The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-08

says: "And what a line' In numbss
scarcely more than sufficient 10 constf-
tute a single company. In dress nothing
to distinguish them from citizens pur-
suing the ordinary avocations OF life. In
age many OF them silvered over with the
frosts OF advancing years, while others
could scarcely boast Of the down upon
the cheek OF youth: IN arr,s and ac-
coutrements such as an impoverished
government could afford them But there
was that In their situation which lifted
them above the ordinary rules OF crttI-
cism. They stood there not as mcroen-
aries who. having enlisted on account
OF profit, required the strong arm OF
military law to keep them TO their post.
nor al devotees OF ambition craving
place in the delusive pages OF history.
but they stood as band OF patriots
whose homes were imperiled and whose
loved ones were In danger OF falling into
the hands OF an untried foe. AS they
stood In line before me l could see them
glancing back at their own dwellings I'M
der the sun of a lovely June morning.
When I addressed them I'm a few words
OF encouragement they listened with
gravity and a full appreciation Of their
situation. There was no excitement, no
shout; only calm resolution"
Thug their commander. What did tho
men themselves feel? One OF them
wrote: I'VE had not long TO wait. A
cloud OF dust in our front told OF the
hurried advance of cnvalry. and tho
next moment the glitter OF spur and
scabbard revealed a long line OF horse
men half a mile in front OF US. oh. how
we missed our cannonl Our venerable
muskets were not worth a tinker's i'm
precaton at longer range than 100 yards.
and we were compelled perforce TO watch
the preparations for our slaughter much
after the fashion that a rational turtle
may be presumed 10 contemplate the
preliminaries OF an Aldermanic dinner"
These were the men who saved the
city. IL was In honor OF them that the
women and children marched through
dust and heat on June 3, 1866.
Almost the first intimation that the
town received Of It's great peril was the
impetuous dash through the streets OF
the artillery. The morning was so sweet
and bright that the women and little
children were abroad in the streets. As
fast as the dread news reached the men
exempt from duty. who were engaged In
their various out professions and voca-
tons. every one dropped his business and
rushed TO the front. The oldest men
were as ardent as the youngest One
man, druggist. began. while putting on
his accoutrements. 10 give directions TO
venerable friend whom he expected 10
dispense drugs in his absence Now"
said the old man, ''if you want anything
done at home you must talk to somebody
else, | am going 10 the 'front.' I'm just
like Gen. Lee. / would be glad II these
fellows would go back to their homes
and let us alone. but II they won't Their
must be made to. that's ALL" Another
almost totally deaf, continued to LOAF
his gun after the order to cease firing
was given and the company moved OF.
comrade ran back put his lips TO his
ear, and demonstrated. stop firing!"
exclaimed the veteran with disgust.
"Orders2 / haven't heard any order TO
stop firing" and he continued TO ad-
vance and had the honor OF firing the las,
gun In the fight. These incidents are
but a few of many which illustrate tho
courage OF this devoted band and the
spirit behind their small force which In.
spired that courage and compelled sue
cess
Gen. Butler was greatly chagrined az
the failure OF this move upon Peters.
burg. He sent characteristic letter Of
reproof to his general officer north OF the
Appomattox. After detailing ali the mis-.
takes that had led TO the humiliating re-
suit. he adds testify: you have en-.
deayored to state In your report what
my orders 20 Gen. Kautz were. That
was no part OF your report. / know
what my orders were without any I'm.
formation from that cource." adding.
Certain II Is that $500 OF my best troops
have been kept at bay by some 1880 men
600 only OF whom were Confederate troops
and the rest old men and boys, the cradle
and the grave being robbed Of about
equal proportions 10 compose the force
opposed TO you.'
The cradle and the gravel Alas. yesl
There was no triumph In the evening Of
that day. Half the gallant company was
gone. There was wailing within the city
gates that night. The hand OF thu
reaper had taken the ears that vera
hoary," and the daughters wept for ths
good. gray head gone forward 10 the
eternal camping ground after "a long
life OF peace.
II is not easy to write about the dread
full war between the North and the
South. We press our breasts against a
thorn when we do. IL Is often said that
IT, Is still too early 20 write the story OF
our civil war. II will soon he too ls,a
Some OF us still live who saw those days
We should not shrink from recordif.e
what We know 10 be true. Thus only will
a full history OF American courage and
fidelity be preserved. for ali were Amer
leans The glory OF one is the glory OF
all-in 1861 when brothers were in con-
fict. as well as in 1895. when they stand
shoulder to shoulder and heart 70 heart.
Circumstances do not rule the heart. and
Where the heart is right, there Is true
patriotism"
The last time I visited Petersburg I
drove out 10 her battichelds. Nature had
hidden the scars with beauty. The seeds
OF the field daisy had been scattered
wherever the Federal forces had been en-
camped. and they had whltened the Holds
and covered the graves by the wayslde.
Nature had nor forgotten these lonely,
unmarked graves, nor will she ever forget
until time shall be no more her own
Decoration Day.-Mrs. Roger A. Pryor In
the New York Times.