Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-11-24
COMMUNICATED.
For the Unknown Dead"

In full view of the traveller OH the Y. NJ
Road as the train passes Manassa is a time
worn, weather-beatcn pailing fence, inclos-
ing, as the name over the entrance tells you.
"Confederatc' dead, brave men who fought,
bled and died for the cause they loved so
well; men who left crimson stains of blood
on the ground us they marched as their
shoe less feet were bruised and torn bv the
rugged rocks; men who though ragged and
halfstarved laughed and kept their bayoncts
bright. Shall such men be forgotten d? shall
their remains lie in uncaredfor, and neglect
ed graves? Surely since the close of ourun-
happy struggle there has been no object of
charity that has Il heavier claim on the
southern people than this little spot near
the battle fields of Manassa, fields on which
battles were fought, and victories won that
did as much, nay if not more, to shed un-
dying lustre on Confederate arms us any
battles Of the war. Within this inclosure
lie the remains of some whose names are IN
knoWR and ii is for these that | would spec
tally plead. Soldiers dying far from home
were given resting place here through the
efforts OF some noble southern women. Go
with me TO yon far southern home; the little
family are assembled for evening prayer,
but alas one chair is vacant and he who
| should be there, where is he? the answer
comes waited upon the gentle evening breeze,
and as listen this Is what hear: / saw the
brave southern mother kiss the fair brow
of her only son as she sees him 90
| forth to bare his young breast to the storm
that is about to break over the land they
love so Well-at first all goes well and the
mothers proud heart beats with new Joy as
she listens to the praises of her boy, but the
war RACES on, the soldier marches farther
ard farther from home, the mother hears
less frequently from her son, for midst the
hurry Of the march and preparation for bat
| Tie there Is little time for writing; weary
days come and go, there are eyes that have
gsown dim watching for the form they will
see no more, for the soldier has pitched his
tent for the last time; the next day he is at
Manassas-thc battle is fought the victory
won, but the young soldier is among the
missing and while the prayers of that moth
er are ascending to the thrown of heavenly
grace pleading for the return of her only son
the young volunteer is suffering, bleeding.
dying with no gentle hand to cool his fever
| cd brow-unknolcn, he is yielding up his
young life on Manassas bloody plains for
| the cause he deemed just and right, with
tne luSn Oh victory on his brow, in blest ig-
norance of the future, more blest even than
the waters of Lithia, Of which time gives
our souls to drink. And it is in memory of
such as he that ask your aims. Iappeal to
you Of the South with whom fortune
has dealt kindly, to contribute to the
fund for the repair and Improvement
OF these grounds: there is needed among the
many other things substantial stone fence
in place Of the dccayed wooden one to pro-
tcct the graves within from vandalism. The
ladies having this matter in charge are
making strenuous efforts to raise money
sufficient to guarantee their commencing
the work of repairs, but unless their friends
III the South come to their aid | fear it will
be yet some time before anything of conse-
qucnce can be done. | say to you Of the
South-must we forget our dead must we
hold their remains less sacred because the
flag for which they fought and died is now
forever furled, remember they
Bore the flag of their country's trust
And fought i'll II cause aS great as just
And died for you and me-
And to assist in protecting the graves OF
such IS these it is that | ask your aims.
IASMAR.
4 Inyo plrio Nov ol 1900