The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-07
MEMORIAL DAY.
FAIR HANDS WITH FLOWERS BE.
sTREW THE MAUsOLEUM OF
OUR DEAD.

With a cloudless sky, with the soft signing
Of q cool west wind through magnolia and
cypress, memorial day dawped upon the last
resting place of our Confederate dead on
Metairie Ridge. The first beams of the rising
sun threw roseate flush over the mound
dotted green sward of the cemeteries and
brought, as 1t were ruddy Hush ON the face
OF the marble soldier who rested on his rifle
on the monument in Greenwood Not of sad
ness, but as ii in tribute to the memory OF
the heroic dead and their noble deeds, the
hooking bird trilled out It's pearl shower OF
notes, making the air misty with It's war
bling music. The orange flower and iessa-
mine sent forth their sweetest perfumes, and
the leaves donned u brighter green as me-
mortal day was ushered In.
Before noon the first delegation of ladies'
arrived at the cemetery laden with flowers.
and the work of love began. The Confederate
taste, and beautifully did they evidence It.
Every hour brought an increase in numbers,
and at 3 o'clock the green sides of the tomb
were beds of choice flowers.
IN FRONT,
wrought of the rarest roses, stood harm of
exquisite beauty, and just beneath rested o,
large basket of pansies, violets, roses and
lilies, placed there by old comrades
battalion OF Washington Artillery. Beneath
these was a wreath Of red and white roses.
In The centre Of which was the inscription, "a
N. w." the Initials Of the Association Of the
Army of Northern Virginia, from whose
hands it came just below, resting in quiet
beauty, reposed another wreath, larger than
the other, attesting the deicacy Of the fair
hands that wrought it and the patriotic spirit
that prompted the tribute 1t came from
Miss White, the accomplished sister of Sena-
tor White
ON THE UPPER SIDE,
suspended was an anchor and cross in ever
green and red roses, and below cross of
evergreen and white roses, both from Mrs.
Ihos. Devereaux at the Boys House OF
Refuge.
On the lower side in u nest Of flowers were
laid large floral cross and q number of rich
bouquets, placed there by that generous
hearted and noble lady, Mrs. Shute.
IN THE REAR
there was a large floral heart and wreath,
and in the wreath nestled modestly in front
of Albert Sidney JohnstOn's bust Gala lily,
inet hloomed on q plant, sent by Mrs Gen
Johnston to decorate the surrounding of the
monument.
A deputation of gentlemen from the Grand
Army OF Inc hepuDllc visited confederate
monument with an offering of two handsome
baskets of flowers and bouquets, with the fol-
lowing sentiment attached.
"In Memoriam"
A Tribute to the Fallen Brave,
Joseph A. Mower, Post No. /,
Department of Louisiana,
Grand Army of the Republic.
The profusion of flowers, the presence OF the
hundreds OF Southern beauties and the memo
ries that came flocking to one OF the days of
weary marching and desperate contests made
the picture an affecting one, even though
years have passed since those who followed
the battle flag have seen Its folds.
IN THE METAIRIE
Cemetery the fifth company Of Washington
Artillery decorated the i'm posing tomb OF the
late G. FL. Slocomb, simply but most appro-
priately. In sheaf Of unripe wheat was
placed bouquet of rare exotic flowers, and
below laid floral sickle, symbolic of the early
cutting off in his prime of that gallant SOL
der and knightly gentleman. Attached was
a card with the simple words, "Our captain"
To the Ladies' Benevolent Association of
Louisiana too much praise cannot be given
for their appreciated efforts in caring for and
decorating yearly the names of our dead.
Without the blare of trumpets or heralding
abroad they perform their loving kind mis-
sion yearly.
The crowd fingered about the monument
until after sunset, and as darkness crept
on apace the place was left alone, the flowers
and the dead.