Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1917-10-12
The Unwilling

Daughters OF the Confederacy, was
unveiled with appropriate ceremony
on Saturday last, October 9th.
La spite of most unfavorable
morning intermittent showers and
a cold, stiff breeze crowd esti-
mated at twelve hundred, witness
ed the unwilling, many others who
are known to have arranged to
attend being discouraged by the
outlook for a bad day. Appre-
tensions were felt for those who
were there, for not q few were
CARRIED only in summer weights,
and shiyered through the three
hours spent on the sacred ground.
A line of march was formed at
the Mansion House, the majority
of the crowd being in automobiles
The first car was occupied by two
sitting veterans carrying large
flags, and they were we'll through
the village before the last car had
lined up at the starting point
Reaching the battlefield on which
the memorial had~been placed,
several hundred autos were found
closely packed, a wood fire kindled
nearby, and many impatient men,
women, and children waiting.
Hon. B. H. Hiner, of Franklin,
was requested to preside over the
meeting and introduce the speakers
and in accepting the honor, deliver
ed one of the eloquent, pointed ad-
dresses for which he is famed
throughout the two Virginils, his
speech being preceded by an ap-
propriate vocal selection by a
chorus of singers, and an invoca-
ton by Rev. William Dickson, of
Williamsville Presbyterian church.
The first speaker introduced was
Prof. w. H. Keister, of Harrison
burg. who, in a speech Of a few
minutes only, praised the women
of the chapter for their commend
able work in erecting the memorial
: the first of its kind to be placed
in Highland county. He also re-
viewed the history of the memorable
battle, urging parents to learn well
the story so that they could tell it
intellig emily to their children. AS
usual, Mr.. Keister took occasion
to reafirm bis love and loyalty,
characteristics that endear him to
the people of his native county.
Following him, Mr. Hiner intro
t..uced Hon. Harry Tucker, who was
understood tobe the speaker of the
day. Mr.Tucker's ability and adapt
ability are so we'll known to Vir-'
inias that any outline or comment
would be superfuous. His address,
Listing less than an hour, was right
to The point from start to finish.
and the finish came long before
many would have wished it, but
for the most disagreeable weather
conditions that prevailed
Following the next musical num-
Der with which the speaking was
a poem by Mr.. Way.
land, lon the Road to Monterey,
was recited beautifully and with
pleasing effect by Mrs. Russell
Lockridge.
The real ceremony of unwilling
v as then announced by the presfd=
ing officer, and while the vast
crowd joinedin singing "The Star
Spangle Banner" the unwilling
took place, the covering bring re-
moved by little Misses Margaret
and Frances Matheny, nieces of the
late Captain J G. Matheny, brave
soldier and beloved officer. who
was wounded in the battle of Nc
Dowell. and who for more than
forty years thereafter was clerk of
the Highland county courts.
The tablet itself has been peat
edly described, and it is only neces
sary to add that the bronze of the
tablet surrounded bva rough boulder
of native stone, shows to beautiful
advantage, the combination being
both pleasing and striking, and the
memorial will be admired by the
thousands who in future will pass
by the historic battlefield.
l.. M. McClung was marshall OF
the day, and when he had '::round-
ed up the thin gray line" it was
found that only twenty five veter-
ans were present, l of them Union
soldier, Mr.. Hiner, 18th West Vir-
GINA Regiment, and it is needless
to add that the Johnny Rebs We'd
with each other in showing him
honor.
The U. D. C.. chapter had
provided dinner for all veterans
present, the layout being both free
and ample, and about 3:l5 the
crowds dispersed with no accident
or mishap to mar the pleasure of
day.
The following letter to the Staun-
ton Leader from A. ]. Taylor, of
Palmyra, Va, who was in the bat
tie, hence an eye witness, is of
interest in connection with above