The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-21
RANDAluS FINE PAINTING
VANCE. BURGWYN AND LANE,
COLONELS OF FAMOUS
26TH REGIMENT.
CAPT. MAcRAE's ELOQUENT SPEECH
,s.dge Montgomery Accepted for the State in
Admirable Speech--The Scene One Of
Deep Interest--Impressive
Exercises.

Deep lntereSt--lmpreSSNe
Exercises.
m was not a large gathering that was
s..esent yesterday at noon when the por-
e,sit of the three famous colonies OF the
18th N. G. Regiment, painted by MT.
W. G. Randall, was presented to the
State Of North Carolina by the relatives
Of the three great colonies. The por-
trait, Of which we present view else
where, Is exceedingly well done, AMI
IHbows that the artist possesses talent CT
DE highest order. 1t rs to be hung IN
the State Library with the portraits
sf the other great warriors and states
uaen that adorn it's walls.
The inelement weather prevented the
demonstrations by the ex-Confederate
soldiers, and kept away many who were
snxious to be present. But the CEN
aral hall of the Main building contained
an audience Of distinguished men and
women, embracing the State officials.
the Supreme court justices, famous sol
aiers, ladies' always present when the
confederate is to be honored, and others
who made the occasion an historic one.
The speeches were Of a high order. The
presenta ton speech by Mr.. John Bur
sSvyn HacRae, of Jackson, was an az
propriafe and fitting tribute to the valor
Of three great soldiers and noble men.
1t wac delivered with the grace and
ease of the orator, and it stirred the
hearts of those who are moved by the
recital of noble needs. Good judges
pronounced it an elegant tribute elo-
euently expressed.
Judge Montgomery's response was in
his best vein and won the unstinted
praise Of all whose good fortune it was
20 hear it.
SIR r. Fl. Battle, President Of the
Pair Association, presided and in pre-
oenting Mr. MacRae made happy short
speech, telling Of his relations to the
great Vance, and his admiration of Bur-
gwyn and Lane.
The Governor. in presenting Judge
montgomery said the representatives of
sfie State accepted the picture go appro-
rriateIv presented TO be preserved and
yrized in commem0ration Of the gallant
r.en. some Of whom are dead and all of
.wrf0m viii live in the pantheon Of histo-
ny. X IL meet that one of their COM
zades should accept the portrait" and
9fe Governor introduced Justice Walter
A. Montgomery.
None of the relatives Of Senator Vance
were here.
Col. Lane, the surviving Colonel of the
regiment, was expected to be present,
but for some avoidable cause was de-
tanned at home. His nephew, Mr. III. G.
Brown and his wife, were present.
Three of the brothers Of Col. Henry X,
Burgwyn, the second Colonel Of the regi-
Mnent, were present in the person of
George Pollock Burgwyn, of jackson; ].
A Burgwyn, of Jackson, and VIM. Fl. s.
Bnrgwyn, of Henderson, and the only
sister. Mrs. r. b. Baker, of Richmond.
Va, and Mrs. w. H. s. Burgwyn. Of
Henderson, graced the occasion with
their presence
1t was the twin children of Mr.. Geo.
r. Burgwyn-M Master William FL. s., and
Mss Minnie G,-who unveiled the por-
trait
CaptaJlJl. Young, of Johnston county,
" ~ was ssha quartermaster of the regi
ment during the entire war, was one OF
the interested spectators. Mr.. w. N.
Smelling, who was adjutant Of the regi-
ment, and perhaps others Of the regi-
ment, witnessed the impressive cere-
monies.
MIR. sMACRAES PRESENTATION
SPEECH.
am here to-day in behalf Of the
survivors Of the 26th North Carolina
Regiment to present to the State Library
this painting on which is depicted with
skillful hand, those who at successive
times commanded the 26th North Caro-
lima Regiment.
Bear with me for few brief moments
while / speak to you Of these distin-
xuished men and of the gallant regi-
ment it was their proud privilege to COM
mand.
Two Of these have gone to rest; Of
aim who now survives, let me first speak.
COL. JOHN r. LANE.
Born in the county Of Chatham, on
the 4th of July, 1885, John r. Lane
through the exigencies of poverty was
denied the advantages of an early edu-
cation. But this only served as stimu-
liant to incite his pride and ambition, and
through his untiring exertions he grad |
nally acquired the benefits of good
bushes training.
Early in May, 1861, he volunteered in
o. company raised in his county known as
sthe Chatham Boys"-afterwards Com
pany G, Goth Regiment. He soon be-
came fourth corporal and the first va
cancy occurred he was elected captain
of the company. I'm August, 1862, on
the promotion of his superior officers,
after undergoing a rigid military exami-
nation, he became the lieutenant colonel
of the regiment. "He was noted for his
unbounded patience, forebearance, kind
ness, sagacity and presence Of mind"
Severely wounded at the first days
fight at Gettysburg, Col. Burgwyn hav-
ing been killed in the action. on the
recommendation Of General Pettigrew,
who was an eye witness to his gallantry
on the field, his commission as colonel
Of the regiment dated from July i, 1863,
the day on which he was wounded.
Incapacitated for further service on
his return to the army six months later,
he found his regiment had dwindled