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Zzzthe Monument movement.
Seven years ago this Association was formed for the purpose of erecting this monument.
By the generosity of our men and aided by the noble women of the
South, by whose patriotic efforts we were enabled to accomplish our cherished designs, we are here to-day to witness the fruition of our hopes by dedicating this monument to the private in the ranks.
The story of their endurance and valor has often been told.
It has been the theme of the historian and orator in other lands than ours, and poets have sung in lofty strains of their heroic deeds.
That story will be repeated to-day.
To those who participated in the struggle it may cause a glow of pardonable pride; to all who hear it must give pleasure and gratification; but let the story be truthfully told, that our children and our children's children may learn the lesson of how their sires loved honor better than life, and deemed no sacrifice too great to be laid on the altar of their country.
And who is better fitted to recount the suffering, the sacrifice and valor of the private soldier than the orator selected for this occasion?
When the tocsin first sounded the call to arms he marched away as a private in the ranks.
As a private he served with conspicuous gallantry throughout the war, was twice wounded in the contest, and only laid down his arms after the sun of the
Confederacy had gone down in refulgent splendor behind the hills of
Appomattox.
I take pleasure in introducing
Rev. R. C. Cave, once a private soldier of the
Confederacy, but now a faithful soldier in the army of the
King of
Kings.
