Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-12

his scarf. the last dispatch sent by him
10 General Lee, written only few hours
before he was wounded. the nag which
was wrapped about his coffin--even his
biood-stains are there, With these pos
sessions is placed the jacket worn by
Captain J. T. Smith (now Rev. DR.. Smith.
editor OF the Central Presbyterian, OF
Rlchmond). who supported General jack
son from the field when mortally wound
ed. and the lfe-blood, fast ebbing away.
fell upon the young mans sleeve. Here.
also, IS the hat worn by General A. 7.
Hill. when killed April 2. 1865. But time
would fail to tell OF the many souvenirs or
sorrow ia this room.
ALABAMA ROOM.
In the Alabama Room, on the second
floor. the most noticeable portrait is that
OF the gallant Pelham. the boy artillerist,
whose genius for handling his guns was
the amazement Of all veterans. The face
pictured is that of fair-haired. blue-eyed
boy and beneath Is a copy Of the lines
written by John Esten Cook after Pei
hams death:
"Oh band In tho pine wood cease.
Cease with your splendid call.
The living arc brave and noble,
But the dead were bravest of ALL"
Near by Is a handsome sword with an
ivory handle. presented TO Major Pelham
BY an officer who had inherited IL, as the
only man who was worthy TO wear It,
TENNESSEE ROOM.
So far the Tennessee Room has fewer
things OF interest than most Of the rooms.
not from lack o. history. but because
contributions are hard to secure. May
the Volunteer State come forward, as OF
old when her aid IL solicited
There Is a fine crayon portrait OF Gene
ial y. 3. Forrest. presented by the Mem
phis Historical Society; a sword, loaned
by Mrs. r s. HYDE. OF Chattanooga. a
curious little Confederate note. on which
IS printed, Bank OF Chattanooga" with
the signature of W. ID. Fulton upon II.
Among the relics IS an old knife. curved
I'm shane, with brass ends, belonging 20
General John Morgan, and carried by
him on his raids. There arc minie-balls
and fragments Of shell. with the familiar
names OF Chickamauga and Lookout
Mountain attached The most touching
thing in the room Is the memorial 10
the Seventh Tennessee Regiment. This
regiment was in thirty-two battles. and
At the close OF the war. when told that
they must surrender the flag they loved
so well. these men of war stood for a
little while irresolute in the dusk OF
tho evening; then a mighty Nor thun-
dered from their lips. and. selling the
fag tore II 10 pieces. and each man
pinned a piece next 70 his heart. But
our own poet. Mrs. Virginia Frazer Boyle,
shall complete the story:
so they parted It IN silence
On the altar Of their loss,
All the siken shreds OF glory
That had made their southern cross.
And the sacrament of battle,
Like a benediction fell,
As each soldier laid his trophy
Next to the heart that loved II we'll.
From that battered cross divided,
Comes this severed star to-day
While its white waters widely sleeping,
Like the ragged coats of gray.
But sometimes 4 dream comes DER It,
Star ghosts drift from things that be,
Till the old flag tells the story,
OF the Seventh Tennessee.
Such IS the Museum in Richmond
Help US TO make It the Battle Abbey OF
the South for so It is in spirit.
ANNE BACHMAN HYDE.