Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 31.djvu/184

 176 Southern Historical Society Papers.

NEW MARKET CROSSES.

The resolutions offered by Colonel Cutshaw, after reciting the honor conferred upon the Institute by the cadets at New Market, provided for the appropriation of a necessary sum for the purchase of crosses of suitable material, to be presented to every member of the New Market battalion. Each cross is to bear the name of the recipient, and a cross is also to be sent the family of each man who fell in battle, or who has died since he took part in the fight.

Colonel Cutshaw, speaking to the resolutions, said he felt it was peculiarly appropriate that he should offer them, in that in 1863, while recovering from wounds received in battle, he was command- ant of cadets, and he put them through some months of hard work on the parade ground and in camp, which fitted them well for the New Market ordeal.

General T. T. Munford, of Lynchburg, an old cadet, though not in the New Market battalion, made an eloquent speech endorsing the resolutions.

There were loud calls for " Purcell," and Colonel John B. Purcell, of Richmond, an Institute man, though not at New Market, but one who wore the Confederate gray when only fourteen years of age, made a speech full of tender eloquence in advocating the resolu- tions.

General G. C. Wharton, class of '47, and a brigade commander at New Market, spoke a few words urging the adoption of the res- olutions, and saying that if he could make a speech he would speak at length asking their passage.

Captain Henry A. Wise was called upon. He was an assistant professor in '64, and when Colonel Shipp fell at New Market, com- manded the battalion. He made a beautiful speech in thanking the Association for what it proposed to do.

CAPTAIN JOHN S. WISE.

Then John S. Wise spoke. He received tremendous applause as he came forward, and his old comrades made him go on the plat- form. In his own inimitable way he recalled the story of New Market, and he kept his hearers in a roar of laughter recalling hu- morous incidents of the old days. He closed with a peroration whose eloquence and pathos brought tears to many eyes.

11 We are grandfathers on the ground where we were boys," he