The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-05-11
!. LOCAL MATTERS.

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ANNUAL Decoration OF THE SOLDIERS
GRAVES IN UAKwooD CEMETERY.-More
than IL, 900 bodies OF the men who fought
in the ranks OF the armies OF the CoDfede
rate States lie buried under the sod Of Oak
wood Cemetery. For several years it hal
been the custom Of the ladies composing
the Memorial Association connected with
this burial-place to meet on the 10th OF May
the anniversary OF the death OF Stonewal
Jackson, to strew flowers on the graves oi
those who died in the defence OF their coln.
try.
This idea OF these memorial associations
was inaugnrated in this city, and was first
suggested through the columns of this pa.
per. 1t was at once adopted by The fail
ladies Of the South, and afterwards by the
National Government, who have made the
day on which it Is observed in the Federal
cemeteries national holiday.
Yesterday morning broke on us fair and
beautiful. The cir was pure and balmy, in
viting ali to a work at once pleasing and
commemorative. at an early hour-in.
deed, soon after sunrise-fair hands were
engaged in strewing flowers, which had
been previously prepared, over the graves
in the soldiers section, and by the time the
mounds had been decorated with brigh,
bouquets and wreathes Of white Or ever.
green.
A slight shower OF rain about II O'Clock
In the morning and the dark and threaten
ing appearance OF the clouds for several
hours, no doubt kept many from lending
their aid in the earlier portion OF the day,
but 1t is estimated that during the day as
many visited the grounds as on previous
occasions.
But little rain fell, however, as the clouds
passed of, and the sun again shone brightly.
We notice the following as among the
striking features Of the occasion yesterday
Att the entrance Of the cemetery, just inside
Of the gate, is seen Confederate battle
flag draped in mourning, bearing the in.
scription: The Confederate Dead Heroes
at Oakwood Cemetery, by j. E. F., of Ma
homes Brigade" Surrounding the flag are
bouquets and wreaths Of flowers.
The graves of R. Ryland Smith and Lieu
tenant John r. Bradley, formerly of this
city, were profusely decorated with ever
green and beautiful flowers OF every de-
scription. These graves are side by side.
From an arch which extends over them is
suspended the following inscription
"Their lives they gave our homes to save.
Called by country and God. Company A,
Fifteenth Virginia regiment"
The granite monument erected by the
ladies OF this Association to the memory Of
the Confederate soldiers was also decorated.
The iron railing surrounding is festooned
with arborvit;e and white roses-the base
covered with bouquets.
The ladies desire us to return their hearty
thanks to many friends who sent them Of
ferings Of flowers, especially to Mrs. Drew
ry, OF Westover; Mrs. Douthat, of VIVA
noke; and Mrs. Petit, OF Sandy Point,
who sent their tributes through Captain
Clifford, OF the steamer Ariel.
Towards night many of the visitors left,
and the avenues leading to the cemetery
were filed with returning pedestrians and
all manner Of vehicles bringing the visitors
into the city. The sun went down in fiery
field OF red--ft emblem OF the dying hours
Of many of the brave spirits whose last rest
ing-place had been this day honored-the
shades OF evening fell slowly down, and
soon naught was Heard in the "silent city
of the dead' save the distant rumbling OF
the wheels and the eyer-mournful sound OF
the river rs its waters break over the falls.
The AMERICAN BIBLE SoCIETY.-This
great catholic Institution, representing all
Protestant churches in America, will hold
its siXty-second anniversary meeting in St.
Paul's church, in this city, on Sunday the
10Th instant at P. NJ.
The American Bible Society, organized
in 1916, has already printed and distributed
over 100000 copies of the Scriptures.
Over so, 900, 900 copies have gone to supply
the destitution in our own land. Through
it's agencies more than 100000 families
have been visited during the last ten years,
41S, ,225 destitute families have been supplied
with the Bible, besides 315,279 individuals
and 1851 Sabbath schools.
During the last six and half years this
generous Society has aided the Virginia
Bible Society in canvassing and supplying
the destitute families OF the State to the
amount Of about S25,000. Approaching the
generous kindness Of this noble institution.
its friends in this city will give its repre-.
sentatives cordial greeting at this first
anniversary meeting in our city.
The exercises will be unusually interest
ing. DR.. Minnigerodc will have the bes
musical talent in the city in his choir for tho
occasion.
Rev. DR.. Hoge, president Of the Virginit
Bible Society, will deliver the address o.
welcome. w. H. Allen, LII. d., presiden
OF Girard College, Philadelphia, and presi
dent OF the American Bible Society, vii
respond.
Hall, OF New York, and Rev. DR.. Gran
berry, of Vanderbilt University, and by
one Of the secretaries OF the American Blbl'
Society.
The Christian public and all friends O.
the Bible cause are most cordially invited
to attend.
There will be mass Bible meeting in st
Johns Episcopal church Sunday night at
O'Clock. -e. -
Late last night DR.. Hoge received lettel
from the Rev. Dr. Hall, of New York, Civ
ing the painful information that in conse
onence of the death OF Alexander Van
Renssaeler, ESQ.,, and OF the funeral services
which were to be held on Saturday, DR.
Hall would not be able to attend the ami
yersary meeting of the American Bible SO
ciety to be held in this citNon Sunday next
DIR, Hall expresses his deep regret at tn
necessity of having to write letter de
clining to come to Richmond just on tn
eve OF o visit which he had been anticl
pating with so much pleasure.
DR.. Allen, the president of the American
| BibIe Society, will be here, and other dis
tinguished speakers from distance.
Heavy SHIPMENT OF COAL FROM TH
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO WHARvEs.-1n orde
to accommodate the large increase OF ton
mage on the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad
and the very great demand for virginia gas
Goals in the North, General W. G. Wlckhar
has chartered, and Mr.. L. Bremond, gene
raj shipping agent, is now loading, tn
schooner-barge Manhattan, OF l,o0o ION
capacity, with coal. This is the larges