Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/251

 Address on the Demise of General B. E. Lee. 245

information that Lomax had been made a brigadier, and assigned to another command, and that Colonel Oliver Funsten, to whom many of us were personally known, was in command of our brigade. We were for many days in dread of what was to be done with us, but when day after day passed, and none of us were put under arrest, we put away our fears and became ourselves again.

It was told of Colonel Funsten, that while we vvere away one of his aids said that the Virginians could not reproach the North Caro- linians with deserting, for thirty of Company B, Twelfth Virginia, had deserted in a body. Colonel Funsten replied : " Tut, man, they have not deserted, those boys are fighting the Yankees every day.

It should be added that the little captured property that we had taken was sold, and when our comrades returned from prison each was given his share of the proceeds, none being given to those that escaped.

It must not be supposed that we went on this scout to avoid a battle or get away from the discipline of camp, for we courted battle, and the discipline was as strict as that we had left. But we all wanted to see our friends and to get fresh horses, and to accom- plish these objects we would risk a great deal.

Rocky Mount, Louisiana, July, i88j.

Address of Bishop Joseph P. B. Wilmer, of Louisiana, on the Demise of General Robert E. Lee, Delivered at University Place, Sewanee, Ten- nessee, October, 1870.

The last scene has closed upon an illustrious life, a life fraught with lessons of wisdom to the old, and with inspiration to the young of this generation The earth opens this day to receive in its bosom the most precious treasure which has been left to our bereft and stricken people. The great and good man, whose name has so long been a household word in our land, goes to take his place among the silent congregation of the dead. Until the day breaks, and the shadows flee away, he is buried from our sight. His presence is lost to us; but not his heroic virtues and the brilliant deeds which have given his name to history.

Stars have been extinguished in the sky whose light continues to travel through space and linger in our sight ; and in the sphere of humanity there are examples of men so elevated above this world