Augusta: "Memorial Day!," by Local Department, Wednesday, June 15, 1887

Summary: This is an enthusiastic, celebratory, and detailed report of the Memorial festivities, filled with praise for veterans and tribute to the old Confederacy, while at the same time pointing toward the need for sectional reconciliation. The article prints several of the speeches that were delivered at the Memorial Day celebration, and these echo the sentiments of the article itself.

THE BLUE AND THE GRAY!

NATIONAL AND CONFEDERATE FLAGS BLENDED IN TOKEN OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP.

The Observance Demonstrates Sentiments of Mutual Esteem and Perpetual Union.

THE GRAND CELEBRATION.

ALL BUSINESS SUSPENDED-THE STREETS AND BUILDINGS BEDECKED WITH FLAGS AND BANNERS.

DECORATIONS AT THE CEMETARY

THE ORGANIZATIONS IN COLUMN.

TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE PRESENT.

Governor LEE and General Averill,
OPPONENTS IN WAR-IN PEACE, FRIENDS.

General IMBODEN, of Virginia, and Hon. A.J. McCALL, of New York, --AND- [bold]CARLTON McCARTHY, of Richmond, ADDRESS THE AUDIENCE AT THE OPERA HOUSE

The coming of the ninth of June as it annually approaches is a time which revives memories endeared and hallowed. It is the day which the Augusta Memorial Association, since its organization, has set apart to commemorate the services, and to honor the memory, and to strew garlands upon the graves of Confederate soldiers who sleep in death. The Confederate grounds in Thornrose Cemetery, and the spacious acres of that home of the dead, never were in lovelier attire than they were on Memorial Day. To secure a result so desirable, the committees of the Cemetery Company and of the memorial section and private owners of squares were carefully engaged in seeing to it, and according to the order of arrangements flowers were placed upon the graves in the early part of the day.

PREPARING FOR THE EVENT.

The President of the Association, Captain G. Julian Pratt, in council with his co-laborers, secured the active assistance of the Stonewall Brigade Band, and the ladies of the city and county, who formed themselves into an Auxiliary Committee for the purpose, and for several weeks, by day and by night, they labored unceasingly for the result which was attained-to so replenish the treasury of the Association that the Monument Committee might see its way clear to erect the monument the succeeding year. By the first and second renditions of "Paradise and the Peri," and by the bountiful dinner on Memorial Day which was so much enjoyed by the people, they have placed at the service of the Committee a sum approximating $650 and for their devotion to the sacred purpose, they have received the profound acknowledgement of the Memorial Association and the entire community, and their fame has gone abroad as it is recited by the hundreds of visitors who vied with each other in rewarding them for their efforts.

The Stonewall Brigade Band, through its splendid discipline and business methods, took charge of the feature which was to secure the military, the bands, the Odd Fellows, the Fire Companies and other organizations, and the number of the various bodies in the column attest the efficiency with which the Band, which reflects so much of the martial spirit of the city, performed its duty. At their music quarters, where refreshments were bountifully served, was an open reception to the various bodies they had invited. The Odd Fellows also provided for their brethren with a generous hospitality.

THE GUESTS.

General and Mrs. Averill, with Mr. and Mrs. McCall, of New York, their friends, arrived by the Baltimore and Ohio train Wednesday afternoon. The General and his party were received by Captain Pratt and his Committee, and by Mr. Ro. W. Burke, his host, to whose residence he and his wife were conveyed. Mr. and Mrs. McCall were the guests of G. G. Gooch, Esq. General Jno. D. Imboden, now of Bristol, Tenn., and Mr. Carlton McCarthy, of Richmond, arrived by the evening train on the Chesapeake and Ohio line. The latter at once repaired to the residence of Major Nelson H. Hotchkiss, his sister, Mrs. Hotchkiss, and other friends, being in waiting for him. Captain Long and Lieuts. O'Rork and Kinney, of the Staunton Artillery, took charge of General Imboden, and with Judge McCue, the host of the General, drove down to the Valley depot to unite in the reception of General Averill.-Our citizens generally, and several visitors in the city at the time, immediately called upon General Averill and the other guests who had arrived.

Dr. Carter Berkeley went with a special carriage over to Waynesboro' Wednesday night to bring Governor Lee who was expected by the morning train, Thursday, on the S. V. R. R. from the South, but owing to failure of connection, he came via Lynchburg and Charlottesville and reached here about 9 o'clock on the extra which also brought hundreds of visitors. The Governor was taken immediately by his host, M. Erskine Miller, Esq., to his residence where General Averill and other gentlemen met him. The Stonewall Brigade was in place to honor him as they did the arrival of General Averill the evening before.

THE COLUMN FORMED.

At ten o'clock a detachment of the Artillery stationed on Sears' hill opened the military feature of the day with a national salute. Mr. J. A. Patterson, the Chief Marshal, with his aids, commenced the formation of the column. In a carriage drawn by four black horses were Governor Lee and General Averill, escorted by Capt. Pratt, President of the Association, Hon. Ed. Echols and Dr. Carter Berkeley. General Imboden, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. McCall and Rev.Dr. Nelson, the Chaplain, were in other carriages, attended by escorts.

In the column were the Stonewall Brigade-, the Harrisonburg-, the Laurel Hill-, Augusta Cornet-, Mt. Sidney-, and the Colored Band of Staunton. The military companies were the Harrisonburg Guards, Captain O. B.Roller; the Staunton Artillery, Capt. J. T. Long; and the Staunton Colored Infantry, Capt. Smith.- The three Staunton Fire Companies-the Hook and Ladder, with their carriage and implements, and the other with their Hose Reels, all handsomely ornamented with flowers and flags-presented a really attractive appearance, as did the Catholic Hibernian and Beneficial Society, and the Staunton, Lexington, Harrisonburg, and Clifton Forge Odd Fellows, all in their glittering regalia. The Harrisonburg Band wore ripe green uniform, and black hats with red plumes. The Stonewall was in Summer uniform of the regulation coat, white pants and white helmets. Citizens on horseback and in carriages were promptly placed in the column, and when it moved with the honored guests, the principal point of attraction, reverberating artillery and the long line of more than a mile with the joyous shouts of thousands of gladdened hearts, the scene was undescribably grand.

THE MARCH.

At the word of command "forward" by the Chief Marshal, the direct movement was taken up. The Cemetery was reached, and through its winding avenues and around the broad squares where our Confederate heroes sleep, silent and solemn honors were paid their memories which are held in tender affection as fadeless as the evergreens that cast their shadows over their graves. Returning to the city the ceremonies continued.

AT THE OPERA-HOUSE.

The organizations in the procession were assigned to seats, which were filled by the throng of ladies and gentlemen. Mrs. Averill was in the box on the left attended by ladies and gentlemen. Upon the stage, a large company were seated, and soon the guests came in, General Averill and Governor Lee, side by side. As they came upon the stage, the cheering was prolonged and together they bowed in acknowledgement of the honor. The Stonewall Brigade Band, at intervals, played "Joycia Tist N. Y., Regt. March," Dixie," "Hail Columbia" and "Yankee Doodle," which caused cheering and clapping of hands by the multitude.

President Pratt arose after silence had been restored and said:--

"To-day we have assembled to honor the memories of our dead comrades, to lay a wreath upon the sodded mound which covers their heroic clay, and Blue and Gray unite in the tribute to that sublime devotion which dared to die, and the heroism and valor which is now a Nation's heritage.

"I welcome you comrades and friends to a victory of peace, in which one of the bravest and truest of those who fought for the Union, in the noble nature which speaks for itself, comes to you no longer leading his fiery troops, but to add his tribute to the brave men who died for what they believed to be right."

When concluding, he invited Rev. James Nelson, D. D., to offer prayer, which he did in an eloquent, impressive, and appropriate manner.

GOV. LEE INTRODUCES GEN. AVERILL.

As Gov. Lee stepped to the front of the stage to introduce Gen. Averill, he was greeted with cheers. His remarks on this occasion, as is usual with him, were peculiarly happy and appropriate. He commenced by alluding to the Jonathan-and-David-like friendship which had existed between himself and Gen. Averill since they were fellow-students at West Point, and which had continued unbroken through all the vicissitudes of peace and war from that time to this. They were cadets together at West Point where their friendship was first formed. When Averill was graduated, he was sent to Carlisle barracks as drill-master, and when Lee was graduated the following year, he was sent on the same service to the same place, and there their friendship continued to grow. After that, they were sent to the frontier, where they served together under the same flag-"the stars and stripes." They had been taught to entertain different views as to the extent and powers of the Federal and State Governments-the one, the New York cadet, that certain powers were unreservedly delegated, and that the Union of the States was indissoluble; and the other, the Virginia cadet, that those powers were reserved to the States, and that the State of Virginia in entering into the compact of Union had expressly reserved to herself the right to withdraw when her interests or honor demanded, or when she should consider herself aggrieved or her rights denied her by the Federal Government. The North maintaining the former view and the South the latter, and there being no peaceful tribunal to settle the question, it became an "irresponsible conflict," and the issue was submitted for settlement to the stern arbitrament of war. The Northern officer rallied to the flag of the Union, whilst the Virginian officer, in loyal obedience to the call of his State, returned to his home to defend his mother State to the best of his ability. The war thus begun, continued for four years. During this time, both of them became Generals, commanding cavalry, and their forces were sometimes pitted against each other in deadly conflict. Gov. Lee said of Gen. Averill that he fought us bravely, but fairly, and like a true soldier made no war upon the defenceless.

Gov. Lee said that whilst Averill was returning from his raid on Lynchburg, he had gone to intercept and capture him, expecting to meet him at Covington, but he was recalled and reductantly obeyed the order, and thus they failed to meet. If they had met, said Gov. Lee humorously, "the longest pole would have gotten the persimmons." He was thus trying twenty-odd years ago to catch and bring Averill to Staunton, said Gov. Lee, and now he is here to speak for himself. His presence here under these circumstances shows that the war is, indeed, over, and that the question that divided the country is settled, and that we are now one people, with one destiny, and with one flag.

This, he said, is a magnificent demonstration in memory of the loved and lost, and no brave man can do otherwise than approve it. That they were brave and good soldiers cannot be denied by those who were foes in war; for if they were not, how is it that it required four long years for a strong government with a million of men to conquer them? Among them, were "Stonewall" Jackson, who rose from the quiet college professor to become a star in the red firmament of war, and the brave and noble and self-sacrificing Jeb. Stuart, who, on being told that his child at home was sick, said: "I must leave my child in the hands of God-my duty requires me here."

Looking at Gen. Averill, Gov. Lee said, your presence here under these happy auspices clearly indicates that we are in the dawn of revived national feeling, and that we now have peace that is disturbed by no cannons save those fired in memory of the brave and honored soldiers who fell in both armies. Whether they fell in the one army or the other, said Gen. Lee, if they did their duty as true and manly soldiers should, he was proud of them as Americans.

In concluding, Gov. Lee said he would now introduce him who was the New York Cadet at West Point, and afterwards the distinguished soldier,-Gen. W. W. Averill, of New York. (Great applause.)

GEN. AVERILL'S ADDRESS.

As Gen. Averill arose and stepped forward, he was greeted by the vast audience with great cheering. The following is the full text of his excellent address:-

Fellow Countrymen:-I thank you for the honor that your invitation brought to me, and for the great pleasure of meeting you on this occasion of the yearly reawakening of the cherished memories of your departed soldiers.-Your courteous summons made me happy by informing me that I was yet alive, for to be forgotten is to be dead, and I gladly come to assist in a Memorial service which shall keep alive in memory the days and deeds of those brave men of yours who are not dead but living immortally-just beyond the bourne of earthly sense. (applause.)

Undoubtedly there are many people in our country who were acquainted with the war at long range and are not yet aware that it is over. And some double-tongued statesmen who may feel surprised that one who had invaded and pervaded your country with an active armed force, should be asked to receive your hospitality on an occasion like this, when you are perpetuating the sad but heroic memories he had helped to create.

When I was last here,
TWENTY-THREE YEARS AGO,
these hills had been resounding with the dreadful thunder of artillery and the deadly rattle of musketry, and the dust of these tramled fields had been reddened with the blood of contending armies.

Now, the Shenandoah Valley brims to the mountain top with the quiet atmosphere and sunny glow of peace, and the fields, as far as the eye can reach, are covered with a billowing mantle of prosperity. (applause.)

Where once, out-posts and pickets were set to guard my command against a brave and persistent enemy, I now stand alone a welcomed guest, (applause). I thank God and you for the changed conditions. I have experienced every vicissitude of war, including being killed -for I have been half killed twice-(laughter), but of all the triumphs I have ever enjoyed this victory of peace to-day is the grandest and most satisfactory. (applause.)

Among the
CAUSES OF THIS NOTABLE EVENT
I recognize, first,a growing custom which will satisfy the universal longing of all men to escape oblivion when their turn shall come to stand the test of remembrance. Secondly, I recognize in my own welcome the highest compliment that you could pay to my command by remembering that when it was here in your country fighting for a restoration of the Union and the preservation of our nationality, it did not attack the defenceless-that it fought your soldiers with courage and energy but held your homes as far as possible sacred from the touch of war. (applause.)

Since your invitation to me was announced. I have received letters from many of my officers and men in different parts of the country, expressing their gratification at your action.

Your surviving soldiers remember
MY COMMAND;
they remember how, when new and untried, it fought your army of West Va. in August, '63, at Rocky Gap, near White Sulpher Springs, without discredit, for twenty-four hours; how it again attacked and routed that army at Droop Mountain in November of that year, and you cannot forgot how a portion of my command, 2,500 mounted men, penetrated your lines beyond 150 miles, and destroyed the valuable supplies of Longstreet and the railroad at Salem, and that same 2.500, after doing their work of destruction, turned their faces northward and faced the wintry tempests of December '63 and "marched, climbed, slid and swum" through and around 25,000 of your best and bravest, and escaped capture; how, early in '64, 2,250 of them led their horses in single file over the mountains of West Virginia and descended upon the Tennessee railroad near Wythville, holding in a bloody embrace the 5,000 of Gen. John Morgan for four hours, thus preventing his junction with the forces of Gen. Jenkins at Dublin, and ensuring the defeat of the latter at Cloyd Mountain; you all remember our part in the Lynchburg expedition, and the division of Ramseur in Early's army, and especially the Stonewall brigade commanded by the gallant Gen. Lilley, (applause) will remember the loss of their battery and two or three hundred men at Carter's farm near Winchester, in July, '64; and the division of McCausland cannot forgot Moorfield when it was surprised at dawn of day on August 8th, '64, and lost its battery, colors, and a large number of its men and horses; and my great and good friend, your gallant soldier Governor will carry through life an attestation of our attack on your left at Winchester, on the 19th of September, '64, whereby the brilliant prospects which awaited the heroic efforts of Early's army were turned into hopeless defeat. And finally the wonderfully active army of Early and the gallant Lomax, who commanded its left, at Fisher's Hill, will recollect the assault of my division which turned his left and brought sudden victory to our arms.

All these remembrances are still glowing and glorious, but above them all shines the ever-lasting golden challenge to the men and women of Va. to recall an instance where the sanctity of a home was invaded by any officer or man of my division, without swift and condign punishment overtaking the offender.-Sweet as the fragrance of flowers will be to my officers and men this recognition of their discipline and high sense of duty which you extend to their commander to-day. My men, proud of their character as soldiers, tasted in those terrible days the first fruits of duty done, when my division formed a part of a larger force and they saw women come to their gates with white faces and dishevelled hair, and heard them inquiring of the passing column for Averill's men to protect them, (great applause.)

Among those who greet me here to-day I observe the beaming faces of a generation who must have been too young to realize the tremendous struggle of life and death to which this occasion mainly relates, and whose notions about its cause and conduct must be dim, and perhaps they sometimes wonder what it was all about. But they need not regret their lack of understanding, for very few of our leading men in government, literature, legislation or politics, at that time, or even this day, have reached down to the broad and truthful premises, which should underlie any philosophical and
CANDID CONSIDERATION OF THE ORIGIN AND RESULTS OF THE WAR,
not remembering that organized aggregate of humanity called society, the parent of government, derives its character from the character of the labor that supports it-that the people of the North and South were sustained by entirely different forms of labor-that the different social conditions which resulted, were originally united by the ties of helplessness and mutual dependence in resisting the oppressive exactions of the mother country and achieved the independency of the Republic, and afterwards tried to perfect and perpetuate the Union of States by adopting the Constitution-that great men of both social conditions strove earnestly and long to maintain the Union in spite of the natural and irresistible diversities which sprang from social, political and commercial antagonisms between these different social conditions, the accumulating aggravations of which no government devised by man could repress, until it fell to the lot of the eighth generation of Americans, no longer able to control or harmonize them, to resort to the arbitrament of arms. Then followed a heroic period which gave birth to great names, glorious achievements and heroic deeds. One of these antagonistic social forms had to be crushed. The strength of anything is measured by the force required to break it. The strength of Southern society was measured by a million men and $3,000,000,000. Incidentally and necessarily the character of human labor became homogeneous throughout the land. Political parties had no more to do with the cause of the war than the church militant has to do with earthquakes. (applause.) The costly lesson we learn was that labor is the lever that moves the world of human life and in a republic it must be free. Human labor is Godlike in this, that it materializes thought and is creative in its functions. It is unrequited whenever any portion of its wages are expended on fictitious values.

The Nation can remember with honorable pride that
SOUTHERN MEN WERE GREAT IN WAR;
it remembers that when their cause was hopelessly lost they were greater in accepting with the dignity of brave men the conditions and consequences of defeat; but posterity will never forget that they showed themselves greatest in meeting promptly and manfully the exigencies of free labor. (applause.) For over 2,000 years mankind has been instructed and civilization benefited by a picture of Cincinnatus called from his plow to assume the dignities and wield the power of the Roman state. A far greater picture in its effects and benefits was furnished mankind when your Governor, Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, (applause), whom I mention as representing the best and highest type of Southern manhood, after the war took off his coat and put his hand to the plow for the first time. (applause.)

God who gave us our path and motion in the universe and said "By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread," will smile on a people who recognize and respect the dignity of labor.

Amid the elder generations before me I recognize the faces of those who must have been my comrades of the war. We certainly were comrades in several relations. In our campaigns and battles the same sky covered us, the same storm drenched us, we were bespattered by the same mud and begrimed by the same dust and our marches and fatigues were contemporaneous and coequal. We assaulted each other until we became well acquainted. (applause.) With regard to the personal feelings existing between those who were acquainted with each other or were friends when the war divided them, I may mention
A CONVERSATION I ONCE HAD WITH PRESIDENT LINCOLN,
which may be of interest. It was shortly after the first great cavalry battle of the war, at Kelley's Ford, on the Rappahannock, early in 1863. The President came down to visit the Army of the Potomac opposite Fredericksburg and to review it. He did me the honor to send for me to visit him in the evening. We had an interview of an hour in his tent. He asked me many questions about the army, and especially the Cavalry Service and its great expense. He expressed great interest in the fight we had at Kelley's Ford, and enquired particularly about the Confederate commanders. I told him how the fight came to pass, and showed him a note which I had received from General Fitzhugh Lee, with reference to his wounded. He put on his spectacles and read it carefully. Then he asked: "Were you and General Lee friends?"

"Certainly," said I, "always had been."

"What would happen," he asked, "Should you meet on the battle field?"

"One or both of us would be badly hurt or killed," I said, "obliged to be, Mr. President."

He leaned that picturesque and mournful face of his on his hand, and after a pause, said with emotion, "Oh, my God, what a dreadful thing is a war like this, where personal friends must slay each other and die as friends!"

I told him that "undoubtedly Lee thought he was doing his duty, and I knew I was doing mine."

"Yes," said Mr. Lincoln, "I understand your feelings, but there are many who would think that you ought to hate each other."

Finally, he said: "General Averill, I wish you would give me this letter of Lee's."

"Surely, take it, Mr. President," I replied; and I have been told by one of his biographers that he carried the note in his pocket for a long time, and would frequently show it.

This statement of personal relations and feelings seemed to make a revelation to Mr. Lincoln, for he had a heart and an understanding large enough to consider every emotion of all the people in this country, which he so longed should be a nation. (applause.)

THE MEMORIES OF THE FOUR YEARS' WAR
which cluster above the graves of the "Blue" and the "Gray," are identical and equally dear to the surviving comrades of each. There is one grand memory which we may ever enjoy, the fortitude and devotion of American soldiers, North and South, and their manhood in battle will not fail to awaken the admiration of mankind so long as any people are called Americans. (applause ) The grandest efficient result of the war was to fortify our nation with a public opinion which has since environed the world. Where is the nation that does not recognize its power? or that can afford to disregard it. The migrating thousands who are pouring into our country from all nations and races, attest the universal and continued effect and grandeur of that opinion. It needs no thundering navy nor consuming army to make it manifest.

Our future path as a nation has been untrodden by any other and our destiny is beyond human ken. Our industries will become more varied and definite, and as their equation approaches perfection, the Nation will near the long repose of contentment, and the rhythm of free and requited labor will move the peoples of the earth to a higher social development and to a more general union of mankind.

The persistent and universal force on earth which moves people to build churches, is the same which has assembled you to-day-the worship of the Godlike in man;-the recognition of the Image in which we are created.
PATRIOTISM
is not an inspiration, it is a necessary condition of social existence. It is the threshold of religion. Outside this threshold men are brutes. Inside, we behold all that man has discovered and created-Society, Government, Language, Literature, Science, and Art.

This undying mother of civilization,-Religion-is the first necessity experienced and the last comfort relinquished in every human life. In this mother's arms, we are suspended between two infinities, as in a hammock one end of which is held by Memory, the other by Hope. The history of this Nation, the only one which can now be studied from its beginning, is already a new and original page in the story of the world. Not yet a hundred years old; and on a new continent, a nation that employs two million men in a social war, and succeeds in uniting itself and knitting its people together is certainly original. Another wonderful thing is that the very soldiers of both armies who did the fighting enjoy the readiest mutual confidence and brotherly esteem, and mayhap in spite of indifferent and ignorant politicians, they and their children will become the strongest social cement of our permanent union.

We dashed together like waves on rocks,
We fought till the ground was red;
We met in the shuddering battle shocks,
Where none but the freed soul fled.

Now side by side in the Nation's life,
And shoulder to shoulder are we;
And we know by the grip of our hands, strife,
What the strength of our love may be.

GEN. JOHN D. IMBODEN INTRODUCES MR. A. J. M'CALL, OF NEW YORK.

Gen. Imboden said that the duty had been assigned to him to introduce the venerable Gen. Jackson, of Tennessee, but that gentleman had been prevented by sickness from attending, and he would introduce instead Mr. A. J. McCall, of New York, a friend and neighbor of Gen. Averill, who had accompanied him to this city. Before doing that, he hoped he would be pardoned for giving expression to some sentiments which had occurred to his mind whilst Gen. Averill was speaking. It was an evidence and a result of the advanced christian civilization of this country that such fraternal feelings should now exist between people who had so recently had millions of men engaged in hostile conflict, and that it should be brought about chiefly by the very men who were engaged in that conflict. Gen. Imboden said that the South was right in the fight she made, but still he believed that it was better for her and the nation and the human race that she failed to accomplish her purpose. In concluding, he introduced Mr. McCall, of New York.

MR. M'CALL'S REMARKS.

This venerable gentleman then, leaning upon a cane, came to the front, and made a few very pleasant remarks. He said that he had not expected to have anything to say, and would not attempt a speech, but only a little talk. He said he was here now, because he had been here on a visit sixteen years ago, and was so pleased that he could not refrain from coming here on this occasion with his friend and neighbor, Gen. Averill. He was greatly pleased with the manifestation of fraternal feeling here exhibited which he knew to be honest and unfeigned. Though persons may differ in their opinions, they should still be friends. He liked persons to express freely their honest convictions. He always did that himself, and he liked for others to do likewise. His friendly remarks were heard with pleasure and were greeted with applause.

COL. J. C. SHIELDS INTRODUCES Mr. CARLTON M'CARTHY, OF RICHMOND

Col. J. C. Shields then introduced Mr. Carlton McCarthy, of Richmond, the author of "Soldier Life in the Army of Northern Virginia," which he did as follows:-

This feature of our memorial ceremonies would be incomplete without the participation of the private-the individual soldier-who, as he has been sketched by the gentleman that will now address you, "Was moved by the heart which is greater than the mind, secure in his own rectitude of purpose and accountable only to his God."

The duty I am called upon to perform, in introducing him, is one of special personal pleasure to me, for he won his renown whilst serving in the battery of which I had the honor to be the first commandant. I introduce private Carlton McCarthy, of the First Company, Richmond Howitzers, author of "Soldier Life in the Army of Northern Virginia" and Secretary of the Association of that army.

MR. CARLTON M'CARTHY'S SPEECH:

As a representative of the vast and honorable constituency, of the private soldier, he did credit to himself and reflected honor upon the constituency he represented. His speech in matter and manner was unique, and sui generis-it was like no other, and was its own parallel. The manner of its delivery was easy, graceful, and humorous, whilst its matter was pregnant with apherisms of wisdom.- Whilst he was so considerate as to announce, before he entered upon his address, that it would not displease him in the least degree if persons should leave whilst he was speaking, for whilst all knew how long the speeches of those were who preceded him, no mortal man could tell how long his would be. Such was the manner in which he interested and entertained the audience, that none availed themselves of the privilege he so generously accorded them, but heard him through, and wished him to continue longer. His patriotic sentiments, warm Southern devotion, sound maxims, pointed wit, and genial humor, not only pleased, but captivated his vast audience. He seemed to have possessed the "Open Sesame" to the intellectual treasure-house of Seneca, from the number of nuggets of wisdom he presented of that ancient Grecian sage. His frequent quotations of Seneca caused a smile in the audience, when he paused, and humorously said, "It seemed that he was not allowed to be original." He repelled with indignation the idea that Confederate soldiers were rebels and traitors, and asked, "Are we paying memorial honors to criminals, to traitors? No, they were patriots who fought, bled, and died for their country. Their cause was right-the South was right, and will always be right." Turning to Gens. Lee and Averill on the stage he said, "The military men are not always impartial judges, and sometimes give the award to the wrong man." He is what the North would denominate an "unreconstructed rebel." Though his sentiments were extreme, his sincerity and honesty of conviction were so palpable, and his humor so genial, that they were received with pleasure even by those who did not concur with him ; for they approved his patriotism and Southern devotion, even if they did not agree with his opinions.

During his speech, his quaintness of manner and the originality of his views, elicited applause and frequent bursts of laughter.

THE FINALE.

During the afternoon, the fine company of infantry, Captain Roller, from Harrisonburg, which received so many commendations, appeared in front of the City Hall and exercised in dress parade-the Harrisonburg Band furnishing the music. The parade over, the, the line of march for the depot was taken up amid huzzas and cheering for the Harrisonburg contribution to the interest of the day.

The regular and special trains had brought large crowds to Staunton, and at the hour for returning all had departed. From the surrounding country, and by all the modes of travel known to the rural districts, the people, old and young, white and colored, had joined in the ceremonies of memorial day, and, before nightfall, were on the way to their homes.-They came not empty-handed and only to observe, but brought with them provisions for the dinner furnished under the auspices of the ladies, and many baskets of flowers to bedeck the graves of the honored dead.

AN INTERESTING LECTURE FROM THE NIGHT PREVIOUS.-By invitation of the Staunton Artillery, General Imboden, who was the first commandant of the company, which was organized in November, 1859, was under promise to lecture for its bedefit, and filled the engagement at the Opera House on the night of the 8th. General Averill and Mr. McCarthy were present on the stage. Captain Long and Lieuts. O'Rork and Kinney of the Artillery escorted General Imboden to the stand. There was another veteran there-that matchless soldier and accomplished gentleman, Captain James Bumgardner, Jr., who had been designated to introduce-no, not that as he said-but to announce General Imboden's appearance before the audience. That was done in a style worthy of the speaker and the occasion. General Imboden, he said, was here in the county of his birth, and the scene of his early life, and the services of his matured manhood. Here he had filled high public station, and was a representative of the great old county for many sessions in the legislature. Coming on to the times when war opened upon us he was referred to in connection with the splendid command with which he entered the services, and closed by naming a few of the incidents in battle and the high record the battery had made.

General Imboden, in his opening remarks, gave an interesting sketch of the times as they were in November, 1859, when the company was formed, and the early efforts to equip it with a battery, calling up his interviews with Governor Wise, General Dimmock, and the rapidly crowding events that came to pass.-Here he paused awhile to speak of the "West Augusta Guards," that fine infantry company then in existence here, and the noble spirits, both officers and men, it embraced.

The march to the lower Valley and Harper's Ferry, the special service he and his command were ordered to execute, the battle of Manassas, and the artillery conflict between the Staunton battery of four smooth-bore 6-pounders without infantry support, and Ricket's and Sherman's batteries of 12 rifles and 2 howitzers, were described in a manner as thrilling as they were true. The Federal batteries were disabled and Ricket wounded and carried from the field were the results before the Staunton battery had orders to retire, for they failed to reach it became the staff-officer bearing them had fallen, and the immortal Bee, the brigade commander, had been slain immediately after they were issued.

From Manassas to the Potomac, and then on every field where its scores of conflicts were merely named, he said it was reported distinguished by every General officer under whom it served. At Manassas, it held a position, and could not be dislodged, and thereby delayed McDowell's movements, and on the other hand gave Johnston and Beauregard advantages they otherwise could not have had-if indeed the position it so sublimely maintained was not the turning point of that eventful day. He referred to the fact that the Virginia troops were mustered in 1861 for one year only, but whilst in the lower Valley and before the battle of Manassas, he mustered his command in the service for the war, and reported his certified roll to headquarters. It was the first Virginia company so placed in the service. He made an eloquent and fervent appeal to the citizens of Staunton and Augusta to sustain this old and war-worn command. A veteran of the war who served through it as a member was now its commander. He was a brave and good soldier then, and should now, in his efforts to maintain the organization, receive the cheerful co-operation of the community.

The Century Magazine will contain the history of the Staunton Artillery written by Gen. Imboden in his vigorous style. Names of his comrades of the company came fast and in scores, with his tributes of admiration and affection. It was with tremulous voice he spoke of Tom Harman as noble a spirit and as true a man as he ever knew. The eulogy of few words that was spoken of that gentleman was truly impressive and sank deep in the hearts of all who knew him.

THE AUGUSTA MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION IN ANNUAL MEETING.-At 4 o'clock in the afternoon the association assembled in the Council the transaction of business. President Pratt in the Chair, and Mr. Morgan Argenbright, Secretary, present.

Reports were made from the various committees and by the Treasurer. The Monument Committee was authorized to erect the monument during the coming fiscal year, with the view of having it ready to be unveiled on the memorial day in 1888.

Captain Pratt declined a re-election and insisted that he should have his way in that matter, but the association would take no excuse, nor consider any appeal he made, and by a unanimous vote directed the Secretary to declare him re-elected. Encomiums upon his services and the splendid success, as the day in all its features had demonstrated, were pronounced by many gentlemen, all overruling his earnest request that he should be relieved, and that Captain Lewis Harman be placed in the position of President. None were more opposed to such a proceeding than Captain Harman himself, who declared that Captain Pratt must serve until the monument crowned the beautiful heights of Thornrose cemetery. Mr. Newton Argenbright as Secretary, and Mr. Joseph E. Rollins as Treasurer, were unanimously re-elected. This is the sixteenth year of Mr. Rollins' services in that office.

Messrs. W. L. Bumgardner, J. D. Lilley, J. A. Patterson, J. C. Shields, A. H. Fults, and J. T. Long, were made Vice Presidents.

Messrs. J. C. Marquis; J. N. McFarland, F. B. Berkeley, Lewis Harman, and B. A. Hamilton were again constituted the executive committee.

The monument committee is as follows: J. C. Marquis, W. L. Olivier, J. N. McFarland, J. D. Lilley, Silas Walker, G. J. Pratt, W. H. Gamble, Jos. A. Wilson, J. E. Rollins, and J. Hotchkiss.

Governor Lee, General Averill, General Imboden, Carlton McCarthy, A. J. McCall, and H. M. Lee, were made honorary members.

The services of the Ladies' Auxiliary Society and of the Stonewall Brigade Band in aid of the purpose of the Association were referred to in touching words by Capt. McFarland and others and the thanks of the Association unanimously tendered to them.

The elegant carriage in which were seated Gov. Lee and General Averill, drawn by four splendid black horses, the reins in the skillful hands of William Britt were from the fine livery of Mr. Alexander Harman, and could not fail to add to the pleasure of the distinguished guests, who, being famed cavaliers, must be admirers of good blooded and spirited steeds.

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Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Staunton Spectator, June 15, 1887