Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/229

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In that other field of" naval warfare the destruction of an enemy's commerce, Coni"< -derate genius was also resplendent. We had but few cniist-is afloat, more than fifty vessels were searching for them, they had no port of refuge, their own ports were blockaded, and yet the (ieneva Commission found that three of these cruisers had de- stroved ships and cargoes of the value oj 815, 000,000. Maffitt in the Florida and Semmes in the Alabama won immortal fame, and the exploits of Waddell in the Shenandoah will ever be remembered with admiration.

When the flag of the new nation was furled forever upon land, the Shenandoah was far off in the Northern Pacific among American whaler>, and the last gun for the Confederacy was fired from her deck June 22d, 1865, The Shenandoah found her way to a British port, and surrendered to a British Admiral, November 6th, 1865.

To sum up the history of the Confederate Navy it is an almost unbroken record of energy and devotion and genius making a brave struggle, and often almost on the point of succeeding against odds that were absolutely overwhelming.

We build monuments to heroes, prompted by the noblest impulses of the human heart, and that future generations may imitate their example. In performing our sacred duties to-day let Alabamians rejoice that, as Alabama in the civil war gave Dixon and Semmes and thousands of other brave men to the Confederacy, so now in our war with Spain she has given Richmond Pearson Hobson to the Navy and Joseph Wheeler to the Army of the United States.

At the conclusion of his speech Mr. Herbert escorted Miss Janie Watts to the sailor statue, which she gracefully unveiled while recit- ing the following anonymous lines which are inscribed on the pedestal :

"The seaman of Confederate fame Startled the wondering world, For braver fight was never fought. And fairer flag was never furled."

The band rendered ' ' Southern Marsellaise ' ' and as the last notes of the martial air died away, the chairman introduced Major J. M. Falknerwho had been selected to speak for the cavalryman's statue.

MAJOR FALKNER'S WORDS. member of General Wheeler's corps, Major Falkner had