Proud as I am of their whole record, I must admire the noble spirit
which animated these patriots, when, at Mobile, having been deprived
of their cannon, they _cheerfully_ shouldered the muskets assigned to
them, and were prepared to use them, never dreaming that the bitter
end was so near. All soldiers will well understand that this was a
_crucial test_ of their devotion and patriotism.
The exceptional talent which, during the war, these young men freely
gave in aid of every charity, was then only budding. Since the war,
splendid fruit has appeared.
Perhaps no single company of veterans numbers among its members more
talented and remarkable men, or more prominent and loyal citizens.
Of the "boys" who once composed Fenner's Louisiana Battery, a goodly
number yet survive.
The ties of old comradeship bind them closely. Not one forgets the
glories of the past. True,
"_Some_ names they loved to hear
Have been carved for many a year
On the tomb,"
but the survivors "close up" the broken ranks, and still preserve, in
a marked degree, the _esprit du corps_ which belonged to
"The days that are no more.
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