Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-06-09

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WINCHESTER, VA, June q.
The twelfth annual Strewing Of the graves
Of the DEAD Confederate soldiers in Stonewal
Cemetery took place here to-day, aud both in
the numbers in attendance and the elaborate
hess a tire display, far surpassed any Of its
predecessors, thus attesting that Tire interest in
this beautiful and impressive castom Is in
crcasing
At o'clock an excursion train. composed Of
twelve coaches, arrived from Martnsburg, w.
Va, and intermediate points, closely packed
with passengers inciu1ing the Berkeley Light
Infantry, Capt. Charles ). Faulkner, Jr., Il
men, rdnk aud Gle, sud composed about equal
~ of OK Confederate aud Union soldiers, head
el by the MartinSburg Irass Band. \ few
minutes later excursion trains, composed Of
,wcnty-sx passenger coaches, arrived from
Staunton, Va, and intermediate points, bring
ing amongst Others two fine military compa-
uics from Staunton-the West Augusta Guard,
Capt Bumgardncr, IS men, and the Stsunton
Artillery. Capt Alexander Fultz, G3 men ara
four rifed guns, headed by the Stonewall Band
a famous Confederate corps Of musicians. The
trains thus added about 1000 people to the
crowd participating in the exercises, which
in all numbered 5000 or 5000, aud which
would doubtless have been larger but for the
threatening weather.
At 10 O'Clock the procession formed on Mar
kct street in the following order under the
marshalship Of Col. l.. Z Moore, III the alb
scnce Of Gen. 4. L, Fauuteroy, who had been
named as marshal:
First Dirisien-C Chief Marshal, MAJOR S J.
c. Moore.-Stonewall Brigade Baud, West
Augusta Guard Martinsburg Band, Berkeley
Light Infantry. Stanton Artillery
Second Dtctsica-Chirt Marshal. Capt II.
NJ. Brent ,-Mayor, aldermen and common
council, orator, clergy aud invited guests in
carriages, the CharleStUwn Mechanics Band,
ex-COufederatc soldiers, associations of ladies,
schools aud other organizations Of citizens
Ihird DiriSiOR-Chief Marshal, Capt. J. \.
Nulton.-lhc CharleStown Brass Coruct Band,
the fire department Of Winchester in uniform,
including the Union, Friendship aud Sara Zane
fire companies, aud a newly organized hook
and ladder company.
The procession was nearly q mile in length,
and US It proceeded through the various streets,
the sidewalks of which were throngcl, pre-
scented a splendid appearance the bright uni
forms and SOldierly movements Of the military
GllllllltE IN lItSoiplo VI hNlllIdtlbu. AliOlutI
attractive feature was the hundreds Of school
children, dressed mostly in white, and carry
ing their floral tributes sud miniature banners.
The firemcn, too. were in their best attire
They were on, in full Accommodating over
2O0-und their engines and truck were deco
rated deliberately, presenting an appearance
which reflected great credit upon them.
The procession passed through Mount He
bron Cemetery, aud when it emerged into the
open space beyond the bands struck up lu-
neral march, and the soldiers marched with
arms reversed, whilst the Staunton Artillery
wheeled into position aud fired salute Of thir-
teen guns.
The Stonewall Cemetery being reached the
thousands bearing iloral tributes proceeded to
bcstow them on such graves as affection die
tated. But this labor of love had been autici-
pated by the efficient lady committees assigned
TO see 10 the decoration of each lot, for during
,ho day previous aud tho early morning they
had with great taste garlanded the headbOarls
Of every grave in the burial ground, whilst the
columns marking the lots of the various States
were dccked with flowers worked into elabo-
rate designs, in addition TO which the Union
and State flags. iutertwncd doatcd from several
Of the shafts. Among the graves most clabo-
rately decorated with flowers, etc, were those
Of the brothers AShby, Col Thomas Marshall
ahd Major james w. Thomson.
CEREMONIES AT THE STAND.
Az the conclusion of the flower Strewiug the
crowd gathered around the stand from which
the speaking took place, and upon which were
seated 4 number OF distinguished guests, inclu-
dug the orator Of the day, Hon. \. r. Boteler,
Of w. Va. The OK, rcises at the stand were
opened by the singing by choir Of trained
voices of the dirge to Ashby, written 10y Mrs
Margaret J Preston, of Lexington, Va.
The Rev. Samuel Rodgers, OF the NJ. +.
Church South, then offered brief but imprc.
siyo prayer appropriate TO The occasisu. This
was followed 10y music by the Stoucwall band,
led by Prof \. j. Turner, after which Gen.
James II. Williams, of Winchester read the
report OF the executive committee Of the Stouc-
wall Cemetery Association.
Gen. Williams followed the reading Of the
report with warm culoSium upon The women
Of Winchester and surrounding country for
their successful labor in procuring this bcauti
ful city for the soldier dead. lie stated that
upon the four sides Of the column TO tc placed
over the unknown graves were 10 be placed in
bronze, first. the figure of an infautryman
second, a cayaiIymau third, an Grtillerist,
aud fourth, the Il cure Of female spending the
night upon battlefield, seated upon the
ground, supporting the sinking form Of dcs-
pcratcly wounded Confederate soldier This
interesting wax picture will be taken from real
life, the heroine being Miss Tillie Russell, a
highly-estccmod young lady Of Winchester,
Va. This picture has already been placed Oh
canvass by Mr.. Oregon Wils,u, well-knowu
painter
Gen. Williams closed his remarks with an
earnest appeal for funds in aid Of the monu-
meut schcmc, and at its conclusion collection
was taken up. which yielded a considerable
SUN.
The Orator Of tue Day, Hon Alex. r. Bote-
Ter. followed in an exquisite address, aud we
regret our Inability to give even a synopsis of
it. Suffice to say it was replete with au clo-
quence that was inspiring aud pathos "to
start tear.
The b. x O. r. L. furnished under the
general direction If Mai }. II. Ayerill, admi-
rablc accommodations for the thousands who
were transported rapidly aud safely, aud we
observed that some Of the best railroad ncu
were detailed for the special service, among
them Maj Bond, Asst S. Of T., T. L. Smith,
Ast at Winchester, Capts. John c. Smith,
Newport, Dryer, &c The visiting military
aud musicians were the guests Of the Commit