Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-06-16

over two and half acres of land, were
| purchased from the Rose Hill Cemetery
Company for s2,400, out of the amount
appropriated by the Maryland Legisla-
ture. With the aid of H. Z. Mumma,
of Sharpsburg, 1,72l dead were remov-
ed from Antietam in 1872 and renter
red in Washington Cemetery, at cost
Of SI.5O each. In 1874 Maryland
again appropriated $4,000, and Virginia
and West Virginia $500 each. There
were then sig dead removed from the
fields of South Mountain and others
! from different portions of Washington
county and vicinity of Hagerstown,
amounting in all TO 2,477. The num-
bers of known dead by States are: Vir-
ginia and West Virginia 80, North
Carolina 4S, South Carolina So, Georgia
66, Alabama 80, Mississippi 81, Louisi'
ana %, Arkansas 6, Texas 3, known
tut States unknown 4; total $50.
A dedication dirge, words by Major
H. Kyd Douglas, and music by Mr.. r.
J. Hahn, OF Hagerstown, was sung by
the full choir with great feeling and
fine effect.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, the famous caval-
~ leader of Virginia, delivered the ora
ton of the day. He said he had telt
unable to accept the first invitation
rendered him, but second call to speak
at such place was like blast from the
horn of Roderick Dhu, and moved his
heart to overlooking. 1t was a great
honor to be called on to speak in
memory of $500 brave men who slept
their last sleep. He referred to the
passions which burned in the past, and
thanked God that the blood OF brothers
no longer flowed, nor was the banner
Of the blue thrown against the gray.
Having accepted the facts as they are
they met to honor those who had cover
ed themselves with glory If the music
of other lands aud flags of other nations
have power to move their hearts, then
they also could glory in the soft strains
of iMy Maryland" and look back with
pride to the cross of st. Andrew, which
had been victorious on hundred bat
tle-helds, and embalmed in the immor-
tai strains of Father Ryan. 1t was
meet then that we should decorate the
graves Of our soldier dead.
Gen. Lee spoke at length III praise OF
the dead who died for cause they held
to be inst, and had been brought to this
cemetery by loving hearts aud tender
hands, who will attend to their last
resting place. He spoke in high eulogy
of the Gems. Robt. +. Lee, Stonewall
Jackson, "Charley" W:nder, Jeb Stuart
and others whose bravery and honesty
could not be disputed. He spoke OF
them in no boastful spirit. No one re-
oognized better than he that the pre-.
servation of this Union is the life blood
of the nation, that peace and prosperity
depend upon fraterDal harmony, and
none more deprecates any spirit OF dis.
cord. But be spoke with the feeling OF
the mother whose one son fell under
the blue and the other under the gray.
Hearts On both sides suffered the same
loss, and he felt for the grief of those
who mourned over the brave soldiers
Meade and Reynolds.
Our people may not have been soon
enough accorded their rights, but his
tory shows no nation their superior.
They should still preserve their identity
as a people and hope for the future
Let us look at the bright side, for it is
the right side. He closed with most
affectionate allusion to the old soldiers
under his command and an eloquent
tribute to all the Confederate dead.
Gen. Lee was warmly applauded.
Major II. Kyd Douglas read letter
from Brevet Major General Crawford,
of the United States army, dated Cham
bersburg, Pa, June II, in which he re-
grets that sudden call to New York
would prevent his accepting an invita-
ton to attend the celebration. lie
adds: "The fields you mention upon
which fell the men whose deeds and
death you are about to commemorate
are well known to me, and would have
gone most willingly to add my testimony
to the bravery and devotion OF the gallant
| men who rest there. In their devotion 10
principle, and in their high qualities
which enabled them to die for it, they
nave TIE TcspeCt VI o'eiy WV
can"
Hon. Daniel B. Lucas, of West Virgil
MIA, read an original poem, composed ex-
pressly for the occasion.
Col. Charles Marshall, OF Baltimore,
and Hon. A. X. Boteler, of West Virginia,
who were expected to deliver addresses,
| were not able to attend.
Various airs were played by the differ
ent bands and the graves were strewed
with flowers. The choir then sang the
Farewell" arranged by MIR. Alfred
Merrick, followed by the doxology and
the benediction by Row. Walter A.
Mitchell, of Hagerstown. The ceremo-
MES closed with volley Of musketry fired
over the graves.
The mounds in the cemetery are so ar
ranged as to represent broken heart.
They are neatly turfed and marked with
the names Of States where known. The
monument has base of Richmond granite
and plinth Of brownish Aberdeen gran
lite, surmounted by statue of hope. The
whole is nineteen feet high. 1t is the
work OF A. Steinmetz, of Philadelphia,
and cost 81 ,440.
The monument was beautifully decorate
ed at its base, the words ''South Noun.
tain," "Antietam" and Gettysburg,
formed in letters of flowers. The graves
were ksN nrofusely covered.