Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1870-06-29

temptuously on the passers by on their
way to the National Cemetery? Or that
others closed their doors and shutters shut
ting out with the goodly sight the pure
air and blue sky as the procession with
many sable faces and bright banners
went by?
1t was thought by the committee of ar
IN Beaufort appropriate for all
the children of the Freedmen's schools to
take part in these sad though interesting
ceremonies; and, in response to their in
vitation, from sunrise till a late hour in
the morning, scores of expectant children
came hocking in from the country around,
from homes twelve miles distant. Some
of the children walked in that warm day
(for May is summer with us) twenty-five
miles; yet all day as patient, wide-awake,
well-behaved, and interested as to be a
marvel to all and source of special sat
isfaction to their guardians the teachers.
On the way to the Cemetery which lies
without the limits Of the city, the bands
played and the children sung alternately
and how it awakened the echoes of old
and stirred up remembrances Of the last
decade as their sweet strong voices rang
forth our most popular patriotic songs.
Reaching the Cemetery the procession
proceeded directly to the large monument
in the centre erected to the memory Of the
"Unknown." Many of these are among
the quiet Sleepers here. Unknown but
not forgotten at least one day in the
year.
The entrance-the flagstaff and mound
Just within, aDd the monument were all
tastefully decorated. Very handsome
crosses, wreaths, anchors, etc, were taste
fully arranged Magnolias, cape jessam'
ines, and the prides of the Southern Floral
kingdom, were in protusion, and the ali
was laden with their powerful but agree
able fragrance.
Near the monument to the "Unknown
unknown by name on earth, but we'll
known and best beloved by the Father III
Heavn-was a stand for the speakers and
poet. The speakers were four; two white,
former chaplain and major, and two
colored.
The speeches were short but interest
ting, ana the poem suitably good and suit
ably brief. The doxology was sung by
all after which the general decorating
commenced.
There are over nine thousand soldiers
buried here from all parts and all classes,
but all without distinction cherished and
remembered.
The sinking sun shone upon beautiful
and impressive scene. The many greer
ranged graves, the earnest crowd OF mer
and women, the clean bright attire of the
colored children, each grasping few
clustered flowers, and the mass Of face:
white and black, each glowing and glori
Gus with a purpose and an inspiration
worthy Of noble men and women for whom
noblest men had died
One bright little colored girl about foul
years of age was one of the many who
specially attracted my attention. Hel
clothing, like that of many of the chill
dren, consisted of bright odds and ends
clean and well put together by mother
or more probably grandmother, with
more taste and sense of the fitness of things
than means to crafty them; and her face
bright and interesting. In her tiny hahd
she clasped single passion-hower, and
blossom of the scarlet trumpet-vine, tive
characteristic wild-howers of this season
growing in eUerybody's garden and by the
way side too.) The longer l looked a
this dusky mite of child the tighter she
grasped the precious flowers, till the proper
time came to dispose of them. Then witt
most evident realization of the solemn
ity of the occasion, and in a most respect
full manner she put them upon greer
mound by a graveled path.
1t was to me a most affecting sight, tha
child one of race who had been 81
wronged and for whose wrongs so many
have suffered, thus ignorantly, innocently
and yet devotionally placing flowers upol
the last lowly bed of benefactor who's
very name was unknown, and above who's
grave his nearest and dearest frieDd
might weep, never knowing it was thei
kindred and beloved sleeping beneath
supposing it to be only one of the Ma
tion's preservers, one of humanity's bene
factors
Quietly. sadly, but thankful for tn
days rcmembrances and opportunities, tn