Valentine Hughes Stone, Major Fifth Artillery, U. S. Army. Born in Bath County, Ky., December 22, 1839, and died aboard the steamer from Fort Jefferson to Key West, Fla., Sept. 24, 1867. He was enrolled April 18, and mustered into service April 22, 1861, in the 11th Indiana Infantry Volunteers, Gen. Lew Wallace’s Regiment of Zouaves, being the first Volunteer from Putnam County, Ind., to respond to the call of President Lincoln. He was appointed First Lieutenant, 5th U. S. Artillery, May 14, 1861; was the heroic defender of Jones’ Bridge across the Chickahominy in the Seven Days’ Battles about Richmond. In command of Battery No. 9 his artillery was the first to enter Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1865. He was promoted to be Captain and brevetted Major, same regiment, upon the personal request of General U. S. Grant, for gallant and meritorious services on the battle field. He died of yellow fever while in command of Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas, Gulf of Mexico.
This monument was erected and dedicated to his memory by his brothers, Henry L. Stone, who served in the Confederate Army, and R. French Stone, who served in the Union Army, during the Civil War.
THE COURSE OF EX-CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR.
The course of ex-Confederates since the war closed deserves, as a rule, the highest commendation. As far as my observation extends, good soldiers in time of war make good citizens in time of peace. The toils and hardships of army life fit and prepare them for the battles of civil life. The success of ex-Confederates as civilians has been commensurate with their success as soldiers. Kentucky has selected from Morgan’s men some of her highest legislative, judicial and executive officers. From our ranks this and other States have been furnished mechanics, farmers, merchants, bankers, teachers, physicians, lawyers, and ministers of the gospel. There was hardly a neighborhood in Kentucky in which there did not reside after the war closed one or more ex-Confederate soldiers, while many became useful and honored citizens of other States. Coming out of the army, most of them ragged and poor, some of them crippled for life, with no Government pension to depend upon, they went to work for a living, and their labors have not gone unrewarded.
DRY-GOODS CLERK AFTER THE WAR.
I want to say for myself, I got back from the Civil War in the summer of 1865. For four months, I clerked in a dry goods store at Ragland’s Mills, on Licking River, in the east end of Bath County. How much do you reckon my salary was? I got my board and $12.50 a month! I am glad to say I receive, in my present position, a little more than that now.
SPECIAL PARDON.
After the surrender in April, 1865, President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation, whereby the rights of citizenship were withheld from certain classes who participated in waging war against the United States Government, among whom were those who had left a loyal State and joined the Confederate Army. It became necessary, therefore, for me to obtain a special pardon from the President, which I did in the summer of 1865, through the aid of my uncle, Henry S. Lane, then United States Senator from Indiana.
THE PRESENT AND FUTURE.
Most of us have passed far beyond the meridian of life, but I trust there is much usefulness in store for us yet. We should not content ourselves with the victories and honors of the past. The present and future have demands upon us. The welfare of our respective communities and States, as well as of our common country, calls for our continued labors in their behalf.