Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/316

 308 Southern Historical Society Papers,

again. The afternoon of the 27th of May comes again, and with martial music and flying banners we are entering Virginia the second time, after a lapse of twenty-nine eventful years. It is a moment of uncontrollable joy, and our voices fill the air with ringing cheers.

We appreciate that we are among the Virginians, for they are greet- ing us at every station with rare flowers and hearty cheers as tney did of yore. Daylight gives place to the silvery light of the full moon, and the clouds disappear that we may again enjoy the sight of those mountains and valleys and sparkling streams which were so beautiful when we lowlanders first saw them.

The quiet beauty of the night suggests to our hearts that sweet peace has spread its ample mantle over this beautiful and much-loved land of health and plenty, and our reverent prayer is that the tread of battling soldiery and the din and desolatiop of terrible war may never again disturb these peaceful scenes — this glorious people.

Our voices are hushed, our thoughts are in the past, and soon we are dreaming of the camp fires around which we found rest, wrapped in our blankets of gray.

The dawn of a beautiful day finds us in the heroic city of Peters- burg, and soon we are " home again * ' in Richmond.

All is joy and gladness, except when old friends come to us asking for those they knew and loved long ago and to whom we can only say, *' They are with us no longer ; they have gone to join Lee and Jackson in the eternal camping ground." Their bowed heads and glistening eyes silently tell of the love those dear people bore our boys.

The great day has arrived — the long lines of veterans are formed — they are Virginia's honored guests in the fullest sense of the word — the second generation in trim uniforms are also in line.

Our veteran corps is uniformed as when first we went into Rich- mond, and carry our war-worn battle-flag (the gift of a Richmond lady) and our regimental flag, on which sixty battles are inscribed.

Our active batteries bear the national colors and the beautiful Vir- ginia flag which was presented to us by Virginia.

The march begins ; every street and every locality seems as fami- liar as years ago. Enthusiasm is so supreme that we did not regard the length of the route, and we are scarcely conscious of our feet touching the ground.

For miles we are marching between masses of sympathetic friends. Virginia's great heart is up in her throat. She knows nothing to-day but the immortal Lee and those who followed him, and all along that