The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-09
MEMORY OF A MEMORY OR WIN
MING FAME AND FLAGS.
G.. B. Tate, Draper. va.

After daY or two spent III Saiihs
for our wounded and the burial OF
our dead. the Virginia Military lnsu-
tute Corps returned from New Market
to stanton, the recipients OF orauoIts'
laudations and MonazatiOns along the
whole route Thence by rail TO hich-
mond. where we encamped IN CapltOl
Square. the observed Of all observers
A flag was presented US, in the name
of the State. by Governor Extra biilyy
Smith. and President Davis made an
address
This show over. we spent ten days on
the intermediate line OF defence he@l
the Nechanicsville pike, whence we
went by rail 20 Lynchburg. ana thence
by canal, reaching Lexington about one
month after the battle OF New Marhet;
From the canal boat the boys woule
fire at water terrapins summing thehi-
selves OF, tho drift in the river. II their
aim was not good their memories were
for the singing of the mimic paii was
followed by hasty and uncontroiiaoie
duck of the head.
Bleaching Lexington only one night
sooner than the Federal Feneral DaEIu
Hunter, OF Infamous fame, before
whose superior numbers General NC
CausIand wPs slowly retreatlhe, IN
stead of occupying the stuhy rooms OF
barracks. our Battalion was wisely
ordered to encamp on the parade ground
The Yankees in Lexington.
Next morning Lexington was all
astir. McCausland' advance came
filing from the bridge across North
River, passed the Institute GROUNDS.
through the streets of the town ana
on toward the Natural Bridge. Soon
several of the enemy's guns, planted
on the hills on the north side OF the
river opened FIRE, the shells striking the
barracks, professors houses, other lnstl-
tute buildings, the main ouIding OF
what is now Washington and Lee I nj
versity. and several private residences.
IN the meantime the cadet battalion lay
in absolute safety. fiat on their pacKs,
under arms behind the en- bankment
( Immediately in front of the institute,
watching the effect OF the sno's.
/ A Cure for Curiosity
! Overpowered by curiosity "a motley
crowd of 100 or more civilians. male and
female. white arr black, little ana Dig
We're gathered on the opposite hlil across
the pike. in fun view and IN direct
range of the enemy's guns a spindle
shanked little negro boy somewhat
apart from the crowd caught my atteri-
ton. He was standing in wrapt won
der. when d shell Overlooking the
barracks building and striking WITHIN
ten feet of the little darkey. exploded
Down he dropped as quick as hdsn'
and before I had cried out, there
one dead niger" he bounded like d
II.
in his trail at break neck speed 5campered
the sight-seers, not leaving single
sentinel on the hill
Procrastinated Devotions-
About this time l looked at my
cadet cornrade and was astonished
to see him seemingly absorbed III
rSading a probably hisl prayer book
Now, | don't mean TO criticise either
the book or the act. but only TO state
9 mi rar Nit
his customs and habits, l did not till
then know he had a prayer book, and
I'm quite SUR he had never attended
the weekly prayer meeting conducted
by a meager band of plous cadets ana
often led by truly Christian cadet.
whose death from fever was one OF the
only two natural deaths occurring
among the corps during my three years
connection with it. The other was that
of one of my roommates who died
from rnalarial fever within two weeks
OF his matricuiation. and hence con
tractcd the disease before entrance.
Mountain Tea Party
Soon the rear guard OF McCausland
appeared with jaded horses and wo
marched through the town westward
for a mile or so. but instead of keeping
the route of the other troops, the bat
TALON turned squafeiy 20 the left reach
ing Balcony Falls and encamped for
AcGavock and l wero sent as sentinels
TO the top of the mountain and meeting
a lowing herd winding slowly Ger
the lee-side'' of the ridge. We cxacted
a lust tariff formulated on Protcc-
ton" basis and made a fragrant pot ttin
cupl Of tea to cheer our lonely watch.
On leaving barracks that morning all
supplies were thrown open and We were
told to help ourselves. We elected
hard tack for one Eaversack and sugar
for the other. The former 20 save
cooking. and the latter which on &C
count OF scarcity was better than silver
or gold az an article for barter.
The Torch Bearer
Prom our elevated posts we saw the fame
kindied BY the vandal torch OF Hunter as a.
laid in ashes ell the buildings OF the Virginia
Military Institute except the residence OF the
-urerfutendcnt IN which there was an invalid
GhessIy Encampments-
Tho next day We resumed our march along
IN. tow path leading 20 Lynchburg. and on
arrival we're hsid IN reserve line and were not
The battalion lay under arms IN q cemetery
near the western suburbs Late IN the after-
noon = drilling rain began and We were With
out shelter for the nigb.. That morning We
Rad congratulated ourselves on the advar-
tags % our location. the iuxuriant grass BE-
tween the grave mounds Offering such SOFT
cory couchcs for a good nights rest. But the
rain had spoiled 70 all Several % the graves
I Ucrc marked b. rectangular brick walls sur
mounted By marble Sab and the brick bad
riven way in one Of them. causing the slab
. - fflt At a considerable angle. ~ the rain
Increased our dolcfuincss. keeping pace with
AL : uarefsh cadet pccrcd out from under the
-iab and nsockingiy cried out. Boys. q m
going TO camp right in urdcr here all night.
Ard h did. with the result next morning
7 "a t~inr the only dry man on the hiiI-
Surh Instances 81 sccming-and only
s~rrnina hcartic.sDc<s-an0ng soldier va
er,DbaticaIiy illustrated after hard fought
I h.tffe terminating a. nightfan. when the
hausfed Confcdcrafes sank into unconscious
.iuu,brr on the battle-ground. among The
s-t.ans Of the wounded and the silence % the
fc.d One Of the soldier waking rcxf
r,o~nfnr threw back his blanket aud cried out
a. ono Of hts cornradfS Damn n there amt
!. dad man 4 wounded soldier. chilled
~ M rirhf air the los 81 blood. and - the
arn~osrh Of death had craslcd under tho
6f,ntrf without the knc-icdgc OF the sleep
- ara dIe6 Al his side during the night. attn
on, awakins hia. The truth =. death be