The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-06-04
CROSSES Of HONOR
FOR LEE s SOLDIERS
lmpres sive and Appropriate
Exercises.
CAPT. benson ORATOR
The Presentation on the Anniversary
Birthday of jefferson Davis.
BY DAUGHTERS or C0NFEDeRALY
-
List Of Inc Soldiers to Whom the Crosses Of
BY DAUGHTERS OF eoNftDtRACY
List Of tae Soldiers to Whom the Crosses Of
Gold Were Presented. A Decoration
Of Honor That vii be Al.
ways be Priced.

Yesterday was a day long to be remem
Carolina. At the Soldiers Home in the
eastern section of the city, the Cross of
Honor was presented to a number of brave
Confederate soldiers who have served
their country with conspicuous honor 1t
is q decoration of honor which will be
priced by children and children's chill
dren to the last generation. 1t was fit
ting that the birthday of Jefferson Davis
should be selected as the day for con-
ferring this honor. large crowd of sol
diers, tehir families and friends were
present In place of an account by the
local reported, by request Mrs Armistead
Jones, former president of Daughters of
the Confederacy and president of the as
sociation that erected the Confederate
monument in Capitol Square, has furn-
ished this account Of the exercises:
THE EXERCISES OF THE DAY.
The beautiful and impressive services
of bestowing Crosses of Honor, under the
auspices of the Daughters of the Confed-
eracy (of which Mrs. T. b. Womack is
president), were held under the shade of
the trees in the beautiful grounds sur
rounding the Soldiers Home on yesterday,
the third of June. This day is commem-
orative Of the birth of the chosen leader
of the Southern Confederacy, Jefferson
Davis, a statesman, a patriot, a Chris
tian gentleman. honored and beloved
the idol Of a nations heart. What could
have been more appropriate than the Sc
lection Of this day to confer the badge
of homer en- men who, in days that tried
their souls, at the call of duty, never
wavered. never paused to ask who would
stand between them and danger, but
bravely followed their leader into the
very jaws of death, TO defend the women
and children of the South.
In North Cardinals beautiful Soldiers
Home. under the shade Of her native oaks,
they do rest from their labors to await
the final summons, many Of them having
received in this life tokens Of affection,
their last earthly honor, they will soon
reign with Him On high where the giver+
of all good will see that right and JUS
tice be wreathed with immortal glory. All
praise Is due Mrs. T. B. Womack for her
energy and zeal in the cause, and to Capt.
C. q. benson, "his magnificent words of
cheer and encouragement" as the ladies
of Winchester wrote after his Grafton
there, North Carolina should feel proud
OF such SON."
The music by select choir, led by
Miss Mckay and Mrs. McKimmon, was
very impressive and interspersed with
humor by that pet of the veterans Red
Robinson and his banjo. The presentation
OF the badges was read by Miss Kate Nc
Kimmcn and delivered by Misses Kate
and Mary Dcnson, Mary Armistead Jones,
Ethel Stronach Soudie Clark, Emma Tay
lor Rhetta Laity Daniel, Mary Mckay,
Dixie Scales and Misses Royster
The prayers and benediction by the
Rev DIR. Hubbard and DR.. Marshall"
knH ,Jttlimeisso nysrsS
CAPT. DENsoN's ADDRESS.
The address by Captain c. B. benson
was delivered without manuscript or
notes, and after a tribute to the first
ard last president Of the Confederate
States in the ninety-third anniversary of
his birth, the speaker announced as his
subject The Confederate Soldier-His
Enemies and His Friends.
The volunteer in the panoply of war in
the beginning of sixty-Ona, was contrast
ed with the warworn veteran OF the later
years, as one By one everything has de-
istence and fighting. But as all outward
trappings and physica comforts were flung
away. the grand inward powers of mind
and heart and soul were developing
through fiery numbered fields.
mere trial, into the supreme heroes of
history. These powers were illustrated by
types of soldiers.
The enemies of the Confederate were
described and illustrated by events of the
war. and the declarations of commanders
and soldiers.
These enemies were the Army of the
North of 2850.000, and navy of five
hundred vessels of war.
The poverty of an people in the muni-
tions of war, and means of manufacture,
and their exclusion from the world.
Next came cold, hunger, nakedness and
thirst, as pictured by Fitzhugh Lee, and
Heath. by Carlton Mccarthy, and wit
messed by the speaker. The crossing at
Failing Waters and Rhodes description OF
the horrors of the march, final defeat,
woman-the patience in through the val
lev by his barefoot men upon the turn
pike
The last enemies were sickness ard
wounds and death. Pictures of these in
every form, ended in the description OF
the resting place OF North Carolina
dead at Winchester.
The speaker than drew the friends OF
the man in gray. First of these was his
approving conscience that obeyed his SOW
ereign State, which had never in all It's
history delegated the inalienable rights
OF her citizens recognized Independently
by Great Britain, to any government, or
representatives Upon this point, General
Lees only speech was quoted.
Next his noble ancestry, his inherited
physical and mental powers-grand ira
ditions-indomitab will--superb courage,
unequalled fighting power. as shown upon
Then the woman of the South-her reso-
luton. encouraging love and cheer-her
spotless purity, and everlasting fame, as
the nurse OF the wounded. the comforter
of the stricken, the guardian of the honor
and glory of the dead
But the greatest friend of the Confed-