The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-05-15
OAKwOoD MEMORIAL DAY.
A Large Crowd nj the Cenciery-The
First Regiment ON the Ground
Military R0n0rs TO the
Confederate bead.

The weather Yesterday was dumi, aliG
threatening. and IT was feared that the
| lowering clouds weild deter many from
visiting the grounds on this occasion. But n
! the hour fixed upon for the observance OF
| the ceremonies drew nigh. the soldiers, in
| their gay uniforms and each with bouquet
| in his hand or sticking in the muzzle OF bis
gan; might be seen fastening TO the place of
| rendezYGlls. Thc ladies. too, in hack and
omnibus or on foot, repaired tc the spot so
sacred in their eyes to assist in the defora'
| ton of the graves of the fallen soldiers.
The thousands TEc wrrc on the ground
during the afternoon spoke well for the in
| trotic enthusiasm Of tue indicS, and showed
that the sacred dat oi' caring for their dead
will ever be observed by therl. and that The
day OF it, annual recurrence win but tix this
duty more deeply In thcir mi::ds and inspire
| them with even greater determination 10
preserve it green in their memories.
y noticeable feature in the ceremonies of
| yesterday was the planting on many Of the
graves OF living plart-. I bis was done in
accordance with suggestion through these
columns Il few days Stree. \ More general
observance Of it would soon cover each
grave with The beautiful foliage and bright
4 blossoms of thriving plants, coming up each
spring and shedding II bright gioworer the
graves of the fallen Lerces during the SUM-
mer and fall
| Il was generally Observed that there were
| more flowers strcwn over the graves than oil
any previous similar OCCASION. This was 4
cause of conglatuation amongst the patriotic
ladies who have devoted SO much of their
time to the preservation OF these grounds.
| Amongst the contributions OF flowers for
wardcd to the colsi!uittee was large qlan-
| tity made up into wreaths, bousiucts; md
crosses in the most tasteful manner. They
were the gilt of Miss Hayden, SIC Broad
street. Il native Of Massachusetts, and ac-
companying The large basket which con-
taincd the floral gilt was Il card bearing the
| words
ITO THE MEMORY OF THE CONFEDERATE DEAD. -
Such acts as this will do more to close the
bloody chasm than any other one single act
could do; and one so gracefully done as this
is, we know, appreciated, and will be held
in grateful remembrance by the Indies OF the
Oakwood Association.
The military. under command of Colonel
Sloan. turned OUT with full ranks and made
splendid display, Upon entering the front
gate they filed past tue noble granite mon!l-
mcnt with heads uncovered, the band mcan-
while playing sad and beautiful dirge.
After getting into the field the infantry
stacked arms and dispersed. except Com
pany G,.which proceeded 10 the grave OF
Corporal j. NJ. Co,e and tired Il salute
over il. 1t will be remembered That thl
young man died recently Of smallpox, and
could not. therefore, BE- buried with the
usual military honors. Ills comrades, how
ever. ayailed tllens Ives Of this opportunity
to thu, honor his memory.
Tie HowiizcrS remained upon the field
and for some time fired minute guns. At Il
quarter to ) the regiment had a dress parade
and by invitation of Mr.. w. &. K. Fraysel
formed into hollow square, with the How
tzcr> in The rear. and were photographed
During the cCrcmonie> Mr.. William /.
smith, the keeper OF Oakwood. Ind Il boun
titul collation.. To which he invited city 9th
cal.. members Of the Council. members ol
the pres, ,.&r.. and, rs may be supposed, am
pl3 Justice WAS done.
About q O'Clock the crowd began TO dis
pcrSr and from that time the streets in ha
vicinity were filled with people rcturnln" Il
their homes. Before ;he close Of the day Tie
clouds. which had been Ill the e> cninr drop
ping rain, blew OF. and The sun shonc OH
brightly Bv the time iis l:lst beams had
Yildcd the rrr-'np> OF the cemetery with
their golden glory the last visitor had d"
parted, and the patriot dead were once more
left in their solitary, marrow cells
Sinor. angels hler from The skies.
There Is no nolier spot 0l ground
| Than where defeated vulor lies
| BY mourning be tuty crowned: