Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-05-21

OF an invitation 20 De present OF tue
s. WINCHESTER LIGHT INFANTRY,
and it is expected that other Military organiza-
items will also be in attendance.
The following Bands will be present and par
tiGipate in the ceremonies:
The Cornet Band of Winchester,
The Winchester Drum Corps,
Shcpherdstown Band,
Dufields Depot Band,
Harper's Ferry Band.
Cornet Band and Mechanics Band of Charles
At 10 o'clock, A. NJ, the Leo Memorial Associ-
alton" will hold its annual meeting at WASH
ington Hall for election of officers for the ensu-
At 10l O'Clock A. NJ. the procession will be
formed on Washington Street. where the Mill
tary organizations. other associations and the
citizens generally Vii assemble subject to the
and his aids: John T. Colston, J. c. Holmes and
George W. Henson.
Thence the procession will move to edge
will be delivered bv the
Hon. JOS G. 8. Blackburn,
Member of the House of Representatives. of the
United States from Kentucky.
Immediately after the Address the Decoration
Ceremonies Will take place. first at the Gene,
tory: and then in succession at the Episcopal
and Methodist Episcopal Church burial grounds:
The Committee respectfully suggest that all
places of business IN the town of Charlestown
be closed from 10 O'Clock, A. NJ, until after the
ceremonies.
AS year by year this hallowed day comes
round, consecrated as it is to the memory of
our noble dead; as the blooming of the flowers
brings with it this beautiful tribute to the
heroes each year the day becomes to us more
sacred, its honors filled to the very brim with
memories of the grand deeds of those who
wore the gray. Bring flowers, the fairest,
the purest, the best, to scatter on the graves
of patriots to kiss with their spotloss lips
the green turf, and rest lovingly and beau
tifully above the dead until the sunlight
kisses the flowers to their death and they
fade, leaving only their sweet perfume for
ths wind to carry on over other graves; even
as from the dead past of the sleeping soldiers
the influence of their lives is felt in all homes,
and history, forever speaking of their virtues,
shall keep our dead immortal. Let your
children bring flowers, and they kncel
down to place them on the graves, tell them
of the lives of these men tell them of the
duty of keeping forever the memory of their
lives fresh in their hearts, and with chain
of flowers bind together our country's past
and our country's future. No more beautiful
tribute can be offered to them than flowers
from the hands of children. In no other
place can the grand lesson of a sef-sacrifcing
life be learned better than here amid the
army of the dead
On the 25th of May, sixteen years ago. at
daylight, Jackson's advance force approached
the lofty hill on the southwestern side of
Winchester, and the Stonewal brigade, COM
manded by General Winder, charged and
gained possession of the heights. The defeat
Of Ranks apd tbrourb tbo stroote
OF Winchester, was the result of few hours
hot fighting. The entrance of our troops into
this noble and patriotic valley town, was as
the coming of morning after long and
stormy night. Men, women and children
thronged in crowds from the houses. Con-
Tolerate flags and white handkerchefs waved
from every window, and the glad voices of
women and children filled the air, crying,
"Thank God, we are free once more."-
Jackson. the man of iron, for once in his
career gave way to the excitement of tho hour,
and the people of Winchester remember now
the face of the christian hero as he rode
through their streets, his faded cap in hand,
and the first aud last cheer that escaped his
lips rang out so clearly above the rattle of the
musketry.
And now, with no bitterness to those who
were our enemies, we, in the sunshine of May,
come to remember and honor our dead-to
teach the world that though defeated, yet We
know that history records no grander tri-
umphs than those Of the Confederate troops.
"And their decds-proud deeds-shall remain
for
And their names-dear names-without stain
for
And the glores they won shall not wane for US:
In legend and lay
Our heroes in Gray,
Though dead-shall live over again for u.s.
Erpcr frat excursion of tho