Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/411

 Valuable War Belie, 403

pledges made, only to be broken by a bullet or a grape-shot, a shell dropped into the city, or the missile of some sharp-shooter perched in the limbs of the trees, so plentiful near the Federal lines. Ask some of the veterans of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans. Perhaps they can tell a story about these sentimental incidents of a rough and rugged era. More than one of these glorious old war- dogs from Louisiana carried away a bride from Petersburg.

THE MONUMENT.

Surmounting the noble shaft the figure of the Confederate soldier was to be seen when the canvas was drawn aside — uplifted on his pedestal, right in the midst of the graves of the intrepid men of whose valor he was the embodiment. In every quarter, albeit he ** stood four-square to all the winds,'* this Confederate in bronze could not but face spme memorable field of carnage, could not but face the grave of some fellow-soldier who had died in battle. Look at the head-boards and call the roll. There was Louisiana, there was Maryland — there were all the States of the Confederacy. Grave after grave they all told their eloquent story — " These died for their State.*' From the extreme northern boundary of the Confed- erate States to its uttermost southern limit the muster roll might have been called, and the response would have been, " Dead on the field of battle." Certainly it has been a great day for Petersburg, and a greater day for the dead who died in the cause.

The sound of drum and fife, the gathering together of veterans, the blare of the cavalry buglers, the marshahng of the volunteer military, the crowds on the streets, and the martial music of the bands — all indicated an unusual event for quiet Petersburg. And so it was.

VALUABLE WAR RELIC.

MUSTER ROLL OF A VIRGINIA ARTILLERY COMPANY.

K belonged to Major Boggs' Twelfth Battalion — Composed of North Carolinians and Richmonders — Interesting Date.

[Richmond Times, May, 1890. J

About a week ago a letter addressed to " the editor of the most prominent paper in Richmond" was delivered to The Times. It