Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-11-02
Dedication OF the SSt0newall' Cemetery,
Winchester, Va.


Winchester, Va.
From the elaborate description of the
Winchester News" we colate the follow
ing interesting events connected with the ded-
ication of the " Stonewall'' Cemetery on the
25th inst, and the Refinement of the re-
mains of Gen. Turner Ashby, Capt. Rich
ard Ashby and 1t. Col. Thos. Marshall.
The day was exceedingly pleasant and a
very large number of persons were present,
estimated at ten thousand.
The remains of Gen and Capt. Ashby and
Col. Marshall arrived in Winchester on the
Oath, and were deposited in the Episcopal
Church, which was visited, during the night,
by nearly all the citizens of the town and
strangers present, eager to look at the cof
fins which enclosed the remains of these gal
liant men.
The coffin of Gen. Ashby. presented by
the ladies of Jefferson county, was hand
somely made and covered with rich black
velvet, and around the edges was heavy
fringe of silver On the top at the head,
were three silver stars with wreath demo-
ting the rank of the deceased. On the face
plate were thirteen silver stars representing
the Confederate States. There were also va
rious devices of the Masonic Fraternity, of
which Gen. Ashby was member The in
scription on the coffin plate was: Gen.
Turner Ashby, Born 23rd of October, 1928.
Killed in heavy skirmish near Harrison
burg, 9th of June, 1862" On the presen-
tation plate was the following: I" Presented
by ladies of Jefferson Co., Va" This coffin
was literally covered with flowers and ever
green's and beautiful crosses Of roses.
The coffin of Capt. Ashby, presented by
| the ladies of Hampshire county, was simply
covered with black velvet and strewn with
flowers.
The coffin of 1t. Col. Marshall, presented
by the ladies of Winchester, was covered with
the finest black velvet, fringed with silver.
At the head were two stars, designating his
rank. On the breast plate it bore the in
scription &c 1t. Col Thomas Marshall, c..
S. A. Killed November 18th, 1864" 1t
was likewise covered with flowers and ever
green's.
The procession was formed on Braddock
Street.. under the supervision of the Chief
Marshal, Gen. r. T. Fauntleroy, assisted by
Col. F. W. M. Holiday, Col. Dan. Rich
ards, Maj. R. W. Hunter, Maj. H. K. Doug
las, Serg't Jos. Mutton, Maj. H.. Conrad,
Maj W. W. Goldsborough, j. j. Williams
and 1t. W. S. Barton. Col. Jno. S. Mos
by was also present and acted as Marshal.
The Newtown and Strasburg Band, E. E.
Sibole, leader, headed the column, followed
by the Free Masons, large number Of whom
were in attendance. A plain hearse contain
ing the remains of Gen Ashby came next in
order, drawn by four grey horses, draped
with flowers, and attended by pail bearers.
After this came the car containing the biers
of Capt. Ashby and It. Col Marshall, drawn
by four horses, each having black plume
tipped with white. Then came the choir,
followed by the men of Ashby's old brigade,
J the Odd Fellows and large concourse of
citizens. Arriving at the Cemetery, the min
listers of the various religious denominations,
Chairman of the Cemetery Committee, Off
ciating minister and relatives Of the deceased
gathered around their last resting place.
Near the grave were assembled also several
Of the family servants of Gen. Ashby, who
gave marked evidence of their sorrow. Els
pecially was this the case with the old negro
woman who nursed him in his youth, who
shed tears in profusion and was the last to
place above his head wreath of flowers
What commentary was this on Northern
fanaticism, which seeks to place at daggers'
points and involve in ruin both classes in the
South. The Masonic ceremonies were con-
Quoted by District Deputy Grand Master
Carson, assisted by Worshipful Master Den
ny. The concluding service was read by the
Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Avirett, when the Fra
ternity threw in the grave the sprigs of Acacia,
and the Deputy Grand Master deposited there
in handsome boquet, presented by the la
dies of Shepherdstown, and a beautiful ever
green cross from the ladies' of North Carroll
ma.
The Choir, then sang the following beau
tiful dirge:
Heard'ye that thrilling word,
Accent of dread
Flash like thunderbolt
Bowling each head
Crash through the battle dun,
Over each booming gun
"Ashby, our bravest one
Ashby is deadn
Saw ye the veterans
Hearts that had known
Never quail of fear,
Never groan-
Sob midst the fight they win,
Tears their stern eyes within,
tAshby our Paladin-
Ashby is gone!"
Dash-dash the tear away
Crush down the pain
Dulce ct decus be
| Fittest refrain,
Why should the dreary pail
Round him be flung at all,
Did not our hero fall
/ Calamity slain?
IT'S not one broken heart
Wild with dismay
Crazed with her agony
Weeps Der his clay,
All from a thousand eyes
Flow the pure tears that rise;
Widowed Virginia lies,
Stricken to day!
- Hear We that thrilling word,
Accent Of dread,
Fall like thunderbolt,
Bowling each head2