Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-01

the survivors on both sides. Nor. in thi
respect, should the services of Chic
Marshal j. L. Kline and Train Marshal J
Edward Stacey be ignored. They wer
here, there and everywheIe-always busy
clever prompt Courteous and attentive.
| The General Agent of the Louisville
! Nashville and Great Southern railway
Maj. John S-Bransford, saw to it that am
/ pie transportation accommodations wer
| turnished-no hurry scuIry, plenty of room
for all, and all at home again at a season
able hour. At ? P. NJ. a train of eigh
cars, bearing the Fisk University
/ faculty and pupils and a large NUM-
Der Of their cOlored friends, move,
| out to the cemetery, followed al
hour later by the train conveying the ex
soldiers Of the Army of the Potomac. Pos
Band, United States troops, the Mayor anC
other city officers, members of the CITY
Council and rather heavy detachment OF
ex-Confederates. The train which left a
4;35 p. NJ. had on board General Penny
packer, Maj. Vance, Col Blunt, Capt
Wedemeyer, Capt. Allen, Capt. Richards
Capt. Ward and Lieut.. Palmer, all of the
United States Army, General B. F. Cheat
ham, County Court Clerk Bell, Criminal
Court Clerk DoneisOn, Capt. W. G. Ewin
Msj. j. D. LOckhart, Mai. Monroe Cheat
ham, A. w. Johnson, Jr, Thos. Caldwell,
John W. Hill, Jos. w. Gordon, J. c.
Wands, Archer Chatham, Louis Mehren-
stein, Capt. Thatcher, Capt. j. Z. Stacey
and others.
Gov. Porter, accompanied by his family,
went out in a carriage, by way of the Gal
latin pike, and remained during the greater
part Of the afternoon. 1t was hoped that
he would be able TO make a brief speech,
but the condition Of his throat prevented
his doing so.
When the reporter reached the cemetery
he noticed Mayor Howell, Recorder Duling,
Water Tax Collector Glenn, CITY Treas
urer Nelson, Col. Geo. +. Akers, Capt. Mat
b. Pitcher, President Of the Board of Alder
men, James W. Thomas, Col. Chamber
lain, John Ruhm, Hon. w. f. Prosser.
Hon. II. II. Harrison, c. G. Giers. Col. j.
w. Lawless, Maj. Dick Mccain, Jno. D.
Brien, Gen. @. p. Thruston, Tailor
Heverin and a large number of
OtherS-ex-Fed erals and ex-COnfederates,
all mIngling in the most amicable manner
andexchanging congratulations that the oc-
casiOn had been instrumental in bringing
about so happy a condition of affairs.
So far as the reporter
could judge the attendance
was about equally divided between the
blacks and whites. And it was a signif-
cant fact that there were more ex-COnfed-
crates on the ground than ex-Federals.
Many Of the former, too, brought flowers
for decorating the graves.
During the afternoon the Post band had
its position near the flagstaff and rendered
airs appropriate 20 the occasion.
The north side Of the cemetery was the
first portion decorated, the Fisk University
students and members Of the Army Of the
Potomac performing the grateful task. On
the south side, the decoration was in charge
Of ex-sOldiers of the army of the Cumber-
land. A small flag and a bouquet was
placed on nearly every grave in the ceme-
terry, the effect being very fine.
The following prayer was offered by Rev.
II. 5. Bennett, Of the Army Of the PO-
tomac:
o, Lord, Thou God Of Hosts, Thou God
Of armies and of nations, with Thee are
the issues Of life; Thou settest up and Thou
FULLEST down; Thou art the creator and
ruler Of all beings. Look down upon US
with favor as we gather together TO pay
this tribute Of respect to our fallen braves,
who died in defence Of their country.
May the civil and religious liberties for
which our comrades have fallen be perpet-
uated through the ages to come. MAY we,
who survive, prove worthy Of these noble
institutions Of free government, which
have been purchased by the lives of so
many noble men, May the soldiers
who stand over the graves of their COM
rades, to drop a flower or a bud in memory
of the fallen, renew their conservation to
the defence Of the liberties of the land.
We pray Thee that we may engage in this
noble work in a spirit Of love. Here teach
us to forget every sentiment, but those of
love for our country and love,
for each other. May all the bitterness en-
gendered by the war give place to mutual
confidence and trust, and may we unite in
a great work Of developing the capacities
and resources Of the country.
o Lord, make this land the recipient of
Thy favor, a land of righteousness and
peace; may this be that happy people
whose God is the Lord
When the clouds of war gather in our
national horizon and the tempests howl
along our skies, may we look to Thee,
whose word is powerful TO still the storm
and bid the raging waves be calm. Take
our country into Thine own care. Let thy
Providence be round and about us, in the
future as it has been in the past. Help us
rs individuals so 70 act that we shall do
nothing 70 endanger what Thou hast COM
mitted to our trust. Rule and reign like
let Thy name be great among us
and Thine shall be the glOry,and dominion
and power forever, amen.
When the last tribute had been paid,
nearly all who were ON the grounds gath
cred at the flagstaff. 1t had not been IN
ierstOOd that there was to be any speaking
Dr. other formal proceeding, but their hearts
we're full on both sides and it had to come
)ut.
After the Army of the Cumberland had
its section Of graves around the
flagstaff eX-GOv Neil S. Brown was. called |
lpOn for an impromptu speech and respond |
ID very happily. He said that the strife |
.ud bitterness OF the war should have long |
ince been forgotten. He was glad to see !
he kind feeling exhibited there, and so |
args a number Of the soldiers Of both ar
MES in friendly union. 1t was time !
hat il was so. He remembered
hat the two great statesmen, Pitt |
nd Fox, who, though enemies,
through life, were buried side by side, 50
hat tear that was dropped to the mem
ny of one might fall on the grave of the
ither. This gathering would do more than
ny other efforts to bring about the return
f peace and reunion. 1t was worth all
he Congressional enactmenis that had been
+ could be devised.
After Governor Browns remarks, Gen.
:. p. ThrustOn, the Chairman Of the Com
nittee OF Arrangements, at the request Of
lis comrades, returned thanks TO the ex-
'Onfederates for their kindly feeling and
resence at the decoration. He hailed it
S the harbinger Of better days. He would
carce have believed before that they would
ctually oatnumber the Federals on their
Wn memorial day.