South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-09-09
THEINrKLLlcENCER
FRIDAY. SEPT. .. 1891.
Gen. ]. 4. NaIIsI
Addresses the Ex-Confederates o,
Hampshire County Mt Camp
Walker, Sept. 4. 1899.


COMRADES, LADIES AND GEN
TLEHEN:-It is with pleasure and
pride, / appear here to-day in obed
fence to the command Of my old
comrades in arms, to address them
on this interesting occasion.
1t is an honor / highly esteem,
and pleasure I most heartily en-
JOY to- meet once more after the
lapse OF quarter of century with
the brave men who fought by my
side IN tho war between the states.
But as look upon the forms and
faces once so familiar, l am forci.
bly, reminded OF the swift fight OF
time which in its passing has laid
its heavy hand upon us all.
no longer look upon beardless
boys, and young men In the morn
OF life, with elastic step, and buoy
art spirits; eager for the fray, and
shutting the battle from afar; but
upon gray beard el men, the battle
Scared veterans of many fields.
AS look around | am reminded
by their absence of many, ALL how
many! who answer no more to our
roll-csll, and who will never gather
again with Us around our camp
fires.
Many of these absent comrades
died bravely on the field of honor:
and mahy have since the war gone
to join the msjority, and have
'scrossed the river to rest under the
shade of the trees"
The good knights are dust,
Their swords are rust,
But their souls are with the saints we trust.
AS we meet here to. day nv COM
raids, memory recalls many stir
ring events of the war from Har-
per's Ferry to Appomattox. Once
more We feel the touch of the ell
bow, land the joyous thrill of battle.
once more We see the hurried
marcb; the picturesque bivouac;
the lonely picket post; the long
line OF skirmishers; and the serried
columns of infantry as they sweep
to the charge, We can hear the
loud peal of artillery; the sharp
crack OF the rifle; the roar of mus
kerry; and the shouts of victory.
And when the battle was lost and
won, when night put an end to the
strife:
when seutipsI stars set theis watch in the
sky,
And thousands sack down on the ground
overpowered
The weary 10 rest and the wounded to die"
we can hear again the sad cries and
groans OF the unfortunate ones as
they lay suffering and dying be-
tween hostile lines.
We can remember too how the
comrades of those suffering and dy-
ing soldiers would steal out under
the cover Of darkness to seek and
succor their friends, living and
dead; and the blue and the grey
would mingle in peace on this err
rand OF mercy, aiding and relieY-
ing alike both friend and foe.
We recall too mere pleasing
scenes and incidents. The camp
fire with its song and story; the ey-
er ready jest and practical joke;
rude theaters in which amateur ac-
tors played TO appreciative audi
enccs. The religious services, held
in churches, built of logs in winter.
and in shady groves in summer;
and sometimes as We lay in line of
battle with the roar Of artillery for
music instead OF the peal OF the or
gan. This is no fancy sketch, and
faithful chaplains often held their
Sunday. services while their war
like congregations lay upon their
arms in line of battle; and many an
eloquent, earnest eermon was
brought to sudden close by the
order to advance to the attack, or
by the charge Of the enemy.
An incident in the personal ex-
perience Of some present will Illus
trate this.
In August, 1862 when StonewalI
Jackson began his famous march to
the rear Ct Pope's army, he march
ed up the right bank Of the Kappa
hammock River and on Friday after
noon reached Warrenton Springs.
As the enemy had no troops on the
bank it was decided to
CROSS the river at that point and
Early's brigade being in advance
waded the shallow stream and BIZ
on the left bank Of the
stream, The only Confederate troops
on that side of the river.
During the night it rained in
torrsnts, and by day light the lit
tie river was a raging angry stream,
past fording for men or hores.
The enemy had notice Of the fact |
that jackson had begun to cross
The evening before and early Satur- |
day morning began moving large /
bodies Of troops up the river to
confront his adversary. This SIN
gle Confederate brigade thus cut off |
from all hope OF retreat or rein !
iorcement seemed certain Of cap
sure, before noon Of SATURDAY..
But q small creek which united |
It's waters with the river. just be- !
low karly's position and between
his troops and the advancing col
amns Of Pope, was also swollen 6y
Tho rain, rendered impossible for