The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-11-01
DEDICATION OF THE SToNEwALL

CEMETERY AT WINCHESTER. The &C.
casion of the Dedication of the Stone
wall Cemetery at Winchester, last
Thursday, drew to that historic village
an immense concourse Of people. It is
estimated that ten thousand persons
| we're present. 1t was Virginia, in obe-
lience to nature, honoring and mourn
ing her heroic dead. None but the
narrow-minded and craven could wish
to debar her this sacred and solemn
privilege Of weeping at the graves of
her fallen sons, no matter in what light
they may view the cause for which they
fell.
The funeral cortege which accom-
panied to the Cemetery the remains of
General Turner Ashby, his brother,
Captain Richard Ashby and 1t. Col.
Marshal, for Refinement, was solemn
ly grand and imposing. General Ash
by was buried with Masonic ceremo-
. MES, he being member Of Equality
Lodge, No. 1876, Martinsburg, at the
time of his death The coffin in which
he was buried, was presented by the
ladies of Jefferson. 1t was handsome
ly made, covered with rich, black vel
vet and beautifully ornamented with
heavy fringe Of silver and various de-
vices-masonic and military. The cot
fins of Captain Ashby and Col. Mar
shall were also very handsomely made,
and upon each the ladies had placed
beautiful wreaths Of white roses and
evergreen.
The procession was formed about
10 clock in the morning, on Braddock
street, the head resting in front Of the
Episcopal church, in which the collins
had been placed over night. I'm ex-
eelent Band, which discoursed solemn
and appropriate music, headed the c.
nmn. The Free Masons next. Then
followed the hearse which bore the re-
mains of General Ashby, drawn by { :
grey horses. 1t was attended ON each
side by the pall-bearers. Next c5ne
the car containing the biers of Captain
Ashby and Col Marshal, drawn by four
white horses, each horse having a black
plume tipped with white. The Choir
followed the cortegc, and after it the
men of Ashby's old brigade on horse
back and foot Then came the Order
Of Odd Fellows, and after it the large
concorrse Of citizens. The procession
marched through several streets and
thence to the Cemetery.
The ceremonies at the grave were
solemn and impressive. Around were
gathered the relatives of the deceased
brothers, together with several Of the
family servants of General Ashby.
The latter gave full vent to their grief
in tears and sobs, and the hand of an
cid negro woman who had nursed him
in youth was the last to place above
his head wreath Of flowers.
The dedicatory services were per
formed at the mound of the unknown
dead It was after the manner of ser
vices usual at the dedication Of bury
ing grounds. After these services, the
immense crowd wendell their way to,
and gathered around the stand erected
for the speakers. Ex-Governor Henry
\. Wise, the cold man eloquent was
introduced, and addressed the sea OF
upturned faces in speech Of over al
hour and half. His speech has gone
forth to the public, and will be received
with various opinions as to matter and
sentiment, but there can be but one as
to its eloquence and scholarly learning
At the conclusion of the address, the
Poet of the Day, Daniel B. Lucas, Esq.
Of Jefferson county, was introduced ano
read beautiful and appropriate Poem
full Of pathos, burning eloquence an(
tender memories.
The Stonewall Cemetery is beauti