Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/235

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[Major Conrad was of the Staff of Major-General L. Rosser, C. S. A., whose brilliant war record and whose success as a lawyer has been no less distinguished. The compliment paid to his argument in the West Virginia debt case, by Justice Lurton, may be cited. He said that "In his long experience upon the bench he had never heard a case more ably presented." This shows that his intellectual force has suffered no abatement. We gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to Major Robert W. Hunter, now of Washington, D. C, for a copy of it.—Editor.]

When the invitation to take part in this occasion reached me my impulse was to intrench myself behind a resolution long ago formed, and hitherto adhered to, and decline it, as I had, invariably, declined all similar invitations, but the subject was too pleasing to my mind; my resolution vanished; I accepted; and am here for duty. The poet and the orator have each, in turn, recounted in glowing words the thrilling incidents of that illustrious event which the enduring bronze now to be unveiled, is intended to commemorate. For me there remains the humbler task, of Old Mortality, to deepen some lines that Time's effacing finger has worn well nigh smooth, and restore to view some features that have become obscured by luxuriant mould of rank and unchecked growth.

It may conduce to a clearer understanding of the events to be reviewed, if we look for a moment to the objects which the movements directed by the commander of the Federal forces in Virginia were designed to reach and the results which it was hoped, thereby, to accomplish.