Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-13
P. G. T. BEAUREGARD
THE HERO'S SWORD RE
CEIVED.
HOnOrs to the Memory OF the
Defender of South Caro-
llna's Metropolis.
fBr t0Insrnnh 70 tho pi.n,tcn.l

several representatives of other States.
II was not the exultation of victory, but
memorial or tribute OF the people to
men who had come to their aid when
their needs were sorest.
Heretofore the anniversary OF the
surrender of Fort Sumter has not 10 n
observed in Charleston except by the
annual meeting of the Confederate sur
yiyors Of this county, who read few
memorials in honor of their members
deceased during the preceding year,
passed the ordinary resolutions of re-
greet, talked their battles over for two
hours, and perhaps, in view of their de-
pleted ranks, drank toast to those that
would pass away before another meeting.
THE SWORD OF BEAURTGABp.
To-day the Confederate survivors of
Charleston held their second meeting
since the war; the first being O memo
rial service to Jefferson Davis. To-day
the wives and sisters, children and
grandchildren of Confederate soldiers
took their places in procession to the
Grand Opera House, following the Con-
federate veterans bearing the sword Of
Beauregard, and crowded that edifico to
its utmost capacity, hundreds failing to
obtain admittance.
II was scene and an occasion that
will not soon be forgotten There was
not a suggestion Of regret over the fail
ure Of tho Confederacy, not breath OF
disloyalty TO the flag against which they
fought, and which floatcd as they spoke
to-day, but tribute to General Beaure-
gard whose death they had assembled
10 deplorc. They made no apologies for
his course or that of their dead com
rades in what they still believe 10 he the
greatest struggle in the worlds history
for constitutional liberty.
GIFT OF THE SWORD.
As soon rs the announcement Of
Beauregard's death WAS received it was
determined to make this ordinary, I'M
eventful and unobserved anniversary OF
the attack Oh Fort Sumter. in which he
bore a most conspicuous part. the occa-
sion Of memorial services TO his memory.
This was the intention of the COnfede-
rate survivors, but when the will of the
great soldier and engineer was opened
and 1T was found that be had left his
sword to the city of Charleston the en-
thusiasm of the people knew no bounds.
The scope Of the celebration was Ell
larged aud the result was the outpouring
OF people to-day.
TIE SWORD RECEIVED.
The City Council sent committee OF
distinguished citizens to New Orleans
two weeks ago to receive the sword Of
Beauregard. They returned and de-
livered the sword into the custody Of the
city with appropriate ceremonies. To-
day the sword was brought from its place
in the City Hall to the memorial meet
ing at the Grand Opera House by ex-
Mayor Courtenay, General L. A. HUI
guenin, the last commander OF Fort
Sumter Major John Johnston, engineer
and historian, and Major O. s. Gadsden,
who composed the committee which
brought the sword from New Orleans.
The guard of honor TO this committee
consisted Of the City Council, the vete-
rams of the Confederacy in this city, and
the color-guards of every white military
organization in Charleston, with their
flags draped and preceded by a band
playing martial music.
THE ENTHUSIASM INTENSE.
As the procession entered the already
crowded Opera-House, General Eugue-
min bearing Beauregard's sword, the en-
thusiasm rose TO the highest intensity.
Men, women. and children rose to their
feet and cheered. Sober men grew
wild, and probably Charleston testified
as she never will again in human emo
ton her reverence for the past and her
love and admiration for her defender.
The flags borne by the color-guards
were the company colors, the Stars and
Stripes, and the company flag OF the
Marion Artillery, which is claimed to
have been the first flag fired at by
United States troops during the war.
The Opera House had been elabo-
rately draped from pit to dome with the
flags of all nations and the stage was at
once an armory and garden, consist
ing of stacks of arms and flags, palmet.
to-trees. banks Of roses, and festoons Of
moss and ivy.
FAMOUS REGIMENTS.
Attached TO the flies above the stage
and arranged 80 "a to fall away IN regu-
lar tiers before the audience were broad
bands Of white cloth, each being In
scribed with the name Of famous regl-
ments of which Beaurogard was leader.
Fort Sumter" MANASSAS, "Shi-
loh." and Petersburg, in the order
named. formed the subject OF special
addresses during the day.
At the corners of the stage were placed
two famous bullet-holed, ragged, and
torn battle-hags from Fort Sumter-on
the left, that owned by tho Sumter
Guards, and on the right that owned by
the Washington Light Infantry. Each
was under glass in massive frame sur
mounted by garlands of ivy and roses.
There were various other Confederate
colors. including the headquarters flag
once used by Beauregard himself.
"oLD GLORY CONSPICUOUS.
A banner bearing the legend "Fort
Sumter was hanked on one side by
gorgeous United States flag and on
the other by the Stars aud Bars. The
dressing OF the stage was the artistic
work of Major Edward Willis, formerly
OF Beauregard's stat.
On the stage, with hundreds Of dis
tinguished survivors, were Colonel Alex
ander Robert Chisholm, Of New York,
and ID. r.. G.. Brodie, who also belonged
to Beauregards military family.
The exercises were opened with prayer
by Rev. c. f. Chichester, the distln-
guished Confederate artillerYist.
BEAUREGARD AT MANASSAS.
In the absence of General Wade
Hampton, who was detained by i'll
health in Washington, Alexander Robert
Chisholm, of Beauregard's staff, de-
livered the opening address on Beau
regard at Manassas" which was re-
ceived with great enthusiasm by his old
comrades. +. i. Parker read striking
paper on General Beauregard's Opera
lions in the West" prepared by Mrs.
sallie Rhett Roman, Of New Orleans,
the widow of Besuregard's biographer.
DEFENCE OF CHARLESTON HABBoR.
Major John johnson spoke eloquently
on 1.-THE Defence of Charleston Har-
Dor, and General johnson Hagood, one