all the fair women OF our
land, at the head of the moving column OF
this veteran cavalry Of the South assem-
bled in Richmond on that day, chosen
by his old soldiers, General WIckham,
our old brigade commander, rode upon
his snow-white stoed, and led all that
was left of his legions to the shrine Of
Lee. Chosen TO lead them by the sur
vivors of the cavalry corps which have
proudly followed that unmatched troop
er, General j. E. Il. Stuart, whose float
ing plume was flag which ever shone
in the path of glory. And chosen douot-
less. in part because when the heroic
Stuart fell on that bloody field Just
outside the gates of this beleagured city,
in whose defence he bravely fought
against tremendous odds, close beside
him, sword in hand, sternly confronting
his coming foes WAS the well-remem-
oered form of General Williams Carter
Wickham and he, of all the great cap
tains Of horse, was chosen to lead us IN
our reverential march to the shrine OF
him who was first in all our hearts.
We thought then OF loved comrades
fallen on the field Of battle long before,
and looked with sadness on many gap
that time had male In our depleted
ranks as the years had passed, and pom
dercd it, may be, amid our reunions
on the speedy changes the near future
must make in our diminished numbers.
HIS GOOD GRAY HEAD.
But none OF us thought rs we
looked upon the martial form of our
honored leader as he rode through the
wintry rain which beat with cutting
edge upon his "good gray head that
we looked for the last time upon hm
we had known 50 long and well.
So it was, however. When the sacred
work of that day was done he babe u
farewell ia " few kindly 's0rde, md VII.
God-speed for our future We dismissed
the line, and We parted to our accus-
toned paths. Shortly after lie died as
he fought the battle of life, rs soldier
dies. with his armour on, and he sleeps
now in the bosom of his mother, Vlr-
rinia, in whose service in peace and ID
war all the years of bis life were spent
In war. within the long shadows which
stretch from the spires OF the historic
city Of Williamsburg and on the summit
Of her blue mountains his blood flowed
across the path of her invader. Enter
ing the military service OF the land OF
his birth rs the captain OF that famous
band of dashing cavalry from the homo
of Patrick Henry and of Henry Clay,
the renowned Hanover troop of horse,
he drove it like a wedge into many
proud and cleaning hostile phalanX as
the colonel Of the glorious Fourth he
made it the pride OF his old brigade ;
and when as brigadier-general he mar
shalled the brigade for action 1t was with
full ranks, ardent soldiers, well mounted,
and well equipped to do the deeds that
have placed it high on the roll OF lame
HE sCoRSRD DELIGHTS.
In peace in Virginia's service and for
her glory he "scorned delights and
lived laborious days." and when the
last summons came he filled "a place
among his countrymen SO large that ne
was second to none.
Since his death loving hearts ana
loving hands have been at work, and
wonder statue enthroned on marble
monument in public square attests the
love and reverence which embalms his
name. and in accord with this are the
thousand patriot tongues that sound his
name with loud acclaim, and when IN
coming time all these tongues are silent
and these throbbing hearts grown cold
sholl beat no more, that majestic form IN
imperishable bronze shall still speak to
Virginians Of their illus,rlous country
man. go
OF him and OF his life and character
and public services a distinguished Nir-
pinian has been fifty selected and com
missioned to speak to you on this memo
rial occasion. His kinsman, his prede,,
cessor as our brigade commander, ana
the successor as such OF the lamented
Stuart. he will do it worthily and well;
have the honor to introduce as tue
orator of the day one already known 10
Won and known TO fame, General fltz-
oHIraaa