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 Pcgram Battalion Association. 207

copy of same, that it may be published and thereby handed down to future history.

Very respectfully,

THOMAS ELLETT, President.

300 W. FRANKLIN ST., RICHMOND, VA., June 4th, 1887. THOMAS ELLETT, Esq.,

Pres't Pegram Battalion Association:

DEAR SIR I thank you for the kind expressions which your letter of the ist contains, and in accordance with the wish you express, I herewith send you a copy of the address delivered on the occasion of the unveiling of the Memorial Window at the Soldiers' Home.

Very truly yours,

H. M. JACKSON.

ADDRESS OF HON. JOHN FITZHUGH LAY, LATE COLONEL OF CAVALRY, CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.

To you, Major Randolph, Chairman of the Executive Committee, and to you, gentlemen, the authorities of Lee Camp, the Soldiers' Home, and of this beautiful Chapel, and as such, the custodians of its records, I address myself:

The " Pegram Battalion Association " have conferred upon me the proud distinction of delegating to you a valuable trust in the presentation of this register. As the " Vestal Virgins " kept the sacred fires at the Temple of Vesta at Rome, so are you to keep and guard this. Remember, it embodies the names and memories of some of our "household gods." Gratefully I have accepted the duty, not that, when so many voices more eloquent than mine were easily to be had, I saw any fitness in the selection of myself. Yes, one perhaps. When I recall the eventful scenes of the memorable day of the battle of First Manassas, let me briefly recall some of them pertinent to my subject.

It was a lovely Sabbath morn, all the surroundings of Nature in perfect harmony, nothing in them to portend the coming storm; each