Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1873-05-17
THE NATIONAL CEMETERY.
The city Of the Deaa-Improvement of the
Grounds. &c. 80 81

The City of the Deaa-Improvement Of the
| Grounds, &c. "a "a
1t was the custom of the Ancients to
gather the dust of the fallen defenders OF
the State and enshrine the sacred ashes as
the most precious relics possible to be.
queath grateful country, but whilesuch
has been the custom from that time to the
present, it was reserved for our own coun-
try to perfect system that patriots of all
ages and nationalities have approved and
I honored in the observance, and which
keeps alive and glowing the fires of devo-
ton that burn in the bosom of every true
lover of his country. Indeed, the echoes
of the wild alarms of internecine war had
scarce ceased to reverberate through the
| hills and valleys of the South, before the
work was begun of collecting the remains
| of those who gave their lives that their
| country might live. From every battle
| field were exhumed, every hamlet and the
scene of the picket's skirlnish contributed
to the montuary quota.
But it is of the cemetery near this city,
within whose protecting walls lie sleeping
| their last sleep,upwards of three thousand
of earth bravest sons, beneath the folds
of the flag under which they fought on
| many glorious field, without one stripe
effaced or a single star dimmed.
The situation is on gentle elevation in
| the northern suburbs, just beyond Grey
Cemetery, and can be seen from a consid-
cradle distance. The main entrance is on
Jacksboro' street, on the western front,
with smaller entrance at the northeastern
angle. The grounds are beautifully laid
off, in accordance with plans furnished
from the Department at Washington, in
the center of which is mound from which
rises the flag staff, with carriage drive
surrounding it, while similar drives radi-
ate from the centre to the outer circumfer-
ence of the graves which are placed in cir
than the one preceding, while all are nice
ly turfed, and with the morning dew
sparkling in the sunlight, one might al
most imagine each warrior was slumber-
ing in casket of emerald.
Permanent Improvements are constant
ly being made, among the most inn
portant of which is stone wall enclosing
the entire grounds. The contract was
awarded Capt M. d. Bearden, who let out
the work to Patrick Mcnamara, whose
reputation as a sub-contractor is well
known. The work was commenced about
the first of November last, and has been
pushed steadily forward until four fifths of
it is completed.
The entire distance around is 1850 feet
and is built in substantial and durable
manner, the style being known as rubble-
work, more attention being paid to solidity
than to appearance. The wall is four feet
six inches above ground and is eighteen
inches thick. The foundation being two
feet four inches deep and two and one-half
feet across. At intervals of twenty feet
the wall is strengthened by pilasters,
while the top is surmounted by coping
of hammer-dressed stone, laid
in cement, each joint being laid
on sheet of copper, which effectually
prevents any water penetrating the interior
of the wall, the projection of the coping
four inches on each side, protecting the
surface equally as we'll. Hao0 Sc.
The stone for coping is brought from
Anderson county, while that for the wall
is brought about a mile south of the river,
which is shipped by rail to apoint near the
grounds. The work gives employment to
large number Of hands and will be COM
pleted in few weeks.
Z Part of the work has been inspected and
received, the inspecting officer expressing
himself as highly pleased with it, both as
to material and manner of execution.
Just within the enclosure hedge of
Usage orange has been set out, which, when
it arrives at suitable height, will be
trimmed even with the outer edge of the
wall, which will add greatly to the beauty
of the grounds. sErlEs7
The main entrance, as before stated, is
on Jacksboro' street, and will consist of a
double iron gate, of sufficient width to al
low vehicles to pass with ease, with a
smaller gate on each side for persons walk
ing, also of iron, which will be manufact-
ured at the Knoxville Iron Company's
works, as soon as the plans for the same ar
rive from Washington City. The gates will
be hung on marble columns and will be on
the highest ground on that front, the wall
sloping gradually on either side of the gate
to the northern and southern angles. The
street will be graded on this side which
will tend to improve the appearance of this
side of the grounds.
be made, which is macadamizing the
walks with marble, replacing the rotten
slate now used, which would be perma-
uent benefit as we'll as adding greatly to
the appearance.
The cemetery is in charge of Sergeant |
Thos. Ridge, of the Regular Army, who Is
in the discharge of HE duties,
and by his courteous treatment of visitors |
has made himself favorite among those |
with whom he has been brought in contact. |
The contract for erecting a keepers lodge |
will soon be awarded and work on the |
same commenced at an early day.
Mineral Sperm Oil, at the East TenDes>
see China House. v17-d3t
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