Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-05-21
THE NATIONAL CEMETERY.
The city of the Dead-ImDrOvement OF the
Grounds &c.

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 while such
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
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 skirmish contributed
to the mortuary quota.
But 1t is of the cemetery near this city,
within whose protecting walls lie sleeping
their last sleep, upwards of three thousand
of earth's bravest sons, beneath the folds
of the flag under which they fought on
many glorious field, without one stripe
effaced or 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 a 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
cles, each succeeding circle being larger
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 a casket of emerald.
Permanent improvements are constant
ly being made, among the most inn
portant of which is q stone wall enclosing:
the entire grounds. The contract was
awarded Capt. NJ. d. Bearden, who let out
the work to Patrick Mcnamara, whose
reputation rs sub-cOntractor is we'll
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 $3.50 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 a coping
of hammer-dressed stone, laid
in cement, each joint being laid
on sheet of copper, which effectually
~, 1,
OF the wall, the projection of the coping
four inches on each side, protecting the
surface equally as well.
The stone for coping is brought from
Anderson county, while that for the wall
is brought about mile south of the river,
which is shipped by rail to point near the
grounds, The work gives employment to
large number of hands and will be COM
pleted in a few weeks.
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 a hedge of
Usage orange has been set out which, when
it arrives at a suitable height, will be
trimmed even with the outer edge of the
wall, which will add greatly to the beauty
of the grounds.
The main entrance, as before stated, Is
on Jacksbo"o' 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.
There is yet an improvement that should
be made, which is matchmaking the
walks with marble, replacing the rotten.
slate now used, which would be perma-
nent benefit as well as adding greatly to
the appearance.
The cemetery is in charge of Sergeant
Thos. Ridge, of the Regular Army, who IS
unremitting in the discharge of HE duties
and by his courteous treatment of visitors
has made himselfa favorte among those
with whom he has been brought in contact.
The contract for erecting keepers lodge
VIII soon be awarded and work on the
same commenced at an early day.
The Oldest InhabiIant.,
Last Wapl, a CupoNyrTT L, ra,,orto. ;,,1.,