The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-06-07
OUR mMR0Rs' GRAVES
THE FLORAL OFFERING.

by their brilliant achievements and dearly won
Victories cannot fail to recall the 31st of May
the anniversary of one of their proudest successes.
The battle of Seven Pines obtained a lustre for
Confederate arms which will indelibly remain in
history while heroic purpose is revcred and ardent
yaior is thing of admiration. Though sanguina-
ry in its results for both sdcs with no apparent
objective point gained by the Confederates, the
daring and impetuosity of our troops on that day
is q bright and shining instance of what men may
accomplish in the defence of principles they cher
sh and though the details of that engagement are
lost sight of for the time being, the industrious
compiler of events hereafter will sound the endur-
ing praise of men who quailed not before numbers,
and whose cheeks were unblanched before opposing
hosts in1glttering steel. The men from this sec
tion who earliest enlisted in the cause of Southern
independence, bore q conspicuous part at Seven
Pines, and the troops ledby the lamented JENKINS
carved their names high on the scroll for military
prowess and heroism.. Thus much, by way of pre-
face to show the appropriateness of the day select
ed by the ladies of this village to illustrate their
reverence and respect for the sleeping heroes in
our churchyards More than one to whom these
honors were given shared in the perils and glories
of Seven Pines, and it was meet that their remains
be covered with wreaths of affection and garlands
of gratitude.
Pursuant to previous arrangement, the ladies of
this vicinity met at the Presbyterian Church on
Thursday afternoon, S1st of May, for the purpose
of uniting in the simple and touching tribute of
adorning the graves of Confederate soldiers with
fragrant flowers and beautiful evergreens, en-
twined in wreaths, garlands and boquets. The
assemblage comprised the majority of our citizens,
old and young, and the church was filled with
those who appreciated the valiant efforts of de-
ceased friends and desired to do honor to their
memories, albeit the in which they struggled
had long since gone down in the gloom of night
and darkness o'erspread the horizon where ickered
for brief season the star of hope.
At the request of the ladies, Rev. hIr. STnATToN
announced that the ceremonies of the hour would
be opened with prayer by Gen. ELLISON CApERs,
who offered fervent and appropriate petition to
the throne of Almighty God for blessings upon this
effort to embalm the memories of those we loved in
life and reverenced in death; and that, while thus
honorng such as had gone before, the hearts of all
should be quickened with sympathy for the widows
and orphans scattered throughout our country
that the charity they deserve should be extended
with liberal hand, and their necessities prompt
ly relieved. After prayer, the audience repaired
to the graveyard near by, when the graves of sol
diers therein buried were beautifully decorated.
The grounds had been properly cleared of rubbish,
and the scene presented was one upon which the
pen could dwell at length, but space forbids-.
With sorrowful micn and respectful bearing, the
throng went hither to view the decoration of some
sleeper beneath the sod, and reverently, devoutly
went up the prayer that the peace of righteousness
had been vouchsafed to each silent representative
of our evanished hopes. Most prominent, how
ever in the touching scene presented, was an cle-
CANT pyramid of flowers, erected apart from the
graves and enclosed in an evergreen railing bear
ing the inscription:
stIN MEMORY OF OUR CONFEDERATE DEAD WHO
LIE UPON THE Battlefield"
When the sad duty had been performed, and
the assembly had witnessed the tribute to each fall
len hero, the Indies slowly wended their way to
the Baptist churchyard, wherein similar ccremc-
nies were fttingly accomplished. We cannot de-
scribe, in this brief outline, the impression created
by the unobtrusive and unaffected manner with
which the noble women bended over the lowly
graves to place their offerings of respect and afec
ton. 1t was heartfelt and sincere, and the specta
tor could not but realize that here was displayed
genuine sympathy, intense sincerity and undying
devotion. Their purpose had no other significance
than rhe simplest tribute of love and gratitude to
those who had offered fes oblation upon the altar of
their section, and had pcrished nobly in its defence
But we must hasten to n conclusion. The grounds
here, too, had received merited attention, and the
eye was pleased at the fair and lovely prospect
Each grave was visited in turn, and the wealth Of
natures offering placed thereon. Besides the
graycs decorated, we observed m imitation of a
shaft, surmounted with "a triangular form, made of
eyergreens and flowers, and suspended from it this
inscription
SIN memory of. Brig Gen. STEPHEN ELLIOTT,
Jr, the gallant and patriotic hero of Fort Sumter !"
Another memorial, and similar to the last
named, was inscribed thus:
SACRED to the memory of ]. NAnDIN BRowN,
Co, &C." P. S. S., killed at the Second Battle of
Manassas, on the 3Oth day of August5s1S62."
In concluding this hasty and imperfect sketch
of the interesting ceremonies of Thursday, we
must not omit to mention that all the stores and
places of business were closed during the solemn
and impressive OCCASION as q testimonial that the
observances touched q sympathetic chord through
out the community.