ings. But he declined the offer, because, he said, he did not consider himself competent to teach astronomy, as it ought to be taught there. He had not made a specialty of astronomy.

Modesty, self-sacrifice, conscientiousness, absolute truthfulness, virtues which adorned his whole life, attained supreme radiance here.

In August, 1882, he was appointed a clerk in the Surgeon-General's library division of the War Department. He discharged his duties so well, that for several years after he became unable to go to the office, his work was sent to him to be performed in his bedIn May, 1894, he was removed on account of his physical disability. Thrown again upon the world absolutely penniless, his spirit was bright as ever. He never murmured.

room.

Then the Confederate Soldiers' Home at Richmond, Virginia, threw wide its doors. His veteran comrades opened their arms and hearts, and said: "Come to us beloved and honored friend, and be our guest." And there, with the light of love, friendship, and admiration shining all about him, he passed the painful remnant of his days. He was not debtor. He gave more than he received. To the last, amid all his suffering, he was bright, cheerful, witty, and charming. To the many who gladly sought his company, he gave knowledge, instruction, and entertainment; and more than all, the pleasure of the sweet and edifying society of a lovely man.

He died on July 29, 1896, and was buried with military honors. 2. Resolved, That we remember with gratitude, pride, and pleasure, his exalted character, his pure and manly life, and we cherish the remembrance.

3. Resolved, That our sorrow is not without hope. He served his generation faithfully and well. He lived unselfish, died poor, and entered with clean hands the court of divine equity.

4. Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes, and copies thereof sent to the daughters of the deceased.

352

Southern Historical Society Papers.

Ode to the Confederate Soldiers' Monument in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilmington, N. C.

Dedicated to the Ladies' Memorial Association, of Wilmington, N. C.

BY GENERAL R. E. COLSTON.

This Ode was delivered at the Anniversary Supper of the 3rd Regiment Association, on May 10, 1872, in reply to the second regular toast:

"OUR DEAD.”

Erect upon a granite base

He looks toward the glowing West;
How stern and sad his noble face,

How watchful!-tho' he stands at rest.

He seems to scan with steadfast gaze
The foeman's dark'ning line of blue;
Does he perceive across the haze

The glancing bay'nets flashing through?

One hand with ev'ry clinched nerve

Grips hard the gun o'er which he bends;

The other hangs in graceful curve
Which rounds the sinewy fingers' ends.

Behold!-no carpet-knight is he,

His manly grace is Nature's own;

In ev'ry feature one may see

The light that's caught from battle alone.

His garments rough are old and worn,
Hard used the shoes upon his feet,
That belt and cartridge-box were borne.
In many a victory and retreat.

Upon this soldier's stalwart form

No stars, no bars to mark his grade,

And on his modest uniform

Not ev'n an humble worsted braid.

He's but a private!-All unknown,

He gives his strength, his blood, his life,

Content to fall, obscure, alone,

Unheeded in the deadly strife.

[From the Richmond, Va., Dispatch, Jan. 20, 1898]

GENERAL LEE'S BIRTHDAY.

The Anniversary very Generally Observed in Richmond.

LIGHT OF THE CAMP FIRE OF R. E. LEE CAMP, NO. 1, C. V.

Many Veterans Gather in its Genial Glow-Captain R. S. Parks delivers a Splendid Oration-Howitzers Salute the Monument.

The anniversary of the birth of General Robert E. Lee was celebrated in Richmond yesterday by the closing of the State and city offices, the banks, and many commercial institutions. Salutes were fired in honor of the event, and from the masthead of nearly every flagpole in the city, the colors of the Confederacy floated to the breeze.

The holiday was generally observed. The particular celebrations of the anniversary, however, took place at the Soldier's Home, and at Lee Camp, where orations were delivered, and carefully prepared programmes were carried out. A salute of seventeen guns was fired at the Home at noon, and a platoon of the Howitzers fired another salute at 5 o'clock beneath the shadow of the monument to the great General, erected in the western portion of the city.

AROUND THE CAMP FIRE.

At night, Lee Camp kindled a camp-fire, the genial glow of which shed nothing but radiance and charm. Within the magic circle were gathered distinguished veterans from all over the State, and the guests of honor were the members of both houses of the Legislature.

The yearly celebration of the birthday of General Robert E. Lee, is the prime event in the calendar of the Camp, and no effort is spared to make it delightful and successful. All along the Southern lines, the camp-fires are lighted on each recurring January 19th, in honor of the great leader, but no fire burns more brightly than that of the Richmond camp, or attracts to it a more distinguished body of men. It was a night of great festivity; a genial and whole-souled

General Lee's Birthday.

355

hospitality was dispensed, and warm indeed was the welcome extended to all who came to pay a tribute by their presence, to the memory of the dead chieftain. The feature of the evening was the address delivered by Captain R. S. Parks. It was received with unbounded enthusiasm, and was said by many of those present to be the finest eulogy ever delivered within the walls of Lee Camp.

Following the exercises came a social session of unrestrained mirth and good-fellowship. The good humor of the occasion was infectious and irresistible, and even old men, whose locks were hoary, and whose forms were bent with age, danced and sang, and seemed to grow young again. Old Southern melodies struck pleasantly on the ear, and the familiar songs were sung over and over again. Refreshments were served in great abundance, and the hour for parting came all too soon.

THE FORMAL PROGRAMME.

It was nearly a quarter-past 8 o'clock when First-Lieutenant-Commander A. C. Peay, in the absence of Commander Laughton, called the assemblage to order, and in a few words recalled the "sacred cause" which they had come together to celebrate. The doxology was sung by all, standing, after which Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson was called upon and offered a short, but fervent, prayer for a benediction upon those who had come together to commemorate the memory of their chieftain, and asked that they might follow his example, as he had endeavored to follow that of his Divine Master.

GREETINGS FROM WASHINGTON.

The following telegram from the Confederate Veterans' Association, of Washington, D. C., was read and received with applause:

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 19, 1898.

R. E. Lee Camp, No. 1, Confederate Veterans, Richmond, Va.:

The Confederate Veterans' Association of Washington assembled to honor the name of our great leader, General R. E. Lee, send loving greetings to their comrades of Richmond, and remember with them a vow to keep green his memory.

ROBERT I. FLEMING,

President.

Adjutant J. Taylor Stratton was instructed to telegraph the fol

lowing reply: