Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/260

 260 Southern Historical Society Papers.

His last thoughts on earth were of home and Heaven, the sweetest words in any language. He said, bear this message to my precious wife: "I die a Christian and hope to meet her in Heaven." No balm to the bruised heart could be more precious, no assurance more gratifying.

Irrespective of section, irrespective of service, the blue and the gray Generals Sheridan and Custer, Federal and Confederate sur- geons gather around his couch to minister to his wants and smooth his dying pillow. His soul takes its flight, and the day men called his last was his first in the Paradise of God. His body was carefully embalmed by the Federals, borne through their lines and delivered to his early and cherished friend, General Hoke. And thus was illustrated the saying that the world would remain at peace if those who made the quarrels were the only men that fought ; for between the soldiers of the two armies there was no personal animosity of one race, of one nationality, equally brave and equally sincere, they did not bring on the war, and not with their consent has its animosi- ties been continued. Ramseur's remains were carried to his native village, and there a large concourse of his neighbors and friends as- sembled to express their sorrow and do honor to his memory. They accompanied his remains to their last resting place, which is in the Episcopal church -yard, and deposited them beside those of his father and mother. Over them a loving and devoted kinsman has had erected a handsome monument, on one side of which is engraved the Confederate flag and the principal battles in which he fought, and on the other the date of his birth and of his death, with this appro- priate inscription : " A Christian Soldier."

GENERAL P. R. CLEBURNE.

Dedication of a Monument to His Memory at Helena, Arkansas,

May loth, 1891.

ORATION BY GENERAL GEORGE W. GORDON.

May loth, 1891, which was observed as decoration day at Helena, Arkansas, and also witnessed the dedication of the monument erected