The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-06-12
A TOUCHING INCIDENT OF THE
CHATTANOOGA EXERCISES.

The following description OF touch
ing incident Of the Chattanooga cere-
monies, was written by Col. Blanding
to one of his granddaughter who
kindly sent it to US for publication:
One of the most appropriate and
pathetic incidents at Chickamauga
happened at the beginning Of the cere-
mony of unveiling the monument. 1t
was truly typical Of the two leading
thoughts of the occasion-war, peace.
General Capers. noble specimen Of
the South Carolina soldier of 1868,
still full of the fire of patriotism, had
reached the last clause of his address; );
up to this moment he was the repre-
sentative of war and carnage, Of
'sman's inhumanity to man. But
one thing more was to be said or
done. He called for the four little girls
who were to unveil the monument.
The second brought forward was little
Ethel, granddaughter Of General
Walker in command Of the South Car
olina U. G.. Veterans, who had been
in battles from Gettysburg to Calves
tion. She was as bright as one of the
gay flowers which bedecked the bat
tleield. Her childish timidity made
her shrink back till she was hidden
by two of her compeers; and as she
could not be seen, Colonel Holmes
A. A. G. pulled a chair to stand her
on it, when Bishop Capers, prompted
by his big but tender heart, picked
her up in his stalwart arms and held
her aloft, the perfect type of peace
and purity; and he himself, now con-
verted from the stern warrior to the
man of God, proclaimed by actions
stronger than words, Peace on earth
good will toward men, 'sOf such IS
the kingdom of heaven.
The contrast was so impressive that
tears flowed freely down the brozed
cheeks Of many old veterans. Would
that some poet had been present to
pen a companion picture to that, in
s'The Peri at the Gates of Paradise, -
of the rough warrior, PROSTATE peni-
tent, and the Peri flying to the Heavens
Chancery with the muttered prayer
and demanding admittance as bearing
the gift most acceptable to the God
of mercy. Those of US who have fol-
lowed wars, now that the fires OF
youth have burnt out, do most hate
bloodshed and love the peaceful fire.
side.
Standing, as we were, under the
shadow of a magnificent monument
to so many of the Confederate dead of
South Carolina and in view Of grander
monuments to many more of the gal
liant dead of our former Federal foes,
with the Stars and Bars and the
Stars and Stripes floating above our
heads, Gen. Capers representative
of the one and Gen Boynton of the
other, gsasping hands, with the little
girl, the dove of peace, unconscfously
chanting the reclaim in words Inaudi-
BILE. but louder than could fall from
her cherub lips, 8 / come, come the
Angel of Peace to cement this bond
of brotherly love between former
foes. -
Nav the incident be truly typical of
the future of this great republic. l
sincerely hope that Col. Henderson
NAV prove as true prophet as he IS a
great orator, when in Gaping the
climax of soul-stirring thoughts, which
crowded each other so closely through
his address, he declared, this mighty
reunited people can never again be
divided into hostile ranks-the great
republic of States shall never again be
separated one from the other-never-
more: neyermore >. u. b-
Chattanooga, May y, 1901.
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