Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-06-10
PRIVATE SOLDIER
Revealed in Bronze as He was the
Hero and Patriot in Life.
CAMP or CONFEDERATE DEAD.
N the Midst Of Scenes OF Sublime South
em Valor.
HISTORIC OLD BLANDF0RD.
AGrand Programme and Parade-Gordon
MeCabe's Oratioe--Miss Lucy Lee
nm Unveils the statue.
CAMP or CONFEDERATE DEAD
HISTORIC OLD BLANDFORD.
,spsc,.l telegram to the Dispatcb.l
PrrERsnuRo. June 9. 1880.

in battle--the monument TO the Confede-
rate dead was this afternoon unveiled IN
historic old Blandford cemetery,
And what q scene 10 was-what pa
pesnt-not 20 TOO described because of the
number of those present (for this would be
easily todd but because Of the memories
that were suggested; because OF the battle
fields In e1zht. and because of the hearts
that sched and vet rejOiCed when the tan
shaft revealed the bronze figure OF the Son-
federnte private as be used 10 be seen mere
in the body in all his heroism and devotion.
. And vha. n veil went uD from the thrOat3
of theyeterans when the canvas was puiied
lway and the bronze statue stood IN pfoud
noise and in brave attitude before the eyes
Of assembled Thousands.
HISTORIC GROUND.
II was scene not soon TO be forgotten;
Dear old Blandford with her tonbs ana
vaults and myriad graves, was silent wit
ness. Marble shafts reflected the radlance
Of the June sun as it lowered IN the, west;
and graves that were exqulsiteiy adorned
with flowers all added their mute but elo-
onent tribute: and as for the future histo-
rian-why. there was a brilliant panorama
of the brave dead, whose virtues were thus
6ftipcly commemOrated. To the right
and to the left, 10 the north and TO the
south Of the monument were oattle-
grounds all eloquent now. though IN their
scarceIv. but had been believed with
blood. not ward hut had marked the life
of some gallant soldier. 1t was ballowed
ground. nor could growing wheat and corn
and clover hide the blood-spots. In easy
SIGHT of the monument IS Fort Steadlnan,
on Hare's farm, rendered memorable Tor
its capture by the Confederate troops In
the assault made by General John b. Cor
don in the last days Of the war. 1hswas
fort of immense strength and very near
The Confederate lines. The assault was one
of the most gallant in the annals of the
SIEGE. VI was successful in the capture OF
prisoners and guns, but the masses OF the
enemy beyond were so great that the Zee
bic though brave Confederate force was
compelled TO yield the advantages they
won.
"Hr1L" AND PLANTATION"
To the rioht on the line of the Jerusalem
plank-road and almost within sight OF the
eve are the sites Of the famous Forts
Hell" and Damnation the former
Confederate and the latter q Federal
STRONGHOLD famous 10y the terrible
fire of their guns. the valor OF thelr de-
TENDERS. the many lives sacrlhced ~ as
saults and defence-the Gray and the Blue.
All around Petersburg. from the river
banks on the east almost to the river-banks
on the west, are the dots OF the forts
along both lines that played important
parts in the events that finally ended II
The CAPTURE of our brave little city. just
beyond the corporate limits OF the town
on the west stands old Fort Gregg, whose
defence By the small band of gallant Mis-
sissippians was one the bravest, most
glorious, and most stubborn in the annals
Of war Just beyond is the SPOT where
General A. Z. Hill fell. But why speak OF
special spots Of interest when every rod OF
ground around the city has its incidents of
war and is historicI
To-day the lines are overgrown with
grass. and but little remains suggestive OF
the old-tlme strife save musket that may
be occasionally ploughed out of the earth:
O bullet, grapeshot. an une1ploded shell
perchance from some Federal mortar,
rusty bayonet severed from its rifle, and
the remains Of life lost here and there,
rs well a. o dismembered veteran. Yet
what sad thoughts are connected with
these grounds-what glorious and I'M
perishahle record they give Of the stern
and unfinching bravery OF the Confederate
privatesl
The lines Of the great forts are growing
more and more indlstinct. The plow IS
dwelling the old breastworks; but notwith-
standing all this there is still TO be seen the
outline of them all. easily recognizable by
those who took part in the fights around
Petersburg.
THE CRATER.
But by far the greatest emotion is stirred
nj the view of the ground and pit where
the crater fight occurred. The site NAV
be easily seen from the monument and
many a Petersburger can tell OF the mar
row escape which our people had-sleeping
npon arms as they were-when the explo-
sion occurred. Nor, according to those
who took part in the fight. should any glory
for the magnificent result be taken from
General Malone, whose brigade saved the
day under the capable direction of their
commander. The history of all these bat-
ties will be written some day, and General
Malone says. very justly asis thought here,
that he is not afraid if its verdict is hon
estly recorded A superb description of
thisengagement, however, has been written
by Colonel Gordon McCabe. who was the
orator to-day, and, rs may well be ina
gined, did entire justice TO the occasion
perfect scholar, as he is, fine soldier that
be was.
OLD BLANpFoRD CHURCH.
But to return to Blandford cemetery.
Never were ITS decorations more beautiful;
never in more perfect keeping with the
occasion which was so gloriously cele-
brated to-day. The old church, strength
ened by modern bricks and supported by
all of the appliances which modern me-
chanIsm could supply; looked beautiful IN
Its ivy-embowered seclusion. Far away as
itappeared TO be from the monument 1t
nevertheless was borne in mind by all who
attended the unveiing. In Confederate
DAYS, despite it's nearness TO the lines, no.
body can tell of the romances, the mar
riages, the troths plighted under its
shadows, the pledges made, only TO be
broken by bullet or q grape-shot, a shell
dropped into the city, or the missile OF
some sharpshooter perched in the limbs
of the trees, so plentiful near the Federal
lines. Ask some of the veterans OF the
Washington Artillery of New Orleans.
Perhaps they can tell a story about these
sentimental incidents of q rough and
rugged era. More than one OF these
glorious old war-dogs from Louisiana car
ned away BRIDE from Petersburg.
THE MONUMENT.
Surrounding the noble shaft the figure
of the Confederate soldier was to be seen
when the canvas was drawn aside-uplltt-
cd on his pedestal. right In the midst OF the
graves OF the intrepid men OF whose valor
be was the embodiment. In every quarter,
albeit he "stood four-square 10 all the
winds" this Confederate IN bronze could
not but face some memorable field of car
mage, could not but face the grave of some
fellow soldier who had died in battle.
Look at the headboards aud call the roll.
There was Louisiana and there was Mary
land--there were all the States OF the Con:
federacy. Grave after grave they oil told
State From the extreme northern bounda-
~ Of the Confederate States to its uttermost
southern limit the muster-roll might have
been called, and the response would have
been Dead on the field of battle" Ger
tainly il has been great day for Peters
burg. and greater day for the dead who
died in the cause.
The sound of drum and fife, the gather.
ing together Of veterans. the blare of the
cavalry buglers, the marshalling of the vo.
lupteer military, the crowds on the streets
and the martial music OF the bands--all
indicated an unusual event for quiet Pc
tersburg. And SO il was
BEAUTIFUL DECORATIONS.
The streets presented very attractive
appearance to-day, the decorations being
more general and elaborate than for many
years past. Every store on Sycamore street
displayed bunting. flags. and streamers
and the effect 10 certainly very handsome
Confederate flags. State flags and the Stars
and Stripes were 20 be seen on every side
while pictures OF General he were shown
in many windows festooned with appro.
pirate drapery. One Of the most original
designs was that in the windows Of dry.
goods merchant. On one side was pictured
. esmp--the pot hanging over the embers