The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1865-01-11
THE SOLDIERS JOURNAL.
LOCAL, AND PERSONAL ITEMS.

LOCAL AND PERSONAL ITEMS.
A PRIMITIVE FUNERAL.-While rambling on
the outskirts of the camp one day last week, we
noticed rather remarkable and prlmtlve 1u-
neral and were led to the discovery of ceme-
tarv whose locality we had not before imagined
On a little hill south of the cam1p of the 18th "
r. c. and behind a long negro-hut, mad as
sembled in the slush and fog peculiar TO thai
day small party of negroes OF varied age ana
sex. They were patiently awaiting the arrival
of rickety wagon, drawn by one horse-con-
staining whole family on the seats, and a DOX
underneath. On reaching the hill, the riders
with those already assembled, formed circle
around newly dug grave. the o4 9S was 1s quey
and lowered and covered with earth. AL the
distance we stood we could not distinguish that
any of the usual religious or burial services were
performed indeed, had it not been for the SHOW
eling and the circle We could scarcely nave
known that it funeral at all. The grave
filed the family were soon reseated ana driven
off. while the others struggled in a variety of
directions Curiosity impelling a visit, we found
nine newly made graves, with no enclosure, and
with no head boards to tell OF the dead, and
nothing to keep the bullying earth in Its place,
save large cObblestones loosely stuck IN the
ground more unassuming cemetery we GER
tainly never saw, and are doubtful II sueh are
usual even to the South, where it is customary
for each family to have separate burial grounds
tor their dead. This one has not the refnotest
resemblance to such. at is simply pr1inltlVe ana
odd in all respects, and can be known to few OF
the neighbors save those Immediately Interested
in its immortal and silent occupants 1t is In
singular contrast to the Soldiers Cemetery on
the hill north of Augur Hospital, which Tor
beauty and arrangement is really cred1table and
worthy a resting place for the dead who ole IN
their country's cause But thus we go, never
knowing the great difference between two burial
places within view of each other! We take pride
in that which is our own, and which, with 1ts
we cannot in thus pointing out the larger,
ridicule the more 1owly and humble for In
that ricketty wagon and in that small and quiet
ri rcla hearts
bitterly as though a stately procession had
winded the hill to the music of the Dead
March," and to the leading step of the chaplain.
With the rough filling of the grave ON the lesser
hill doubtless some heart sank silently under
the wet clay and slush-which, when beating,
beat as warmly and tenderly as any of the more
fortunate in their places of final repose.
OFFICIAL CHANaEs.-Capt. N F. Strickland,
9th N Y. H. A., was last week relieved from
command of the First Division Of camp, having
been discharged from the service because of
physical disability He was succeeded by a4leut.
Seward @. Paine l4th Y. R G.
Also Captain j. w. Sanderson, 57th Mass,
whose term of service has expired, was reliev ed
as Provost Marshal by Capt. w. w. Robbins,
Goth Ohio. who has assumed the duties both OF
Provost Marshal and Postmaster of the camp.
PROMPTLY ADoPTED.IThe suggestion made
by us some two weeks since relative to the plac-
ing of sentry boxes around the entire camp, TO
protect the guards from the Indictment weather,
was promptly adopted last week, and the boxes s1
guards can just as we'll perform their duties and
have some show of comfort while doing so. They
were greatly needed and the protection from the
cold and storms of last week amply repaid all
expenses in the continued health of the men,
WE refer our readers to an interesting coma
mnunication from a correspondent at City Point,
( who gives u fine description of the Hospital and
Bull Ring at that Post. We hope we
Our readers in the Army of the Potomac are
quite numerous, and those able to write should
represent them in these columns.