Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/28

 22 Southern Historical Society Fapers.

ones, who, in the last words ot" our glorious Jackson, " have passed over the river, and are now resting under the shade of the tree."

We accept this flag as a sacred trust, and as a memorial of our noble Colonel and brave comrades, who laid down their lives for their native State, the glorious mother of us all, and we had hoped our honored Governor would be present to promise, in the name of our mother Virginia, at whose clarion voice we rallied and dared all, that when the last one of us has joined his comrades, who " have answered their last roll call," she will cherish, as we have done, this banner, dyed in the heart's blood of some of her noblest sons.

Presentation of Colonel Pegram's Sabre.

The band then played " Dixie, " after which Major Brander took up a heavy sabre, at the hilt of which a red ribbon could be seen, held it up, and said : "Here is the sv\'ord, I can't trust myself to speak about it."

Nothing could have been more eloquent. This sabre was left with Major Scott immediately after the surrender by Captain R. B. Mun- ford, of Pegram's Battalion, who took it from the ambulance that bore Colonel Pegram off the field. Just before the last attack was made at the Five Forks Colonel Pegram was lying on an oil-cloth with two other officers, asleep, when heavy musketry broke out. He imme- .diately arose, buckled on his sabre, mounted his horse, and rode into action, and while directing the fire of a portion of his Battalion and two guns commanded by Lieutenant Early of Lynchburg, Va., in a few moments fell from his horse mortally wounded, and was taken off the field by his gallant adjutant and friend, Captain W. Gordon McCabe.

After benediction by Rev. M. D. Hoge, D. D., the Association and invited guests adjourned to Ssenger Halle, where they sat down to a banquet. After enjoying the elegant Alenu prepared for the occasion, the following toasts were read and responded to :

I. OUR DEAD—

" Their glory ne'er sliall be forgot While Fame her record keeps. And honor points the hallowed spot Where valor proudly sleeps."

Responded to by Hon. James N. Dunlop as follows: