Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/318

 310 Southern Historical Society Papers,

AN UNVEILING MEMORIAL.

On the night of July ist, 1890, the Richmond Howitzer Battalion held a drill in their armory, Captain John A. Hutchinson commanding. There was a full attendance, and the members of the Howitzer As- sociation were present in force.

Upon the conclusion of the drill the two bodies held a joint meet- ins, Captain Frank D. Hill, president of the Howitzer Association, presiding.

Captain Hill presented to the Howitzers an offering from the Wash- ington Artillery, New Orleans, with the following remarks :

the Washington Artillery from New Orleans— men who, twenty- nine years ago, left their homes and firesides, came on to Old Virginia to assist us in that struggle which lasted for four long and eventful years. They were men whom we may be justly proud of, and we feel highly honored that they were our distinguished guests. Al- though cut off from their homes and friends they continued shoulder to shoulder with us, and after a record second to none in the annals of our war, after the roar of their guns had been heard on every bat- tlefield in Virginia, then only was their tattered, torn and blood- stained banner furled at Appomattox. But the scene changes. After a lapse of twenty-five years the march to Old Virginia is re- sumed. The old veterans of many a campaign are now accompanied by a stalwart battalion of young soldiers, who have grown up since war's alarms have ceased, and old and young are here with us to give tribute and praise to our old commander, Robert E. Lee, in the unveiHng of a monument in bronze, enduring forever, to his high character. And now, comrades of the young company, I have the honor to present to you this memento from our departed guests, im- mortelles from the bier of Jefferson Davis, and beautiful photographs taken from scenes of his last hours and burial. We cannot but value such a gift as this, and to you. Captain Hutchinson, and the young Howitzers, I now present them with the hope that they may long be seen in the hall of your armory with your other cherished relics of the past.*'
 * One month ago we had as our guests that gr^nd old battalion,

CAPTAIN HUTCHINSON.

Captain Hutchinson in receiving the gift said : ** I am not much of a speech-maker, but I cannot refrain from the expression of our sin-