The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-05


OAKwOOD AssOCIATION.-We have been
called upon frequently during the last few
weeks to notice the efforts Of the Holly
wood Association to promote the objects
for which II was organized, and have been
pleased thus to record the marked success
which has made the name Of HOllywoOd
known, and we'll known, throughout the
length and breadth Of the land. But while
the noble women Of the west end have
thus evinced their patriotism and graft
tude, those of another portion of our city
have not been unmindful Of the gallant
dead.
Oakwood is situated Just beyond the
eastern boundary of the city, and although
it does not boast the fine, picturesque stu
alton, the beautiful scenery, and the ex-
pensive monuments which abound in Hol-
lywood, is yet not inappropriate place
for the burial of the dead. As public
cemetery it is yet young, having never
been completely enclosed, and had not the
war burst upon us with its melancholy
fruits, the ridges which mark the graves Of
the dead would have been almost insignifi-
cant in number. But, alas the war did
come, and in its train brought thousands who
fell on the battle field, or bowed beneath
the hand Of disease were carried to hos
pitals, and in Oakwood found their graves.
Convenient to the hospitals at Chimborazo,
where hundreds Of soldiers were stretched
upon couches of suffering, daily the dead
carts filed their way through the streets
beyond the city limits to this enclosure,
where graves were dug, the bodies in
TERED, and pencilled shingle placed at
the head to mark the resting place Of
Confederate soldier. Thus the ridges in
creased in number until the war was brought
to close, and more than thirteen thousand
southern soldiers were inferred in this one
cemetery. Over few graves the hand Of
affection had reared white tablet or mar
BILE slab with the name and rank of the
dead. The pencilled epitaphs on hundreds
had become eiiaced, the names of some
had never been known, while large num-
Der Of head-boards had been entire
ly carried away by night-prowlers, who,
invading the cemetery, hesitated not to
rob the dead in order to provide themselves
with fuel. Three thousand graves could
not be at all identified, although there is a
complete register of the names of all who
have been buried in the cemetery.
Such was the state of OakwOod when
woman came upon the scene, and viewing
the down-trodden mounds, the rapidly
vanishing boards, and the desolated
condition of the grown grounds, her
generous heart was moved in its inmost
depths, and alive to the promptings Of pa
triotism, she resolved to commence the
task of upbuilding these waste places. Ap-
pealng to High Heaven for assistance, the
work was at once begun.
| kIo L. J,n, ;,,k ba
face after they had organized themselves
into memorial association. The work of
marking and mounding thirteen thousand
graves is by no means slight one. To do
it well heavy responsibilities must be in
Cured, large sum Of money must be
raised, indefatigable efforts must be made,
time must be devoted to the work; but
womauly hearts stopped not to think of
these. The great fact continually before
them was this Sour dead are neglected" :"
And as they read the sentence upon the
diapidated gates Of Oakwood, heard it in
every breeze which swept across the
grassy graves, their resolution was formed
that as long as 1re have aught to spare
they shall not be forgotten.
On the 10th Of May, 1866, the ladies
visited their field, and strewing the bury
ing. ground with flowers, took the first step
in the labor of love. Since that day their
efforts have been indefatigable, their pur-
pose has remained the same, and though
no trumpets have been blown to prepare
the people, and no boasts have accompa-
MED their quiet exertions, great and
good work has been accomplished. The
results of one years work are far beyond
our expectations. Neat oaKen head boards,
plainly marked with the name and rank OF
the patriots who sleep below have been
erected over about ten thousand graves, al
which have been identified being thus dis.
tiDguished. Nearly three thousand un
known graves remain, and the Association
are now considering how these unknown
heroes may be best and most appropriately
honored.
Some propose that over each mound a
head board of neat design be placed with
the simple inscription, "Unknown, G. 5
A." Others suggest that one grand monu-
ment be raised to commemorate the pa.
triotism and valor of the heroes whose
names have been lost. Both schemes have
their earnest advocates, and many argu
ments may be used on either side. In 8
few days, however, the matter will be de.
cided, and Judging from the taste and gooc
sense heretofore evinced by the Board o.
Managers and efficient Executive Commit
tee, we have reason to believe that their
decision will be the best.
The anniversary of Stonewall Jackson.
death is the Memorial Day Of the Oak
wood Association, and while it was thought
best to refrain from any public demonstra
ton on its last recurrence, many OF the
ladies visited the cemetery, and strewed
) without display, the earliest flowers o
spring upon the graves Of the noble dead
Quietly they
" Brought flowers TO deck the patriots grave
| And blest the yernal sod,
| Where sleep those fallen ones whose deeds
Are written with their God"
, No memorial association in the southern
States has accomplished a greater work il
so short a time, and additional admiration
is extorted from the friends of the caus'
by the evident disposition on the part 0
its members to carry out the scriptural In
junction, "Let not thy right hand know
what thy left hand doeth." Their reward
is the satisfaction which ever results iron
the consciousness of duty performed or
: kind service rendered, and the name OF TIT
, Oakwood Association will be forever deep
ly craven upon the hearts Of the nobl
$ mothers and sisters for whose departed
. loved ones the ladies' gentle hands have
cared.
FAIR AT LEIGH-sTREET BAPTIST CHURCH
| This entertainment has been inaugurate
| with the most flattering prospects of sue
s cess. Although the room is larger tina
q those generally used for such purposes,