Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-27
Decorations OF the Graves OF the Con
federafe Dead Yesterday.

Decorations OF the Graves OF the Con
federafe pead Yesterday.
From three to six o'clock yesterday after.
noon our city cemetery presented an unu.
sual spectacle. The living assembled in
unwonted numbers, bearing in their arms
and in baskets the fresh flowers Of spring tc
decorate the neglected graves of Confed
crate soldiers. Thick and compact as in
The serried ranks Of soldierly life they stood
and Inarched; they nov sleep side by side
They came together from the four corner;
Of the South; but death wipes out space
and dement's the destiny as it unihes the
brotherhood Of man.
There was no parade-no noise-no
strains Of mnsic--no Haunting Of banners
mo defiance. A line in the morning
papers stated that the LADIES Of Nashville
would visit and strew some flowers on the
graves Of the Confederate dead in the after
noon. Business went on, nobody was dis
turbed, and in silence, in order, and with
scarce a word, train after train Of the street
cars were filled with their precious bur-
dens on this holy memorial mission, and
vehicle after vehicle passed out TO the cem-
etery By four o'clock there were thou
sands Of the loveliest and most devoted of
the sex within the sacred enclosure. A
holy silence and solemnity pervaded the
atmosphere. The couutenances of the peo-
pie were sedafe; aoquaintances bowed their
recognitions, and the most intimate friends
passed each other with a subdued sdluta-
ton. In the space Of an hour there was
not rude head-board that was not elcii..
cled with wreath of evergreens and flow
ers, nor swelling mound that did not bloom
afresh under the magic offerings of fair
hands. There was not a grave that did
not receive the tribute of womans tears.
And as the bright sim looked from the
abode Of the blessed upon the spectacle the
very airs of Heaven breathed approval
upon the deed. No frown from above, or
scowl from earth, cast shadow upon heart
or hand that engaged in this service-innO-
cent ss beautiful, and holy as affection.
Endeared to the people of Nashville
through years of citizenship, of service, Of
good deeds and Of high social Intercourse,
the dust Of Zollicofer, lying monument
less-attracted universal interest. As the
simple railing around his sculpture was
crowded with the eager multitude around
which passed away and was replaced
constantly-besides the flowers that were
streWn in profusior, there was nought of
demonstration bnt the silent tear and the
evergreen sprig In another part of the
ground, lay, without sign or token of name
or heritage, the remains of Nashville's
most gifted and gallant son, Gen. james
i Rains young as he was ardent and be-
loved, numberless we're the tributes paid
10 the place of his repose. Henry Fogg,
the pure, gentle, learned son of slill sur
Viving parents in our midst, looked from
his spirit-home upon hundreds, who knew
him in life and who cherished his memory
and example. The strangers from Texas
and from the nearer States we're brought
within the hearts same household, and
shared alike the tender and affectionate re-
CARDS Of the devoted ladies' The day was
altogether lovely, and the occasion and the
unceremoneous ceremonies were entirely
beautiful. The marble crumbles-brass
corrodes-the shaft totters--the slab
moulders and sinks but the monument of
flowers, blowing and blushing and strewn
year by year, is perennial II withers and
fades from sight but to rise again 10
beauty and freshness, more impressive than
the highest efforts OF art, more touchingly
illustrative of love and devotion than the
Chisel or the brush can portray.
The numbers who participated in this
act Of devotion could not have been less
than five thousand mostly ladies. There
was no Interference These dead men are
harmless, and these living women are not
mobocrats, or disturbers of the public re-
pose We learn that the military authori-
ties in Memphis telt called upon 10 stop
similar proceedings in that city. Ii is
verv unfortunate that there are despOis who.
not content to bind the limbs with throngs
and cords, must needs undertake the I'M
possibility Of catching up and tying into a
knot 10 suit their fancies the human heart
strings, and tyrannize over the affections of
women as they delight to do over the
bodies of pOwerless men, If they cannot
now. they will soon see their utter and DIES
picahle folly. We are truly gratiiied that
no such miserable stupidity occurred in
this city; and that our military authorities
know and respect the people sufficiently.
and possess a sense Of delicacy and decency
that iorhids such arrant ioolishness. We
trust that we may continue 10 have such,
and that the recurrence of this anniversary
may be perpetual memorial OF gratitude
and remembrance of these sleeping heroes,
who died that others might live.