Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/34

 28 Southern Historicnl Society Papers.

member of that Confederacy which, within a period of four years, made more history in heroic courag-e, patient endurance, and gener- ous sacrifice than any nation has ever made within a century of existence. The spirit which sustained her in war has enabled her to bear the results of defeat with such uncomplaining dignity as to have won from all the world as much respect in her humiliation as she would have enjoyed in complete victory.

My friends, her name will not perish so long as her pure women and brave men shall cherish and revere the glorious memories of her sons and daughters who have gone before.

4. THE CAVALRY—" The Men who were Always Fighting."

Responded to by Lieutenant F. H. Deane as follows :

Mr. President, Ladies and Comrades :

I know of no more fitting or appropriate toast for the cavalry than, "The men who were always fighting." Yes, sir, they were always fighting, and for this reason General Stuart taught to sing " if you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry."

I find by your programme I am called on, as usual, to precede the artillery and infantry. It was ever their duty to be in the advance when we were advancing, and in the rear if we were retreating.

It was not appointed, in the modern handling of cavalry, for them to be hurled against their foes in large masses, in the tremendous and awful crashes of battle that the infantry had to bear ; but, sir, it was their duty, and always nobly done, to gallantly press on the retreat- ing foe, to discover or unveil their march or plans of march or their positions. On our retreat, to bear the hardest of all duties, namely, to withstand the stubborn and insolent attacks of a victorious foe.

In doing this, they were always animated and sustained by their gallant officers, and their individual personal valor, which never ad- mitted of their turning their backs to the foe.

I beg to call your particular attention to why the Southern army exhibited to the world the wonderful prowess it did against such fear- ful odds, and which will ever stand so grandly to their glory. It was the courage, the patriotism, that each Southern soldier had in his heart for his cause and his country. They were not made soldiers by the stern discipline of the paid soldier, nor like them moved about as machines, only recognizing their officers as duty and their only duty. No, sir, it was their ardent love, implanted in each private soldier's breast, that made them to their foes "stand like stonewalls." Yes,