Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/185

 Virginia's Preparation for the War. 179

lit up by the splendor of this unclouded Southern sun on this august occasion, dignified by the highest officers of municipality and State, and still more by the presence of the most illustrious living, as well as the spirits of the most illustrious dead, we come in grand proces- sion — childhood and age, young men and maidens, old men and matrons, from country and village and city, from hovel and cottage and mansion, from shop and mart and office, from every pursuit and rank and station, and with united hearts and voices, crown thee with the undying admiration, gratitude, and love of thy countrymen.

Virginia's Preparation for the War.

REPORT OF THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE STATE.

[The following report, made on the very day on which Virginia passed her ordinance of secession, will show how poorly the old Commonwealth was prepared for the mighty issue forced upon her, and which she met so heroically :]

Adjutant-General's Office,

Hon. John Letcher, Governor of Virginia :

Dear Sir, — The following is a statement of the preseyit volunteer force of the State as nearly as it can be arrived at from this office :

CAVALRY.

Seven troops armed with sabres and cavalry percussion pistols 350

Two troops armed with sabres and cavalry musketoons 100

Thirty-six troops armed with sabres and revolvers 1,800

Twenty two troops armed with sabres only 1,100

Armed 3,350

Twenty-nine troops unarmed 1,450

Total cavalry 4,800

ARTILLERY.

Twelve companies armed with 6-pound field guns, with carriages and implements complete, and eleven of them with artillery swords 600

One with 6-pound field guns, swords, and sappers' and miners' mus- ketoons 50