Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 25.djvu/225

 M>il ;,!, Hill.

tin- advance infantry regiments, and die, as Armistcad died after- uards i>n the heights of Gettysburg, hard by the enemy's artillery.

The calmness and composure of the citizens of this city through all the trying days previous to and during the conflict was never ex- ceeded in the history of any people, not even in Rome when in the forum were sold the very fields on which the victorious Carthage - nians were camped. From the files of the Dispatch of that time, I quote as follows:

"A distinguished lawyer, whose age prevented him being in the In Id, exclaimed to a friend when the battle (Malvern Hill) was rag- ing: ' I am proud of Richmond. I am proud of my fellow-citizens. I could never have believed it possible for human beings to behave so admirably as they have done to-day. From my soul I am proud of them.' '

In the issue of this paper of the 3d of of July, we find the follow- ing notices:

"Major John Stewart Walker, former captain of the Virginia Life Guards, was killed on Tuesday. He was a gallant officer, and one of our best and most influential citizens. Ellis Munford, son of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, also fell mortally wounded."

There also, you will find a long list of the killed and wounded, and notices of the work in the hospitals, and tributes to the noble women in this city, ministering angels of charity then as now.

The sons they had sent forth with the Roman matron's injunction were returning upon their shields. In habiliaments of mourning they visited the hospitals, ministering to the Southern youths who, far from home and friends, were suffering and dying. The unshaken faith of the noble women of the South upheld and prolonged the heroic struggle for constitutional rights, while their cheerful sacrifices in their isolated homes, providing for and teaching their little children and praying for the absent husband and father, oftentimes with no protector save the faithful slaves who watched over the defenceless homes, furnishes the most unique and striking example of devotion to duty the world has ever known. The descendants of such women will rehabilitate a land impoverished by war and afflicted with unjust and discriminating legislation. When under the guiding hand of Providence her vexed problems are settled and she enters once more upon a career of prosperity, another monument will crown one of the hills of this consecrated city, erected by the sons of veterans and dedicated to the noble women of the South.