Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-24
GEN. sUMTERs GRAVE.
Unmarked by Monument, Save One
Reared by Natures Hand.

From the Charleston Nelos and Courier.
About the middle country of South
Carolina is a neighbOrhoOd called Estates
burg,7 or the "High Hill of Santee." The
people are quiet, and seldom bring their
little neighborhOod into the notice of the
public by any act of theirs.
There is a subdued air Of hushed life
about the place, like "some hidden brook
in the leafy month of June" an air Of
repOse like an Old World village nest
ling among the hills. There in this
beautiful spot. almost unknown to the
people Of Carolina, Gen. Sumter, Of Rev.
dictionary fame, made his home, and
there his headquarters; and there in the
river swamps that lie at the foot of the
hills that rear their heads TO the clouds,
the Swamp Fox marion" laid his plans
and watched to spring upon his prey;
and there, "after life's fitful fever" sleeps
Gen. Sumter. 1 wish that my pen were
dipped in magic ink, that l might paint
the place. Back of his home he rests on
one of the highest hills that lift their
crest in the "High Hills Of Santee."
Among a dense grove Of mock
orange trees that crown the summit his
daughter-in-law, Of French origin. had
built chapel. tiny brick building with
Gothic roof of French tiles, and just
outside are q number of graves - no
stones TO mark or tell one from another
three mounds of earth in the dense shade
of the whispering trees; only the winds
voice sounds there, and the soft rustic
OF the falling leaves; the squirrels laugh
and chatter undlsturbed as the eircling
wears wheel by. No stone TO mark the
spot where the dead hero sleeps! But
nature honors her noble son, and above
one mound tree taller than its fellows
lifts its head. and about its trunk That
''rare old plant, the ivy green," wraps its
arms and dToops its long sprays over the
silent grave.
And this is where Gen. Sumter sleeps.
His son and daughter-in-law lie under the
stones inside the little chapel, ana MS
great-grandsOns rest on either side OF him
outside. The grandeur Of nature seems
10 lend her proves 20 make fitting
place for our country's noble son 20 await
the Archangels call. At one time be
owned thousands Of acres, and now SIX
feet of earth is all he claims. Once he
owned the homage OF nation, ana
now ne lies out on a lonely hill-hls grave
unknown, his fate untold. Has our
nation Forgotten 10 be grateiulF rave
Me people that would make hero ofdead
Crr,st ffprpnttanr ~ the grand cid man, who,
in a time that tried mems souls, stood
first and foremost In noble deeds? II
is not strange that the North should
fofe6t on but aside tho thought OF him,
but the soutn has yet a duty un-
fulfilled. vet a tribute Of gratitude 70
pay, True, the fort that bears his name
stands, and ever will stand, monument
10 him, and yet there hangs aoout the
grave OF deadvalor an interest that Is
disnnct. Tbere the thinking mind loves
"a stand and muse on the past 0nd the
mystery In which God himself has seen
dt 10, wrap the dead, and there the hero
worshiper loves 20 go TO gaze on the
silent mound OF earth. Let us not l0r-
eet our pBBle dead, but honor even the
clav Of him Who was his cOuntry's pride
M life. aud now should be its care. do
NOT hone 10 even give my reader an idea
Of how beautiiulg yet how neglected, Is
the spot, bat should feel mere tn is.il. te,
maid IN n should bring 10 the attention OF
even A few OF our thinking people tne
honor and respect due 20 Gen. sumters
grave. "