Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-08
SUNDAY. ........... APRIL s, 1879
The Man in the Gray Jacket.


The bronze figure which is 10 sur
Libby Hi marshall Park is not an
ideallzation but a portrait from life. II
is the Confederate infantryman as he APP
peared in line. as he toilcd on the march,
as he dropped 10 sleep in his bivouac,
and as h. rushed up to the mouths Of the
enemys flaming guns.
OF such were the forces Of Lee and
Johnson; Of such material was made that
living wall which for four years inter
posed its bayonets between Richmond and
its besiegcrs. These young men came
hero from every city and county Of this
State. and from all the South. There was
no great uniformity in company -dress-we
had TO use such goods as We had-and not
even the gray prevailed in every regiment,
but gray was tho regulation color.
Our privates and non-commissioned Off
GERS generally w6re gray Jackets, whereas
their opponents wore blue blouses; hence
the blue and the gray"
II Vas the right and proper thing. Of
coufse, that the infantryman should have
be9h taken as the model for the Private
Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The In
fEntry was the most numerous branch Of
|fhe army and it was the arm upon which
fell the scvcrest strain Of the service.
Whether on the march or in the front
Of battle tho infantry GOT their full share
OF danger and discomfort In those days
applications for transfers from the in
fantry to the other branches Of the SER
vice were very numerous; whereas but
few cayalymen or artillerymcn or sailors
asked TO he transferred TO infantry COM
mauds. This tolls the story as 10 which
branch OF service was considered the least
desirable.
The Confederate army so greatly outnum.
bercd tlc navy, our people are apt to over'
look the fact that from the 18th day Of May.
1862. Cw'hcn the enemy attacked Drcwry's
Bluff 10 the day Of the evacuation, when
our men blew Up their ironclads in James
river and started afoot TO join General
Lee at Appomattox Courthouse. there was
q very considerable naval force on duty
at Richmond aud between Richmond and
Dutch Gap. There were many noble
spirits in our navy here and elsewhere in
the Confedoracy. as also on the broad
ocean, whore our cruisers made great
havoc Of the cncmy's commerce. and car
ried the Confederate flag TO every quar-
ter Of the world.
Our bronze infdntryman is to stand not
only for his branch Of the service but
for the cavalry, for the artillery, and
for the men OF the naval forces OF the
Confederacy-for all the privates and non
commissioned officers who fell in our
struggle for independence. In the model
he appears leaning on his musket, the
butt Of which rests upon the stump OF
tree, lie is at rest. yet alert. His eye
may be feasting itself on the sight OF
fields growing green under the early sum-
mer's sun, while he thinks of his folks al
home; but he is watching. lest the enemy
be In ambush near by. on his head he
wears a SLOUGH hattie best hat ever
made for army service in this climate
Sung from one shoulder is his canteen
from the other, his blanket. Wrapped In
this blanket IS change OF underclothing
for he is In marching and fighting
order long ago his knapsack has beer
discarded as q useless circumference.
This bronze figure IS TO crown granite
column which stands on a high hill In
plain view from the great thoroughfares
of Richmond, and it will be unveiled on
tho SOth of May next, when we shall see
here what will probably be the last great
gathering In Richmond OF the veterans OF
the armies Of Lee. Let US prepare tc
give them a great welcome!