The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-12-09


Opelika, Ala, Hon. D. G. Fogarty
said
''Ladies and Gentlemen:
"In the abundance Of his devotion
90 the glorious memories Of the South
eYn armies Captain William L. Butt
brave veteran of our great martial
conflict, has had the happy inspira
tion to present to the Robert L. Lee
chapter Of the Daughters of the Con
federaoy Of Opelika, Ala, a portrait
Of Petrick Romayne Cleburne, ono Of
she most gallant and efficient of the
generals Of the Confederaoy. lie has
done me the honor to ask that serve
as his spokesman in this presentation
IAave not the talents to adorn this
exaoting occasion and my only war
rant for attempting to fill this role to.
night is that I feel constrained to do
so by sort Of filial duty, for it is my
proud privilege to be the son of sire
who fought under Cleburne in the
great army ofthe West.
"The occasion which brings US to.
gethaS iB happy and auspicious one,
eou we are met to honor great leader
OF the living aud dead heroes of thai
epoohel wsr, which in the duration
and extent Of it's operations, in the
AeToeness Of its conflict and the mag
nitude Of the questions which it set
Ned, stands unrivaled in the martial
records Of the sges. In presenting
'his picture to the Daughters of the
e'on' sersoy: Z trust that 1 nay be
permitted to speak briefly of the life
and achievements Of this remarkable
laan whose physical form il portrays.
"Like 80 many Of the great soldiers
of the English speaking world Pat
rick Cleburne was native Of Ireland.
He came to America in 1849, at the
ago Of 22 and settled in Helena. Ar
kansas, where he continued to reside
until the outbreak of the war. IIav-
ing had some experience as a drug
clerk, the young emigrant secured
employment in the village drug store,
and continued in that avocetion
until his admission to practice law in
1857.
"D;d tine permit it would be exceed
ingly interesting to deal in detail with
che career OF this young Irishman. q
Stranger amongst strange people,
from the day Of his arrival in their
midst until that latest day, when they
laid him, their dead hero, with rever-
enoe and gratitude in the soil Of his
beloved State. Cleburne was man
who lived according to the highest
code Of integrity and honor. His con-
duet was ever characterized by gen.
elensss, courtesy and dignity. He
quickly impressed himself upon the
people Of the small town in which he
had settled, as man OF character and
culture, and deserved and won their
esteem and affeotionate regard. Like
many OF his race he had hot temper
and no very marked objection to q
difficulty when it appeared to be
necessary. His social qualities were
ef the highest order, and his big heart
vas ever stirred with sympathy for the
weak and distressed.
"While We are more particularly
concerned with Cleburne's career as q
soldier, trust that I may be permit
ted to digress here and relate to you
an incident in the life of our hero,
which honors him full as much as his
historic conduct at Murfreesboro.
Ringgold Gap or Franklin. In 1855,
Bon the first time in the history Of
Helena the dread oontagion Of yellow
fever found lodgment in her midst.
Business was forgotten, homes aban-
doned, while those who could, fed in
terror from the stricken town. Helena
was deserted save for the wretohed
poor, the afflicted and the few brave,
sslf-sacrifciug souls who devoted
themselves to the care Of the sick and
the burying of the dead. 1nresponse
20 an urgent call frou the local ply
sicians for nurses, three young men
came forth.
"Two Of them, Cleburne and Hind
man, later confirmed their heroism on
many bloody field. The third, the
Rev. Mr.. Rice, was devoted Meth.
edist preacher and true soldier oi
Christ. We are told that they for.
getting self and danger moved where
ahis dreadful epidemic was thickest
zsaking their rounds through the
hours Of the day sad the hours Of the
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