It was the brilliant prowess of the Confederate army on the battlefields of Spotsylvania that shed such dazzling l.u.s.tre on the Union arms at Gettysburg. If we should blot out the battlefields of Spotsylvania, we should rob Gettysburg of all its glory; we should filch from General Grant half his fame as a great commander, and should obscure to the future student of the art of war Grant"s invincible pertinacity and his sagacious and successful policy of concentration and attrition, which alone explains and vindicates his famous march of eighty miles from Culpeper Courthouse to Petersburg, with a loss of tens of thousands of his brave troops, when he might have transferred his army by transports to the shadow of the Confederate capital without the loss of a man.
Grant knew that the destruction of Lee"s army, and not the capture of Richmond, was the profoundest strategy. The Army of the Potomac, under the consummate leadership of General Grant, won infinitely more prestige at Appomattox, where eight thousand worn-out Confederates laid down their arms, than the German army, under its great field-marshal, Von Moltke, won at Sedan, where the French Emperor, Louis Napoleon, and 86,000 French soldiers, neither footsore nor hungry, surrendered, and for the plain reason that no such conflicts as those in Spotsylvania lay across the march of Von Moltke to Sedan. The march to Appomattox was over the battlefields of Spotsylvania, and Appomattox was only the culmination of the courage and carnage of those fields.
It was the conspicuous characteristic of both the Union and Confederate armies that their courage was alike invincible; defeat could not quench it; it shone with additional splendor amid the gloom of disaster, and no soldier on either side need blush to have borne a part in any one of the great battles of the Civil war, whatever fortune may have decreed as to its temporary result.
It is noteworthy, above almost any other events of history, that the two most memorable and momentous struggles in which the Anglo-Saxon race has embarked, both closed on the soil of Virginia, a century apart, by the surrender of one Anglo-Saxon army to an army of the same race, and without the loss of prestige on either side.
For our great race, when vanquished by itself, proudly rears its crest unconquered and sublime!
One of those memorable struggles closed at Yorktown, where colonial dependence perished, national independence was secured and our great republic born. The other closed at Appomattox, where the doctrine of secession and the inst.i.tution of slavery perished and a more perfect union than our fathers made was established.
Secession and slavery perished on Virginia soil, and her people, though impoverished by the loss of the latter, have shed no tears over the grave of these dead issues; but they love and cherish the memory of the Southern heroes whose sacred ashes repose in her bosom, and they proudly spurn any suggestion that such moral heroism and sublime self-sacrifice as they exhibited could be born of other than conscientious conviction!
If the South was, by a wise providence, denied in that grand struggle the honor of final triumph, her people to-day share equally with the victors of that day the glorious fruits of their victory in a more perfect and indissoluble union of indestructible States, under that superlative symbol of a world-power--the glorious Stars and Stripes.
All through this splendid address Mr. Fitzhugh was vociferously applauded, the President and his cabinet heartily and enthusiastically joining in the applause, and when he closed the demonstration was kept up for several minutes.
Gov. Tyler was then introduced and welcomed the veterans to Virginia, and a.s.sured them that when their visit to Fredericksburg was ended, Richmond, the Capital of the Confederacy, awaited them with extended hands and outstretched arms. Gen. McMahon responded in a short address, full of harmony and good feeling, and introduced Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, the orator of the occasion.
At the conclusion of the able and patriotic address of Gen. Sickles, the presidential party and Gen. Sickles, lunched at Mr. Fitzhugh"s and the society and visitors were provided for at the Opera House. After lunch the visitors and citizens marched to Mr. Fitzhugh"s residence, where the President held a reception and where several thousand people greeted and shook him by the hand.
The procession then formed and marched to the National cemetery, to witness the laying of the corner-stone of the monument to be erected by Gen. Daniel b.u.t.terfield to the memory of the men of the Fifth Army Corps, who fell in the several battles in Fredericksburg and vicinity.
The Masonic ceremonies were in charge of Lodge No. 4, A. F. and A. M. In accepting the invitation to preside on the interesting occasion, Gen.
Horatio C. King said:
I deeply appreciate the honor of being asked to preside on this most interesting occasion, and in presence of the honored Chief Magistrate and the members of his official family. I recall with pride the fact that I first saw the light of Masonry in the Blue Lodge at Winchester, in this magnificent State, in 1864, when I was a soldier in the great war, and that from that day to this I have continued in good standing in our n.o.ble order. It may not be amiss for me to add that he who honors and graces this occasion to-day by his presence, our President, was also initiated at or about the same time in the same lodge, and that he has also held fast to the tenets of the organization through his lodge at his home in Ohio.
It is most fitting that this dedication should be made by this time-honored Fredericksburg Lodge, whose history antedates the Revolution and in whose precincts the Father of his Country was enrolled.
The occasion is one to inspire every patriot, and the generosity of Gen.
b.u.t.terfield, in raising this memorial to the fallen comrades whom he so gallantly commanded, will shine through ages to come on the pages of American history.
MASONIC CEREMONIES.
The ceremonies were then conducted by the Masonic Lodge, the following officers, members and visitors being present and taking part:
Alvin T. Embrey, senior warden, acting worshipful master; Right Worshipful James P. Corbin, senior warden _pro tem_; Wm. H. Hurkamp, junior warden; Edgar M. Young, Jr., treasurer; Right Worshipful Silva.n.u.s J. Quinn, secretary; Maurice Hirsh, senior deacon; Allan Randolph Howard, junior deacon; Rev. James Polk Stump, chaplain, and John S. Taliaferro, tiler; Worshipful Brothers Albert B. Botts, James T. Lowery, Thomas N. Brent, Isaac Hirsh.
_Members_: Joe M. Goldsmith, John Scott Berry, John R. Bernard, John C.
Melville, Robert A. Johnson, O. L. Harris, James Roach, George A. Walker, A. Mason Garner, Wm. T. Dix, Wm. Bernard, H. Hoomes Johnston, Charles L.
Kalmbach, Edgar Mersereau, Adolph Loewenson, George W. Wroten, Joseph H.
Davis, J. Shirver Woods, Edwin J. Cartright and Maurice B. Rowe.
_Visiting Masons_: Most Worshipful J. Howard Wayt, P. G. M., Staunton, Va.; Wm. D. Carter, 102, Va.; W. J. Ford. 163, Ky.; W. C. Stump, 5, D. C.; B. P. Owens, 14, Va., and Dr. J. W. Bovee, of B. B. French, D. C.
The handsome silver trowel used in laying the corner-stone, was made by order of Gen. b.u.t.terfield for that occasion and then to be presented to the Masonic Lodge performing the service. After the service of laying the corner-stone, Gen. Edward Hill, who spoke for Gen. b.u.t.terfield, in an able address, presented the monument to the Secretary of War to be kept, cared for and preserved by him and his successors in office, to which Secretary Root responded in a brief and appropriate speech, accepting the monument and promising to preserve it as requested.
CAMP FIRE AT OPERA HOUSE.
At 8 o"clock in the evening a "camp fire" was held at the Opera House, which was crowded to its utmost capacity. Short addresses were made by Gen. McMahon, Gen. Hawley, Gen. Miles, Gen. Sewell, Gen. Tremain, Gen.
Geo. D. Ruggles, Capt. Patrick, Gen. Sickles, and a letter was read from Gen. Shaw, all of whom were on the Union side. The Confederate veterans were represented by Gen. Joseph Wheeler and Private John T. Goolrick.
When Gen. Wheeler was introduced, Gen. Hawley, who had already spoken, interrupted with "Just a moment. Something occurs to me. Among the extraordinary things that are happening in the world, this is especially interesting to me. I find, on looking over the records, that Moses Wheeler, more than 250 years ago, married the sister of Joseph Hawley in Connecticut. Now, General, go on."
This produced great laughter, in which Gen. Hawley joined with much zest.
JUDGE GOOLRICK"S ADDRESS.
Judge Goolrick, who was introduced as the representative of the Confederate veterans, and especially the private soldier, of whom there are so few at this time, spoke as follows:
COMRADES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN--With sincere sentiments of good will, commingled with a sense of grat.i.tude, I welcome you within the gates of our city, and no man has a better right to bid you come than myself--for, just after the surrender at Appomattox, I was sitting on the roadside, weary and worn, foot-sore and hungry, with an intense solicitude for a change of my bill of fare from parched corn, upon which I had luxuriated for about three days, when a kind-hearted private soldier of the Army of the Potomac, seeing my dejected and depressed appearance, came to me with words of cheer, comfort and kindness, and, putting his hand down into his not overstocked haversack, gave me all his rations of hardtack and bacon, and immediately the gloom of defeat ceased to be so oppressive, and the intense hunger, under which I had labored, also ceased. This act of good fellowship, under the conditions which confronted me, at once inspired a fraternal feeling for my enemy. So you see, Mr. Chairman, I have a real right to be glad to see here to-day the representatives of that army of which my benefactor was a member, and bid you be of good cheer while you pitch your tents once again on the old camp ground.
You are now on a spot which is consecrated in the hearts of the soldiers from the North and the South. Within the sound of my voice Meagher"s Irish Brigade immortalized itself by a charge into the jaws of death, a charge in which the Irishman expressed his loyalty to the land of his adoption, and gave evidence of that inborn bravery which has made his name ill.u.s.trious all over the world.
[Ill.u.s.tration: St. Mary"s Catholic Church. (See page 214)]
[Ill.u.s.tration: Shiloh Baptist Church, Old Site (colored.) (See page 215)]
Within this county--at Chancellorsville--the soldiers of the South conquered in a battle where death pulsated the very air, which was won by unparalleled bravery and matchless strategy, though it cost the life of the southland"s idolized Stonewall Jackson, the very genius of the war. Here the two master military leaders met for the first time at the Wilderness, where was commenced the march by parallel columns, which culminated in the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, by our grand old commander, Lee, to the great and magnanimous Grant.
On these fields Americanism, in its highest and holiest sense, was ill.u.s.trated and illuminated. Here a colossal column of men marched to death, testifying thereby the very highest expression of patriotism--love of country. For greater love hath no man that this, that he lay down his life for his friends. It is to this spot you have come--a place which is, and should be, the mecca of all lovers of patriotism, self-sacrifice and lofty devotion to duty. And these have not been lost, and will not be, for as the blood of the martyrs was the seed and the seal of the church, so the blood and the bravery of the soldiers of the North and the South have already cemented this Republic in a closer union.
There has been a good deal said here, sir, to-day about peace. He who fought ceased warfare when the war ended. "Tis true it was waged with great energy by warriors. After Lee told his boys to go home, and Grant said, "Let us have peace," these warriors, after the war, were like that chaplain in Early"s army, who was seen going to the rear, while the battle was raging in front. Early met him and asked him where he was going. "To the rear--to the hospital department," said he. "Why not stay in the front?" said old Jubal, "for I have heard you urging my men for the last six months to prepare to go to heaven, and now you have an opportunity to go to heaven yourself, and you are dodging to the rear." These men who want war and talk war now had the opportunity to take part, but most of them did not feel so inclined when the battle raged fast and furious.
I suppose, sir, however, I was called to talk to-night because I am rather an unique and curious living specimen of a soldier, for I was a private, and there are few now living. It is said just before the surrender a poor old soldier laid down to sleep, and he slept _a la_ Rip Van Winkle, for twenty years. Awaking up he rubbed his eyes; looking around, he called a man walking on the road-side to him.
"Where," said the soldier, "is old Ma.r.s.e Bob Lee and his army?"
"General Lee," replied the man; "why, he has been dead many years; he surrendered his army and then died." "Ah!" said the private; "ah, then where are all the generals?" "They," replied the man, "have been sent to Congress." "And what has become of the colonels?" "Why, they have been elected to the Legislature." "What about the majors, captains and lieutenants?" "They have been made sheriffs and clerks and treasurers." "Where, then, tell me, where in the world have the privates gone?" "The privates!" answered the man; "why, they are all dead." And the old soldier rolled his eyes back and fell asleep again.
If he were to awake again to-day his eyes would be gladdened and his heart made happy by monuments erected in Virginia"s capital city, and elsewhere, to emphasize the love and reverence with which the memory of the brave private soldiers are held by a grateful people.
Sir, far be it from me to hold in slight estimation or little esteem, the ill.u.s.trious commanders. I am proud of the grand and glorious leadership of my great captains, Lee and Jackson, and I willingly pay a tribute to the greatness of Grant and to the memory of Hanc.o.c.k, "the superb," and the splendid Meade. I would not, if I could, attempt to dim the l.u.s.tre of their names or throw any shadow over the brightness of their deeds.
I was an humble private soldier in the Confederate army, and I am proud here to proclaim that I was a follower of the peerless and ill.u.s.trious Lee, but I stand here to pay my loving tribute to the private soldier of both armies. His splendid achievements, grand heroism, unfaltering loyalty and unflinching bravery, have no parallel in all time. He knew that if in the forefront of the fight he were shot down that then his name would not be written on the scroll of fame, his uncoffined body would find sepulture in a nameless grave, and that he would have for an epitaph, "unknown!" Only a private shot; and thus the story of his daring and dying would be told.
But, knowing all this, he failed not nor faltered. He was inspired by the very holiest and highest, because of an absolutely unselfish sense of duty. He was moved by a purpose to serve his country and its cause. He marched, battled and bivouacked because his determination to do, dare and die, if needs be, for the flag under which he served.
Whether under the sultry sun of summer or amidst the sleet and snow of winter, he stood, unmoved from his unalterable resolve. No grander, no more beautiful, no more splendid expression of the very highest type of manhood could be found than was found in the life of the private soldier of both or either army; and when the war ended, with them verily it ended, and they all joined hands in a fraternity of comradeship which was well exhibited by that private soldier of your army who ministered to my necessities and cheered me in my sadness as I sat under the very shadow of defeat and amidst the gloom of surrender at Appomattox.
And members of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, to which that private belonged, and to which we of the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered, I meet and greet you on your first reunion south of the river whose name you bear. We of the South will ever cherish, ever pay the homage of our hearts" best devotion to the memory of our great cause and its champions, we will ever keep them hallowed and sacred, but with us the war is over. We pay allegiance and bear full fealty to this great Republic of ours, and the men and the sons of the men who followed Lee and Jackson stand ready with you to defend, always and everywhere, the honor, the integrity and the interest of this fair land of ours against all foes, whether from within or without its borders.
We worship at the same shrine of liberty. There is only one flag now.
It is our flag and yours. Under its shadow we stand with the men of your army. And now, to-night, at this reunion, in this presence, let me urge, as the shibboleth, the motto of both armies, to be our inspiration in peace, our rallying cry, if needs be, in war, this: "Whom G.o.d hath joined together let no party, no people and no power put asunder."
Judge Goolrick was heartily applauded during the delivery of his address, and at its close the cheering was loud and prolonged.
There was no business session of the society the next day and very many of the Union veterans visited the various battlefields. The most of the society and visitors went to Richmond on an excursion tendered the society by Lee Camp, where they were met and entertained by the Confederate veterans of that hospitable city.