Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-22
Stirring, Touching, and Tragic Scenes,

BOWLING GREEN. KY. May IL, 1SJL
TO the Editor Of the Dispatch:
| have hoped that | might be able 10
attend the unveiling Of the statue TO the
soldiers and sailors Of the Confedcracy,
in Richmond on the Goth instant. but am
deeply disappointed to find that pressing
engagements VIII deprive me Of that
pleasure.
The most stirring. the mos, tragic, and
some Of the most touching scenes with
which my life has been connected are
associated in my mind with the city Of
Richmond.
on the 18th Of June 1862. | landed there
with the Forty-fourth Alabama Rcgi-
ment. recently organized, and still I'M
armed. AS We marched through the
streets to the Capitol grounds, there were
everywhere visible evidences of the in
tcnseSt excitement. We were in no doubt
a 10 its cause after reaching the Capt
tol grounds. Heavy artillery firing could
be distinctly heard.
The Confederate attack at Mechanics
VILE was in progress. and the tragedy Of
the Seven Days battle had opened.
CONVERTED INTO 4 HOSPITAL.
Ten days later ! visited the city. II
was a vast hospital. with its women as
nurses. Private residences, many bust
ness houses on the main streets. and
even some of the churches, were crowded
with the wounded ana dying.
In May, lN65. returning from a short
leave Of absence. ! found the body Of
Stonewall Jackson lying in state in the
Capitol. With an aching heart and
gloomy fOrebodincs | Joined the long.
weeping process ion, and passed his re-
mains without look. ] had seen his
face lighted with the fire Of battle. when
the fash Of his cyc or the ringing tones
Of his voice sent electric thrills through
whole battalluns Of men, and | WAS nm
willing that my last recollection Of him
should be that of his lifeess corpse
| passed the winter of 1S6i-65 with my
brigade, confronting the enemy. on the
Barbytown road, below Richmond:
ana during those droary months. ! Wit
messed many evidences Of the priyation
and suffering Of the people and Of their
heroic endurance and fortitude. In their
patriotic devotion they taxed their scanty
resources TO furnish a New-Year's din
nrr TO General Lees whole army. / well
remember the deep emotion with which
! received the share assigned 10 my COM
man1. ! knew that they were giving MS
almost their life's blood: that they were
starving themselves to feed the suffering
defenders Of their country
HEART BLED FOR RICHMOND.
| saw Richmond for the last time just
before dawn on the morning Of
April 3. 1865. The lines near Pc
tclshurg had been broken, and We
were hurryng forward to aid in check
ing the progress Of tho enemy. until our
remaining forces could be withdrawn
from their intrcnchments. | knew that
our withdrawal meant the surrender Of
Richmond, and as ! passed for the last
time through her dark and silent streets
my heart bled for the doomed city.
have seen her patient and self-sacri-
fcing through long AMI bitter trial:
grandly heroic in thick thrOnging disas-
tors; and though it be denied mo to
witness ana exit in the contrast between
thon and now. | may at least be- per-
mittod 10 send an old soldiers God-speed:
may tender congratulations that she has
taken the lead in doing honor to the
memory ana I'm pcrpctuating the fame Of
2 soldiery whose achievements have never
been surpassed in the annals Of the world.
Very respectfully. W. l.. PERRY.