Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-26

/
| every form. unshod unclothed. and with
! out cover, the Confederate soldiers faced
the chilly blasts of that winter, while
their only strength lay in their patriotic
courage and devotion TO uuty, love oil
country thought of home. and sincere
belief IN the righteousness of their cause
trusting I'm a Divine Providence, and daily
renewing their strength by Offering upon
the wing of prayer to the Throne OF Goo
! an humble suppication for the success:
OF the cause and the protection Of the
dear ones they had left behind.
But the Confederate soldier was ever
| willing and ready TO sacrifice his all Tor
the sake OF the land he loved; ever will
ing 10 face the dangers of the battle
field, or to suffer the privati0ns OF sol
dier's life. Whether those dangers and
priVatiOnS appeared upon the lonely
picket, or along the batteries iron rain,
or Ger the tiresome march, or across the
front of the enemies whitening fire, he
faltered not, but accepted them as has
humble share and part in that mighty
conflict, and faced every danger and bore
each hardship with a herOism that can
never be eXcelled and a devotion TO duty
which should inspire all mankind.
THEY FEAR TO BE FORGOTTEN.
Such self-sacrifce should never be for
gotten; such love of country should live
forevermOre. and such loyalty TO princi-
and reverence for the cause said 10 be
lost but in the losing Of which we gave
the world the highest example Of true
manhood made heroism more than 4
name. and added new lustre and mean
ing TO glory. But, my friends, the sad
dest thought in the life Of every soldier,
martyr or patriot, Is the fear that some
day he shall be forgotten; that some day
those who will follow after him will for
get his name, and remember not his
deeds
We are told that this fear FASTENED the
death Of Napoleon Bonaparte, and caused
him more mental anguish and suffering
tnan his incarceration upon the Island OF
St. Helena. The soldier Of every army
has feared it, the martyr in every noble
cause has dreaded it; the Confederate
soldier shivers at the thought to-day, and
looks appealngly 10 the Sons of Veto
rams for aid and comfort.
Sad, indeed, is the thought some day
/ shall be forgotten" Beautiful. yet pa
thetic, is the description of this gwen
us By the poet. Wilde:
My life is like the summer rose,
That opens to the morning sky.
But ere the shades of evening close,
Is scattered on the ground 10 die;
Yet on the roses humble bed
The sweetest dews Of night are shed.
As if she wept the waste 10 see.
But none shall Weap a tear for me.
That trembles in the moons pale ray,
Its hold is frail-its date is brief,
Restless and soon 10 pass away.
Yet ere that leaf shall fall and fade.
The parent tree will mourn it's shade,
The winds bewail the leafless tree,
But none shall breathe a sigh for me.
Ny life is like prints which feet
Have left on Tampas desert strand
Soon as the rising tide shall beat.
} will nf III ia
Yet, as If grieving 10 efface
All vestige Of the human race,
On that lone shore loud mourns the sea,
But none shall ere lament for me-"
God forbid that such should ever be true
Of even one Of the soldiers Of the Con-
federate ARMY