Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-20
A NOBLE AND GENEROUS. ENTER.
PRISE

We Lad the satisfaction a few DAYS since,
of visiting the beautiful grounds, near our
neighboring town of Franklin, so generously
devoted by Col John w. McGavock, as a
cemetery for the Confederate dead, who fell
in the sanguinary and ever memorable bat
tie near that place on the 29th day Of
November, 1864. The beauty of the con-
ception, as shown in the arrangement and
design, is only equaled by the elevated SEN
timent and generosity Of spirit which
prompted Col. McGavocll to the work in
which, with the cooperation Of others, he
is 50 zealously engaged.
For the special interest ofthemany friends
at distance who are unacquainted with the
immediate country in which this cemetery
is located, we will state that the County
Of Williamson is unsurpassed in fertility of
soil and beautiful landscape by any in Mid
die Tennessee, and the private grounds of
Col. McGavocll are the most attractive of
any part Of this highly favored county.
Distanced about one mile from the village
oftranklin, this cemetery, when completed,
will afford a pleasant drive or walk from
that place to the numberless persons who
through years to cope will seek as pilgrim
shrines these graves Of departed heroes,
kindred and friends who, in defense of
what they and we regarded as the cause Of
liberty, died as nobly as ever men died, and
whose names have been perpetuated in his
tory and cherished in song.
Passing from the town in a southeasterly
direction, the road leads through a large and
beautiful grove Of stately trees, fit sentinels
to the approach Of this sacred place. The
cemetery of the Confederate dead adioins
the private burial grounds Of the resident
family, aud is within a short distance Of the
large and handsome mansion of the pro-
prietor Of the place
Instead Of separate graves, they are mar
-halled in the order somewhat of platoons,
fifteen in each row, with their respective
head and foot boards nicely finished and let
tered. These rows extend for some distance
in succession on either hand, with an avenue
between Of sufficient width TO afford CON
venient walk or drive. The interments
have been so arranged as to bring the re-
spective dead of each State together, thereby
heightening the interest Of The general plan.
as we'll as adding 10 the convenience Of those
who may come in search of the precise spot
where repose the remains of some special
object Of affection. Between the ground Of
the dead of the different States, squares
have been reserved for monumental or such
other purposes as kindred and friends at
some future time may consider appropriate
in commomorating their virtues, and in at
testing the respect that is due their memory.
The whole is TO be handsomely omamented
with evergreens and flowers and placed I'M
der a suitable enclosure.
The work of Refinement, though far adj
yanced, is not completed. Upwards Of
seven hundred have been removed. OF this
number seyenty-one were from Arkansas
ninety-two from Tcxas-One hundred and
twenty-nine from Missouri-one hundred
and sixty-six from Tennessee two hun
dred and forty from Mississippi. In the
prosecution Of this work Col. McGavock has
had the valuable assistance of Mr.. G. W
Cuppin and Mr., Robert Sloan, who have
given il their constant attention and the
general cooperation Of the citizens of
Franklin, and Of many friends Of the noble
dead in several of the other States.