The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-20
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DECORATION DAY.

TICN, &C.
With TIE return of each summer, during |
the last decade, one day from the season mas
been set aside sor the purpose of honoring |
those who in that fierce conflict which laid
waste this fair southern land yielded up
their life for the causeshey strived in vain to
maintain. Originating, as the custom did,
when the marks of the struggle were yet Wis
lble on every side; when the vendure OF
every hill top and plain was yet moist with
the blood of those who were laid to rest be-
meath It, and while the echoes OF the mad
shouts of victory were yet ringing IN theS
ears Of the living, it has descended sacred
trust to this day, and is observed wherever a |
little group of mounds tells where valor |
sleeps. Its observance is not as simple now,
however, nor is it as appropriate. as when |
long years ago the fair hand OF southern |
women first laid the garlanded roses on the |
sward where the reaper Death had passed. |
But it is not our province now to speak OF
ought, save to tell how the day was otserv- |
ed here, and so we turn from the dead to |
the living.
DECORATIONS, &C. |
Bedecked in her holiday attire, Staunton
presented an appearance, last Friday morn.
ing, to which the oft appealed to Coolest in- |
habitant'' would have been unable to fur
nish parallel. On Main street, particular
ly, was the spectacle an unusual one. From
Market to Water there was succession OF
flags. Great banners and pen mons were
stretched across from hOuse-top to house,
top-store fronts were decorated with mot
toes, wrought in evergreens, sestoons, flow
ern ard flags, whilst streamers OF all de-
scriptions were scattered around in the rich
est profusion. At the intersection OF New
and Main streets a magnificent square OF
evergreen, with an arch at each crossing,
supported appropriate inscriptions, and
formed pleasing relief to the wealth OF
bright flags and bunting which on every
side surrounded in. At Main and Augusta
| handsome evergreen arch was erected, in
the centre of which was the portrait OF Jack
son, and at Main and Water still more
| beautiful one, covered with hundreds OF
| flags and bright flowers, was thrown across
| the street still further west, at Main and
| Washington, in front of the Mayors resi-
| dence, was another arch of the same de-
scription, in the centre of which was life
| size picture of Jackson. Looking from Cos.
pei Hill down Main street the eye rested on
a sea Of bright colors interspersed now and
then with the more sober shade of the ever
green. Every store and house was decor
ated--some in the bright red, white and
blue, others in the solemn black and white,
whilst at others still were seen the portraits
of Lee and Jackson wreathed in cedar and
pure white lilies. The mania for decorating
was well-nigh universal, and each citizen
seemed to vie with his neighbor in seeing
who could display the handsomest. AS
might have been supposed, the general effect
was most pleasing and far surpassed any
thing of the kind ever seen in the Valley.
Nor was this the case OIL Main street alone.
Augusta from the depot to Frederick, and
New street for the same distance, presented
a similar appearance, whilst in every por-
ton of the town were traces of the contagon.
At various points, noticeably at the Virginia
Hotel and Others, the private decorations
were superb, and considering the short time
in which they were gotten up, remarkable.
| 1t is di ficuIt to convey an idea OF the taste
and attractiveness with which the streets
and houses were bedecked, but those who
visited the Centennial can imagine a section
of Chestnut street, Philadelphia, on the 4th
of July, 1876, and not be altogether out OF
| the way.
THE MILITARY.
| The morning express on the C. O. r. r.
| brought two volunteer companies-the Dam
| vile Greys and Lynchburg Light Artillery
Blues. These were welcomed at the depot
by the West Augusta Guard and Staunton
Artillery, and escorted to the Grange Hall,
which had been beautifully decorated and
specially prepared for the visiting military,
a. section, witch appropriate initials, wrought
IN evergreen, being allotted to each organi-
cation. After depositing their arms, &C.,
| the men were refreshed and allowed an op
| portunity to see the town before breakfast.
| By nine o'clock the streets were overlooking
| with country people and Others, and the
| Guard and Stonewall Band had difficulty in
| penetrating the crowd when they went to the
| depot to receive the companies from the lower
| Valley. With the arrival of the last OF three
| crowded excursion trains, containing some
| 1900 people, came the Harrisonburg Guards,
| the Anderso Guards Of Woodstock and the
/ ir!, Inf fon Vx,;fh
the Harrisonbtrs, New Market. Woodstock,
Strasburg, and Charlestown Brass Bands.
These were marched to the Grange Hall, in
front of which the procession formed, I'M
der command OF Capt. Jas. B. Burgess, with
1t Jno. -McQuade, as Adjutant, Capt. VIM.
L. Bumgardner, as General Director, Capt.
Jas. Bumgardner, Jr., Chief Marshal, and
Col. Jno. D. Lilley, Capt. Jno. N. Opie,
Capt. Lewis Hartman, Col. Il. J. Williams,
Capt. Benton Coiner, 1t. Jas. Mcfarland,
and others as assistants.
Before the march was commenced, Mayor
Balthis, from the steps Of the Grange Hall,
welcomed the guests as follows:
Officers and Soldiers, and all others uho
haze fa0ored as aoith your presence on this
Interesting occasion -
| wish to say one word-Welcome You
have come here, many of you from a con-
siderable distance, to join us in the ceremo-
MES commemorative Of the virtues of men
who answered their country's call and gave
their lives in evidence of their devotion to
duty and we are proud to greet you as men
who honor the brave. You will receive in
Staunton hearty welcome, and will find
the latch-strng of every door on the outside.
In the name of our good people, the citizens
of Staunton, extend to you most cordial
welcome.
THE PROCESSION
was very handsome and imposing. In front,
under the lead of Prof. Turner, were the
Stonewall Brigade and Strasburg Bands,
following which was the Battalion, formed
in the following order:
Anderson Guards, of Woodstock Capt.
Magruder.
Harrisonburg Guards-Lt. Donovan.
West Augusta Guard-Lt. Byers.