The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-06-07
nNcbsl" Soldiers,

"Rchel" soldis4s. <: l,r
The following is, takeEa srom; \ Iii 20 10.
count Of decoration day, 81 Arlington:
published in 5the Washington Paraot ocI
arooent date:, 3 SIS ! esSa;s,- y .l,s IS
= THIS being our first visit Ia; Arlinat t0hs
md our first presence at any ;dsoofat ati6n
day, we were naturally ANTIQUE TO Saee
how this operatioD, whichs;foYms the
centre OF attraction and the object Of
the day, was performed. And We had;
not long to wait, for, following the band
that led the procession with @ solemn,
mnrch. to THO sound of muffisd drums
and minute guns. we soon re1ched the
numerous graves, all in long ard regu7
lar rows, and each markod by.a miAia!
ture Hag bsforehand;' and now, as we
approach and scatter among tho white
head boards, each separate one is also
decol ated with Il email boquct ut f1ow:
era, for these have to be used With Geo.
nomy, M they are fcw and the graves to
be decorated nre many. But basket
upon bnsket is brought forward; nppa-
rently not single grave has so fHr been
forgotten, and still the work goes on;
and from tho narrow wooden bridge
where We stand, tho sight is one Of the
most imposing and soul-stirring that we
hnve ever beheld. But suddenly, al
armed soldier, in the uniform Of the Ma
rine Corps, pnssee the bridge, and slowly
turning on his heel, marches back ngain,
and at no greht distance from him we
see another, and yet another. There is
apparently whole line of them sta
toned there, for the purpose, MS we sup
pose, by their presence to do honor to
their comrades-nll true and brave SOL
diers that rest beneath the sumo sod
they seem to guard.
But we soon found out our mistake.
and learned that tho military had been
stationed there for quite different pur-
pose. Two young ladies approached,
each with bouquet in her hand.
STOPPING down. they quietly placed
these at the head-boards Of two graves
Just to the left Of the small bridge on
which we had taken up our post OF
observation, and, having done this,
turned to go. But now tho soldier that
We had before noticed came suddenly
mp on the scene, rudely telling the ladies
to remove them fowers!" "What harm
can they do?" asked ono of these. for we
were near enough to hear every word
that was passed. "Never mind; pick
'em up and take 'om awayi" Meanwhile
n crowd was gathering, nnd, desiring to
avoid any further disturbance. the ludies
took up the bouquets and slowly walked
away. u
This scenc was to me unexpected rs it
was painful. Probably noticing my ns.
tonishment at this rudo interference of
valiant United States soldier, with bayo-
neted musket and all, with lady, aud
that with such q purpose, somebody
volunteered the information that "them
graves were the graves OF the Confede-
rate soldiers" By locking closer saw
the word ''rcbel' painted in lnrge, pro.
minent letters upon each headstone un-
der the name; and directly behind these
graves were the soldiers stationed. I
could scarcely believe my eyes, and yet
it WAS 80. ''Rebel," utter death? Or
e.se, why mark these graves? Then
mark 'rebel' on every grave, and let US
all instruct the man that is to carve our
heaustones to put it there also; for have
we not oil rebelled against God, all dis
obeyed His ordainings, and the laws Of
the Bible? Who gave the order to write
rebel" there, where there is nothing
now but dust? Was he Christian who
caused this to be inscribed on the dead
mems graves? It is we'll that it is writ
ton but on wood aud will soon perish; in
tho record above it has surely long since
been stricken ont. Was this done in
view OF Reconstruction" and for the
charitable purpose Of facilitating recon
ciliation, or to cultivate and nourish the
spirit Of brotherly love and friendship,
that has, alas!-by the very acts of these
men who branded "rebel" on the head
stones of the dead, but who never fought
the liying-been 30 long wanting? Is it
done to further 'peace on earth and
good will among lnen?" Is it therefore
that these graves are not permitted to be
decorated? And can it be true Chris.
tian spirit that dictates the desecration
OF dead mems graves? Oh! how much
We have to learn and how far we are be-
hind; we. who profess to be Christians,
and the followers of His command to
'be charitable. even unto our enemiesr'
We may we'll take lesson in charity
from the simple Inhabitants OF Sender
burg aud Deppel, in Schleswig, whore.
in 1864, fierce and bloody battle was
fought. When tho war was over, the
remains OF the fallen, Danes and Ger
mans alike. were all gathered together,