Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-06
Tennessee River Items.

EDITORS WIG AND TRIBUNE:
l attended the Decoration at Pittsburg
| Landing on the Both ult. Though thu
| morning was inauspiciOus a large crOwc
| assembled 70 pay feeble tribute OF respe Ct
/ to the memory Of the pale sleepers that re
! pose in the cemetery, and to witness the
/ ceremonies Of the occasion. On arriving
at the cemetery l was introduced TO Capt
] w. A. Graham, superintendent, who, on
/ learning that l was representing the-Whig
and Tribune on the occasion, gave me 3
very cordial welcome and entertained me
/ In princeiY style at his residence. He is a
/ gentleman Of culture and knows how to
render himself agreeable. He has an ami
able wife and two interesting chill ren,
whose society l enjoyed for an hour. Capt.
Graham took much interest in giving me
any information that l desired in regard TO
what has been done and what yet remains
TO be done, before the cemetery is COM
pleted.
L will here note suceinctly the proceed
ings of the day-the crowd formed at the
main entrance and marched through the
cemetery TO the monumental site near the
bank OF the river. A circle was formed
around this, and all remained in ranks
while Rev. Thomas Cotton, of Purdy, Of
fered up deyout prayer. After which the
procession broke ranks and wandered pro-
miscuously over the ground and scattered
the choral tributes" upon the graves. The
grave of Col. w. X. NJ. Breckenridge, of
the 9th Tennessee Cavalry, who died at
Corinth in 1868, attracted special attention,
he having been known personally before
and during the war, to a large number of
those present. His only son, W. ID. Breck-
enrldge Of savannah, has had q very fine
tombstone placed over his grave. After a
half hours rambling through the various
graYeled avenues which separate the many
regImental groups, the procession was re-
formed and marched to beautiful grove
not far away, where suitable arrangements
had been made for speaking, etc. NJ. r.
Alternately, Esq, having been elected ''ora-
tor OF the day" came forward and enter
tanned the audience for an hour. His ad-
dress was free from the partizan and de-
mandatory harangue which has been char
acteristic of speeches on former occasions
at this and many other places. His remarks
were received with applause by all parties.
Hon. q. w. Shipman, of Savannah, follow
ed in very beautiful and affecting inn
promptu address. 1t was favored with
something of the beautiful and grand
The exercises closed with prayer by Rev.
Mr. Cotton. A Sumptuous repast was
served near the cemetery grounds. | was
glad to witness so much good feeling and
brotherly kindness among the people on
this occasion 1t betokens a happier future
for the country. There were many on the
ground who had fought nObly for the south
that contributed 4 liberal part to make the
occasion interesting. The Government has
the opportunity of eXemplifying the priE-
ciples of lofty magnanimity by collecting
the diSheYeled remains of the Confederate
warriors and hOnOring them with a resting
place alongside the Federal dead. This
would do much 20 bridge the dark and
ugly chasm that gapes with repulsiVe depth
between people bound by kindred ties, a
common interest and a common destiny.
It would present page unrivaled IN the
worlds history. But l am depressing.
The cemetery is situated on n high hill
just below the landing on the West bank Of
the river. 1t contains ten acres Of ground,
and is enclosed by a rough stone wall Of
the most substantial character, and just
within in juXtapositiOn with the wall is a
young bodark hedge, now nearly as high
Is the wall. IL is the intention TO plant a
large number OF eyergrcens in the cemetery
this year, and, by the 25th Of May, 1875, u
marble tombstone will have been placed at
each grave. There arc five heavy field
pieces within the enclosure-two mounted
and three in vertical positions. One OF the
latter is placed near the main entrance to
remind the passer-by OF where repose the
remains OF John Holmes, OF the 10Th Iowa
renowned as the Drummer Boy Of Shiloh"
who fell during the engagement on Sunday.
l was unable 70 learn anything definitely
OF his history, the records showing nothing
more than what has already been stated.
| There are 1851 interments OF which 3 $50
are at present unknown. They represent
two hundred and three regiments from
thirteen different States, besides colored
troops and employees. The graves have
been collected from five hundred and sixty
tive .liffereHt localities along Tennessee
river, from Its mouth to the foot OF the
Muscle Shoals. There arc Twenty-Five
regimental groups. There are additional
graves occasionally added. II is 4 fact
worthy of mention that there have been
more pains taken here in the burial and
Identification OF the dead than at any place
in the South and West. a permanent
lodge, costing from xix &c ten thousand
dollars, viii be erected here soon. 1t will
be OF stone or brick.
I strolled over some of the most import
ant parts Of the battle-ground. The most
prominent marks Of the battle now distin-
gUiShable are to be seen upon the trees
Many of these are becoming rather dim.
In few years, owing to the dense under
growth, quite all the signs OF that memoir
able and bloody conflict will be hidden.
Since the war the country for several miles
around where the armies were encamped,
has been noted as one OF the best stock
ranges in Tennessee. This is owing TO the
quantity Of grass seeds distributed upon
the ground, which has gained permanent
hold. WILL-O'.THE-WISP.
Salt River.