The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-09
from the Ncwbern Republican.
IN Nj EN- o II 1 A M.
OUR SOLDIER DEAD.
CELEBRATION AT THE Ma
TIONAL CEMETERY.
Decoration of the Graves.
Dedication ofthe Cemeta'y md raising Of tie
National Emblem.
The Procession-.Firing OF Minute Guns.
Parade of Officers and Soldiers of
the U. S. Service.
O r Alto n,


GRAFTON,
BY HON. VIM. H. s. SWEET.
Agreeably to previous arrangement and an
nouncement, Saturday last was celebrated as
day set apart for the decoration with flowers
evergrcens anG garlands, of the graves OF the
Union soldiers in the National Cemetery nea
this city. This beautiful ceremony was inaugu
rated on this day, throughout the Union, will
the intention of perpetuating it as a nationa
holidaS, in which to do homage TO the memory
of the brave men who died in defence of theil
country.
The celebration, here, was probably the mos
imposing and solemn one which took place in
the Southern States, owing to the large number
of Union dead, who are sleeping their last sleeE
near US, and the many persons who participated
in the observance of the day.
The large Northern element of our community
is principally composed of ex-ofticers and sol
diers of the U. 8. service, who have made this
and many hundreds of others in sympathy with
the cause, were all untiring in their efforts to
revere the memory of the brave departed ones.
THE PREPARATIONS.
As most of our readers are already awarei
several preliminary meetings had been held
during the week by the members and eX-mem
bers of the various branches OF the government
service; at these meetings the appointments
and arrangements for the day were decided upon.
The following gentlemen were appointed Il
Committee of Arrangements: JAS. E. Fleming,
8. Moore, Thos. B. Hunt, s. Blagge, H. Men
ninger, J.. II. Porter, Walter 8. Long, David
The ladies were busy for several days in col
lecting evergreens and flowers, and on Saturday
some fifty or sixty of them, mostly of northern
birth, repaired TO the Congregational Chapel
where garlands and other decorations were per-
fected t the ensuing days celebration. 1t is a
noteworthy fact beautifully Illustrative of nobili-
ty of heart, that several southern ladies aided in
the weaving of the garlands and wreaths; and
many others, whose sympathies were known to
be foreign to the cause for which these soldiers
fell, contributed literally of flowers.
THE PROCESSION.
The procession was formed on Broad street,
right resting on Craven, ut nine O'Clock in the
morning.
Gen. James E. Fleming, who had been Sc
lected as Chief Marshal, was assisted by the
following officers The Division Commander
LIST Dvsion-Col. Stephen Moore.
I'd :. Maj. A. X. Dennison.
Sd Capt. j. Ii. Porter.
The Aids and Staff officers:
COL. Thomas b. Hunt.
Col X. y. Smith.
Maj A. Coats.
Surgeon j K. Fleming.
Surgeon Jno. b. White.
Surgeon Henry j. Mennnger.
Capt. john NJ. Rulifson, Capt II. III. Hitch
cock, Lieut.. Sidney futile, Capt F.. c. Tunis
and Mr.. +. NJ. Pierson, acted as aids to the
Disvision commanders.
The procession moved down Craven Street to
Pollok, up Pollok Street to George. and up
George to the Cemetery, in the following order:
Chief Marshal and 4 ids.
Staff Officers mounted.
Reverend E. NJ. Forbes, Chaplain; Hon. W. H.
s. Sweet, Orator.
His Honor Major VIM. l.. Palmer, Mayor.
FIRST DIVISION.
Company c, 10th U. 8. Infantry, under COM
mand OF Capt. Walter s. Long.
Officers and Soldiers of the U. 8. Army.
Officers and Men of the Z. 8. Marine, Coast
Survey and Revenue Service.
SECOND DIVISION
Ex-Officers and Soldiers of the Army.
Ex-Oficers and Sailors of the Navy.
Patriotic organizations.
THIRD DIVISION.
Ladies in Carriages.
Wagons containing flowers, wreaths, garlands,
crosses and other decorations.
Citizens.
The procession was one of the largest and
most imposing that has ever been witnessed
here. From the head of the column to the long
array of carriages, space OF over halfa mile was
occupied. The colored people followed the
procession in great numbers. 1t is estimated
that there were between two and three Thousand
persons in line. Many of the mounted citizens
carried Guidon Flags furled and drnped in mourn
ing making beautiful effect. A number of the
carriages in line ried the following notices
lettered in gold upon blue silk:
Enjoy but Forget not the Price of Liberty"
Remember the Gallant Dead"
FOur Love OF Country Stronger than our Love
OF home:
AS tne procession passed the camp oil the AUTH
Inlantry, the garrison nag was lowered 10 nail
must ~nere IL IeMrineu until aiter the comple-
tion OF the ceremonies. arriving at the cemetery,
tng neaa OF tne column halted until the ladies
had ailShtea from the carriages. The gentlemen
dismcunte after which the procession passed
into the enclosure. The work of decorating the
graves was then commenced.
lhh SALUTE
Twenty minute guns were fired by de-
tachment of the 10th Infantry, under command