Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-09-28
REMEMBERED IN MARBLE !!

REMEMBERED / hARbLE!.
UNWILLING OF THE MON UMEN1
TO THE CONFEDERATE DEAD.
nsAT THRONG OF vIsITORS-GOV. FITz
LEE, 1t. GEN. JUBAL A. EARLY, MAI
GEN. THOs. L. ROssER OF VA, AND
1t. 8. t. MCCULLOUGH OF MD SPEAK
BEAUTIFUL POEM BY -ARMIsTEAD c..
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AT NIGHT.
&C., &C., sc.
On Tuesday last, the marble monument
at the Soldiers Cemetery, erected by the
Augusta Memorial Association, was un-
yelled. It is twenty-five feet high and
crowned by a life-size figure of Confeder-
ate soldier, the work of the sculptor Vic
tor Pathia of Correggio, Italy. When the
veil fell, there was spontaneous burst Of
admiration from the thrOng of spe ctators.
A full description and engraving Of it,
with a history of the Memorial Associa-
ton, was published in the INDICATOR a
few weeks ago, and it is simple act of
Justice which we know will be excepted to
by none of the many who have SO earnest.
ly aided in its erection. to say that to Col.
John D. Lilley, the originator of the idea,
Jas. N, Mcfarland, the Chairman of the
Executive Committee, and w. L. Olivier,
the Solicitor of the Association, are chief.
ly due the earnest thanks of those who
desired to see fit commemoration of the
dead who lie there.
1t is estimated that there were nearly
1000 people on the ground at the unveil-
ing. The procession which marched out
to the cemetery, was composed of the Soci-
ETY. of the Army and Navy Of the Confed-
crate States from Maryland. headed by
Capt. Claiborne; the Winchester Light In
fantry, Capt. j. A. Mutton; Anderson
Guards of Woodstock, Capt. ]. Baker;
Harrisonburg guards, Capt. o, 3. Roller;
Staunton Male Academy Cadets, Capt.
W. III. Kable; jackson Rifles of Stanton,
Capt. W. T. Tams; Stanton Artillery,
Capt. J. A. Shewey; Hibernian Catholic
Beneficial Society CT Staunton, Capt. John
McQuaide, Marshal; Newtown Hose Co.,
Capt. D. P. Bohan; Confederate veterans
and sons of veterans, under J. Alex. Bum
gardner.
The Bands in the procession, were the
Harrisonburg Cornet Band, Prof. Chas.
Elshman, leader; Charlestown, wv. Va..)
Band, Thomas Baker. leader; Union Band
of New Hope, E. Aldheizer, leader; Au-
gusta Cornet Band, Isaac N. Niswander,
leader; Spring Hill Cornet Band, Prof.
Sheets, leader; Union Band of Winches-
ter, Prof. Spur. leader, and Stonewal
Brigade Band, Prof. F. r. Webb. leader
The whole formed very handsome pro.
cession for which the Marshals were Gen
Thos L. Rosser, Chief; Capt. Thos. D.
Ransom, Chief of Staff, and Marshals A.
Fl. Fultz. J. A. Patterson, W. T. Mari
W. L. Bumgardner, j. A. Cochran and
G. A. Schoppert. In carriages in the line.
rode Gov. Lee, Gen. Jubal Early, Col. j.
81. Skinner, Col. ]. K. Edmondson OF
Rockbridge, Maj. Jed Hotchkiss and
others. On arriving at the grounds, the
speakers pagoda was occupied by the
distN1psished guests, and to it were invi
ted Mrs. M. Erskine Miller, President
and Mrs. P. H. Trout, Secretary of the
Ladies' Auxiliary, an organization tt
which much of the success which attend
ed the Monument enterprise is due.
The proceedings were opened by fitting
prayer, delivered by Rev. W. @. Hullihen
rector of Trinity Protestant Episcopa
church.
THE POEM.
Capt. G.. Julian Pratt, President of thu
Monument Association, introduced to thu
audience Mr.. A. e. Gordon, who read thu
following beautiful poem, written for The
occasion at the request of the Association
1.-THE qrief that circted his 5roavs aUiM a croaD,,
of Ho7nS aOdS also that 1OIich t0reatted them ulut
the Sptend0r of antmortdtity.'
CAsTELAR'S "SAvoNARoLA."
Where are they who marched away,
Sped with smiles that changed to tears,
Glttering lines of steel and gray
Moving down the battles way
Where are they these many years?
Garlands wreathed their shining swords;
They were girt about with cheers,
Children's lispings, womens words,
Sunshine and the songs CT BIRDS
They are gone SO many years.
10! beyond their brave array
Freedoms august dawn appears"
Thus we said: The brighter day
Breaks above that line OF gray
Where are they these many years?
All our hearts went with them there.
All our love- and all our prayers;
What of them? HOW do they fare,
They who went to } and dare
And are gone SO many years?
What of them who went away
Followed by our hopes and fears?
Drawer never marched than they,
Closer ranks to 1ercer fray.
Where are they these many years?
Borne upon the Spartan shield
Home returned that brave array
From the blood stained battlefield
They might neither win nor yield;
That is all, and here are they.
That is all. The soft sky bends
Ger them, Tapped in earth away;
Her benignest influence lends,
Dews and rains and radiance sends
Down upon them, night and DAY.
Over them the springtide weaves
All the verdure of her May;
Past them drift the sombre leaves
When the heart of Autumn grieves
Ger their slumberS-W hat care theyE
What care they, who failed to win
Guerdon of that splendid day
Fleedom's day-they saw begin,
But that. mid the battles din,
Faded in eclipse away?
All is gone for them. They gave
All for naught 1t was their way
Where hey loved. They died to save
What as lost. The fight was brave.
That is all; and here are they.
II
Is that all? Was Duty naught?
Love, and Faith made blind with tears?
What the ltssons that they taught?
What the glory that they caught