The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-31

| of the South had Just turned to recrc-
ate their social life. this work of caring
for our dead has never been permitted
to be forgotten.
Some. indeed many. of the original
members have themselves answered the
last roll call. but the survivors. with
the spirit Of the Old Guard. have closed
UP their ranks. and have carried on the
work until to-day. George Eliot makes
one OF her characters say that. the re-
ward of one duty done is the power
to do another. The reward OF the duty
now you ladies have had the power
to erect this monument of enduring
iron and stone ITO the memory OF the
hero soldiers Of Petersburg. who sacri-
feed their lives for our South
More Soldiers Than Voters.
Who. were these heroes? Every school
boy knows that. when the final call
tn arms came, Petersburg sent more
soldiers to the field than she had
voters on her poll books. The roll
tial spirit of thest town. and embraces
iail of the different branches of the
iseryicc: twelve companies OF infan-
! try. three OF cavalry. two OF artillery
and last. but not least. that immortal
home guard OF boys and superannuated
men, whose names have been inscribed
in loving remembrance upon the walls
OF old Blandford Church. and who un-
der the gallant Archer won fmperish-
able fame on the 9th of June. 1854.
the flower of the youth OF this old
city They were the representatives OF
all that was of the best in the civiliza-
ton of their time and country. Almost
proldest boast of those ofslater4 day Is
that they come from the lineage Of
those who went from the Cockade City
70 wear the gray. and to fight under
the starry cross.
Who were these soldiers? The his
tory of their achievements is the his
tory of the Lost Cause. On every
stricken field from Manassas to APP
pomattox-through all the long years
of civil strIfe--hemmed in by superior
clothes. without medicine. without
food. these are the men who kept their
powder dry and their weapons bright
by constant use. whom no odds could
3unnerve. and who We're overpowered,
but never knew defeat.
Who were these veterans? From
tn Appomattox to the Monocacy. from
the mountains to the sea. through the
Valley campaign with jackson. or IN
the Army of Northern Virginia With
Lee. the slogan: This way. Mahone's
Brigade!" guided the Petersburg boys
to battle under the Stars and Bars.
charging to victory, while all the
world wondered"
y
der vault, as in the headquarters tent
of this great army OF the dead what
should be said when we assemble in
these after years to pay tribute to the
fitting to remember that. of all the
great leaders of men which Virginia
7 has produced. few have equaled. and
fewer yet have 4excelled, N1ajor-General
neer, with wonderful ability to see
and take advantage of the topography.
of field of battle. 1t may be said OF
him that he never recklessly exposed
the men of his command to unneces-
5sary danger, nor failed tosmeet danger
when necessity required It.. To para
phrase the words of 5anotller: Few men
served in that war with more glory
than he;yet many served, and there
Dnttlc Of the Crater.
1T is. not for me to attempt the role
of aahistorian. Not for me nor for
this occasion, to describe even that
great battle of the Crater. when seven.
Sof our regiments with two batteries
Of artillery giaell n $ many division OF
the enemy In. check unit! the arrival
of Mahone'ss Division Not even or The
splendid and success sful charge OF that
W9rks
to speak. Other tongues, more elo-5
squent, have described that day. But
upon the anniversary Of thar great
fight, standing upon the hill which was
the objective Of the Federal assault,
and speaking OF tile deeds Of Peters
burg soldiers. ppause to- lay
a .sprlg Of rosemary upo the graves
of those twenty-five officers and men
Battery whose 8bodi les Vera.
covered by the debris Of Elliott's
salient. These men, In the discharge
$of duty. held the post Of honor TO
them had been intrusted the defense
OF an advanced portlon@of our lines
at a time when twas known that&rhes
enemy was Alternating to ilndermnei5
them. Not for them was the excite.
ment ofRthe thrilling charge. Not for
them to face danger amid the pomp
and circumstance of war. But calmly,
in the discharge of routine duty, quiet
3lyt and fearlessly y Il hey met death that
morning, while the summer birds were
singing their hymn Of praise and
that ''Not a sparrow
{falleth but It's God doth know .f N O.
or enrolls their names as yet.
They live enshrined in the hearts of
their countrymen.G But so long as tho
memory OF Pegrams Bat terry survives
among our hildrenss6 hildrnn, We need
not fear lest they lack & ri Inspiration
in deeds Of patriot ics service and heroic
t.s3 story j Of the Var a53s
When the historian d OF & he future
Sseek Il SWEite tho imparti lag Y, tory nj: