Richmond becomes Capital of Confederacy. The President. Presentation of
Flag. Ex-President Tyler. 37th Virginia Infantry Reg.
The capital of the new nation had been established at Richmond the
latter part of May and later the President and his cabinet removed
thereto from Montgomery and entered upon their duties. Anxiety to see
the President at our camp which was now great was soon gratified by an
incident then of much interest. A new regiment commanded by Col. Robert
E. Withers had arrived at the camp. It was regarded as a fine body of
men and its coming created quite a stir of interest in, and respect
for it. The ladies of the city desiring to contribute to this respect
made with their own hands, as it was then stated, a splendid flag, and
requested the President to present it to this regiment. He accepted the
honor and on a subsequent afternoon rode on horseback from the city
to the camp attended by his cabinet members, officers and aids. This
cavalcade attracted universal attention, because the President was its
head and all loved and admired Jefferson Davis.
The regiment was drawn up by its proud officers; and other troops and
citizens, including many ladies who added grace and beauty to the
occasion, assembled nearby. The President stood on a little porch near
a small table. The flag was handed him and he held it erect in his
right hand, the staff resting on a table, its unfurled folds, rich and
beautiful, wafted to the gentle breeze, and it could but be admired.
Its makers, however, had not skillfully applied the rules of symmetry
and proportion, either in the flag or its staff, for the former was
something near the size and shape of a bed quilt and the latter was
something less than a bed post. Both were clumsy and disproportionate.
The President proceeded with the presentation. His speech was short,
but informed, edified and enthused. When he reached the climax, among
other things he said, "This flag is our symbol of liberty and on behalf
of the ladies of the capital of our nation, I give it into hands that
will proudly bear it to victory and never let it trail in the dust."
Enthused while these and other words were so eloquently uttered, he
held aloft, quivering in the air, as if in the grasp of a giant, this
heavy and cumbersome flag. The audience had been spellbound until the
climax came, and then enthusiasm scarcely had its bounds.
As I remember him, the President was tall, slender, and somewhat
cadaverous. I had never before, nor have I since, heard him speak,
but on the occasion mentioned I was greatly impressed and shared the
general belief in his ability and power.
Other statesmen of the South visited the camp and spoke cheering
words to the troops. All were optimistic in their expressed views of
the outcome of the war then being entered upon. The most interesting
to me of these visitors, however, was John Tyler, tenth President of
the United States. He was then full of years, but possessed of much
mental and physical vigor. Having learned something of his history
and being but a schoolboy myself just approaching the threshold of
life's battles, I was instinctively led to think of him and his life's
work,--as a student at William and Mary College, then a fiddler and
rollicking youth, as a brilliant lawyer at the Virginia bar, as a
captain of a company in the war with Great Britain in 1812, as a
brilliant leader in the Virginia legislature, as Governor of the State,
as Representative and then Senator in the United States Congress, as
successor to the Presidency after the death of William Henry Harrison
and his stormy administration. But I have digressed and must return to
my intended narrative.
Of the troops now arriving in the camp were the companies of the 37th
Virginia Infantry Regiment, to which regiment this narrative will
mainly refer. The men composing these companies were young, vigorous
and patriotic, but few of them exceeding the age of 35 years. They
were from that part of Virginia where milk and honey flow, and were
in the main of as good blood as their respective counties contained.
One company, with Capt. Shelby M. Gibson at its head, was from the
county of Lee; one with Capt. Henry Clinton Wood at its head, from the
county of Scott. Three with Capts. John F. McElheney, ---- and Simon
Hunt at their respective heads, from the county of Russell; and five
with Capts. John F. Terry, James L. White, Wm. White, Robert Grant and
George Graham at their respective heads, from the county of Washington.
These companies as designated by letter and their successive captains,
brought about by casualties and other causes during the ensuing four
years of war, were as follows:
Company "A"--Capt. John F. Terry, later Charles Taylor, still later
William Lancaster.
Company "B"--Capt. William White, later Benjamin P. Morrison.
Company "C"--Capt. John F. McElheney, later John Duff, still later
John P. Fickle.
Company "D"--Capt. Henry Clinton Wood, later James H. Wood.
Company "E"--Capt. Shelby M. Gibson, later Samuel Shumate.
Company "F"--Capt. George Graham.
Company "G"--Capt. ----, later ---- Bussey.
Company "H"--Capt. Robert Grant, later Felix Duff, still later James
Berry.
Company "I"--Capt. Simon Hunt, later Thomas Smith.
Company "K"--Capt. James L. White, later John A. Preston.
These captains, as well as their subordinate officers, were men of
character and in the main of strong personality. Some of them were
educated and trained soldiers. Samuel V. Fulkerson of the county of
Washington, who had served in the war with Mexico, a man of ability
and high standing, left the circuit bench to lead this regiment as its
colonel. Robert P. Carson of the same county and Titus V. Williams of
Taswell county, both educated and trained soldiers were in the order
named lieutenant-colonel and major. No doubt could exist that such
a body of patriots so well officered needed but proper training in
systematic cooperative effort to become most efficient soldiers. This
work of training in which I had no small part showed its worth in
effectiveness on the field of battle later on. Doctors C. C. Henkle and
M. M. Butler were later on surgeon and assistant surgeon. They were
efficient and faithful in their duties.
This regiment will be hereafter referred to as "The Regiment" to avoid
a more lengthy means of designation.
[Illustration: GEN. ROBERT E. LEE]
[Illustration]