The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1866-05-23
EFrom the Baltimore Gazette.
Commemoration of the Death of Stone
wall Jackson at Stanton, Va.

wall Jackson at Stanton, Va.
STANTON, VA, May 8, 1866.
To-day Captain--of the Virginia
Military Institute passed through town,
with squad of cadets, on his way to Port
Republic to bring up the bodies Of seven
cadets who died in the battle Of the 18th
May, 1864, in which Breckenridge de-
feated Sigel. None ofthe 258 cadets were
over sixteen, many under fourteen; forty
two of them were wounded, seven killed,
many Of them mere boys in appearance
AS their comrades fell they did not waver
but ;'closed up" at the word of command,
just as though on parade. All honor to
the little braves! They will remain in
Staunton ON Saturday and Sunday. We
shall strew their paths with flowers, but
greatest honor Of all, Gen. Lee will attend
the interment Of those hallowed remains,
and doubtless drop flowers upon the sacred
spot where they are laid. The cadets are
going to raise a monument to them at the
Institute They will be inferred on the
18th anniversary of the day alike fatal to
them and to their enemies, for they were
more than victorious, defeating Sigel, who
had $500 men, and capturing his guns.
May 10 have just returned from the
most interesting ceremony lever witnessed
To-day, being the anniversary Of the death
of Stonewall Jackson, had been set apart
as sacred to the dead who fell in the last
war; Notice was given that all persons
who wished to unite for the purpose of
celebrating it must meet at the Lutheran
Church, bringing flowers to decorate the
graves Of the soldiers buried at Thornrosc
Cemetery. At ar early hour this morn
ing the people began to assemble, when it
was found that the procession would have
to be formed outside and then proceed to
the Methodist Church (Which is much
larger) to hear the addresses which were
to be made by several soldiers. Accord
inglv, tie marshals arranged all the ar
rivals in order; first, the Stonewall Band,
the last organized relic Of the Confederacy,
being the band that was with the brigade
during the whole war, then the soldiers,
disbanded, disarmed, but heroes still in
their proud resignation, more noble even
than when victorious. Next cane the
little boys, each carrying wreath and bo-
quot Of flowers, then all the young girls,
carrying flowers in their hands and gar
lands over their right shoulder, then the
women of all ages, mothers, whose sons
had fallen on distant battle-felds, paying
that tribute to strangers, whose mothers
wept, even as they. Wives, sisters, chill
dren all united, hoping that even as they
honored the stranger then dead, in distant
lands might their heroic dead be equally
honored.
Finally, all the carriages in the whole
county were placed at the disposal of those
unable to walk. The bells tolled and the
band played funeral march as the pro-
cession moved slowly to the church. At
the door the remnants Of the Stonewall
Brigade formed in line, while the women
and children passed into the church. After
beautiful anthem, COL Skinner made a
short address Then followed other chants,
and speeches from Captains Bumgardner,
Harrison, Christian and Peytop. After
| the speaking was over the procession re-
formed and marched to the cemetery,
where every grave was decorated with
flowers. Each mourner thought Of the
loved and lost as they reyerently laid the
BRIGHT flowers on the lowly graves. In the
sacred presence Of the dead all bitter feel
ing was forgotten, and the graves of
several Federal soldiers buried there were
not neglected. During the day all places
Of business were closed, as were all schools,
even including those Of the Freedmen's
Buteau. At every corner negroes were
stationed, either with baskets of boquets
and wreaths Or wagons literally filed with
flowers, sent in from the country for those
who had either neglected or been unable
tn obtain them x X * x