Reunion of Virginia Division, A. N. V. Association. 191
the whole Union do justice to the memories of the dead, and place above all others the name of the great chief of whom we have written. In strategy mighty, in battle terrible, in adversity, as in prosperity, a hero indeed, with the simple devotion to duty, and the rare purity of the ideal Christian knight he joined all the kingly qualities of a leader of men.
" It is a wondrous future indeed that lies before America ; but in her annals of years to come, as in those of the past, there will be found few names that can rival in unsullied lustre that of the heroic defender of his native Virginia.
In the language of another. *
" And when they tell us, as they do, those wiser, better brethren of ours — and tell to the world to make it history — that this our civilization is half barbarism, we maybe pardoned if we answer: Behold its product and its representative! 'Of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.' Here is Robert Lee. Show us his fellow."
Our great leader was not only a great soldier, but more — a " self- less man and stainless gentleman."
On the 2ist April, 1861, the Richmond Howitzers were mustered into the service of the State, in obedience to an ordinance of the Convention adopted 17th April. The commissioned officers were: Captain, George W. Randolph; First Lieutenant, John C. Shields; Second Lieutenant, John Thompson Brown ; Third Lieutenant, Thomas P. Mayo.f The command increased so rapidly in numbers that it was soon sufficient to form three batteries, which served throughout the war. Like their distinguished commander — so soon Brigadier-General, and then Secretary of War — each company had a brilliant record, which ended only at Appomattox.
In the Richmond Enquirer, of the 25th, we read :
" Brigadier-General M. L. Bonham, at the head of five hundred troops from South Carolina, arrived here last evening by the southern train. A large crowd of citizens and an escort of Virginia troops awaited them at the depot. Cheer after cheer greeted the representatives of the gallant Pal- metto State. As we looked along the ranks, we were struck with their bold and manly appearance. Every man of them looked a hero, dark and sunburnt from exposure, their fine countenances lighted up with martial ardor, their fine physique, their perfect equipment, all denoted an invincible and heroic race of men. The Virginians cheered South Carolina, and South Carolina cheered the Old Dominion.
- S. Teakle Wallis.
t " History Richmond Howitzer Battalion," Pamphlet No. 4, page 33 ; ex- tracts from an old " Order Book," First company.
