Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-13


served as admtant to the valorous
young commander. Colonel .McCape was
necIsiarlv fitted to assume the leading
role I'm last nights touching eplsoue' NJ
| less ant was 1t that Colonel John b. Pur-
cell. son of the patriotic gentleman
who had. from his ample means, equip
ned the first battery that left Rlch-
mond TO 60 to the front should have
been chosen to accept the portrait on
behalf of Lee Camp
The speeches Of these two gentlemen
were worthy of the great occasion ana
fairly ran the gamut of human emo
tions at times creating the greatest en-
thusiasm, and, then, again, bringing tears
into the eyes Of many OF their hearers
A SPLENDID PORTRAIT.
The portrait was displayed in the CEN
ire of the hall upon an easel 1t Is
handsomely framed in gilt. The picture
itself has been admirably executed, and
is a Speaking likeness of the young sol
dior as he is remembered by those
around him during the cast days of his
glorious career bringing out in a striking
manner all those delicate characteristics
of his most noble face.
II was nearly 800 o'clock when Com
mander Warren raped the camp to or
der and the proceedings We're opened
with prayer by the chaplain, Rev. James
power Smith. After. the transaction Of
some routine business Major Brander in
troduced Colonel McCabe, who, wear
ing his uniform as past commander OF
Confederate veterans, had been given the
place Of honor TO the right Of the camp
commander
THE PRESENTATION ADDRESS.
Colo,el NcCabe opened his remarks by
saving that on behalf Of the survv-
ing officers and men of Pegram Bat
talon of Artillery of \. =. Hills Corps,
he had the honor TO present TO Lee Camp
the superb counterfeit presentment OF
their heroic commander; that he should
speak but few words, for In the
nresence of the veterans of that immor-
tal army wherein Pegram won his fame
but few words were needed, and that, in
deed. he almost feared TO speak at all,
lest he should injure that memory which
no Would honor. He rapidly sketched,
I'm outline Pegram's marvellous career,
rising each campaign from grade 10 grade
until the boy who had entered the army
i'm 1861 as a simple private held at his
death in battle one OF the eight great
commis lions in the Army OF Northern
Virginia as full colonel Of artillery.
Passing into particulars, he recalled 10
valor on many desperate fields, and
aroused the greatest enthusiasm Of his
old men. as he depicted the stirring scene
al the battle of Jericho Ford. when
Grant attempted 10 force the passage OF
the North Anna. where Heth vete-
rams gave Pegram's command the name
of 1.-The fighting battalion
PEGRAMs LAST DAYS.
He dwelt upon the closing scene in
the career of this brilliant young officer,
who died i'm Colonel McCabe's arms after
the desperate fight az Five Forks, and
spoke with deep feeling of his rare self
abnegation and lofty character. Turn
ing chen TO Colonel Purcell. the speaker
continued:
"And now. sir, to you, as the representa-
tive Of Lee Camp, / coniide TINS poItl
of our beloved young cOmmdnueI-the
brilliant artillerist, the pride or his CORPS
the foremost figure Of all virginia I'M
mortal youth. II has seemed 10 Us, the
surviving officers and men OF ms famous
battalion peculiarly appropriate that IL
should be received by one whom we All
respect and love as the honored son OF
noble sire. Your father il was, sir, VINO,
with characteristic Irish generosity, equip
ped the first battalion that left hlch-
honda battery that everywhere skllIully
handled In presence of the enemy, yet iost
during It's four years of service above ~
officers and men, killed and wounded II
US as captain OF this battery that
pecram won his hard-earned fame. In
dissolubly, then. IS your own honored
,arne associated with the glory and the
services of the fighting battalion.
"a little over year ago mine was the
honor TO stand I'm this place, and on behalf
~ The Building Committee present 10 TINS
camp the portrait OF our great commander
Gee1 Ii is fitting that. as time goes oy,
vou should gather about him the pictures
- his famous captains. But to none OF
them' no matter how high their rank,
shall the veterans OF this camp accord