Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-08-31
Andersonville-The Resting Place o
eur Gallant Dead-A Heightened
Southern Lady.

Russell, an intelligent Southern
correspondent OF the Boston Travel
Ter, writes as follows of the Ander-
sonville cemetery and the never to be-
forgotten prison-pen:
In an open spot, a 81 ort distance
to the northwest of the prison-nen
tho last remains of the murdered ones
lie sleeping their last sleep. Side bv
side the twelve thousand and five
hundred now rest, while over them
wave the stars and stripes of that ma
ton for which they died. Simple
graves A little sandy mound, a
white head board bearing the name
and the whole story is told. When
we neared the gate through which
the visitor must pass the high board
fence which surrounds the cemetery,
we we're surprised to see quite a
large party of ladies and gentlemen
down In the northwest corner of the
cemetery, under the shade of trees,
throwing flowers upon the graves
While we were standing by the flags
staff and contemplating their move
ments, another party entered the
gateway, and passing near US, walked
on toward the other company. Just
as they passed us, a lady dressed in
the richest attire and possessing re-
ally handsome features, stepped a
little way from her companions, and
with gestures indicating the deepest
disgust, scornfully spat upon the
grave'of a Michigan soldier. There"
said she, Il said | would do it, and |
have" Her Companions laughed
approvingly, and the party passed
on, leaving us in state of humilia>
ton and rage such as we never OK
perienced before. What we might
have done in our anger we know not
had we at that time been aware as to
who the scotfers were For when we
found that the graves they came to
decorate were those of the Rebels,
we could not control ourself and
walked out Of the cemetery and down
into the forest TO regain our self-pos.
session. As if the decorating of a
deadly enemy's grave, within sight
of their resting place, and in the same
Enclosure, was not insulting enough !
They were not content with that,
but must spit upon the grave of our
eomraae
| "0h for whip in every honest hand
| To lash the rascals, naked through the land"
Down in the forest we found va
riety of wild flowers. Beside every
tree and under the hanging edge of
rocks they bloomed in beauty, and
filled the air with delicious perfume.
From these we selected the varities
| which pleased US most, and with an
armful returned to the cemetery and
laid them one by one upon the graves.
The little mound which had been spit
upon we covered with wreaths and
bouquets of our own make, hanging
long sprigs of roses and tulips over
the headboard. Then taking our
seat upon the grassy mound at the
foot of the flagstaff, we waited for
the party to return. After a while
they came, laughing and joking, un-
mindful of our presence, and one of
them proposed to kick over Yankee
headboard. We felt as if we would
like to see him do it, just once ; but
when they came up the lady who
spat upon the grave uttered an ex~
clamation of surprise, and pointed to
the flower.decked headboard "Who
did that ?" exclaimed one, just as the
company caught sight Of US. AS if
by one accord the whole party fol>
lowed the. example Of the lady, and
stared at us as if we were something
supernatural. We said not word,
but slowly rising to our feet, folded
our arms and stared hard at them in
return. We then, FOR the first time
in our life were "spoiling for fight"
but theyturned away at once and hang
ing theirheads, walked out of the Gem.
eterY.