Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/14

 2 Southern Historical Society Papers.

its vicinity, the Society of the Daughters of the Confederacy, and war-worn veterans, in force.

There was enlivening music under the direction of Professor Her- bert Rees, and a touching solo by Mrs Walter Mercer.

The paper of Captain Lamb is now for the first time printed. EDITOR.]

Mr. Commander, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a pleasant duty at any time to respond to a request from Lee Camp. It is further an honor to be detailed for the special duty of receiving another portrait to be added to the splendid galaxy that surrounds us on these walls. This is a portrait, my comrades, of one in whose command I served; whose splendid form and mein come before my mind's eye even now as I call up the past and see him at the head of his old 2ci Regiment, or leading a charge of the brigade he commanded so admirably.

I would ask your sympathy, and invite your friendly criticism, as I attempt to condense in a brief compass that which would require more than an hour to rehearse, in order that justice might be done to the deserts of my old friend and comrade whose portrait I grate- fully accept.

Our thanks are due the comrade, Major Samuel Griffin, the Ad- jutant-General of our old brigade, for his eloquent and tasty address in presenting this portrait. He has relieved, in great measure, the burden which would have rested upon me, for he has told far better than I might of the distinguished services rendered by General Munford. These heroes, living and dead, who look down upon us from our walls, have made history. Let us, their comrades and survivors, as well as the sons whom God has vouchsafed us, see that it is preserved, and the records of these our glorious heroes handed down to the generations that shall follow us. I know of no better way to preserve the truth than through your camp organizations, and that of the Sons of Veterans. These young gentlemen will to-night learn something of the sacrifices of a gallant Confederate leader, who was among the very first to enlist, and the very last to lay down his arms ; who, as commander of the splendid 2nd regi- ment of cavalry, led the advances and guarded the flanks, and pick- eted the lines of Stonewall Jackson, who, after the death of Ashby, led the men who so often responded to the bugle call of that bril- liant commander.

When General Jackson's command moved to the assistance of