Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-06-14
Floral Decoration,

Thursday last, the 9th inst, was the day APP
pointed for paying the annual tribute of affection
to the confederate soldiers who "sleep their last
Sleep in the cemetery near this place by decora-
ting their graves with flowers. 1t commenced
raining early in the morning. and the rain con-
tinued to fall almost without interruption till
after the hour appointed for the ceremonies of
the day. Notwithstanding the rain, large num-
bers assembled at the Town Hall, where it had
been announced, per published programme. that
the head of the column of the procession would
be formed. By the hour appointed to form the
procession, all were in readiness the bands OF
music, the fire companies, the friends of temper
ance of Staunton councils, the pioneers, the La
dies with their wreaths and bouquets of flowers,
but the ''peltings of the pitiless storm contin-
ued without abatement, or any prospect of doing
SO for hours. Under these exceedingly inauspi-
cious circumstances, those to whom had been
assigned the chief management of the ceremonies
thought it best not to attempt the performance
of them in such inclement weather, and an
nounced that the decoration would be postponed
to another time. But it soon became manifest
that those who had assembled for the sacred pur-
pose of paying their tribute Of love and affection
to the loved and lost would not be prevented
from doing so, however unfavorable the weather.
Acting spontaneously and without prompting
upon the sentiment, unexpressed save IN action,
that as the soldiers, when living, meyer allowed
the weather to prevent them from performing
their arduous duties, even at the peril of their
lives, so those assembled to honor their memo
ries would not allow the weather to prevent them
from performing their duties to the soldiers now
dead, they, as if impelled by sing e:mpulse, re-
solved to decorate the graves of the soldiers at
that time regardless the character the wealth.
er, and the official announcement of the post
ponement Of the ceremonies. Accordingly, not
withstanding that the rain continued to fall there
was spontaneous movement, and as many, it
was estimated, as two thousand persons visited
the cemetery in that inclem ent weather and per-
formed the sacred duty Of decorating every SOL
diers hillock home in that ''city Of the dead.q-
This was spectacle worthy to be witnessed by
spirits of higher and better sphere. Yhe ladies'
with flowers beautifully arranged, decorated
each and every grave The Bands discoursed
appropriate music, sweet though solemn. Be-
sides the music at the soldiers cemetery, dirges
were played at the graves Of the soldiers buried
in the citizens cemetery.
The corps of pioneers, assisted by the members
of the fire companies and others, with spades and
shovels, dressed such graves as most needed it.
1t was touching spectacle to seem the after
noon, after the ceremonies above mentioned had
been performed and those engaged in them had
returned to their homes-the mute girls from the
Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institution, marching
in procession to the cemetery each with gar
land Of evergreen to place upon the graves ofthe
soldiers. This procession was preceded by the
new Band wagon Of that Institution beautifully
wreathed with evergreen. This tribute Of love
and patriotism by these unfortunate mute girls
sensibly touched our heart