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JL'HE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. SATURDAY, A1AY i£, 1902. ELOQUENT ORATION DELIVERED BY GEN. CLEMENT A. EVANS [ 24 Couwa DR AUGHONly PRAC TICAL BUJ’I NElTJ’. COLLEGElP Tribute to Memory of Gen. Gordon Paid by Comrade In Arms at Unveiling of Equestrian Statue at State Capitol "There ere rare features which make this a memorable, distinguished and an educative event. The people of Georgia and of many states are here, united in one patriotic sentiment. The state of Georgia Is preeent officially In all de- Dartments, showing the state govern ment In Its complete civil powers; military organizations of our country and state, representing the martial spirit of a free people: students of schools and colleges are Interested par ticipants; veterans of many battles are vet In our presence, cherishing the memories of their past chlvalrio lives and receiving the loving homage of Dosterity; last, and best of all, those elements which give grace to the gran deur of any patriotic pageant is the presence of the gentle women, who h-ve made the richest offerings to the heroism and the heroes of the South. "Over all these constituents of a free and enlightened country behold un furled the battle banner of the Con federate soldier, the flag of Georgia with Its motto, ■wisdom. Justice and moderation,’ and the star spangled banner of our Revolutionary fathers end of our united country. State Not Without Soul. ■The state Is not a corporation with out a souL It has a body of admin istrative machinery, but Its soul is the sovereign spirit of the people, and It was this soul which directed the statue ol General Gordon to be built. It was the wisdom of the state that such an agency was founded for the education ol Its youth In the qualities of heroic character; It Is the Justice of the state to posterity which provides that the peculiar nature of our government and our civilization, produced by the agen cies of past events and the examples ol remarkable men, shall not be over thrown. ••A monument, as the word Itself Im ports, admonishes the mind to consid er the sentiments, the virtues and the acts of the noble life It Is designed to represent. Such monuments must have been formed first In the minds of the people who build them, and they will illustrate the noble character of the builders as welt as the virtues of the men whom they honor. This splen did equestrian statue upon which this assemblage will soon look, was first wrought upon the mental tablet of the Confederate soldiers. It was also form ed upon the mind of the state by the thought of the people. The Idea broad ened over all the South, and I shall not hesitate to add that the sentiment spread over all the Union, that Gor don’s Illustrative life deserves not only a distinguishing monument In bronze, but even a greater memorial than any material structure can express. This universal conception was veiled dur ing his life, but now the drapery will be dropped from a finished work of art which wilt stand forever In public view to speak with the tongue of eloquence, truth and authority. Georgia never paid tribute more worthy than this monument will give to the fame of Gordon as citizen, soldier, Statesman and patriot. "I And my feet, therefore, established firmly here on steady ground; my form, my heart, my head are all In a clarified atmosphere which Is charged with the kindest sympathies of this au gust assemblage, while I begin to speak. I know full well that the 'thoughts that breathe and words that burn’ befit this occasion—thoughts that breathe the life of vigorous patriotism Into the mould, the manner, the form, the substance and activities of my countrymen; words that burn to ashes all the enmities of war and consume the partisan pandora box Itself with all Its contents of sectional Ills; words and thoughts that kindle the pure fires of true patriotism In the hearts of all American people so that our country in Its constitutional form. In Its domes tic and foreign policies, and In the united purpose of Its people shall, of Itself, become the best monument that can be built and dedicated to ’liberty and enlightening the world.’ Gordon, the Brave. "Gordon entered with all the ardor of his natural temperament Into the Confederate war as the captain of a company from Alabama and Georgia, Which Joined tho Sixth Alabama regi ment of Infantry. The regiment was quickly hurried into n Virginia cam paign of desperate fighting, and now, haring Gordon for Its colonel, gained the credit of kindling the first flame of his fame and fanning it by their cour age Into a brightness which attracted the admiration of the army. I will se lect only a few of the great battles In which the soldierly qualifications of Gordon were Illustrated, and Introduce him to you when he was In the midst of the fierce battle of Seven Pines In 1862, commanding the Sixth Alabama regt tnent In Rhodes' brigade. "In this early fight he appears at once in his true character as an In trepid Confederate officer, possessing •he qualities of daring courage which commanders must have In order to match the valor of their men. His regiment became separated from the brigade a while, as my regiment and the Thirty-eighth Georgia were sepa rated from their brigade In the battle of ?«lnes’ Mill, a few weeks later, and •ought together. In both these In- •tsnees all these regiments distinguish ed themselves by an Independent, ac tion. which Illustrates the general 1 In telligence and natural military quali ties of the Southern volunteers. Gor don In hts report of this battle says of •he Sixth Alabama; ’In my Judgment, history does not record one Instance of greater courage and more steadfast ness of nerve than wns exhibited by this entire regiment.’ General Rhodes, ln e brigade commander, mentioned the regiment In his report with most com- rilmentsry terms. After stating their courageous fighting and appalling losses, he says; ‘Among the living! ■hose bravery and coolness entitled ■hem to distinction, I mention Colonel John B. Gordon. 1 Memorable Campaigns. "The battle of the Seven Pines was followed by the other battlee of the "even Days around Richmond, under the aggressive leadership of Robert r*' during which battlee Lee broke SLfffP Of the Union army from the tn*-. erat ® capital. In these engage- * my ow n regiment In Lawton’s C-fi e ? n d the Sixth Alabama, under fought on the same fields wlih- however, as closely ac- ,“ »•«! with each other as with their Ln!, r for I learned In !oL C ?! n r ade * h !P between Confederate and Union soldiers. In the report of f.? gagema " ts “found Richmond y °u w" 1 note the Just and generous mention of the gallantry of Gordon by his superior officers. General RhodeB * aya of him: ’He was distinguished for all that a soldier can admire,' and such words would be an epitaph which the bravest soldier might crave when dying on the battle field. The Battle of Sharptburg. The successful battles of Lee and Jackson expelled the Federal forces from Virginia by opening the way of the Confederate army Into Maryland and led on to the battle of Sharpsburg. September 17, 1862, where Gordon and hie Alabama regiment fought at the steady stand up as well as In the dar ing charge. Throughout this day of dreadful carnnge the scales of battle fell and rose and often balanced evenly. Confederate defense against the onset of the Union army was dauntless, and th« onsetc of the Confederates were as daring as any ever made. Sometimes they were repelled; sometimes they drove the foe. hut In all Its features there was never a fight fiercer than this In which the Confederate and Union armies displayed their daring courage. Imagine the Sixth Alabama In the line of Rhodes' brigade receiving a bayonet charge and repelling It. Gordon Badly Woundad. Observe the regiment. Instructed by Its colonel to cling to the ground with gun to shoulder and await the coming enemy until the word—fire—shall ring from his lips along the lines. Then seo and hear the deadly, well-aimed volleys, the' falling enemy, the repeated charge, met with repeated volleys, until the baffied, bi%ve foes fall back across ths field. After that, witness a battle duel between lines of equal bravery, where the terrific carnage continues until Just before the sun sinks down. It was near this hour when the last of ths five mlnle-balls, which had wound- ed Gordon on this bloody day, sprang from some rifle toward his conspicuous battle figure, and went singing Us shrill, mysterious note through the air until, reaching him, crashed through his face, felled him on the field of strife, and passed on, leaving him to bleed unconscious on Maryland soli. After months of healing, a dimpled dent remained where the mlnle-ball had gashed the handsome face ef the brave warrior, and this, the fifth wound of that one day, made a scar that graced his cheek through all his life. Returned to Desperate War, After seven months disability, caused by the Sharpsburg wounds, Gordon was assigned, with the commis sion of brigadier general, to the Strong brigade, which had been commanded by General Lawton, who was also wounded at Sharpsburg. “My own personal acquaintance with General Gordon began on the first day of his arrival, when his military bear ing, hts evident martial spirit, his cor dial manner, won me at once, and with in a few days this acquaintance In camp progressed Into a companionship In battle, where the best friendships are made. “In the midst of these battles about Fredericksburg and Chancellorsvllle in the spring of 1868, the retaking of Marye's Heights was assigned to Early, and Early selected Gordon's brigade to win the glory, and Gordon assigned my regiment to take the right, and give direction to the line of charge. The dangerous movement began In line of battle under Early's eye In open field, with the steady step to which theso veterans were accustomed. A serious obstruction was encountered by the left of the brigade and the usual move ments were made In order to success fully pass. Then came the charge with quick-step, then double-quick, with the heightening enthusiasm of the ‘Rebel Yell.' It was my first ride In battle with Gordon, and I felt an exhilaration which I did not attempt to restrain. The brave brigade ascended the hill and swept the field Just as a staff offi cer cams to General Gordon from Gen eral Early with a suggestion of caution. The old, experienced general had seen the brigade half-way up the hill, ma neuvering to pass the obstruction, mis- took Its meaning, and, knowing the hasards of the charge, sent the officer dashing across the field to deliver the message. _ . _ , , " 'My compliments to General Early, replied Gordon, 'and tell hint the heights have already been taken. Gordons Great Genius Shown Firsi in War, Then in Halls of Con gress, and as Governor of His Beloved State. over the guns, and the tired soldiers lay In silent groups on ths ground over which they had so gallantly charged. The Federal lines were not far away, but I heard not one exulting cheer from the Union braves. Wagons were roll ing among the Confederate brigades with rations from Grant's abundant commissary stores. Officers and men In blue were mingling with the men In gray. Lee rode slowly toward head quarters, Baying to hts soldiers: " 'You have done all that, brave men could do. Go home, my sons, and make as good cltlsens as you have soldiers.' "Gordon, on horseback, In the open field, made a thrilling nddress to a great body of soldiers, his clear voice ringing like a trumpet, while he ut tered hts praises of the Confederate armies; hts unshaken faith In Con federate motives, but counseling peace and good cltlsenshlp as being now the highest duty. The Confederacy was breathing out Its life. Its last drops of blood were dripping from Its veins. Its spirit drifted away, leaving a rich In heritance of virtues for the use of the whole country. Its catafalque was the broad bosom of Its defenders. On Its gray casket was spread the beautiful flag Which 1U heroes had borne through four yeara of war and Its body was burled t6 rise no more, but no man knows iV. PH co of Its grave. Gordon’s Military Genius. "Gordon's superior military talents were brilliantly disclosed In many other battles other than those mentioned, and they were efficient In all his posi tions from captain to lieutenant gen eral. His steadily ascending fame grew In splendor and become brightest when It stood over the field of Appomattox, when the Confederacy died. From first to last he had defended Its life. He had done all that he could do In battle, and we will greet him next In his Georgia home preparing to serve his land among ths foremost In peace, as he had been among the chlefest In war. High Civio Virtues. moved when you were bereaved. A thin mysterious veil now Intervenes which Divine Providence let down from that heaven which Is higher than ths stars. But the eame hand will draw aside the shimmering curtain so that you and we may pass to him. "Women of the South; Your pres ence graces this occasion and glad dens these Confederate soldiers. Their eyes are uplifted to adore you above and apart from all those who have hon ored their dead or cared for their liv ing comrades. Their old hearts be come young again when you smllo upon them and throb with gratitude for the tireless tenderness of your loving kind ness and your faithful watch-care over their honor and the memorable history of their courage. "My Countrymen: Your presence has distinguished this honor from other daye when you have assembled to celebrate ths victories you have won In peace, or tho yet greater which you are planning to achieve. Behold these, your Confederate soldiers! Gee their wrinkled faces flushing with pride, caused by the presence of admiring posterity! Gaxe on the gray hairs ol these veterans who gave their man hood’s early prime In willing service to save your country's highest Ideals'. Re ceive their gratitude with their bene dictions, and cherish their memories among the choicest Jewels of your country. "My Comrades; Your presence rep- resents the valiant armies of the Con federacy whose half-million men In arms held the field four years against tow and a half millions, and yielded at last because the disparity of power be came too great to be overcome. Your comrades are moving forward and up ward out of view, but you do not ,‘tread alone a banquet hall deserted, whose lights are fled, Its garlands dead, and all but you departed,' for we can Imag ine that the great old armies of your Southerners are around us and nt pa rade rest on the field of the brightest skies, where the lights never grow dim "I call the country to witness the nor garlands ever die. The hard and GENERAL CLEMENT A. EVANS. Veteran soldier, preacher, state official and author, who followed Gordon through many campaigns,. He Is one of the seven surviving generalls of the 52 given by Georgia to the lost cause. •The brigade learned at once that enthusiasm in the midst of raging bat tle was characteristic of Gordon, and In him it was often truly grand. En thusiasm is an Invaluable munition of war. It often doubles the strength of a regiment, and without It no officer can successfully command. It was a battlefield characteristic of the young Southern soldiers, producing their clar ion whoop, their startling rebel yell, their disposition to charge and light outside of the breastworks, and their many victories over superior numbers. y The Battle of Gettysburg. Orders came to hasten to Gettys burg, where the magnificent but un expected battle of three days occurred. On arriving during the morning of the first day of July, at a critical moment when a division of Confederates were struggling to hold the ground ogalnst the Union divisions, the tired brigade was hurried by Gordon promptly Into the battle and Joined their comrades In a charge which broke the Union lines Into confusion, subjecting them to de structive fire as they retreated through Gettysburg and beyond Its hills, where Meade rallied them to a stand with the news of reinforcements near at hB *Gordon's military promptitude was never more needed nor more conspic uously displayed than In making this charge. He knew that opportunity In battle permits of no delay In action. Gordon rode superbly that day around, among and ever near the herolc men In the advancing line, and his bear Ins; was every Inch the incarnate spirit of chivalry. But after the moment of assured victory his heart turned him to the wounded lying on the field w here the victory had been so gloriously won. and finding them with the faithful surgeons on the bloody ground he cheered them with his presence. Ills heart turned him also to his foes, and he found them with their brave Union general lying among his own dead, dy ing and wounded. I will not describe the magnificent memory, but I will Insist, for reasons given, that history should not class It as being more than a technical Con federate defeat. Upon one lone ground that Lee withdrew across the Potomac, I submit this brief: Only Technical Defeat "On the first day the Union army fled and gave up their city, to be oc cupied by the Confederates. During two days more the Confederates charged the Union breastworks re' peatedly with success at many points, and without one counter charge by Meade's main line. On the fourth day the Confederates waited in line of bat tle, Inviting attack, and It was declined. On the following day Ooncral Lee with drew his army slowly in eaay reach of Meade, and when across the Potomac he withdrew his army. It was attacked, but victory was won by the Confed erates. The Fourth of July, after the battle of three days, was kept without either a battle or a barbecuo. Lee kept the sacred day, hoping that Meade would charge, and Meade kept It. hop ing the Confederates would go peace ably away and let Washington enjoy domestic tranquillity. "Gordon's enterprising activity, not only In battle but In all campaigns, Is a notable feature of his military ca reer. He kept himself informed by various means concerning the army with which he served and the where abouts of the enemy. This ho did, not merely by the aid of scouts, but by personal search. Twice, on his invi tation, we went together alone, with uniform and sword, within the lines of the enemy In our Immediate front, to find a place where successful attack might be made. We stood together often with field glasses to observe the position of the foe In order to profit by personal view. This aggressive trait of his martial spirit was also conspic uously apparent In the series of the battles or tho Wilderness, when ho In command of the division. Always searching for opportunities, he made one gap In Grant's line, and on the next day found another Into which he went with my brigade of Georgians and Johnston's South Carolina brigade, and by charging the flank broke up a corps. “The Twelfth of May.” "I will speak next of the 'Man of the Twelfth of May.’ The famous Inde scribable battle of the 12th of May. which equipoised the fate of Lee’s army with tho destiny of the Confederacy, lasted during a day of hard, close- together fighting between two armies of equally brave men. It appears yet as beyond question that the success of the plan of General Orant to cut through the army of Lee would have resulted In a Confederate disaster and probably terminated the war. Grant heavily massed his divisions and pushed them with IrrisUble force against the most assailable point In all the lines of Lee at an exposed angle where, by accident, artillery changes had been made which left the salient point nearly devoid of guns. Gordon at the time commanded a division of Virginians and North Carolinians, with my brigade of Georgians, which were in position a* reserves close to the Confederate breastworks, tin the night of the 11th, my brigade slept In line of battle ready for Instant action. A Magnificent Spectacle, •The waking came at the earliest dawn When the morning mist* veiled the faint light of the breaking day. The Confederates along the defensive lines were startled to their feet by the strident rush of thousands of men upon with the brave defenders. It was at that moment the Virginia, the North Carolina and Georgia brigades of Gor don's general command, were In line of battle ready, expectant, nnd eager to make the charge, when Lee rode through my brigade, having a sublime expression on his face, and In his mien which flashed the thrilling truth upon all the line of Confederate men that it was the heroic purpose of his great soul, for the third time In one week, to lend the charge of his Confederate comrades to victory or to death. "Gordon read the purpose of Lee at a glanco. In a moment he knew what should be Done. 'With his characteris tic intuitive dtscerment of the right action in that supreme crisis he rode to the side of the great commander, and In manner, voice, and by actual com mand, remonstrated ngalnst the sacri fice and spoke those historical words, which were repeated and rolled up nnd down the lines of the army—'General Lee, you must go to the rear!' Men and officers were filled with the spirit of Lee, Inspired by the enthusiasm of Gordon, nnd In a moment they moved, by hts order, at double-quick, into the swirling vortex of battle. Lee Trusted Gordon. "Gordon had already won the ad miration and the confidence ot Robert Lee. Our great Confederate commander- In-chlef knew the true military mettle whenever he saw it shine or heard It ring. Ho was Impressed by Gordon's aggressiveness, his enterprising spirit, his Judgment In planning a fight, his general promptitude, his quickness In taking advantage of a turn in the tide of battle, and his daring courage In executing a command. I omit scores of battles In which Gordon displayed tho great qualifications that make a military leader, and give the sum of the whole matter by saying that he had the entire confidence and personal admiration of Robert E. Lee. An Unforgetable Scene. "The scenes of the Confederate camps when I passed them after the surrender was singular Indeed. Arms were stacked; the battle flags drooped faithfulness with which Gordon carried out these high resolves during his en tire life. They were the burdens of his earliest addresses to the people and to the returned soldiers who were earnest ly, peacefully and thriftily at work everywhere. He was active among the able men of the South who were united In overthrowing the reconstruction pol icies and In restoring a true self-gov ernment to the states. His help to South Carolina and other Southern states which were struggling to be re lleved made him celebrated. He had the heart and hand ot the South and his Confederate comrades because of his unfailing fidelity to their cause, and he won the good will of the North by his broad and true patriotism. He was made commander-In-chlef of the Unit, ed Confederate Veterans by the univer sal and enthusiastic acclamation of all the Confederate soldiers from year to year as long as he lived. HI* state made him governor two terms ond twice senator, in whlob stations ho served with n statesman's ability and fidelity. Honored In Bronze and Msrbls. "The last of this feast Is the best of Its wine. The unveiling of yonder monument will bring a great soldier vividly Into our mind and memory. From sunrise to sunset the unobstruct ed sunbeams falling on these cnpltol grounds will light up this battle- scarred taco and array with radiance hts martial form. He will begin at once to speak: by this statue to the world with an eloquence that no man ehould renlst. The future will aoe and hear him as It shall arrive nt the head of the consocutlve centuries which follow the ever retiring days of the present All people who pass In review before the monument will be told the same glorious old truth which all ages have revered, that true manhood will always act the noble part whenever the moral convictions command. Mrs. Gordon: Your presence suf fuses this ceremony with an Indescrib able pathos. Your Confederate broth ers know how closely you followed your tlluatrous husband through hts career, and their sympathies were deeply scant fare of the bivouac, the march, the battle Is ended, but the patriot soldier now banquets richly on the af fections and honors given him ‘In the house of his fathers.' The memory of your knightly service grows brighter and the garlands are richer and fresh er now than ever. God bless you, my comrades, there can be no praises too exalted to be lavished on the herola history you made In the Confederate army. "Governor of Georgia: Your pres ence is personal and official; personal because of the esteem In which you hold the Confederate soldier, and offi cial because you represent the state of Georgia. You have held this high dis tinction more than four years, but 1 will be bold to say that no honors paid you by the people can be greater than this you now have to receive this mon- msnt Into the everlasting custody of ths stats. The moment Is new at lmn<l when the daughters of General Gor don, attended by yourself, shall release the statue from Its veilings so that it may stand In the presence of all ths people. Rise, my comrades sad coun trymen, and with our national nlrs, ‘Dixie’ and the 'Star Spangled Ben ner,' thrilling your hearts, behold end salute your own Gordon—the soldier, the statesman, and the patriot!" M. A. Bsuknlght M. A. Baukntght, aged 21 years, died Friday morning at a private sanlta- rlum. The funeral services will be conducted Saturday morning at 10 o'clock at the residence of his mother, Mrs. M. 8. Bauknlght. 160 Whitehall street The interment will be in West- view cemetery. Miss Hollomon, of Llzelfa, " Special to The Georgian. Llzella, Go., May 25.—Miss Lena Hollomon was burled here yesterday at noon. She Is survived by her father, O. A. Hollomon, mother, four brothers, and four Bisters. VAII linJ onthis ADDA ATLANTA Isan YUU Tina MAP U.r.DiUinodmoitHoMBlook. h * "fiay«' 'battle of Gettysburg be- the breatworka, by the clash of con- SfrJSsiiSH FftSaraSrBSg SiSSgfaSfiS SPECIAL.Summer DISCOUNT NqwON at D. P. B. C. SIUS SUPBEHF JUDBES S»Y i>„" r ffS3S t 5 tin official Court Reporters of the United States that one can. Or the study of the are* tem of Shorthand taught by Draughon'a Col- u^ausiS'sMWtd^St^B^ePSSy other system, sndtbst it can be learned as quickly ss any system worth learning; DO IT HOW The necessity for a business ed- VOW W.U flyw. weii’trainmi oooUMpcn, itcoofra* pht re, and telegraph operators mil NEV- ties! Business College# give the training. I us send yon catalogue. It coutstne TI1E1 1 PENCK that It win pay you to Intrust your training to D. I’. B. a DO IT NOW. 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