USA > Virginia > Campbell County > Campbell County > Annals of the Lynchburg Home Guard > Part 2
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outlaws announcing themselves the vanguard of a more formidable army, invaded her soil and offered to lier citizens the dread alternative of dishonor or of death. It was in responce to that insulting defiance that the chivalry of Virginia, ever mindful of their proud lin- eage and ever prompt to vindicate and defend it, rushed with an alacrity unparalleled in history to the post of honor and of danger. Here in our Mountain City, ere the echoes of the alarm gun had died upon the breeze, a gallant company of patriotic warriors sprung at a bound upon the arena, organized, efficient, and eager for the fray. The example, which it was sir, your fortune to initiate was followed right man- fully by others, and though in the providence of God, the stern cloud had passed ere their services were de- manded, the spirit of an indignant and uprisen patri- otismn breathed upon the masses, and the flower of Virginia chivalry starts into life. The invasion at Harper's Ferry was attended with results of which the foul traitors who planned it never dreamed for a min- ute. It has brought into action the patriotic ardor and the long-slumbering energies of the State. It has taught her foes the salutary lesson that no shade of dishonor can rest for a moment on her bright escutch- eon or tarnish the purity of her immortal fame. It has brought into play a spontaneous gush of patriotic enthusiasm which encircles with a living and quench- less light her queenly brow. It has called forth her lovely daughters to kneel around her sacred altars and bid them consecrate the standards which hier sons will bear through the darkness and tempest to honor and to victory. It brings out today this attractive and inspir- ing pageant-this bright array of glittering armor, this generous outburst of loyalty and love. I know there is not a heart in that devoted corps that does not beat with a prouder and a liolier throb as the moment ap- proaches .when this noble standard shall be entrusted
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to its care. I know that if the honr unfortunately comes, when the sons of the Old Dominion shall be called to act their part amid the fierce shock of con- contending legions, that blessed banner will emerge triumphant from the storm of the conflict or perish with the devoted band to whose guardianship it goes. You will bring it back from the battle unharmed by the tempest and radiant with the bright hues of tri- umph, or
"Thal flag will be your win ling sheet, And every turf beneath your feet. Will be a soldier's sepulchre."
Sir, the great battle of Constitutional equality is again to be fought. The strong tide of sectional intolerance dashes madly around the ramparts of freedom. Within that broad domain that stretches from the Arostook to the Potomac, the press, the pulpit and the rostrum have joined in unholy and fracticidal war upon the institutions and honor of the South. The whole Northern mind teems with fanaticism, the whole Northern heart seemed scorched and blasted by the consuming breath of faction and treason. The ties of a common brotherhood have been stretched to their extremest tension and the golden chord of affection and patriotic devotion seems well nigh snapped asunder.
When the recollections of a common lineage and a common destiny have been banished from the mind, when the memory of the glorious past has faded from the heart, when treason stalks abroad unpunished and unrebuked, the period has arrived for Virginia to put on the whole armor of battle, and to await with un- blanched cheek and undaunted front the summons to the strife. It is in the anticipations of that dread hour, of that fearful issue, which, may God in his mercy aveat, that I greet you all today-patriot soldiers of the Troop, the Greys, and the Guard. It is in the spirit
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of resistance to oppression, the undying and uncon- querable spirit of the Revolutionary mothers, that the fair danghters of Lynchburg will entrust to your keep- ing this consecrated standard. Take it sir, and guard it faithfully and well. Receive it as a sacred and priceless offering. Let it stimulate you to renewed efforts and animate every manly heart with a fresher and holier zeal. And if the blood-red banner should again be unfurled upon our devoted land, and the voice of humanity and affection-of friendship and of patri- otism shall be hushed amid the shout of contending armies, every patriot in your ranks, as he beholds that glorious ensign of Virginia, will resolve in the pride of his manhood, that he
"Untainted by flight or by chains, While the kindling of life in his bosom remains. Will the victor exult, or in death be laid low, With his back to the field and his feet to the foe, And leaving in battle no blot on his name, Look proudly to Heav'n from his deathhed of Fame."
Captain Garland in response said:
"Mr. Trible, Miss Norvell, (now Mrs. Kirkwood Otey), and ladies of the City of Lynchburg: I have 110 power of language adequate to convey to you and to the large concourse here assembled, the emotions of honest pride and pleasure which swell the hearts of the members of the Home Guard upon this interesting occasion.
The scene before me is full of inspiration. From the dust and din of that busy life which oft-times grows so commonplace, we have marched up to the heiglits of this Acropolis of our City of Hills, and here we stand in serried phalanx drawn, with the glittering steel and stamping steed while martial music lends its kindling power to stir the spirit with its raptuous strain. Above, around, the smiles of lovely women beam upon us, herself in nobler sense the guard of heart and
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home, while in the rear the grand old mountains loom up in the distance like silent sentinels to watch the scene, and point us with their lofty peaks to the blue dome above where dwells forever the Guardian of our land.
Standing in such a presence, full tides of thought and feeling might be poured along, far beyond the lim- its which custom has prescribed for pagents such as these.
Sir, on behalf'of the noble women of the city of Lynchburg, you have just presented in terms worthy of them and of yourself, to the gallant volunteers whom I have the honor to command, a standard-flag of Old Virginia. As a work of art it does signal honor to the practiced hand and eye of him who painted it, and shows us that Fitz-Wilson labored con amore for the love of his subject as well as of the art, whose votaries toil not only for the present but for posterity.
When I look to the well-known devices with which these silken folds have been adorned, I find there themes of historic glory on which a volume might well be written. VIRGINIA and her famous coat of arms with the motto "Free, June 29, 1776." As citizens of hier soil, we are thus reminded that Virginia has a flag, the emblem of her separate sovereignty as an independ- ent State, that before the stars and stripes was given to the battle and the breeze, the "Sic Semper Tyrannis," of the Old Dominion, had already been unfurled. Proud chapter of her history that five days in advance of the declaration of American independence, dates the Declaration of Independence of Virginia. Upon the 29thi of June, 1776, that Bill of Rights and Consti- tution which stand as monuments of the wisdom of old George Mason were finally adopted. Upon that day the genius of Virginia burst asunder the shackles that bound her down, placed her foot upon the neck of the tyrant and stood prepared to maintain that posi-
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tion with the sword. And from that day she asserted her right to be numbered amongst the States and nations of the earth.
As if to double his claims upon the gratitude of poster- ity, it is to the same George Mason, great father of the States-Rights school, that Virginia is indebted for her present coat of arms. In the Journal of her Conven- tion we find the simple entry that Mr. George Mason, from the committee to whom had been assigned the duty of preparing a suitable device for a coat of arms, reported the design of a female figure representing virtue, with a lance and sword, her foot resting on a figure of a prostrate tyrant, with the motto "Sic Sem- per Tyrannis," which, on motion, was adopted.
A female figure representing virtue, thus recording their estimate and tribute to the worth of woman in the first public acts of the new-born State. And that reminds me that the very name Virginia by which the State is known among the people of the earth, was but an act of homage of that gallant knight and English gentleman Sir Walter Raleigh, to whom in the person of Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen; aye, sir, that Virgin Queen who, when the haughty hosts of Spain were bearing down to make invasion of Britannia's soil, rode like Minerva through her camp at Shrewsbury inspiring every heart to loyal deeds and daring high; and asserting for herself and for her sex a title to cont- mand. "T'was thus the founder of the colony and thus the fathers of Virginia honored woman in the olden time and made themselves worthy of the name of cav- aliers. Let nis, my fellow-comrades, remember their example. So much for the past.
And now reverse the flag. The scene is changed. The outlines of nature still are there, still in the dis- tance we behold that long "Blue Ridge" of mountains through whose wild passes in that elder day, bold Spotswood lead his "Knights of the Horseshoe." But
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now the genius of commerce leading the Ariel spirits of modern progress in her train, has come to preside over shifting scene, and gathers around her the staples of labor, which make up the riches of a prosperous State. Fitting symbols of the present and the future, of what Virginia is, and what in large sense, she means to be.
In the back ground, yet distinctly seen, beliold not only the Temple of Justice, which is the symbol of peace, but the deep-mouthed cannon, which is the emblem of war. With her arm resting on the shield of the Federal Constitution, and the Stars and Stripes unfolded at her foot, she sits calmly and proudly gazing with conscious sincerity into the hidden future and hold- ing in reserve the arm of her own military power.
But may we not give to this suggestive picture a higher secondary meaning? It is woman-type of the matrons and daughters of Virginia-elevated above the ordinary labors of our common life, and presiding over our society, guarded, if need be to the cannon's mouth, by the stout hearts and strong arms of the citizen sol- diers of Virginia.
Sir, you have alluded to the recent raid upon the borders of the Commonwealth. If such events recur again, (let us not vaunt ourselves of brave deeds in advance) it is enough to say that not only the Home Guard, but these other gallant corps of volunteers, whom the ladies of Lynchburg will delight to honor in their turn, will be ready every man to do his duty, his duty to yon, fair ladies of Lynchburg, and to the land of his birth or his adoption.
It only remains for me, to express on behalf of the Home Guard of the city of Lynchburg, their grateful sense of the honor the ladies have conferred on then, in the beautiful gift this day presented. The names of the donors will be recorded in the book of orders of the company as they are recorded in the hearts of its
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members. As the eye rests upon these colors, as they float above the heads of our marching columns, kissed and caressed by the passing breeze, each man will feel his step grow prouder and his blood course quicker through his veins, and swear in his heart of hearts, come weal or woe, to defend that flag and those who have bestowed it, at all hazards and to the last ex- tremity.
Stand forth, Sergeant Sandford, and receive the flag: preserve it untarnished in the purity of its original lustre; and if in the chances of an uncertain future, invading foes should ever seek to wrest it from your grasp, then stand by your colors while you live, and should you fall, then fall enveloped in their precious folds."
Sergeant Sandford, on receiving the colors from Captain Garland's hand, responded as follows :
"In receiving this most acceptable gift from the ladies of Lynchburg through your hands, permit me to return the warm and sincere thanks of each and every member of the Home Guard for the honor conferred upon them. Considering the source from which it comes, it is truly a high honor; one that does not occur more than once during a lifetime. Should this good old Commonwealth, that we all so dearly love, be invaded by a foreign or an abolition foe, you may rest assured that the Home Guard, of Lynchburg, will be among the first to shoulder arms in her defense. With this banner as their guide, victory, and nothing but victory, will be their reward. In taking on myself the pleasant duty of bearing this beautiful stand of colors, allow me in conclusion to say that while it remains in my hands it shall be cherished and handled as lovingly and tenderly as though it were my sweetheart, if I had one."
Captain Garland was careful to keep his company in
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touch with the other organizations of the State as much as was possible, and to this end invited various other commands to visit the Home Guard from time to time. We have a description of a visit from the Mon- ticello Guards, a company from Charlottesville. The description is taken from the same source as are the others.
"Friday May 4th, 1860. This morning, carrying into execution a threatened invasion, the Monticello Guards, a company of Charlottesville, took the town by surprise, arriving by the early train and marching through the streets at daylight. The alarm was speed- ily given and detailments of the different companies soon got to their quarters. At 10 o'clock there was a military reception given the invaders, by the Troop, the Home Guard and the Rifle Greys. The four com- panies paraded the streets and made a handsome dis- play. They had a drill and dress parade, and at three there was a dinner at the Piedmont House provided by our companies. There were several speeches inade. The Charlottesville company is a very handsome one, and is well drilled. They returned at half past seven."
This visit, which notwithstanding the apparently in- hospitabie reception accorded the visitors, was much enjoyed, was the beginning of a friendship that has existed between these organizations ever since. The visit was returned on October 28tl1, 1860, when the Home Guard went to Charlottesville and joined in a parade composed of the Albemarle Rifles, the Augusta Guard, the Baltimore City Guard and the Monticello Guard. We find in the Virginian of October 30th a note signed "MeD," which report the company as being well entertained and having a banquet tendered
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them at which toasts were responded to by Captain Garland, of the Home Guard, and Captain H. G. Latham, of the Lynchburg Artillery, both of Lynch- burg.
Life in the company at the time of which we speak, was much as life in a volunteer company is to-day, a dull monotony of drills, but this monotony was broken from time to time by calls on the command to aid the police, who were at that time very insufficient. Details were frequently called out at fires to guard property, and at other times to check threatened disturbances. The political atmosphere was exceedingly dark, and the men never knew when they might be called on to take the field. Captain Garland had the company in fine trim, well drilled and disciplined, and the men in return looked up to and admired him extravagantly. It may be of interest to record the first prize ever won by theni in a competitive drill. We have two accounts of it, one in Mr. Blackford's diary, from which we have made so many extracts, and the other from the Virginian, of October 27th, 1860.
Says Mr. Blackford: "Last Friday (the 26th) was the day for the military companies to drill for the prize of one hundred dollars. The only companies on hand were the Rifle Greys and the Home Guard. Their drill was admirable. I was really astonished at its perfec- tion. The Greys, I thonghit best in company drill, the Guard in the manual. The Greys did not attempt bat- talion drill, the Guard performed it admirably. I could not stay for the skirmish drill. The committee gave the prize, very justly, I thought, to the Guard. " -- Diary October 28th, 1860.
The account in the Virginian is as follows: "The
-
.
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military contest for the hundred dollar premium offered by the Lynchburg Agricultural and Mechanical Society for the best drilled company, came off yesterday, accord- ing to announcement. The day was beautiful; clear, bright and balmly, and well calculated to woo from their homes the denizens of the city, as well as to in- vite the surrounding country people to witness the trial of military skill. At an early hour hacks, omnibusses and private conveyances commenced running from the city to the Fair Grounds, and by 10 o'clock the en- closure contained a great number of visitors of all sexes and sizes. The grounds presented a gay and interesting appearance, with groups here and there of ladies and gentlemen engaged in lively conversation and others strolling about in the more confidential con- verse which may have been strictly entre nous. The military, consisting of the Home Guard, Captain Gar- land, the Rrifle Greys, Captain Langhorne, the Wise Troop, Lieutenant Langhorne, and the College Corps, Captain Blankenship, arrived about 11 o'clock, and were dismissed until preliminary arrangements for the drill were completed. There being only one of the judges originally appointed present, Captain Blanken- ship, the Executive Committee met and filled the vacancies by appointing Colonel Adams, of the fifty- third regiment and Mr. C. V. Winfree, graduate of the V. M. I., who, together with Captain Blankenship, constituted the committee of judges.
"The Rifle Greys and the Home Guard were the only companies which entered the ring for the prize; and the former by agreement, first took the field and went through the various evolutions and manœuvres best calculated to test their skill, in a manner which reflected great credit on them, and won the unqualified praise of all the spectators. The Guard then followed in a two hours' drill, both in company and battalion, including the skirmish drill, and performed all their evolutions
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with an exactness and promptness which proved them to be intimately acquinted with and thoroughly prac- ticed in, the tactics. The Greys rejoined in another admirable drill of an hour, according to arrangement, going through the skirmishers in gallant style, and rising still higher in popular esteem by their soldierly bearing and appearance. The drilling being then ended, the judges proceeded to render their award, which was substantially that while perhaps the Greys excelled in company drill, yet considering the company and battalion drill both, through which the Guard went, it was their opinion that they (the Guard) were entitled to the prize, and they therefore were awarded it accordingly. We do not give the words but the sub- stance of the award. It is proper to state that the Greys did not drill in battalion movements at all, con- fining themselves to company drills exclusively. They are also a much younger company than the Home Guard, considering which fact and the nature of the award, we do not hesitate to say that they came of with flying colors. The decision was well received, each company proposing and giving three cheers for the other in hearty style. Yesterday was a gala day at the Fair Grounds, and everybody seemed to enjoy it with hearty zest. At a late hour in the afternoon the crowd dispersed."-Virginian, October 27th, 1860.
It is saddening to turn from the pictures of joyous and happy life to those of gloom and warfare, but the change must be made. The Presidential election was approaching and its result was the election of Lincoln. This was followed in December by the secession of South Carolina from the Union, and the rapid secession of other of the Southern States. Although it is some- what foreign to our subject, we will insert here, as a matter of interest, the ordinance of secession as passed by the South Carolina Legislature.
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ORDINANCE OF SECESSION.
An ordinance to dissolve the Union between the State of South Carolina and the other States united with her, under the compact entitled The Constitution of the United States:
We, the people of South Carolina in convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, that the Ordinance adopted by us in convention on the 23rd day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty- eight, whereby the Constitution of the United States was ratified; and also all acts of the General Assembly of this State ratifying the amendment of the said Con- stitution, are hereby repealed, and that the Union now subsisting between South Carolina and the other States under the name of the United States of America, is hereby dissolved.
This was passed by unanimous vote on December the 20th, 1860.
With the secession of South Carolina strictly begins the history of the war, but so far as the Home Guard are concerned, the war did not begin until April, when it was mustered into service. The intervening period was filled up with constant drilling and in getting the men accustomed to military discipline. In this, as in everything he undertook, Captain Garland was indefat- igable. Neither time nor trouble were spared by hin when the interests of the company were at stake, and never had a captain a command that was more devoted to him than had Captain Garland. His slightest wish was law, and indeed few laws have had such willing and unquestioning obedience as had he. The people of the
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city took almost as much interest in the welfare of the various companies as did the members, and we find in accounts of the times that entertainments were often given and contributions frequently made up, to furnishi them with some detail of equipment with which they were muprovided. Each bank in the city voted the sum of five hundred dollars for the good of the military. "I doubt much," says one account that we consulted, "whether the banks have a right to do this, but at this time nobody thinks of that." At last Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers and Virginia's secession brought matters to a crisis. The Lynchburg companies were ordered to the field, and left on the 23d of April, 1861, and with the description of their departure we close the first part of our record.
DEPARTURE OF THE MILITARY.
Yesterday was a day that will long be remembered in Lynchburg. It was one of those bright, health- invigorating days that come to us in the early Spring- time, when the calm zephyrs are redolent of Heaven, and the air is fragrant with the incense that ascends from bud and blossom. Nature clothed in her holiday attire, seemed joyons to echo her Maker's praise. Very early in the morning the busy note of preparation was heard and the streets were alive with the military hur- rying to their respective armories. About 8 o'clock the Rifle Greys, Captain M. S. Langhorne, were drawn up in front of their armory on Main street; the Home Guard, Captain S. Garland, jr., in front of theirs on Eighth street; and the Lynchburg Artillery, Captain H. G. Latham, were paraded at their armory on Clay street. The first two mustered about one hundred each, and the latter aboat cighty-five, some of the company
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not being in readiness. The companies then marched to their place of rendevous on Church street between Eighth and Tenth, where they were all formed into column under Colonel D. A. Langhorne, marching down Church street to Eleventh, and thence through Main to Bridge street, at the foot of which they halted and were addressed in a spirit-stirring manner by Rev. J. D. Mitchell, D. D. This patriotic divine said that he had two sons in the company-sons of a Charleston (S. C.) mother-and if he had fifty they should all be freely given up to the service of their State in such a contest. He wanted them to show themselves men, and in the day of battle to put their trust in God, and never turn back from the foe. He alluded in strong terms to the war now being waged upon our cherished institutions- appointed by Heaven for the development and happi- ness of the thousands of the inferior race committed to the guardianship of the South-and felicitated him- self that they would find brave and efficient defenders in the gallant young men who had taken up arms in vindication of our rights. Dr. Mitchell concluded by saying that he would accompany them, and he did. After a benediction was pronounced by Rev. Wil- liam S. Hammond, the troops marched on to the place of embarkation, amidst the tears and gratulations of the thousands of fair women and brave men who had assembled to witness their departure. The scene was one of solemn, thrilling interest. Old men were there, parting with two and three sons, and some giving up their only son to their country, sending them away with their blessings and their prayers. As we looked upon the inspiring scene, and witnessed the tearful adieus of the men who were leaving behind them all the comforts and ondearments of home, in response to the call of their country, to endure the hardships of a soldier's life, we could but feel that Virginia is the same nursery of valor and patriotism that she was
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