The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-18
A HERO'SSACRED SWORD
GENERAL BEAUREGIRD'S DYING
WISH COMPLIED WITH.
The Dead Soldiers Sword Presented to the
City by the ses-His Little Grandson
Makes the Presentation Speech.

! first drew his sword In the service or
the Confederacy. and it was the first
sword drawn and dedicated to the glory
| OF the Confederate armies. Hereafter
It will be kept as a sacred relic in the
City by the Sea, sacred to the memory Of
the gallant leader. sacred as a record Of a
history from which all bitterness has
been blotted out and in which only the
chronicles OF brave deeds are kept as a
common heritage
The city OF Charleston detailed as a
committee to convey the trusted blade
to it's restng-pace the following gentle
men:
Ex-Mayor William A. Courtenay Alder
man c. $. Gadson, Rev. John Johnson
and General T. A. Hugenin.
These old soldiers arrived yesterday
afternoon over the Louisville and Nash
VILE road In a private car They were
met by General John NJ Glynn, General
Charles f. Harris, General w l.. Cabell,
| Adiutant e. l. Kurshott and Captain
William Laughlin and General Porcher
Miles. Soon after o'clock carriages
were brought TO the ladies' entrance Of
the hotel. and a few minutes later the
old soldiers We're on their way TO the resi-
dence Of the gallant leader.
Alderman GadsOn brought with him his
wife, daughter and niece. who accOmpa-
MED the committee to the residence. Cen
eral Cabel and General Porcher Miles.
who came TO the city TO be present at the
presentation, acted as an escort, and were
driven 10 the residence with the commit
tee. A delegation Of the local Confederate
camps arrived at the residence before the
visitors, and together with Judge Rene
Ilaprf arl lion, .anfpa-
mittee. Mayor Fitzpatrick was also
among the assembled soldiers.
The ceremonies were very short and
simple, but were beautiful In their sim
plicity. The guests stood in the brilliant
ly lighted parlor around "A small table.
on which lay the sword that had done so
much for the COnfederacy. and which
is to be kept and cared for by the brave.
generous people of Charleston. Judge
Beauregard. moving a little way from
the group Of gentlemen, said in a quiet
voice.
Gentlemen. will you step forward.
please Allow me to introduce my little
boy; he will deliver the address"
The handsome little lad stood by his
father and shook hands with the gray
haired men with that grace and ease for
which his race is noted. Having greeted
the many rersons in the room. the little
fellow stepped forward and i'm a clear.
sweet voice. delivered the brightly-polish
ed weapon TO it's new owners.
"Gentlemen,-H I'm my grandfather's
name, the family has conferred upon me
the honor of presenting to you. welcome
representatives of a chiValrOus race, the
sword bequeathed 10 the city Of Charles
ton. This sword is yours, keep It as
holy thing as a sacred memento of my
grandfather's admiration and love for
the heroism Of a heroic people"
Mr.. Courtenay who was standing at the
other end OF the room. came forward
and took the sword. which the little fell
low was holding out TO him. The effect
OF the lads words upon the men was so
great that IL was some time before Mr..
COurtenay could regain enough self-con-
troll TO reply.
In accepting the sword. ex-Mayor
Courtenay said that the delegation would
deliver II 20 its future custodian. the
city Of Charleston. where II would hence
forth have a place Of honor In the coun
ell chamber forever guarded by the
love and affection of community who
delighted 10 honor General Beauregard
living, and who were fervent in their
sorrow at his death. The forces which
raise men to ,.ie highest point were con
spicuous qualities in the dead commander,
Of whom it might be truly said he was
an honor 10 the race Of soldierly men.
Manassas. Charleston and Petersburg
we're indiss0lubly associated with General
Beaurecard's high achievement. The first
initiated a colossal struggle. which
through four years shook a continent.
The second revealed substantial achieve
ments I'm military engineering that de-
spite a daily sacrifice and trial for four
years, kept Charleston virgin 10 the
last. The third illustrated the highest
qualities OF a great commander, holding
tenaciously an extended line OF defence
with insufficient number against untold
odds. exploding mines and the worlds
resources in men and material At Pc
tersburg General Beauregard displayed
for months a quick perception Of din
cult and constantly shifting situation.
and used every art by which genius and
courage can make good the lack OF num-
bers and resources. II il such soldiers
sword that will be preserved Ia the city
by the Sea. IL is such memories that VIII
ever lie recalled by this symbol Of flash |
OF unfading glory.
as Mr. Courtenay finished a most elo-
quent address and handed 10 Mrs. Rene |
Beauregard the copy that had been pre- |
pared for the family a long silence pre- /
vailed. and many OF the old soldiers who |
had marched with the dead chief through |
the entire war were visibly affected. Mr.. |
COurtenay quickly took the sword from |
the table placed IL in the leather case |
and prepared to return 10 the hotel The |
guests did not remain long, but wished |
the family goodbye and went TO their
respective homes.
Among those present were: Judge Rene
Beauregard, wife and children Misses NJ.
Schiapella and r. r.. EnOs. Mr.. William.
Formonte, Mrs Aroman and daughter,
General Charles a. Harris Colonel Paul |
Conrad. General Leon Jastremske. j. II.
Cenas Charles j. Nellere, and the follow
ing delegates from the Confederate Nete-
rams Associations MajOr-General John
Glynn, Jr. General ;. B. Ninel, Captain
William Laughlin, Colonel b. r. Thelman
ana Captain Joseph Demoureile. Il
Mr.. Courtenay said the people Of
Charleston intended TO hold one Of the
grandest memorial meetings in honor OF
General Besuregard on the l2th OF April
that was ever held in the South. IL would
be thing that would go down TO history
and would be attended by all the Con-
federates OF South Carolina. At this meet
ing Ex-Governor Wade Hampton will
speak on the battle OF Manassas. Ex-
Governor HaygoOd will speak on the de-
fence Of Petersburg. and the Rev. John
will deliver an address on the
defense of Charleston harbor No ex- |
pense will be spared to make this memo |
rial meeting the grandest ever given |
Upon the arrival OF the committee In
Charleston a special meeting OF the city
council will be called, and the sword will
be turned over TO them. Here also ap-
,ropriate ceremonies will be held
The party will remain In the city until
tomorrow.