Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-05-30
Communications,
- VERMONT SOLDIER TT THE
SOUTH.
SECOND LETTER.
Augusta, Ca, May

Augusta, Ca, May l, '73.
Saturday, the Goth of April, being OBJ
served by the "Coniederates" as Decora-
ton Day, afforded good opportunity to
strangers to visit the cemetery and other
points of interest business was generally
suspended in accordance with procama-
ton issued by the Mayor. At an early
hour, gay 'turnouts" drove out to "Sand
Hills" "a garden of flowors), to gather boz
quets, wreaths, NC.
Hundreds of visitors came in from the
adjacent country, including scores of
Northern people stopping at Aiken, S. C.
by II o'clock all things being in readiness,
the "Ball opened" The programme for
the day was arranged as follows: Parade
of the military; sword and prize prosenta-
ton laying of the corner stone of costly
monument in honor of the Rebel dead
decoration at the cemetery, &c. Never be-
fore have such largo numbers of the cit-
zens and lady residents of Augusta turned
out for the purpose named. At each point
the opera house, the city hail. the confed-
crate monument, and at the cemetery, the
vast throng assembled.
The programme was under the auspices
of the Oglethorpe Infantry, and embraced
succession of presentation speeches and
responses, impressive and interesting to
all who fought under the Confederate flag.
The gallant ex-Confederates mastering
sixty-hvc men, preparatory TO the proceed
ings formed in triangle on the STAGE
amid loud cheers from the assemblage
present. In behalf of the officers q private
presented the Adjutant of the Battalion
with handsome sword. From his speech
quote the following "Sir, this is a wcap-
on not new TO you; for do wo not remem-
Der how willingly you drew one and how
CALAMITY you used it, in behalf of the
Southern Coniederacy and Southern rights.
Citizen, soldier, Comrade in arms there
fore we say, wear this sword as you have
worn another, with honor TO yourself, and
TO your people. Draw it MS you have drawn
another, for the welfare of your Battalion,
etc., etc.," all Of which was received with
loud applause by the audience.
In behalf OF the ladies of Augusta, by
whom the elegant gilt was provided for the
Oglethorpes, Col. Geo. w. Rains presented
TO the company handsome Flag. Col.
Rains was, at the breaking out of the Re-
bellion, in command of the U. S. Arsenal
at this place. He threw up his commits
sion and went over TO the Rebels, and was
instrumental in erecting the great powder
works which furnished the Confederacy
with great part Of The powder used dur
ing the war;
The Flag presented is of heavy flag silk,
one side blue field, and the other white
The centre of the blue field displays a por-
trait of the fiist captain of the company,
military figures, arms, &c. The white
field bears the Georgia coat of arms, sup
plcmented on the one side by the Conied-
crate flag, and on the other by the Confed-
crate Battle Flag!
Only think and yet these good people
insist upon il that they are prosecuted, OPP
pressed, borne DOM by superior force and
under the yoke Of the tyrant Grant.
From the house the military company
marches 10 the City Hall, where an i'm
mcnse crowd has assembled TO witness the
presentation of another flag to the Augusta
Volunteers. Not one U. S. flag TO be seen;
but from The City Hall floated the Conied-
crate flag!
At the laying Of the corner stone of the
monument, the Rebel dead were Landed to
the skies, while the U. S. Government was
Violently den"unced.-Fr this place the
crowd made direct TO the cemetery.
The decoration was very elaborate, some
of the graves being literally covered with
choice flowers. Arches were formed with
inscriptions such as "honor the Confeder-
ale dead,' etc. Tiny rebel flags were plant
ed on graves, hung from trees, crossed on
tombstones, dc. The military "rest on
arms" "in honor TO the hero dead" The sun
goes down and the great throng wind their
way homeward, through the clouds of dust
that rise up and hang like a pail over the
city, reminding me SO wildly of the clouds
that hung over our marches during the
bloody days and dreary nights of tho re-
belliOn, from 81 to IS.
III. T.. HILL.