The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-06-11

j,
1865, when the last gun was fired, the Last
roll was called, and the last prayer offered
When cut of without food, without am
munition, with cheeks bathcd in tears and
hearts rent with sorrow. COnSigning the
guns we rcvcrcnccd to destruction, We dis
perscd with the vain hope that our little
band would individually escape to the
remnant Of our army with Johnston, and
as n company once more battle in the
cause. But since that day we have not
met as q company, till now and here we
stand around the grave Of one OF our
fallen heroes, and alas by the grave of
those hopes and fond anticipations which
once encouragcdsour hearts, and nervcd
our arms, and filed us with enthusiastic
zeal in the cause for which we fought.
Our national existence has passed away,
and without a name among the nations ot
the earth, with our choicest spirits num-
bcred among the hosts Of the dead, we
have but left us the sacred privilege OF
grief, the precious memories and hallowcd
associations that cluster around the cause
we loved, and in behalf Of which our noble
heroes fell.
The grave before us marks the resting
place OF the body Of Sergeant Julian {.
Ruflin, who was instantly killed while in
the discharge of his duty at his gun, in the
battle of Drcwry's, 10th May, 1864, an
amiablc and high-toned gentleman, i
faithful and gallant soldier, dcvout Chris
tan. 'Tis well that he sleeps in Jesus,
since his country is no more. God, in his
gracious providence, spared him the humi-
iation of defeat and of surviving his coun-
try. As we mourn our immediate loss we
minglc our sorrows with Il natiOn'S
woes. As our hearts 90 out in SYM
pathy with the family circle that
our comrade adorned, we weep also
with the sorrowing and burdcncd hearts
all over our land. We weep over our
fallen heroes. We weep over our desc
lated and stricken country. Nor in the
exercise of our Christian sympathy do
we forget our former, our beloved chief,
who, in the lone cell by the sea, is con-
signed to a living tomb, where the wild
surgings Of the ocean mourntully and
ccasclcSsIy sing requiem to his hopes and
ours.
Comrades, lct these memories he ever
fresh in our hearts. Keep green the sod
on our brothers graves, and while we
faithfully discharge all the duties incum-
bent upon It's i'm our condition, let us never
forget those who gave their all in our
behalf.
Captain Martin concluded with Il very
affecting prayer.
On visiting the grave Of Sergeant WcS-
ley Grigg, the following brief speech was
made by Mr.. WV. KELLEY, of Petersburg.
Members OF Martins Battery and Bro
thcr Soldicrs,-Wc are gathered together
to-day to do honor to the memory Of those
who fell whilst battling in defence Of every
thing that man holds as honorable in this
life, and now we are TO do respect to the
grave of our beloved comradc, Sergeant
". Z. Grig@, who, after going through
with all the yiciSstudcs OF several arduous
campaigns, and finally surrcndcring with
his immortal chiCtiain, Robert +. Lee, like
that same glorious warrior, set aside all the
thoughts OF war and devoted his time and
energies 10 the pursuits of Il peaceful edu-
cation at the University OF Virginia, and
there, in the prime of his manhood, was
stricken down by fell disease (Which has
always chosen the most shining mark) and
away from home and friends he gave up
that life winch he had 50 often exposed in
behalf uf his country. We are now going
10 place upon his grave wrcatlS and flow
cr>, which will necessarily fade !; but as We
look down the dim vista of the future We
will find no brow that shines more brilliant
nor no head that is more proiuscly spread
with the soldiers wrcathS. | knew the de
ceased well, and well wccn no nobler soul
ever drew sword or bucklcd on arnor
in defence Of lost cn1l>e.
1t were useless 10 eulogisc the deceased.
His merits and good qualities are known to
each of us: and as long as memory lasts,
and as long as time rolls down the ages, so
long will the sounds of his praise reycrbe-
rate in the hearts and minds Of each of us.
We will now place upon his grave these
mcmcntucS that to-day we have brought to
ornament departed worth and honor.
''None knew him but TO love him,
None named him but 10 praise
After which, Captain Martin offered up
an appropriate prayer.
These ceremonies were all most affect
ing. While the manly hand of the soldier,
who had proved his courage on many
wcll-touglt field, bestowed the tribute of
flower, there dropped from his eyclids 4
tear, 10 sink into the sacred dust.
BLANpFORp CHURCH.
This old church, hallowcd by years of
devotion, vet long unused, stands near the
gate of the cemetery. 1t is without doors
or windows, the openings only marking
the places where they were. The walls
and root still remain in wonderful preSer-
vation. 1t is surrounded by the graves of
the departed citizens Of Petersburg. On
one of the walls of this venerable ediice
hung the names Of those citizens who fell
in the fight Of the 9th of June. As many
as could get within its walls, including a
number of ladies, assembled there, and
after a brief speech or two, which We were
unable to hear, sung "Old Hundred" with
fine voice and harmony. Strange were the
sounds in the old tloorlcsS, windowless
church, which had not rung with sacred
melody for SO many long years, and many
a face was suiiuScd with tears by the emo
tonS excited by scene and the occasion.
The band followed with a most admira-
bly, performed dirgc.
SCENES OF DECORATISG-REMARK On GRAVES.
The ladies now dispersed about the
cemetery, and bestowed their offerings to
bravery and patriotism. The flowers were
laid upon the graves most taStetully, often
blended with devices ingenious and eX-
pressive. We refer To a few of the graves
and to those of several soldiers from dis
tance, that their far-off relatives may know
that the fair hands that honored the dead
here are not partial i'll the distribution ol
their tributes.
Wells Hurt, youth in his teens, who