Editorial paragraphs.
Our June number being necessarily delayed by the absence of the Secretary and other causes beyond our control, we decided to combine it with the July number. Our subscribers lose nothing either in the quantity or the quality of matter by the combining of these two numbers under one covert and we are sure that they will not complain.
Renewal are still in order, and we would beg our friends to see that their neighbors whose time has expired renew their subscriptions. We can now send back numbers, and subscribers would do well to complete their sets at once, as we may not be able to do so when they want them. And we earnestly beg the large number of subscribers whose time expires with this number to send on their renewals promptly.
General A. T. Hawthorne, of Marshall, Texas. has been appointed our General Agent for Texas and Arkansas. General Hawthorne was a gallant soldier in the Trans-Mississippi Department, and is too well known in that region to need any commendation from us. We know that he will receive a cordial welcome from his comrades and other friends of the cause, and we trust that he will not only enroll a number of members, but will secure much material for a true history of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy.
Rev. H. S. Burrage, of Portland, Maine, and Rev. Dr. King, of Boston, favored us with a visit in May, and we had much pleasure in going over with them portions of the battlefields around Richmond, and in “fighting our battles over again” in a peaceable and fraternal way. Captain Burrage, since his return home, has written in his paper (Zion's Advocate) a series of very interesting sketches on some of the movements in the campaign of 1864, in which he participated. We could wish that more of “our friends the enemy” would visit us, for many mistakes on both sides will never be corrected unless by personal intercourse and friendly discussion,
“Memorial day” at Winchester must have been a grand affair, and we were very much disappointed at being unable to fulfil our purpose of being present. As the 6th of June fell on Sunday this year, the 5th was observed as “Memorial day” and the Maryland monument was unveiled with imposing ceremonies. The Governor of Virginia (Colonel F. W. M. Holliday), whose “empty sleeve” rendered him especially worthy to grace the occasion, the “Confederate States Army and Navy Society of Maryland,” the Fifth Maryland regiment from Baltimore, a number of [334] Virginia military companies, and an immense concourse of people, estimated at 15,000, were present. An appropriate address of welcome by Governor Holliday was suitably responded to by Mayor Latrobe, of Baltimore. The orator of the day was Spencer E. Jones, Esq., of Maryland, who during the war was a gallant private in the “Maryland line,” and whose oration seems to have given the highest satisfaction to all who heard it. Touching scenes of the occasion were the presentation by Governor Holliday of Mrs. Jackson and her daughter, Miss Julia, to the veterans of the old Stonewall Brigade who were present, and the reception by General B. T. Johnson of the flag of the First Maryland (Federal) regiment, which was captured at Front Royal May 23, 1862, by one of his men, and was now sent by its custodian, Miss Nannie McKay, in whose presence it was captured, to be returned to Colonel Kenly, who, despite the terrible wound he received that day, still survives, for his gallant First Maryland (Federal) regiment. The whole affair seems to have been a splendid success. The monument, which is erected in the “Maryland section” of Stonewall cemetery is described as being very beautiful and appropriate, and certainly reflects credit on all who had part in devising or executing this tribute to the heroic “boys in gray” of Maryland.
General I. M. St. John was born in Georgia, not in New York, as we erroneously stated in our last issue. His father had been residing in New York for some years, and we were thus led into the error. We have received a very fine photograph of him, taken during the war, and prize it very highly as handing down the features of one of the most loyal Confederates, one of the most accomplished gentlemen, one of the truest friends, and one of the sincerest Christians whom we ever knew.
William Mahl, General Superintendent of the Louisville and Cincinnati Short Line and the L. C. and Lexington railway, placed us under obligations for courtesies, cordially and politely extended, when several weeks ago we had occasion to pass over his admirably managed roads.
During A recent visit to Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky, we found it very pleasant to meet in the former city Major W. O. Dod, President; Major E. H. McDonald, Secretary, and Hon. H. W. Bruce, an active member, of the Louisville Branch of our Society; and in the latter city, G. W. Ranck, Secretary of the Kentucky Historical Society; Major H. B. McClellan, formerly of General J. E. B. Stuart's staff, and Captain C. H. Morgan, formerly of General John H. Morgan's staff, and to receive from them all, not only personal courtesies, but assurances of valuable help in our great work. Judge Bruce, Major Dod, Major McClellan, and Captain Morgan all promised us papers which will prove of great interest and real historic value.
