The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-31

years, and, we see the south ore of the
proudest and most aristocratie nations
on earth. The hospitable, ehivalrous
southern gentleman and the beautiful,
vrtuous daughters of the south had no
peers and the counterpart of many an
elegant mansion throughout the south
might be seen filled with every luxury
and comfort; the abode of hospitality and
leisure. company coming and going. beau
tiful tables spread with every delicaey.
choice cookery ole wines, massive plates
and routine of we'll dressed, well trained
servants forming an ohsequious array,
standing behind the chairs of guests at
the dinner hour. or waiting on them in
the impression % joyous, abundant
life All was cultivation, elegance and
refinement The flower gardens shrub
berry and ample lawns were laid out
with European taste. The stables were
filled with hlooded horses, which were
at the disposal of guests, and kennels
of the finest settlers and packs OF grey
hounds were kept not only for the amuse-
nent OF the proprietor, but that of his
friends, both ladies and gentlemen, who
would frequently gather at the mansion
and spend days under the hospitable
roof. The ladies superbly mounted, and
with gallant escorts. ofttmes would fol-
low the hounds in fun cry, taking daring
leaps as they flew over fields in chase of
the wary fox.
Devotion of Slaves
There were many contiguous farms or
plantations adjoining the estate, on which.
We're thousands OF acres of waving corn
and growing cotton, cultivated by Afri-
can slaves. The masters kind and con-
siderate of all these dependents, were
held in profound respect, and they We're
cheerful and contented under his do
minion. The younger members of the
fafhily were held in special alteration by
these faithful slaves-constant compan-
ions In childhood, partners of their
youthful grief and joys-who would will
rgly have given their lives for the sake
of young marster" or young mistis."
Such was the devotion these humble
slaves bore to their superiors. and this
was the happy, prosperous condition of
the south, when viewed at a distance by
our conscientious northern neighbors who
had found the institution of slavery un-
profitable, now deemed ii prudent to re-
leve the south of so profitable a resource.
For years this question was agitated un-
til a bitter sectional antagonism existed,
and the estrangement between the two
but little intercourse between the people
OF north and south and they regarded
eaeh other almost as distinct national
tiles. AT length matters had graviated
to such a point that the booming of
cannon and musketry and clashing OF
arms was heard throughout the land we
lcve, and the American people were en-
gagged in one of the bloodiest wars the
world had ever witnessed, costing the
lives of nearly a million of men, and
ia king the light and love from as many
happy homes and loving hearts. The
heroic struggle the southern people made
to retain their rights and property en-
tailed by ancestry, and the accumula-
tions of years was one of the most va
liant and strenuous efforts history has
ever recorded Loyalty and development
to the noble cause was rife throughout
the land and never had a people evineed
a more determined spirit than now ami
mated the southern men, women and
children. Upon the first call men flew to
their arms, and wives and mother sent
their husbands and sons to battle with
out murmur
ValorOus Leaders Enlisted
Southern valor, directed by leaders
whose names were identified with the
proudest prestige of America, and the
noble, patriotic soldiers enlisted in de-
fence of principles which were the dear
est convictions of the southern hearts.
Never were opposing forces more un-
equally met. The grand army of the
assailant, thoroughly provided with every
appliance of modern warfare schooled
and disciplined in military tactics, un-
limited wealth and resources and mex
heustible numbers, combined with all
the elements OF superiority against a peo-
pie entirely agricultural in habits and re-
sources, weak in numbers and govern
ment not yet organized three months;
without naVies and shpyards, and with
out time or opportunity TO obtain them.
1t is not strange that this grand invading
host was so confident OF a glorious vic
tory and their war cry was, Let it be
short. sharp and decisive" and with one
bloody holocaust the victory was theirs
But for a moment let us glance at the
sudden revulsion of this grand army of
the enemy who lad derived the confed-
crates for the want of numbers. the want
of arms. and its lack of all essential ma
terial of war. Behold their arrogance and
hauteur put to flight, routed at every
point and now flying in inglorious re-
treat before the victorious columns OF the
eonfederates Regiment after regiment
came rushing along the road and over
fields. But soon all distinction of regi-
ments and companies of infantry, cavalry
and artillery were lost. The confusion
OF Babel was synthetic order and perfect
symmetry when compared with the cha
otic uproar which now prevailed Soon
the way of flight became cholSed with
private conveyanees, with terrified civil
ians. with broken gun carriages, all tum-
bling, crashing and rolling against each
other wounded horses plunged to and
fro in the midst of the demented mass
OF human beings.
Fought With Sanguine Fury
Many were crushed to death Many
threw themselves on the earth, being
either wounded or exhausted and un-
able to continue their flight The great
mass continued TO hurry onward leaving
their dead and wounded on the battle
field. Thus ended the first encounter of
the great civil war During three years
of varying vicisstudes the confederates
fought with sanguine fury (and with the
ferocity of tigers). gaining many decisive
battles. and victory was almost within
their grasp Although the contest was not
ended and the tide for the time seemed
against them, they We're still hopeful of
glorious achievements although it's ar
mics we're diminished, it's resources in
men and means apparently exhausted and
southern ports blockaded, but devotion
and patriotism triumphed over all these
obstacles and their valor was again Illus
trated on numerous battlefields and in
hicted crushing defeats on successive ar
mics each of which our arrogant foe
fondly imagined TO be invincible. 1t was
not until the closing scenes OF 1864 that
the unwavering confidence of the con-
federates was shaken. "Shermans march
to the sea- had completed the success OF
devastation. The whole country was laid