Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-06-14
Memorial Services At Winohester.
Their silent tents are spread,
And memory guards with solemn round
Fnha hiv01,ac oFlha daad


The bivouac oflhe dead"
The ceremony Of decorating the graves of
the Confederate soldiers buried at this point,
says the Winchester Times, took place on Sat-
urday the 4th. The large coneourse of per-
sons who had assembled from all parts of the
country under the most adverse circumstances
proved that the memories of the past were still
cherished by our people and that no obstacles
were formidable enough to prevent them from
paying their beautiful tribute to those who
had sealed with their blood their devotion to
their country.
THE RAIN
During the preceding day, continuous
rain had given fears of an inclement day, and
on Friday it was determined to postpone, but
Saturday morning proved that the rain could
not dampen the ardour Of those who loved the
Lost Cause and heroes who died defending it.
At early hour vehicles of every description,
filled with persons of every age, sex and con-
dition, commenced to pour into the town, and
accordingly it was determined to proceed with
the progromme.
THE PROCESSION.
At 10 o'clock the excellent drum corps OF
the Friendship Fire company, beat the long
roll summoniDg all those who had "worn the
grey" to the Court House Square, under the
excellent marshalship of Col. l.. T. Moore of
the old 18th Va, regiment, and of the gallant
Capt. Kurtz, the line was formed in the fol-
lowing order: First, the surviving members
of the "Stonewall Brigade" second, Ashby's
cavalry, third, the Newtown artillery, and be-
hind them large number of Confederate SOL
diers representing every corps and branch Oh
the service.
To the sound of the inspiring air of "Dixie"
the line moved down Main street headed by
Col. Moore on horseback. Proceeding up
Picadilly TO the Valley Female Seminary they
were Joined by the young ladies of the School
bearing banners, wreathes, flowers, etc. By
counter. filing his men the Colonel, who had
evidently not forgotten his tactics, placed the
young ladies in front, aud the procession once
more moved on. On Market street the num-
bers were largely increased by the accession
of the ladies who had charge of the Georgia
lot headed by Mrs. johnson, who bore beau
tiful banner, and by the teachers and young
ladies of the Rev. Mr.. Billings's school, As
the long and beautiful procession moved up
Water street and entered Mt. Hebron, it pre-
scented an imposing and touching appearance.
There in martial line were the old followers
of Ashby, Stuart, jackson and Lee, men who
had fough ON every battle field in Virginia
Dub HhO W Jay III dASoo
without banners or arms and side by side gen.
tie ladies and little children. But there was
something in the looks of those men, which
indicated that their object was not merely to
do honor to their old comrades, but to prove
to the world that they were in no way
ashamed of the part they had borne in the
contest.
AT THE CEMETERY.
The beautiful "Stonewall Cemetery" where
nearly 1000 Confederate soldiers.
.sSleep side by side ms once they stood
Amidst the and rush of battle"
Was, thanks to the energetic Executive
Committee, in excellent order.
THE GRAVE OF THE BOY CAPTAIN.
When the procession reached the grave of
Capt. L. J. Fletcher, it halted aud the drums
beat solemn dirge. after which Serg't Robert
Kur,z paid beautiful tribute to the young
hero's memory, who was only eighteen when
he fell.
A shield was erected at the head Of his grave
bearing the inscription
1.-The Boy Ca rain of the Stonewall Brigade"
"Young as the youngest who douned the grey,
True "a the truest that wore it,"
Sergeant Kurtz was by his side when he
fell, and spoke most touchingly of the hero
ism with which he met his death.
TIE PRAYER.
After the ceremonies at the grave of the
gallant Fletcher an immense concOurse of
people gathered around the mound Of the I'M
known dead, where the Rev. Mr.. Armstrong
offered up beautiful and appropriate prayer.
He prayed that God might sanctify the solemn
occasion WHICH had gathered SO many togeth-
er, and that grace might be given to all pres
emit to read Alright the lessons of duty and
principle which were contained in the graves
around. We cannot pretend to report fully
this beautiful prayer-but we were much
struck by its appropriateness. 1t was no mere
eulogy of the dead, no political grafton, but
an earnest, solemn prayer to the God of the
living and the dead.
BEAUTIFUL INCIDENT.
At the conclusion of the prayer the sound
of music was again heard and procession of
thirteen little girls representing the different
States entered the Cemetery. These were
under the charge of Miss Lizzie Sherrard;
every child bore a mourning banner fringed
with gold and inscribed with the names of the
different States. The children, the youngest of
whom, little Lydie Cartmell, seemed scarcely
old enough to walk, were dressed in white with
sashes-on arriving at the monu>
ment to the unknown dead, they sang, and
with remarkable sweetness the beautiful song
of Thomas Moore.
''Forget not the field where they persisted"
THE DECORATION.
After this beautiful and touching tribute,
the crowd separated and proceeded to their
work of love. the decoration of the graves
of our fallen heroes.
IA description is here given of the different
lots, but we have only room for that of Vir>
ginia.]
VIRGINIA.
This lot in which so many whom we knew
personally are to be found, was of course well
cared for. Some of our town ladies assisted