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From: Anne Bruce <>
Subject: Re: [Fwd: [RHEA-L] Revolutionary War Records of Virginia]
Date: Sun, 01 Aug 1999 12:25:25 -0500


1 August, 1999
Dear Evanda,
The poem is typed, about 2.4 pages in length, and the author is typed in as L. Virginia
French. I am
not sure if it was a speech given to a DAR meeting or to a UDC meeting, but I believe it
had a public presentation-no proof, just the way it is written.
The prelude to the poem is this:
"LIEUTENANT MATTHEW RHEA AND HIS OLD ANCESTRAL SWORD"
'Lieut. Matthew Rhea, of Somerville, Tennessee, was one of the bravest of the brave who
fell at
Belmont, in defense of Southern Independence . ( note- Belmont was a town and possibly a
plantation of the same name in Fayette County, as was Somerville. If this is the one, not
one in Miss.,
then this may have been in a preliminary battle to the Battle of Shiloh, close by.)
He has given to the world an exhibition of constancy and courage worthy of the best days
of Rome, and which will render his name historical. He wore in the action, an old
ancestral sword, which had been presented to his grandfather by General N. Greene, during
the Revolutionary War.
Upon the Damascus blade were the words, "Victory or Death". When Lieut. Rhea entered the
service, his venerable father took down the sword from its place upon the wall and handed
it to him, saying, "My son, lst no dishonor befall this sword."
The gallant young officer replied, " Father, I know the value of this sword, and will
surrender it only with my life."
In the beginning of the late action, Lieut. Rhea was ordered to deploy his company as
skirmishers, and having advanced some distance from the main body of his regiment, he was
suddenly cut off by an overwhelming force of the enemy, who were in ambush awaiting his
approach. In an instant, a terrible hand to hand encounter ensued. Several of his
comrades stood by him to the last and were cut down. He was shot with a Minnie ball,
which entered and fractured his cheek bone, and had sunk exhausted upon his knees, when
he was surrounded by the enemy, who demanded his sword.
"Never," said he, "will I surrender this sword to the enemies of my country while I have
life to defend myself."
A wounded comrade, in describing the scene, says, "The last I saw of Lieut. Rhea, he had
discharged his pistols at the enemy, and was upon his knees badly wounded, and
desperately defending his life with his sword, while several Federal soldiers were
clubbing him with muskets."
And, thus , he yielded up his life for the liberties of his country and has made his name
immortal.

"Peace to his honest spirit. Suddenly it came,
And merciful the shaft of death,
That it came suddenly and shattered him,
Nor left a moment's agonizing thought
On those he loved so well."
-page 2-
"VICTORY OR DEATH"
Now when so much interest is manifested in the Daughters of the Revolution, and the
Richmond Confederate Bazar , the following touching poem from the pen of Mrs. L.
Virginia French, will be full of interest as a link between the two wars:
The sword referred to in this poem was presented to Col. Matthew Rhea, the grandfather of
Lieut. Matthew Rhea, by General Nathaniel Greene at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse,
for gallantry in the field.
This historic sword was captured when Lieut. Rhea was killed. The family have made every
effort to regain it. On the blade was engraved, "Victory or Death".
Lieut. Rhea was the brother of Mrs. Hunsdon Cary and uncle of Rev. N.M.Long.
In memory of Lieut. Matthew Rhea, who fell bravely fighting for his country in the Battle
of Belmont,
November 7, 1861.
Best wishes,
Anne Rhea Bruce

Richard and Evanda Sallinger wrote:

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: [RHEA-L] Revolutionary War Records of Virginia
> Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 22:45:57 -0700
> From: Richard and Evanda Sallinger <>
> To:
> References: <> <>
>
> Hello Anne,
>
> I read with interest your comments concerning the sword carried by Lt. Matthew Rhea.
> I would love to read the poem if you would be interested in sharing it with me. I
> have read of you on Fred Preston's site.
>
> I descend from Matthew Rhea IV...Robert Preston Rhea....John Preston Rhea Sr....then
> my grandparents -- Josiah Edward Rhea + Nancy Virginia Jackson (d/o Sallie Preston
> Rhea + Cortlandt Columbus Jackson....Sallie Preston Rhea is d/o Robert Preston
> Rhea). My father is Lysle Edward Rhea. He had one sister, Gwendolyn Preston Rhea
> who married Jessie Kirvin of Apalachicola, Florida. She died in 1947 and my father
> died in 1971. Aunt Gwen had three children, one of whom recently died. I am the
> only child of Lysle Edward Rhea.
>
> I have recently obtained Ed's book and found the story of the sword... and your poem
> would be a wonderful addition to my collection. Through Ed and Dr. Robert Rhea's
> help, I have recently learned of my family's history, which has carried me back to
> other families (Pomeroy and Lobdell.....through the Jackson family) and back to 1035,
> having met lots of wonderful people along the way. I have a website at
> http://members.xoom.com/erhea/
>
> I look forward to hearing from you.
>
> Evanda Rhea Sallinger

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