The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-05-14
Held Yesterday In Honor of The Valiant
Confederate Dead.
REV. Or. lACY's BEAUTIFUL ADDRESS
Delivered Hefore Pickctt.Ruchnuan
Camp, Confederate Veterans, I'm
their Nnit-A Heavy Bownpour of
Rain Prevented the Outdoor FIX.
crcises.but Military Fired u salute.

terry. which loving hands had early in
The day decorated with beautiful gar
lands.
Although the day early gave promise
or the rain that later drenchcd the
streets and every living object on them.
preparations for the parade, scheduled
70 take place at 800 o'clock, went on
The hremen were busy decorating their
apparatus and at the Columbia building
the labor OF the Memorial Association
We're arranging the wrcaths and gar
lands and designs for the graves OF the
soldiers.
At the armory the military began to
gather early, while the old veterans as
SemDlGu ut the rooms Of Pickctt-Bu-
chan Camp. each attired In his gray
coat and soft felt hat.
THE MILITARY BRAyED TT.
Promptly ut the hour appointed the
battalion of troops. under command Of
colonel Harry Hodges, who, with his
stan, rode Mt the head OF the column
which. preceded by the Naval Post
band. marched from the armory. down
City Hall avenue to CRANKY street and
thence to Main. The boys in their blue
uniforms and buff leggings. looked
brave and soldierly,and this latter quail
NY they proved but Il few moments later.
The companies all turned out with full
ranks. There were in line Company a.
Lee Rifles, Captain II. H. Sheen; Com
pany b, City Guard, Captain Tarrall;
company E. jackson Light Infantry.
Captain It. J. Nottingham, and Battery
Is. Norfolk Light Artillery Blues. Captain
NJ. c. Keeling.
Just as the head of the column reached
Bank street the rain came down In
drenching torrents. The boys hustled
pack to the armory OH the double quick
and by the shortest route. while the
veterans, who were awaiting Ito fall In
behind their escort OF the younger SOL
diery. remained indoors.
TROOPS BRAVE THE WEATHER.
or course the parade had to be aban-
doned. The fire laddies unhitched the
horses and did not venture out, but the
troops, already drenched to the skin, de-
cided to go on TO the cemetery and pay
military honors to the dead Confede-
rate soldiers. Accordingly, with al
most full ranks, the infantry marched
out followed by platoon from the Blues
and howitzer. The column moved
through the soaking rain drops out
Cumberland street to the cemetery,
where salute was fired by the artillery
men. while the infantry discharged
three voEeys over the graves OF the dead
heroes.
tho Jackson Light Infantry of Il vol
ley over the grave of its late lamented
commander, Captain James Mullins.
EXERCISES AT THE CAMP.
The rain having prevented the out
door exercises, which were 10 have
been held mt the Academy lot, the ora
ton was delivered ut the rooms of
pickett Buchanan Camp by Rev. DR..
William :. Lacy.
IL on. Thomas X. Borland, who had
hcen selected as the orator, was unable
u attend on account of sickness, but as
AudSr Garn1tt expressed it afterwards,
thc comrades were amply repaid for
ms detention by Dr.. Lacy's beautiful
address,"
DIR. LACY'S ADDRESS.
We meet today, friends and fellow
countrymen, in obedience to the impulse
of nature to pay homage to those who
dared for us. and who sleep their last
sleep. 1t is fitting that we should-in
this simple way. hallowed now by
uscagc-show our reverence by scatter
ing memorial blooms over the graves Of
our honored dead. Nature gives the
beautiful and suggestive example. Time
softens and levels the rude hillock
where dear ones lie buried to gentle
and graceful undulation, and covers the
garish red clay with garniture OF green
and gold. The forests are gay with leafy
banners. The birds sing in the vcrdu-
GUS branches. The sweet South wind
signs through the swaying bolghS
floWerS DcSpanSle the happy earth,
and one feels indeed that "the winter
Is over and gone; that
Spring, with that namoless pathos in
the air.
Which dwells with all things fair.
Spring. with her golden suns and silver
rain,
Is with us once again."
And with glad6cned and saddnped
hearts we pay our annual memorial
tributes. Pardon an old soldier. how
ever true and sincere his allegiance may
be to our country. and however loyal to
our country's honor and our country's
flag, If the sight of n grey jacket, an
empty sleeve, humping stump and
the starry cross unfurled in peace and
FOR sweet memory's sake, warns the
blood and awakcnS emotions of sadness
If tears bedew the flowers and our mar
tial bands vail i'll minor chords
LAS letters some hand has invisibly
traced,
When held to the flame will steal out
TO the sight,
So many a feeling that long scem'd
effaced,
The warmth of a meeting like this
brings to light"
Nearly third of century has passed
since the last shot was fired in the war
between the States. 4 generation Of
men and women have come upon the
stage of action to whom the deeds OF
those years of trial. heroism and glory
are but tales of the past. Why then
q nil crrIr t1,,