The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-04-11
Dedication of the MOnu-
ment.
Imposing Ceremonies.

The day set apart for the dedication of
the Monument to the Confederate Dead
by the Ladies' Benevolent Association
of Louisiana, dawned bright and clear
and remained SO until rosy sunset, while
nature wore it's sweetest smiles as ii
in appreciation of the event. The very
fields and pastures seemed to partake
Of the spirit Of deep solemnity and re-
spect which had gathered the immense
throngs about the spot for the worthy Pur-
pose of paying their tribute of respect to
the dead, and also to behold The consumma-
ton of Southern wOmen's indOmitabc
energy.
The Attendance
was immense. Long before the appointed
hour, hundreds assembled around the cher
ished place. and still they came pouring in
from the fast arriving cars in one solid stream,
soon swelling the sea of heads to thousands.
There must have been at least five thou
sand present. Waiting for the commence
ment of the dedcatory ceremonies, band
in attendance discOursed sweet music while
the fair hands Of many er-hearted
women and children deposited their> floral
offerings about the base of the monument,
which soon presented one solid mass of
flowers. Varied and interesting to observe
were the expressions of physiognomy. The
old, with fearful eyes at the memory of dear
ones lost, placed their flowers and stepped
aside the children, approach ed the spot
with smile on their pretty, bright faces,
their little hearts swelling with pride and
pleasure at the honor of paying their floral
tribute to the memory Of those who had
met with brave and honorable death.
The Monument
is masterpiece of art. 1t stands upon an
elevated quadrilateral and pyramidal
mound, the base of which is surrounded by
granite edge. Steps Of the same material
lead to the top Of the mound, where is a ter
race paved with granite, and upon this is
placed the monument proper. 1t is col
umn of the finest Italian marble, beautifully
designed and executed, surmounted by the
life size standing figure Of a Confederate
soldier fully equipped and apparently on
picket duty, resting on his gun. The eyes
are intently fixed upon some distant point,
and the expression of the face is one of beau
tiful earnestness and frmness. About the
four sides of the monument are the busts
and striking iikenesses of Generals "Stone-
wall " Jackson, A. s. Johnston, Polk and
Lee.
On the front is the following inscription
In commemoration Of
The heroic virtue of the
Confederate Soldiers
This Monument is erected by the
Ladies' Benevolent Association of Louisiana.
1874.
The order tor the work, we understand,
was given to Mr.. Stroud, Of this city, who
had it executed in Italy. The cost is twelve
thousand dollars. This leaves but small
balance in the treasury. The association
will, therefore, be dependent upon volun
tary contributions to preserve it in order,
and to contribute to the future care and
adornment of the same.
The governing committee was composed
Of General Harry T. Hays, Mr.. William M.
Perkins, Capt. Theo. Shute, Mr.. NJ Musson
and Mr.. T. l.. Bayne. The present board Of
lady directors, comprises the names of Mrs.
6. w. Pritchard, President; Mrs. NJ. E. RAN
dali, Vice President; Mrs. Geo. S. Lacey,
Treasurer; Mrs. Theo. Shute, Secretary,
Mrs. s. Stewart, Mrs. Carl Kohn, Mrs. Chas.
Waldo, Mrs. Hy Grimshaw, Mrs J. 0.
Harris, Mrs. Ed. Kursheedt, Mrs. Alexander
Walker, Mrs. Chas. Nash, Mrs. Fred. Wing,
Mrs. DR.. CrawcOur, Mrs. Ed Bridge and
Mrs. p. Strong.
The ceremonies began at 5 o'clock precise
ly, with an impressive and solemn prayer
by Rev. DIR. Palmer, who made some appro-
pirate reference to the dear ones in whose
memory all present were there assembled,
which touched the tenderest chords of many
heart among the listeners. His allusion to
the power and goodness of the Almighty
and his prayer for the nation, were truly
beautiful.
The Grafton delivered by Mr.. H. n. Ogden,
of which we can now speak but in general
terms, was most elaborate piece of rhetOr
ical oratory, teeming with pathos and senti-
ment. His Introductory remarks were APP
object Of the occasion. Most vivid and
touching was the portrait which to the
mind he drew Of what might have been the
condition Of our Southern land had the
fortunes of war been different. His pane
gyric upon the Confederate dead, and his
praise of Southern women, who in spite Of
90 much encouragement and in the midst
Of so many reverses Of fortune, had sue
seeded in the noble work of erecting this
beautiful monument as lasting mark Of
love and respect for those who had persisted
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