Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 10.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

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[95] memories of our heroic endeavor are kept fresh-and that the true story of our straggle is put upon the page of history and transmitted to coming generations. He believed that this would be done, and that as the heroes of the olden time have outlived the work of the chisel, and the story of Thermopolyae and Marathon will live forever, so the deeds of our Confederate soldiers shall never die, and when the star of the Confederacy takes its place in the galaxy of history it will shine with increasing lustre as the years go on.

This imperfect report gives but a poor idea of General Lee's splendid effort which was rapturously received. He was greeted with three rousing cheers as he took his seat.

3. “Our Infantry.” General R. D. Lilley of Virginia made a facetious, appropriate and admirable response, which frequently brought down the house, while his empty sleeve was a silent but eloquent witness that he had done his duty.

4. “Our Artillery.” To respond to this toast the committee called out the Secretary of the Southern Historical Society, who at least succeeded in making the impression that he had a high opinion of Confederate soldiers in general and Confederate artillerymen in particular, and who cherishes a grateful remembrance of the kind reception given him by his old comrades.

5. “Our Dead.” Of course no one could have been more appropriately called on to respond to this toast than Rev. Dr. John Landstreet, one of those faithful chaplains who was ever at the post of duty, even though this sometimes required him to be in the thickest of the fight. He made an eloquent and every way admirable speech, and was enthusiastically applauded by his old comrades with whom he is evidently a great favorite.

In response to calls, General Bradley T. Johnson, General I. R. Trimble, General George H. Steuart, Hon. Spencer Jones, and others, made happy speeches, and the whole affair was a splendid success.