Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-06-13

MEMORIAL DAY-On Friday last--the 9th of
June, the anniversary of the battle of Port Re-
public-under the auspices of the Augusta Me-
mortal Association, the annual floral tribute OF
love and affection was paid to the memory of the
two thousand Confederate soldiers whose re-
mains peacefully repose in Thornrose Cemetery
near this place Several thousand persons, en-
bracing youth and age male and female, did
honor to themselves whilst doing honor to the
memory Of those who sacrificed their lives In de-
tense of the rights and liberties of the South by
being present and participating in the sacred GER
emones of the occasion.
The procession was formed at half past 10
O'clock, in front of the Town Hail. The process
sion was headed by the Knights Templar mount
ed on fine looking black horses, beautifully capar-
isoned, with black brides, and black saddles,
with black cloth trimmed with silver lace.
The Templars were finely dressed in black
cloth suits with black Alpine hats, with black
p!umes secured with silver crosses, and wore
sashes and gauntlets, black gloves and Tenn
pars' swords, A finer appearance we never saw
made by any order. Among them was the ven
cradle Captain Stevenson who has passed his
fourscore years. He seemed to have been reju-
MINATED, and sat as straight upon his black steed
as though there was no weight of years upon his
shoulders.
The 'Stonewall Band" which was with the
famous '.Stonewail Brigade throughout the war
came next in order.
Then followed the members of the new order
of the knights of Pythias." They presented,
with their handsome aprons, beautiful appear
anee. aad excited considerable interest as it
Al
public in this place Ia the dress of their order
The number of their members was much greater
than was generally supposed and was composed of
excellent material. They constituted an impor-
tant part of the procession.
Then came next in order, the Staunton Fire
Company in their uniform dress, each member
bearing wreath of evergreen on his shoulder.
Next came the Band Of the D. d. s. B. Insti-
tuition in their handsome Band wagon beautifully
wreathed with Ivy.
Immediately following their Band, came the
Fire Company, in uniform, and the pupils of
that Institution, each bearing garland Of ever
green.
Then came in their handsome uniform, mem
bers of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows"
These were followed by the Friends of Tenn
perance who bore a beautiful banner at their
head, and with their simple but neat and chaste
uniform, presented fine appearance in the pro-
cession.
Then followed long line of vehicles bearing
the citizens of Town and County.
In this order the procession marched to the
grounds of the Cemetery. When it arrived at
the gate. large number of ladies, including rep
resentatives from the Female Schools of this
Mace, as we'll as gentlemen on foot, Joined the
procession in proper order in front of the vehi-
cles
In this order, the long line of the procession
marched to that part of the grounds where re-
pose the remains of the martyred soldiers whose
memory they had assembled to honor,
Whilst the Bands of music performed solemn
airs suitable to the OCCASION the graves of the
soldiers were decorated with flowers and wreaths
of evergreen. It caused emotions of shame to
mlngle with those of sadness in the bosoms of
hose who were present on that occasion to wit
ness the neglected condition of the graves of the
soldiers buried theFe-overgrown as many OF
them are with weeds and briers.
When the ceremony of decorating the graves
was completed, Col. Jas. 81. Skinner, President
OF the Augusta Memorial Association" awaited
himself of that opportune occasion to allude to the
deplorable neglect blythe citizens ofthe Town and
County to furnish the means necessary to put the
Cemetery in proper condition. He spoke of the
informal organization year ago, and of tie more
formal organization in Oct. last of the Angus
at Memorial Association" and stated that it was
not the fault of the officers Of the Association
that so little had been done-that they had ap-
pointed committees in all parts of the County,
and had the lists published several times Yet
SO neglectful had they been that but few hun
dredsdoiiars had been raised whereas several
thousand were needed. His appeal for more
active exertions and for liberal contributions to
effect the sacred purposes of the Association was
earnest and impressive, and had beneficial eff
feet. At the conclusion of Col. SINNERS terse
and pointed remarks, Capt Chas. s. Arnall,
Treasurer of the Association, read his report
showing that only some 1926 had been paid to
him. but stated that there was some in the hands
of some of the committees which had not, as yet,
been paid to the Treasurer.
Col, Skinner, as President of the Association,
then stated that no work had been done on the
Cemetery for the reason that so small an amount
was at the disposal of the Association that it
would be thrown away if expended in work be-
fore sufficient sum was raised to do the great
amount of work that was absolutely required
that they had but 1926 when at least So, 900 were
needed. He stated that persons would be sta
toned at Che gate to receive such contributions
as those present felt disposed and prepared to
make. Then, by command ofthe Chief Marshal,
Col John 3. Baldwin, the procession was re-
formed and marched back to town in the same
order In which it marched to the Cemetery.
we avail ourselves of this opportunity to ex-
press the earnest hope that the committees ap-
pointed for that purpose in the town and County
will at once exert themselves to raise the money
required to put the graves of the soldiers buried
in Thornrose Cemetery in such a. condition as
that 1t will be credit to the town and County
instead of reproach as at present.
LARGE-H EARTED LIBERALITY.-The most
pleasant incident of Memorial Day which has
come to our kno Wedge, was the munifcent gift
of One Hundred Dollars to the Confederate Sol
dier's Cemetery, by Mr.. JOS Santini, of N. Or
leans, who is now sojourning in this place. We
would not in such public manner do honor to
this act-which we believe the generous donor
would prefer should be passed over in silence
but for the fact that we desire 10 stimulate Our
own people by this example of liberality to do
their duty by the Confederate dead who are
buried in our midst. At least twenty-five hun
dred dollars are yet needed to put the Soldiers
Cemetery in becoming order. Will not the
pride as we'll as sense of duty of our citizens be
aroused to complete this work, in which this