Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/238

 228 Southern Historical Society Papers.

From Shiloh to the last days in North Carolina, such scenes as I have here depicted occurred on many occasions, but whether suc- cessful or not the boys who wore the gray honored it and never fal- tered, and when the end came there was no better organized command in the entire Confederate Army than Wheeler's Cavalry Corps.

Fellow soldiers, this monument is not complete. We soldiers should add to it a statue showing the most queenly woman of which the human mind can conceive, to represent the most queenly women the world ever saw. These, the grandest, greatest, purest, noblest and best of God's handiwork, who went about as ministering angels during that dark period and who never faltered in caring for our sick and wounded, and giving us courage in every way to them we are indebted for this and every other monument which has been erected, and for much of the history that has been written. While our best men were slain in that struggle, we saved our jewels, con- sisting of our women and our children and our honor.

Major Falkner led the way to the cavalryman's statue for Miss Laura Elmore, who, revealing the sculptured form, repeated the in- scription that is carved under it. The lines are from the pen of Francis O. Ticknor :

"The knightliest of the knightly race,

Who, since the days of old, Have kept the lamp of chivalry Alight in hearts of gold."

MONUMENT PRESENTED.

Miss Gorman sang " Bonnie Blue Flag" to the accompaniment of the band, and then Colonel A. A. Wiley, representing Mayor J. H. Clisby, presented to Governor Johnston, in behalf of the Ladies' Memorial Association, the Confederate monument. Colonel Wiley spoke briefly and with characteristic eloquence.

Governor Johnston had delegated his private secretary, Chappell Cory, to respond. Mr. Cory said:

"Mrs. Bibb and Ladies of the Memorial Association,

"Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen:

" Through your devoted labor and patriotism this memorial has been reared upon the grounds of the State, and with this last act of consecration your work is complete. It remains now for the State to accept it at your hands, and to guard the sacred trust through the