Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-06-09
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
Memorial Day.in Winchester.

Memorial Day.in Winchester.
On Saturday last, the graves oil the Cons
federate dead buried in "Stonewall Gene
Necry," Winchester, received their lifting tri>
butte at the hands of the fair daughters OF
Frederick. The day dawned bright ana
cloudlcss, and at an early hour small groups
were seen vending their way towards the
Cemetery, aud later in the day immense
crowds, until at l o'clock, the hour appoint
ed for the services to commence, "Stonewall
Cemetery" was literally throngcd with the
fair ones of Virginia, awaiting the signal to
drop the silent, tear of sympathy and place
their floral emblem OF remembrance on the
grave of each hero sleeping there.
Wa1. II. DENNY, Esq, having called the as
Cemetery, which was trimmed with ever
greens and bore the inscription, "Stonewall,"
the services were opened by the reading
of the 'Dirge of Ashby," by Rev. Mr.. Avn
RETr, which was sung by an improvised choir,
the mournful melody seeming to touch all
hearts. The Rev. DIR. FINLEY next offered
up a beautiful and most appropriate prayer,
after which, at the request of SEINE ladies
from Baltimore who had just arrived upon the
ground, the last two verses OF the Dirge were
again sung by the choir. The benediction
was then pronounced by Rev. Mr.. SnUFoRD,
and the ladies different wards of the town
having been designated for certain lots) dis
pcrscd to all parts of the Cemetery, and with
gentle hands placed the evergreen and the
rose on the last resting place of each sleep
ing brave.
! Not one little mound was overlooked, but
each received its memorial tribute. The
graves of the brothers Ashby, Col. Marshall,
Maj. Jones, Maj. Thompson aud others near
and dear to some of those present, were lit
>erally decked with flowers. Over the grave
the brothers Ashby was the following in.
scrption =
''3rothers in blood, in faith,
Brothers III manly blooms
Brothers i'll life, brothers in death,
Brothers in one same tomb.
Scattered here and there in other parts Of
the Cemetery, inscribed OIL banners, wrcaths,
Nc, were many beautiful and touching tri-
butes to departed worth, among which were
inc loilO"luS
Dead, yet alive; mortal, yet immortal"
"Sleep on, yc Lrave!"
'.The brave die never:
They but CHI ,ngc their country's arms for more
Their couGtry's heart"
eve live in dccCs-nut years.
And with prnuder eye, mark to-day,
These low dead ranks of the ever free,
Than her living men, in battle array,
The pr"udcst nation on earth could Sec"
'.Mlry land. my Mary iand!"
The brave nf North Carolina will ever be
remembered by the daughters of Virginia"
Honor to the brave ~
"Thc path of duty was the way to glory"
The gallant of G eOrgia still remembered
by the daughters OF Virginia "
Dead, but forgotten by the patriotic ladies of
Virginia."
Upon the central mound, containing the
bodies of "S15 Unknown and Unrccorded
Ecad," was the simple, yet touching tribute
'':rhcy the Gray:"
After the first general strcwins Of flowers
was over, the greater portion of the assem-
Llagc began to return to their homes. but par
tics continued to visit the grounds until night
fall 1t has been estimated that there were
five or six thousand persons present during |
the day.