Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-31
TEE DAY ELSEWHERE.
Decorating the Graves at the Ma
ftonaI Cemetery, Fredericksburg.

tIonaI Cemetery. Fredericksburg.
Especial telegram 70 the Dlspsich.l
FREDERICKSBURG, VA, May 30.-To-day
the graves in the National cemetery OF tins
CITY. containing the remains OF the 1928
Federas who fell in battle during 1868 aud
1864 In and around this city, were decorated
with imposing ceremonies under the auspices
OF Phil. Kearny Post, G.. A. r., No. 10, OF
Richmond. Early in the morning, despite
the lowering clouds which oVerbung the
city, the trains from Washington and Rich
mond brought large numbers OF visitors,
including n number Of Grand Army men ,
10 the city, who came to participate in the
exercises.
AZ 1880 the procession. headed by
Voelker's Band and the Fraternal Legion
Drum Corps. Of Richmond, followed by car
risVes containing the orstor, Chaplain OF tho
Post. invited guests, visiting veterans IRON
the Department OF the Potomac Post, Phll.
KearDy Post, Phil. kearny Post, No. 10, oil
Richmond. ex.Uniou soldiers, and citizens,
formed in front OF the Exchange Hotel and
paraded the principal streets, after which the
procession proceeded 10 the cemetery. Ar
rlving there the band played dIrge and the
entire procession marched In. The pr0ces.
sion then marched around the cemetery and
halted where the unknown cead are buried.
At this point a beautiful cross made oil
roses, and bearing the inscription. ITO the
unknown dead, 1863 and 1854 was brought
forward and placed on the mound situated
in the middle Of the graves OF the unknown.
Mr.. Edgar Allan tDen read beautiful
poem entitled The Unknown Dead" Al
this point the threatening clouds which had
been lowering burst in a terrific rain'storm
and stopped the proceedings.
Chief Marshal II. Deb. Clay, OF Newport
News. Va, then announced from the stand
that the assembIage would adjourn to the
courthouse, where the programme would
be completed.
At 3 o'clock the sssemblage was sgain
called to order at the courthouse by Mr.
Allan, and Or. c. II. Corey led in prayer.
Mr.. Allan then, in few but well'ch0sen re-
marks, introduced as the orator OF the day
General :. :. Burdett, Of Washington. As
General Burdett stepped forward he was
greeted with round after rouRd Of applause.
His speech was confined mainly 10 euIogizing
the Federal army, and describing their ad-
vance and retreat from this city. He paid a
glowing tribute to those who had fallen,
aud called upon the assemblage TO
forever cherish their memory, and he said
he considered the charge here one OF the
grandest and most daring ever attempted, for
il was forlorn hope aud IN his mind 1t had
been great mistake, but that he had not one
word 10 say against those brave and gallant
officers and men who had done what they
thought best. lie was frequently inter
rupted by applause. and there elIstened IN
many comrades eye tear as be spoke and
described the result Of this charge.
Music by Noelker's Band then followed,
after which CAPTAIN Jack Crawford, the poet
scout, who was under General Custer, de-
livered a beautiful and pathetic original
poem entitled Memorial Day." which at its
conclusion was loudly applauded.
Mr.. Edgar Allan, Jr., then delivered the
recitation The Nations Dead THIS con-
cluded the exercises. and before the assem-
blage was disbanded resolution was Of
iered by Mr. LOria and unanimously carried
thanking the citizens OF Fredericks ksbBrg for
their hospitality aud courlcsies and for the
use Of the courthouse and the Ladies' Con-
federate Memorial Association for hand
some floral tribute.
Prayer was offered by Chaplain Corey, and
the assemblAge adjourned.
The floral tribute TO the unknown dead
was presented by +. L. Paine, OF Richmond.
Numerous other beautiful floral tributes
were also presented by citizens OF Rich
mond, Michigan, and Massachusetts,.
Among the distinguished gentlemen
present we're: Major J. o. kerby, OF Wash
ingtOn, author OF "Generals," "The Boy
spy" and other interesting historical book ;
General A. j. Lampson. OF Colorado: Colonel
A. q. stephens, OF Washington; General II.
Deb. Clay, Of Virginia; Colonel ;. A.
Grosbner, Of Michigan, and others.