The History of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia

by S. J. Quinn

Shiloh Baptist Church, Old Site (colored.)
(See [page 215])

Within this county—at Chancellorsville—the soldiers of the South conquered in a battle where death pulsated the very air, which was won by unparalleled bravery and matchless strategy, though it cost the life of the southland’s idolized Stonewall Jackson, the very genius of the war. Here the two master military leaders met for the first time at the Wilderness, where was commenced the march by parallel columns, which culminated in the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, by our grand old commander, Lee, to the great and magnanimous Grant.

On these fields Americanism, in its highest and holiest sense, was illustrated and illuminated. Here a colossal column of men marched to death, testifying thereby the very highest expression of patriotism—love of country. For greater love hath no man that this, that he lay down his life for his friends. It is to this spot you have come—a place which is, and should be, the mecca of all lovers of patriotism, self-sacrifice and lofty devotion to duty. And these have not been lost, and will not be, for as the blood of the martyrs was the seed and the seal of the church, so the blood and the bravery of the soldiers of the North and the South have already cemented this Republic in a closer union.

There has been a good deal said here, sir, to-day about peace. He who fought ceased warfare when the war ended. ’Tis true it was waged with great energy by warriors. After Lee told his boys to go home, and Grant said, “Let us have peace,” these warriors, after the war, were like that chaplain in Early’s army, who was seen going to the rear, while the battle was raging in front. Early met him and asked him where he was going. “To the rear—to the hospital department,” said he. “Why not stay in the front?” said old Jubal, “for I have heard you urging my men for the last six months to prepare to go to heaven, and now you have an opportunity to go to heaven yourself, and you are dodging to the rear.” These men who want war and talk war now had the opportunity to take part, but most of them did not feel so inclined when the battle raged fast and furious.

I suppose, sir, however, I was called to talk to-night because I am rather an unique and curious living specimen of a soldier, for I was a private, and there are few now living. It is said just before the surrender a poor old soldier laid down to sleep, and he slept a la Rip Van Winkle, for twenty years. Awaking up he rubbed his eyes; looking around, he called a man walking on the road-side to him. “Where,” said the soldier, “is old Marse Bob Lee and his army?” “General Lee,” replied the man; “why, he has been dead many years; he surrendered his army and then died.” “Ah!” said the private; “ah, then where are all the generals?” “They,” replied the man, “have been sent to Congress.” “And what has become of the colonels?” “Why, they have been elected to the Legislature.” “What about the majors, captains and lieutenants?” “They have been made sheriffs and clerks and treasurers.” “Where, then, tell me, where in the world have the privates gone?” “The privates!” answered the man; “why, they are all dead.” And the old soldier rolled his eyes back and fell asleep again. If he were to awake again to-day his eyes would be gladdened and his heart made happy by monuments erected in Virginia’s capital city, and elsewhere, to emphasize the love and reverence with which the memory of the brave private soldiers are held by a grateful people.

Sir, far be it from me to hold in slight estimation or little esteem, the illustrious commanders. I am proud of the grand and glorious leadership of my great captains, Lee and Jackson, and I willingly pay a tribute to the greatness of Grant and to the memory of Hancock, “the superb,” and the splendid Meade. I would not, if I could, attempt to dim the lustre of their names or throw any shadow over the brightness of their deeds.

I was an humble private soldier in the Confederate army, and I am proud here to proclaim that I was a follower of the peerless and illustrious Lee, but I stand here to pay my loving tribute to the private soldier of both armies. His splendid achievements, grand heroism, unfaltering loyalty and unflinching bravery, have no parallel in all time. He knew that if in the forefront of the fight he were shot down that then his name would not be written on the scroll of fame, his uncoffined body would find sepulture in a nameless grave, and that he would have for an epitaph, “unknown!” Only a private shot; and thus the story of his daring and dying would be told.

But, knowing all this, he failed not nor faltered. He was inspired by the very holiest and highest, because of an absolutely unselfish sense of duty. He was moved by a purpose to serve his country and its cause. He marched, battled and bivouacked because his determination to do, dare and die, if needs be, for the flag under which he served. Whether under the sultry sun of summer or amidst the sleet and snow of winter, he stood, unmoved from his unalterable resolve. No grander, no more beautiful, no more splendid expression of the very highest type of manhood could be found than was found in the life of the private soldier of both or either army; and when the war ended, with them verily it ended, and they all joined hands in a fraternity of comradeship which was well exhibited by that private soldier of your army who ministered to my necessities and cheered me in my sadness as I sat under the very shadow of defeat and amidst the gloom of surrender at Appomattox.

And members of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, to which that private belonged, and to which we of the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered, I meet and greet you on your first reunion south of the river whose name you bear. We of the South will ever cherish, ever pay the homage of our hearts’ best devotion to the memory of our great cause and its champions, we will ever keep them hallowed and sacred, but with us the war is over. We pay allegiance and bear full fealty to this great Republic of ours, and the men and the sons of the men who followed Lee and Jackson stand ready with you to defend, always and everywhere, the honor, the integrity and the interest of this fair land of ours against all foes, whether from within or without its borders.

We worship at the same shrine of liberty. There is only one flag now. It is our flag and yours. Under its shadow we stand with the men of your army. And now, to-night, at this reunion, in this presence, let me urge, as the shibboleth, the motto of both armies, to be our inspiration in peace, our rallying cry, if needs be, in war, this: “Whom God hath joined together let no party, no people and no power put asunder.”