your own dead. Doubtless this proud city will honor herself in doing honor to her defender, and we shall soon see the stately monument, which will tell to future generations, the story of that noble life, and that heroic death.
"How sleep the brave who sink to rest, By all their country's wishes blest! When Spring with dewy fingers cold Returns to deck their hallowed mould, She there shall dress a fairer sod Than Fancy's feet have ever trod. "By fairy hands their knell is rung; By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There Honor comes, a pilgrim grey, To bless the turf that wraps their clay, And Freedom shall awhile repair To dwell a weeping hermit there." |
Maj. McClellan took his seat amid loud applause, was warmly congratulated by a number of comrades, and on motion of Attorney-General Field, the thanks of the Association were tendered the orator, and a copy of his address solicited for publication.
The old officers of the Association were unanimously elected, except that Colonel Thomas H. Carter was made vice-president and Colonel W. H. Palmer added to the executive committee.
It was pleasant to see present, as tearful listeners, the widow of Gen. Stuart, (now the accomplished principal of the Virginia Female Institute, Staunton, Va.,) his son, his daughter, and his brother, (W. A. Stuart, Esq., of Saltville,) and to witness the enthusiasm with which former members of Stuart's staff, and others of the old cavalry corps would greet Maj. McClellan's appreciative tribute to their loved and honored chieftain whose "feather" they had proudly followed in the brave days of '61-'64, and whose memory they have enshrined in their heart of hearts.
