The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-13
HIS GLOWING TRIBUTE
MAJOR WESTON'S WORTHY SSTi-
MATE OF GENERAL sRA~C-.
The Family Of the Slain Hero Express
Their Gratitude on the iSaI.-
Of the Camp.

which Gen. Branch was the first colonel
/ desire most warmly to thank the mem
bers of your organization, in behalf OF
Mrs. Branch and her entire family, and
in behalf of the 33d regiment and the
other regiments of Branch's Brigade
the 18th. 18th, 18th and 31th for your
recent action in unanimously changing
the name of your camp to the l.. OB.
Branch Camp of Confederate Veterans.
In honoring Gen. Branch, your organl-
cation hOnors itself. Gen. Branch was
a true soldier and a true man. HIS
patriotism was of the highest type. he
loved his native South with deathless af-
lection. He was willing at any moment
to give his life for his country's good.
He could say, at all times, with per-
feet truth,
Il know my country,
For her soul is mine"
Gen. Branch was commissioned as Col
onel of the SD regiment in Sept, 1861.
The regiment at once felt the touch of
his moulding, guiding hand. 1t was
thoroughly organized drilled and dlscl-
plined, and it went into the war one of
the most admirably equipped regiments in
the entire service. Its faithfulneSs, its
efficiency. its unfinching loyalty to North
Carolina and the Confederate States, was
shown on every battle field from New
bern to Appomattox. 1t furnished three
General officers to the Confederate army
Branch, Hoke and Lewis-all Of whom
possessed the highest soldierly qualities.
Gen. Branch was made a Brigadier Cen
eral on the 18th day of January, 1867.
He was undoubtedly one of the great
Captains of the war | should say, with
out a moments hesitation that he was the
peer of A. P. Hill and Robert F. Hoke
than whom Gf we except Gen. Lee
and Stonewall Jackson there were no
better, no more skillful officers in either
army-North or South No one can tell
to what heights Gen. Branch might have
attained. He was equal to every occa-
sion, and there was no office within
the gift of the Confederate States that
he would not have honored and adorned.
Gen. Lee had the highest opinion OF
his military abilities, and frequently
complimented him for his wise and gal
liant conduct ON the field of battle. Cen
Branch's military career was brief, but
it was glorious. 1t made him and his
Brigade immortal. In six months he
fought fifteen pitched battles and many
Skirmishes. Among these battles were
Newbern, Hanover court house, Me-
Gainesville, Gaines's Mill, Fraser's Farm,
Malvern Hill, Cedar Run: second Man
ansas, Ok Hill, Harper's Ferry and
Sharpsburg At the battle of Sharpsburg
Gen. Branch was killed. He died as
soldier would wish to die-facng the enc
my in the discharge of his duty. His
death caused the profoundest sorrow
throughout the entire army.
so, fall'n at length, that tower of
strength,
Which stood four-square to all the winds
that blew
In every action in which the Brigade
was engaged Gen. Branch exhibited
the soundest judgment and the most
brilliant valor and heroism. His men
loved him, and almost idolized him; for
no general could have been more consid-
crate of the health and comfort of his
soldiers. His chivalric bearing, his kind
ness of heart, his calm integrity, his un-
selfish devotion to every duty won their
boundless admiration and their warmest
love. Gen. Branch was a model man In
his domestic relations, and his family
highly appreciate the honor which you
have conferred upon him. They cherish
with deep pride and affection the noble
record of his life bequea thed to them, to
his country and to posterity.
I cannot close without thanking, from
the bottom of my heart, the members
of your camp for the deep and tender in
terest which they feel, and doubt not
will ever continue to feel, in the memo
nv of the Lost Cause. l do not believe
that any member of your camp will ever
dishonor himself by apologizing for what
he has done as a Confederate soldier.
Let us leave apologies to those who
bend the knee and crawl
''That thrift may follow fawning."
You were a Southern soldier. That is
the proudest legacy you can leave to your
children. Our manhood, our honor, our
glory, our all is bound up with the cause
which went down in blood at Appomat-
fox court house. 1t is sacred. We
should cherish, protect and defend it.
The memory of our dead comrades should
ever be precious in our sight. There
| is not a true Confederate soldier who
would not freely shed his blood in de-
fence of his country, his whole coun-
| try-East, West, North and South. But
we are true to our whole country, be-
cause we are true to the Southern cause
and to the memory of our fallen heroes.
To our northern brethren we may say,
'These present times are yours.
| To us remain,
| Eternal Justice, and the years to come"
JAMES A. WESTON,
Major 33d N. G. Reg't., @. S. A.
Raleigh, N. c., April 8, 1897.