The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-05-23

oStt}SOoiS NdtH pai6h; Ah0 10 i'INHt,
the 23rd, bearing The brunt of the
fercest fighting on the first day, when
all fits officers were killed or wounded,
and the regiment almost annihilated,
he being shot in the mouth and neck
and captured in the retreat to Vir-
GINA. For eight months he was in
cruel captivity at Johnson's Island,
Lake Erie In March, "a he, was
among the number selected tor ex-
change, being deemed too near dead
to be of service to the Confederacy.
Though entitled to a discharge, and
begged by friends to take bomb
proof position urged upon him, i'm
PEELED by patriotism and a sense Of
duty he rejoined his command in
April, 1864.
Col. Christie's death had made him
a Colonel. He took part in Early's
famous march on Washington, and it is
said that member of his old Co &C"
fell nearest of all Confederates to the
works of the Federal Capitol. Col.
Blacknall took part i'll all the hard
fighting of this campaign.
No more daunlless a spirit held
rank in the army of Northern Virginia.
He was every inch soldier, as fear
less for his own safety as he was
thoughtful of his men-of their lives
and comfort. By his intrepidity he
infused courage in the hearts OF the
more timid, and confidence in his
reader followers. Among civilians
and soldiers he was the same, and all
unselfsh. There was nothing mean
or small in the man. Whether in field
or camping ground, or in prison walls,
he wrote only in sympathy for those
of necessity left at home, in cheer
tulness and hopefulness for the final
success, that their anxious and aching
hearts might be soothed and encour'
aged.
On the 10Th of September he re-
ceived his fatal wound in the foot a,
Winchester, and in Early's retreat was
left in the Federal hands. Worn
down by hardships in camp and
prison, he lacked strength to rally
from the amputation finally necessary
and though receiving the constant ant
tender nursing from Winchester's no
blest women, on the 5th of Nov, 1864
his proud and noble spirit quitting it
frail tenement of clay, took its flight
Far from home and kindred, in tina
hallowed spot-the Stonewall GENE
tary-near the historic Old town G
Winchester, in our sister State, wher
rest the remains of so many of GU
hero dead, there too he sleeps. AM
there too, as throughout our Southern
land, whether in myrtle glens over
hung by waving cypress trees, or o.
hill or mountain side where the spruc
and fir trees give forth their spic
oders, as at this place and on thl
day fair hands with loving hearts ar
tenderly placing their sweetest flowers
moistened with their tears.
Oh may there be and surely SO Wi
come from the noble sacrifice of he
roes and martyrs,
A myriad host Of noble ones,
With hands all ready tor heroic deeds,
With hearts which hold the vestal fire {
love,
And heads which TEEN with such higl
thoughts they tell
Humanity is linked indeed with God.
Fellow Southrons, had we here on
grand reunion of our surviving vetel
ans, we could not call the rolls of OF
respective commands. 1t would ad
too much of sadness to this solem
occasion for day by day we rapid
pass away, each day the last revielle
sounded, and the tattoo obeyed b
some of our remaining few, and, wit
those gone before, called from a
earthly contest and warfare to bivoua
in that field that knows no carnage.
After four long years OF hardship
; privations and heroism, we failed i
, our purpose. But the great and goo
Captain of us all will provide bette
for our children and our children
children if they but love Him.
And while in our earth-born weak
ness our hearts still sicken at tn
thoughts of the rich libation thu
flowed from our thousands of heroe
and martyrs, and with indignatio
burn at the dissertation Of our so
and homes; we thank God that tn
undying spirit that led our brave one
to die, bequeathes to rising later ger
erations like determination to max
this-the fairest of all His lands-tf
Christian rulers of the Western worle
Fellow survivors in this blood
struggle, and Dye sons and daughte
Of Southrons, look upward and onwar
and as you and your fathers wei
, dauntless in war, SO ever kee
the escutcheon of your hearts VI
dimmed by hate and unforgivenes
. and let
Mirth be born of tears, hope of despair,
Sweet flowers grow out of the grave,
. And ever thus the world renewing, till I'll
Last trump shall rouse the living and Il
And earth send up her long account
, God.