Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-05-17

Cleary and several men under him.
The latter climbed to the top of the
monument, arranged wreathes to
crown it, entwined the laurel and
cedar, spiral fashijn, round about the
shaft, placed a bouquet here and a
circle there, at proper distances to
give good effect, and when completed.
all exclaimed, "How lovely, how beau
tlful." Several of the very same la.
dies aided in this memorial work a
little over 10 years ago, labored all
through Sabbath day and night to
clothe the l54th Regiment of Tennes-
see Volunteers, ordered under their
lamented Col. Preston Smith, from this
city, to the war front on short notice,
and some of these very same ladies.
unable to complete their desires, even
by working through all of Sunday.
packed their own stockings and other
garments into the knapsacks of their
warrior sons and brothers.
THE FLORAL WORK
When completed showed bouquet or
bunch of flowers on each
soldiers grave. Several wagon
loads of foweas aud evergreeus
were required to complete it. The
base of the monument was one mass
of fragrant parti-colored floral beauty.
Many specimens were exceedingly
elaborate, and excited great admira-
tiOn. A mass of tastily arranged
blossoms, shaped like a pillow, and
with the word "Pillow" made of
violets in the centre of field of white
roses, was there in honor Of the late
Gen. Gideon j. Pillow. Another
huge pyramid Of flowers, of exquisite
beauty, lay near, with card, upon
which was written: "a Lords day
tribute to the memory Of the fallen
heroes of the south, from mother
whose son fell in the lost cause. :"
Still another, in the form Of a vacant
chair, was placed at the side Of the
monument, with card which said
In memory of Jno. G. Sibley, killed
at Richmond. We shall meet again,
but we shall miss him" Besides
these numerous other specimens were
very beautiful, and won much ad.
miration.
THE EXERCISES.
AS above remarked, the exercises
bagan promptly at four o'clock.
Sacred airs, by Arnold's band; selec-
tions from the renowned composer.
Meyerbeer, being first in order. The
band occupied the rear of the commo-
dious stand, erected in spot over
looking the slope where the confeder-
ate soldiers are buried, for the accom-
modation Of the players, the singers
the speakers, and members of the
several committees, including two
ministers of the gospel, the Rev. r.
Ii. Mabon, of the First Methodist
church, and the Rev. Geo. G. Harris
dean of st. Mary'S Episcopal Cathe-
dral. Col. Josiah Patterson occupied
a seat on the dais, as president of the
day, introducing the several persons
who figured prominently. Following
the instrumental music came hymn
Father of all, whose love profound.
Twenty voices on the stand, aided by
the throng around, joining in the
singing. Those who participated in
choral services, and had seats on the
stand were as follows. j. NJ.
Wood, P. M. Stanley, A. F.
Davis, Ben. Shenbach, Cap. Arnold,
j. H. Thompson, Mrs. Bertcby, Miss
Poston, Mrs. Sam. Watson, Miss Ed
riugton, Miss Jennie Jones, B. +.
Haller, w. W. Currie, Captain La
mont, Mrs. Foute, James Kirkland,
director and several others.
Next followed a prayer by the Rev.
Geo. G. Harris, then services according
to form of the Episcopal church; then
the hymn, Rock of Ages cleft for
me, after which Col. Patterson intro
duced Miss Lizzie Montgomery as the
young lady selected to recite a poem
written expressly for the occasion by
judge j. f. Simmons of Sardis,
Miss. Theyoung lady spoke the lines
in clear fervent and apparently un.
embarrassed manner, and was warmly
commended for her expressive enun.
citation and excellent reading. The
poem which follows is entitled
OUR DEAD COMRADES.
They are sleeping, calmly sleeping,
Wake them not to life again
Loving eyes are vigils keeping
Ger them where they long have lain.
Here, in silence and in sadness,
Come the mourners tears to shed,
N9Fi is heard a note Of gladness
Near our unf0rg0tten dead.
And at evening zephyr whispers
linger long in floating By,
Like the ech0ings Of vespers
! Qr an angels softest sigh
AZ tho toosip note of danger
went they forth without pause
Every heart. TO fear stranger