Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/157

 Veteran Gunners Fire Old Battery. 145

Colonel Poague then in the hig-hpitched voice of age, but with a note of clearness which carried across the great parade, commanded "Battery load, first piece, first platoon fire," and so on until each of the four guns was wreathed in smoke, while the veteran cannoneers wielded their staffs at his commands as of old.

Captain D. E. Moore, of Lexington, who fired the first gun in the Valley campaign, was one of the gunners to-day.

"To the colors" was then shouted, and the colors dipped, after which Colonel Poague ordered "rear piece, right wheel," and passed on beyond the left of the battalion to the stirring strains of "Dixie." Columns were then formed with Colonel Poague and the battery at the head, the tactical officers of the battalion marching beside the horses, the veterans on the cinders, and the corps of cadets following. The leading caisson, which bore the body of Jackson to his last resting place, now bore a handsome floral piece. The procession moved through the town to the Lexington Cemetery, where it was formed in line before Jack- son's famous statue, beneath which his remains lie.

Dr. Charles Manly then delivered the benediction, which was rendered at the great soldier's funeral, followed by a quartette of women who sang Jackson's favorite hymn. The corps pre- sented arms ; again "To the colors" was sounded ; again the colors dipped and silently the procession moved away from the grave, leaving thereon its floral tribute, while many a soldier's heart, both young and old, throbbed with emotion beneath the gray jackets of the Confederacy.

The whole ceremony was witnessed by a great concourse of people, including the faculties both of the Institute and Wash- ington and Lee L^niversity, the student body of the latter and many residents of Lexington. As the corps passed and re- passed the chapel in which Lee's body lies, it rendered the traditional salute.

In Lexington, the atmosphere of which is saturated with memories of America's three greatest soldiers, Washington, Lee and Jackson, the traditions of the great Virginians are as green as the laurels which fame has entwined about their brows.