The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-05-12
oAKwoOD rnNOaIAL nav.
snring.tin1e, fine rna.on .oe -. -.

1- D.>,> ~GMORIAL DAY. ~
spring-time, the season ofs seladness ,yller
nature resurrects her flowers and waves mo,
green wand, calling back the yerdnre Q tho
neids and the folinge to4the forests. also I'm.
rokes our sympathies for the dead-especial
~ Tor those who fell in the urayailing strug.
gie Tor Confederate independence. Ii our
people had ever been inclined TO forget them
our husbands and fathers, our sons, brothers.
ana sWeethearts-the noble and constan;
e1orts OF the ladies' memorial associations
would have recalled US to sense of duty.
ana brought the blush of shame to our
cueeks. NO association has been more earnest
anu assiduous than that having charge of the
oakWooo cemetery. It was one of the first
organized, 1tsvnumber OF members was
never very great, and its resources were
slhali, while the work before it was inn
tnense. With the means at hand they have
oone wonderfully well, and given an exam.
PIE OF what courageous determination can
accomplish. 49, E11 - = 80 -.
In Oakwood sleeps whole army. There
are sixteen thousand graves, and many OF
tlem have more than-one occupant. In
those terrible days Of the war when Rich.
mona was closely besieged, when the enemy
was numbering at our gates, when every
lnan ana ooy who could shoulder musket
was called to the front, and the services OF
OUT women were required at the hospitals,
| .ue iast oInces OF humanity were Of neces-
ss.y Enhrrieaiy performed. Very often com.
;aoes VINO nad stood shoulder to shoulder
10 llne OF battle, who were struck down
anu carried TO the hospitals, there to die, were
sven common grave. Oftener, still, those
VINO nad never met in life were consigned to
eat'n 10 company, and one grave held two
VI three soldiers from widely separated
STATES Inc keeper Of the cemetery esti.
thVusind remains are there Inferred, In one
group, aloof from the rest, are buried nearlv
a thousand men who fell victims not to
wounds, or ordinary diseases, but to that
scourge-smalpox. Separated frcm their
companions in sickness and death,
they were also laid apart from them
after this loathseme disease had done lis
worst. They were not permitted to die cIo.
riously upon the battlefield, with the shout
of victory ringing upon their ears. There
were none to pity their sorrows, and tc
sympathize with them in their sore affiic
tions. They were tended in hospitals by
those who were doubtless good to them
hands, however kindly, were not those o
gentle women or old-time friends. or al
the thousands who sleep in this immense bi
vouac there are none whose history is more
full of sadness and whose lives were coset
more full Of bitterness.
The ladies of Oakwood Associations to
gether with the keeper of-the cemetery
have been Jealous and industrious in thei
undertaking. With its many natural beau
ties of situation, the cemetery, after the war
possessed but poor and unkenpt appear
ance. There were but few walks or drives
few shade-trees, and few graves in decen
order. The Association and the cit,
have done much to make the plac
pretty. Hundreds of new shade-tree
have been planted within the past fou
| or five years. Many new walks and drive
have been opened, and new and old one
grayeled. The soldiers graves have beer
we'll cared for, and the resources Of the AS
sociation have been literally expended il
putting up the neat white hcadboards whicl
mark nearly all the graves. Besides this th
Association has erected handsome monu
ment Of James-river granite. It's Inscription
tells the visitor the story of the forest Q
headboards around If, and is perpetual re-
cord Of the patriotism of the women OF Vir
cinia and an enduring tribute Of affection
from them
~To OUR dead heroes-to the hearts
That thrill ne more to love or glory,
To those ,Sho acted we'll their parts.
Who died In youth and live IN story"
The back Hardness Of the season prevented
such decoration Of the graves yesterday rs
the ladies wished. Flowers were hard tc
get, and evergreens had to be used eXten
siyely. Matters were, however, so managed
that wherever there was not flower 1or
grave, there were at least eYergreens to place
upon it, and few indeed did not receive such
attention. There is not State or county
and scarcely township in the South thai
has not an interest in Oakwood. Il is the
burial. place of the private soldiers OF the
army. and decoration day there is remem'
bered in thousands of distant homes, for
nearly every neighborhood in the States
from MARYLAND to Texas furnished some OF
its occupants.
The ladies OF the Association we're assls!eo
Yesterday by Comparies G and d (sioneWal
Guard), tie two companies being under
command Of Lieutenant Taylor, of Company
D. and hy many ladies and gentlemen
5bo brought with them contributions ol
flowers and eYergreens. During the day
there were several thousand people present
and all the afternoon the way to the grounds
was thics with vehicles OF every description
The band employed By company q con
sisted of extemporizeo material under tht
leadership OF Professor Smith, OF the ole
First Regiment band. who. in his time
has sounded many "chargc to victory
They made very good music, according t(
the general verdict.
Soon after entering the cemetery Company
G fred TWO o. three yoileys over the grave
of comrade not long since deceased.
There were great number OF chiidrei
rpon the grounds, thanks to the thoug
ness Of superintendent Binford in allowing
the public schools to be closed at noon.
There was throughout but little cere
monv, but the occasion was in all re
sDects fitly observed. 1t will be p!easan
recollection for months to come, and Will o.
an incentive for larger if-not better ceie
bration next year. H."
MEETING OF HENRIco BOARD OF sUPERVl
sons.-Atan adjourned meeting of the Boart
of Superyisors Of HenricO county, sefera
claims were audited. The claim of w. q
Anuable, amounting to 81 400 for extra cler
ical services rendered as clerk OF the county
,,,o : retnrned to the board by the Common