Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-17
General Joe Wheeler In the
Capital City.
GIVEN A GREAT OVATION
Picture of Colonel John Pelham Pro.
santiingO Makes Beautiful
Speech and Is Appiaudcd 10 the
Echo Elegantly Entertained by
the Governor mud others.
(By. Telegraph to overwhelmingly

CBy Telegraph to Virginiah-Pilot.)
Richmond, Va, Jan. 16.-General Jo-
seph Wheeler arrived here at 1880
o'clock tonight. Edwin p. Cox and Il
committee from the Sons of Veterans
met him at Elba Stntion. They took
him to Murphy's Hotel in carriage.
After supper the committee carried him
to Lee Camp Hall. where he presented
to the camp the picture OF Major Pal
ham. He said In part:
GEN. WHEELER'S SPEECH.
Ladies and Centlomen: 1t affords me
great pleasure that L am permitted TO
be with you on this interesting occa-
sion. Virginia, the birthplace OF pa
triots, the home OF heroes, the grave
of liberty's martyrs! 1t is a privilege TO
stand upon her historic soil. How over
whclmingly rush. upon us thoughts OF
the past. Here Washington first saw
the light, and jefferson, Madison and
Monroe, as they grew to manhood'e
prime, learned TO be great, and here IS
enshrined their hallowed dust.
Virginia gave to the world Johnston,
Stonewall Jackson, Stuart, and the long
roll of the chivalrc Lees; above all. the
one colossal Lee, whose fame challenges
the ages from the topmost heights Of
glorious renoWn.
but Lee has u thousand graves
In n thousand hearts. | wccn;
And teartit-eHs fab fft--e.aaeAtf es.es ia
waves
That will keep his memory green.
All. Muse! YOU dare not claim
noblcr man than he,
Nor noblcr man hath less OF blame.
Nor blamelesS man hath purer name,
Nor purer name hath iyrander fame,
Nor Fame-anothcr Lee"
Forty-three years ago, a tall. erect
tNs cd co. Il,
Mt the Military Academy ut West Point
His blonde hair. fair complexion. and
blushinG cheeks giving him IL delicate.
refined appearance, in spite of his ath-
letic form and well known superiority
In manly sports. would have attracted
attention in any assemblagc. His gene
raj bearing gave proof OF frmness and
integrity of character, and. IN the re-
Prospect, we can readily understand
that he possessed characteristics which
enabled him to rise to the Supcrb
heights he so rapidly attained. 1t is the
portrait Of this manly form upon
which we gaze Tonight.
THE CAREER OF PELHAM.
John Pelham was born near Alexan-
dria. Calhoun county, Ala. in Septcm-
Der. 1888 He entered West Point in 1885,
remaining there until the spring of 1851 .
when the thunders of war summoned
him back to his native State, Il week he
fore the graduate of his class. when
he would have received his commission
in the United states Army. lie was i'm
mcdiately put IN charge of the Con-
federate ordnance at Lynchburg, Va
with tho rank Of first lieutenant, and
was shortly afterwards assigned as
drillmaStcr to Albcrtus' Battery, at
Winchester. Continuing. General
Wheeler then reviewed the record of
Colonel Pelhnm IN the civil war, eulo-
EiXing in beautiful word pictures the
gallant officer.
"'rhe noble. The chIvalric. the gallant
Pelham is no more. How much he was
loved. appreciated ana admired let the
tears of agony we here shed ana the
gloom of mourning throughout my
command bear witness His loss Is ir-
repArable. The memory Of the gallant
Pelham his many virtues. his noble
nature. and purity of character, is en-
shrincd rs 4 @acrcd legacy in the hearts
of all who knew him. His record has
been brish: ana spotlcss, his career
brilliant and successful. He fcll-;hc
noblcst OF sacrihCcs--on the altar of his
country. to whOse-eiefious l4Htit-t.-i.e
had dedicated his life from the begin
ming of the war"
The battles OF the Wilderness and Of
Spottsylvan!a might. with great pro-
priciy, be termed one continuous bat
tie, and there is no better way to i'm