The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-06-07
LETTER FROM PETERSBURG.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
PETERSBURG, June 6, 1866.

pETERSBVR0, June ., 1000.
The chief interest Of the people at this
time, both OF ladies and gentlemen. cen.
tres in the preparations that are being
made FOR honoring the memory of the Con-
tolerate dead on the 9th instant. The
Gentlemcn's Memorial Society have APP.
pointed committees TO rebuild the mounds,
mark the Lead-boards, and get everything
in readiness by Saturday for the Ladies'
Association TO deck the graves with flowers
aud evcrgreens. 1t Is expected that all
business will be suspended on that day.
and that every person will engage in the
holy work OF rendering honors to the de-
parted.
The celebration comes at time when
there is q temporary scarcity Of flowers.
Tie first bloom, both of trees and shrub
berry, Las passed away, while it is rather
early Tor the second, particularly Of roses.
Any contribution, therefore, which may be
made by the ladies of Richmond will be
particularly acceptable. The catalpa tree
furnishes very important resource at this
.jupcture, for this is precisely the Towering
season, and scarcely anything can be more
beautiful. Packages sent over by the
Southern Express on Saturday morning
will be delivered free of expense.
What may be the whole number of
graves in the cemeteries and on the lines
has not, I believe, been ascertained and
il will probably require some time 10 make
an accurate estimate but doubtless there
are several thousand near enough to be
visited by the committees on the appointed
day.
AT the meeting last night, General Ma
hone, President Of the Association, advo-
Gated the formation Of separate and dis
tinct cemetery for the Confederate dead
in this vicinity, and making it place OF
beauty and ornament to the State, and an
honor to the living and the dead. This,
though n great work, is so obviously pro-
per that it can hardly fail of being carried
into execution. A simple but massive
shaft will then serve TO mark the spot for
future generations, like the solid affairs
built by the Israelites ofold, in commence
ration of notable events in their history.
The body of the man who jumped from
Pocahontas bridge on Monday and drowned
himself, has not been recovered. His
identity has been the subject of various
coniectures, but il seems now 10 be the
general belief that his name was Charles
Hill, tailor by trade, and an Englishman
by birth. He was in state of intoxica-
ton, and probably laboring under mania a
potu.
The Mayor, Mr.. Collier, opened his
court on Monday. He has not yet sat on
any important cases, the parties being all
OF the colored persuasion, and the offences
petty thefts. The courtroom has been
handsomely fitted up, and ample accommo-
dation made for the reporters of the press.
The soup-house, established last Decem-
Der under the auspices OF the Young Mems
Christian Association, and which has been
the instrument of vast deal of relief to
the poor of the city, will be closed at the
end Of the present week. 1t has been
kept in operation partly by weekly contri-
buttons from the merchants and partly by
monthly appropriations from the city gov
eminent. At the last meeting of the
Council, however, it was determined to
withhold further aid, and nothing is left
but to shut up the Institution. 1t has pro-
duccd feeling Of regret, inasmuch as a
large number Of the recipients of this
charity were the widows and orphans of
Confederate soldiers. SNOwDEN.