Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/21

 In Memory of Jefferson Davis. 9

Association would open its relic box with the sword of a private sol- dier, a hero who gave up his life on the battle field of Shiloh.

Mr. Samuel Allston would make the presentation.

Mr. Allston said that a sister, deprived for many years of the companionship of her brother, sought one who had known him well to present to Memorial Hall this sword and picture of her beloved brother. Mr. Allston said that he and Sergeant Sherry had fought side by side in the same company. Scarcely a month was he in the field before he gave up his life in the bloody battle of Shiloh. " We were all young in years then," said Mr. Allston, "and the changes that have come in thirty-seven years have made me reflect much. When that sister asked me for one who had known her brother when he fell one who still survived I looked over the commissioned officers of Crescent Company E, from Captain Tarleton down, and they had all passed away. Of the non-commissioned officers, Nelson, now living in Atlanta, and myself remain. We are only two, and among the privates 1 counted three one Mauberret, one Lathrop, and one Perkins and then I stopped. They are all gone, and it made me think that in a few years we will all be gone." Mr. Allston here read a letter from Mrs. Kate Sherry Chase, the devoted sister of Henry Sherry, in which she said that the uncertainty of life prompted her to place in the care of the Ladies' Confederate Me- morial Association the sword and picture of her brother. They were precious treasures to her; her brother had served in Crescent Com- pany E, and left New Orleans at the first call, and command of General Beauregard, and fell on the field of Shiloh. Handing the sword and picture to Mrs. Behan, Mr. Allston said that he did the bidding of this sister, and placed the relics in the hands of the Asso- ciation, there to remain 'till time shall be no more.

General Chalaron accepted the relics for Memorial Hall. It was a privilege for him to accept this sword, over which a sister had wept and which she had cherished so many years. The cause had been called lost, but it was never lost. On the part of the Association he had urged the ladies of the Memorial Association to open a relic case in the hall, and assist thus in gathering together the great treas- ures of the Confederacy. He was glad that the collection had been started with a contribution that was a relic of the pride and glory of the Confederate army and private soldier. " It was the private sol- dier," cried General Chalaron, "who made the glory won by the generals; the private soldier who gave to them their renown, and too many are prone to-day to forget all that they owed to the private