Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/40

 28 Southern Historical Society Papers.

thanked God for all his blessings in the past, asking for their contin- uance in the future.

Then General Fayssoux, of the Sons of Veterans, read a poem on the " Death of Jefferson Davis."

Mrs. McLellan said that the southern cross of honor was to be presented to Colonel Chalaron and she read the rules and regula- tions of the organization regarding the presentation.

Mrs. J. Pinckney Smith then read a poem, entitled " The Con- federate Cross of Honor," which was inspired by an incident at the presentation of the first cross in California. The veteran who was to have received the cross died, and it was placed on his breast as he lay on his bier.

Then Mrs. McLellan presented the cross to Colonel Charlaron in the following words :

"'General J. A. Chalaron, In pursuance of the request of the members of our association, it becomes my pleasant and honored duty, as president of the New Orleans Chapter, No. 72, United Daughters of the Confederacy, to present this Southern cross of honor to you.

" I am proud of the honor, and esteem it a great privilege to be the medium of bestowing upon a heroic soldier this decoration, which is a badge for valorous and honorable service rendered our southland in her hour of great need.

" We ask you to wear this as a reminder of those days when you so faithfully served our land and braved untold dangers and endured privations for that sacred cause so dear to our hearts.

"With this cross goes the kindliest feelings of our chapter that yours may be the privilege of wearing it for many years."

Colonel Chalaron responded as follows :

Madam, the President, and Daughters of the Confederacy, I sincerely thank you for this testimonial of your high esteem, and of your appreciation of my endeavors to assist your chapter in the suc- cessful career that has marked its existence. The very kind terms in which your sentiments have been expressed in the bestowal of this precious cross, will ever remain with me in grateful remem- brance.

Many years ago, as the Confederate army, fresh from the bloody field of Shiloh, lay in and around Corinth, hourly expecting another great engagement with the federal masses under General Halleck, an address was issued by our Beauregard announcing that medals of