The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-18
General Henderson. Address.

In opening the exercises Speaker Hender-
son, who presided, delivered the following
address:
members Of the Society of the Army
Of the Cumberland, Ladies and Gen
tlemen-You have assigned to me the
sacred duty of presiding to-day when
you are about TO lay away to
his final rest your old commander, Maj.
Gen. William Starke Rosecrans. Few gem
erals OF the civil war had a stronger hold
upon the officers and men who fought un-
der his command. They respected, they
loved him. and that love is attested by this
act OF yours in bringing the body of your
old commander from the Golden Gate TO
lay him away in your midst in this sacred
and historic city of the dead; While the
history of Carnifax Ferry, Iuka, Corinth,
Stones River and Chickamauga will be his
great monument as a soldier, his grave at
Arlington Heights will be a sacred spot,
visited by you and your descendants and
the lovers of liberty throughout the COM
ing centuries.
81 am not a soldier worshiper if the only
claims OF the soldier are marked by hui
man graves or great victories to command
the devotion, respect and love Of the cOun-
try. The soldiers motives must be analysed
and understood. and these must show that
he comprehended that for which he fought
and that love OF country rose above the
ambition TO be a great fighter. The pillow
Is better than the sword; the schoOlboOk is
a better guide than the work on military
tactics; the builder is better than the de-
stroyer; the maker of homes better than
bAC AAldhtA ~ graves anu yet IL the NOTk
or the soldier Is TO protect the plow, the
school and the home he is entitled to re-
spect according to the valor of his heart
and arm.
Following the life of General Rosecrans
from his birthplace in Kingston, o.. to his
resting place here the faithful student of
his life must credit his acts with the Hottest
motives OF a soldier. Educated at the Mill
tary Academy and graduating as an en-
gineer, he soon resigned mis- commission
10 enter upon the struggles of a business
life and nnnnnhfa1lN- would nax-a have
been heard Of as a soldier but for the civil
war and the call Of his country to resume
Rosecrans his noble character was mani
fest. As member Of Congress-, as minister
TO Mexico, as register OF the treasury, as a
military and business man he showed in
tegrity and devotion TO the noblest ambi-
ton OF the American citizen.
I had the pleasure Of serving under his
command at the battle Of Corinth, and also
served with him in the House of Repre-
sentauves. where our relations became in
innate and most friendly. He was one of
the most fearless officers that l ever saw
In battle. He seemed to be unconscious of
danger. On the 4th of October, when the
rmies OF Price and Van Dorm were press
Ing our Federal lines and symptoms of our
falling back were manifest, he suddenly
dashed between the Federal and COnfeder-
ate lines like the very spirit of war. He
passed but a few steps in front of where
! was. / can feel his presence yet. His
hat blown off, his firmly set face seemed
as though he was made for a god of battle.
Swinging his sword, he called out TO US.
Stand by your flag and country, my menp
How he escaped God only knows. 1t seemed
as though the very air was full Of lead. and
death was holding high carnival along his
pathway. and yet fearless he rode into the
very teeth OF death. rallying successfully
his men for the mighty struggle before
them. That splendid, fearless, heroic dash
was the death knell TO the armies of Price
and Van Dorm.
AT tire battle of Chickamauga history
tells Us that his personal efforts saved the
day. He was not found in the rear bevond
the reach OF bullets. but in the very front
OF the danger, where shot and shell were
making deaths music. All about him men
and horses were shot down in his immedi-
ate presence, and the Keeling columns of
the federal army were reunited by his fiery
and fearless leadership. No detail ESCAPED
his eagle eye. Commands out of ammuni-
ton were directed by him to the spot
where ammunition could be found. He did
not wait for aids-de-camp 10 convey his
orders, but would dash up and direct com
mandeIs OF brigades and indicate the points
in the field where ammunition was to be
found and ordered brigades 10 the points
In the field IN order TO strengthen the shat
tered lines.
NO more fearless man ever faced death
than this dear cOmrade who sleeps in our
midst this morning.
General Rosecrans, sleep peacefully in
the bosom of the country you fought TO
save. You have earned a rest in her bosom:
but. General ROsecrans, no single grave can
hold you, for you will be buried In the
hearts of all lie soldiers who fought under
your and in the hearts OF an ap-
preciative, grateful, loving country"