Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/156

 144 Southern Historical Society Papers.

VETERAN GUNNERS FIRE OLD BATTERY.

Inspiring Scene at Virginia Military Institute.

Lkxington, Va., May lo. 1913.

One of the most inspirin_o; military spectacles imaginable was witnessed at the Virginia Military Institute to-day, the fiftieth anniversary of the death of General Jackson. The cadet bat- tery was escorted and trooped by the corps of cadets in a novel and interesting manner. Colonel William T. Poague, who com- manded these guns as captain of the Rockbridge Artillery throughout the first two years of the War Between the States, commanded the battery in person in the ceremony, with eight of his surviving gunners on the limbers. Marching in rear of the battalion, to the tune of the "Bonnie Blue Flag," the bat- tery passed to the right, then down the front of the corps, exe- cuted "action right" opposite the centre of the line, with the veteran cannoneers at their posts. The sight of the gallant Poague mounted on a fine-going chestnut charger, with the gray-haired soldiers at the pieces, was a thrilling one.

Colonel J. C. Wise, commandant, then read the order, giving the history of the guns. After reading this order, so full of history, the commandant brought the corps to present arms, and said :

"Colonel Poague, the corps of cadets salutes you, the former commander of this battery, and those of your men now present, than whom no more gallant gunners ever pulled a lanyard. Since you were the first to lead this battery into action, it is fitting that you should cause it to fire its last salute in honor of its first commander, the immortal Jackson, "whose spirit wraps von dusky mountains, whose memory lingers o'er each fountain. The meanest hill, the mightiest river rolls mingling with his fame forever."