The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-01-28

4 eOu Vi Tue oEItl6u uG8Q4uATI6I 8I8u.
Tanned by the hot Virginia sun.
thin visaged. and bright eyed. gaunt
OF frame and spare OF flesh. they were
neither more nor less than tie rank
/ and file OF the Confederate Army;
the product OF discipline and hard
| service, moulded after the same pat
tern. with the same hopes and fears
the same needs. the same synpathies.
go Pipe in mouth he could pass In
review the strategy and tactics Of
both armies, the capacity % h.s gen.
erals and the bearings OF his enemies.
and on each one OF these questions,
for he was the shrewdest OF obser-
vers-his comments were always to
the point. He had studied his pro-
fession in a practical school. sss
He cast comprehensive glance over
the wSole theatre; he would puzzle
out the reasons for forced marches
and sudden changes of direction;
his curiosity was great but iRtelli-
gent, and the groups around the camp
fire often forecast with surprising
accuracy the manouvers that the gen.
erals were planning. ''' Nor was the
Southern soldier a grumbler He
accepted half rations and muddy
camping grounds without remonst-
RANGES; If his boots wore out he made
shift TO march without them, and
when his uniform fell to pieces he
waited for the next victory to sup
ply himself with new outfit *"*
Instead of grumbling and deserting
they laughed at their own bare feet,
ragged clothes, and rinched faces;
and weak, hungry, cold, wet and dir
ty, with no hope of reward or rest
they marched cheerfully to meet the
warmly clad and well fed hosts of
the enemy; indomitable indeed were
the hearts that beat beneath the Gray
Jackets, and spirit rising superior
to all misfortune,
That eyer with a frolic wecome
took
The thunder and the sunshine"
was, a marked characteristic of the
Confederate Soldier. 1t is a good
picture of that living machine which
made glorious the life and death Of
the Confederate States. And what
an honor and pride it is to US, that
we can say that we were a part Of
that matchless army. We fought as
in duty bound to protect our country
and our state, and in the words Of the
Scripture, we declared to our enc
mics: Jehovah forbid that l should
give to thee inheritance of my fore
fathers"
Many nations have adopted and
presented to their soldiersibadgssi in
reward fnt signal bravery and dis
services. The Victoria
Cross of Great Britain, the Legion of
Honor of France, the Iron Cross of
Germany, and like badges Of other
are the highest distinctions
which their soldiers may hope to
gain. The country for which we !
fought lives but in history. 1t died
at the cannOn's mouth. But her no
BILE women have established an honor /:
for the faithful Confederate Veteran
It comes to US, my comrades, from
those brave and faithful hearts, sweet {,
hearts, who SO Loyalty upheld and
Streng ngthened us in our great struggle. !
Fortunate are you who will receive |
from their hands today the Bronze /
Cross of the Confederate Veteran |
You have been declared worthy of |
that great honor. Tell it to your |
wives and children and, that it may |
be handed down from generation to |
generation, tell them Of the services |
by which you have deserved it, Wear |
it WOrthily and let it always lead |
and prompt you to the highest ideals |
Of truth, honesty, courage and duty. |