The line in defense of our nation is the 1 i want to be apart of. Thats the 1 im proud to be apart of so the next time you see that brand new private or lieutenant, no that they were among that our society had to offer. They had more ability and potential than most of their peers and they still chose to put that uniform on and to help the sacrifices that come with it. They are tomorrows generals and command sergeant majors. They are the future of our nation. I thank you again for the honor of being here to stand in this hollow ground with all of you and to remember this chapter in our history and the people who lived in it and people who died in it. Have a great day. God bless america. [ applause ] our benediction this morning will be given by reverend rick gre greenwood. I fail to mention with pastor lions are gillfield. Both churches represented here this morning were war time congregations here in petersberg. Again, this morning our benediction reverend greenwood. May god the earth
Im not sure all you want to know, but ill start with a brief biography. Mahone is a native of southampton county, virginia, which he is growing up in the era of the imagery of the slave insurrection of 1832. Graduates from Virginia Military institute. Enlists at the beginning of the war. Not anything superb as brigade commander, but somehow really knows how to handle a division, so his troops absolutely shoot James Longstreet near where jacksons mortal wound had been. Richard anderson is moved up to first corps command. Mahone is moved up to division command. And right after this battle, lee praises ma hones ability to recapture the lines and promoted to Major General. So hell remain Division Commander until the surrender. What about the his showing of humaneness . Oh, yes. So, yes you know, several people comment on this. He, you know, stops his soldiers from killing blacks as best as he can, and obviously he cant stop them all even when theyre right in front of him. Mahone is a slave
Eligible population, dont even meet the basic requirements to get into todays army. 99 of todays recruits have a High School Diploma or equivalent. An era where 79 of High School Students graduate. Thats 21 times lower rate of dropouts than the national average. Overall, todays recruits are healthier, more physically fit than the vast majority of peers and must adhere to zero tolerance policy on drugs and criminal issues. It is actually statistically easy tosh gier to get into coll enlist, not become an officer, but enlist in the army. Life of a soldiers no secret to them. They join knowing they will endure hard times then will endure sacrifice. They will be charged to keep us safe. The few that make the cut to get in, are willing to make that sacrifice, they are not always easy to find. If it was easy to find, we one need an entire command to recruiting. Those that get in, those that make the cut to get in and make the next cut, to get through training and into a unit, they become par
Not particularly. Of course, as meade calls the court of inquiry, hes decided whos going to be on the court, and theyre all people who dont like burnside, from the battle of fredericksburg in 1862 and the mud march in 1863, so they already have a negative opinion of burnside. Hes the civil wars worst general. And meades recorder is one of his own Inspector General from his staff. So none of them are going to say, meade, youre to blame, or grant, youre to blame. They heap the blame on burnside and rightfully with ledlie and ferrero. Yes, sir . In the film version of the battle, in the movie they made of cold mountain, its depicted of all the troops black and white kind of pouring into the crater, being trapped there. Thats been told in other stories, too. Is there any truth to that or is that really a problem that people went into the crater and couldnt get out, or is that just a legend . In case people didnt hear, question is did troops, white and black, rush through the crater into th
Our invocation will be given by dr. George w. C. Lions. He was pastor here in petersburg. Pray with me in your own tradition as i pray loud in mine. Gracious god, after 150 years of reflection and remembrance, we invoke your name so that you would prod our hearts to remember the lives lost in battle so that we might seek peace in our time. We acknowledge your reconciling presence always at work. Even through battles. Which has brought women and men together from all walks of life from every station and culture. 150 years later in harmony as community. Out of this place of sorrow, make this day a celebration. A celebration of the community of humanity. Our plea remains and all feelings of sexual strife be entirely forgotten and blotted out. In the name of the one who is our ever lasting fortress and peace, amen. Were very fortunate this morning. Weve worked very hard not only is National Park service unit but weve also worked with the u. S. Postal service this morning to make this event