Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-10
THE DEAD HONORED.
OBSERVANCE or CONFEDERATE NE
moRIAL-pAy IN PETERSBURG.
MANY Thousands Participate In the Eser-
ciscs-The City beautifully Decorated
Grafton sf ex-Goyerncr Cameron.
fcoyre.rona.nco >, tho RIchnond Dispatcn.l

fcorrcspondence Of tho Richmond Dispstch.l
pxrrRspuna, Va, June 9.--The many
thousand graves Of Confederate soldiers
in historic old Blsndford cemetery, one OF
the most beautiful cities OF the dead in
the South, we're decorated to-day by loving
hands and patriotic hearts, and many
thousands of people assembled TO do
honor 10 the memory of the glorious he
roes who fell in defence Of our city and
State and OF the Southern Confederacy.
The anniversary Of this memorial-day is
marked By one Of the most notable events
IN the history Of the great war. IL was on the
ON OF June. 1854, that the Federal cavalry,
Commander kauir, In command OF
Che city, at that time In an almost defenceless
condition. And it was by the gaiiantry aad
bravery Of q handful Of citizens under command
Of Colonel +. II. Archer that the attacking force
was held In check, until reinforced from General
Lee's army they were driven back and COM
PEELED 70 retire. Many Of the gallant citizen re
serves wore killed, wounded, and captared, ana
the day was ever rendered memorable by their
deeds Of bravery, and was selected for AL after
time a. the one most fit on which 20 commemo-
rate the services and render tribute 10 the me-
mory Of the Confederate dead.
FoRAL TRIBUTES.
Tho services were, as usual. simple but impres-
flowers and evergreens everywhere, and old ard
young took pride IN scattering them upon the
almost unnumbered grayes-tho unknown ana
the known receiving impartial attention; Az
business In the city was closed after z ociock
that all might unite In tho sacred services, aud
aftcr that hour until the approach OF night the
city seemed almost deserted.
NORFOLK MILITARY.
The morning train from Norfolk brought NJ
four military companies OF the Fourth Virginia
regiment, the Norfolk City Guard, Captain
Marshall farrell; the Lee Rifles, OF Norfolk
Captain George W. Taylor; the Portsmouth
Rihes Lieutenant J. w. Happier, and the OLD
Dominion Guard. of Portsmouth, Captain X. r.
Warren. They were met at the depot by the
Petersburg 0rays, Captain +. X Lassiter, and
escorted 20 the armory, where lunch wa
served. Al o'clock the visiting companies were
taken 70 the Southern Hotel TO partake OF ban
quet provided by the Grays, TO which fun JUS
tlce was done.
The visiting veterans we're taken In charge by
A, p Hfii Camp entertained at heir hall on Tabt
street, and dined at the St. James Hotel
For several hours the visitors were put nj theil
ease and were given the Hospitality oil the CITY
THE PROCESSION.
At $50 o'clock the line OF march was formed OF
BollinCbrOok street, the military battalion beini
under command OF Colonel Nash, OF the Fourth
regiment, who with his staff was mounted.
The programme OF the parade embraced mos
OF the principal streets before the limo neadee
for the cemetery. The scene along the line o
march was inspiriting and imposing. The street,
we're elaborately and beautifully decorated will
buuting-the national, State, and Confederate
fiags being everywhere displayed. Ladies wayet
flags and handkerchiefs and cheers rent the al
nj nearly every point on the route. Chief-Mar
ehal Captain w X. Nichols and stan and
squad Of mounted police headed the line.
AT THE CEMETERY.
Tho scene at the cemetery where the process
eion entered was beautiful beyond description
Thousands upon thousands OF people-ladies ant
chil1rep forming q large portion-croWded IN,
grounds and assembled upon Cemetery AN
where stands tho Confederate monument =
join In the opening ceremonies and hear the al
dress OF the orator Of the day, Ex-Governor VII
liam e. Cameron. In the procession were tn
ladies OF the Memorial Association IN carriages
dirge was played by the Grays band aite
which prayer was offered by the Rev. DR.. A.
Bledsoe, OF the Methodist church
Governor Cameron's Grafton.
Ex-Governor Cameron, the orator OF IN
dAy was then introduced by Mayor Collier. lie
began with an eloquent and glowing tribute y
the ladies who inauguratet memorial-da,
twenty-five years ago and have since made tn
occasion so successful. The reason for the selec
tion Of this day. the 9th Of June, differing iron
the date In other cities, was the commemorative
OF the gallant defence OF the city made by tht
citizen soldiery, those who defended the cit!
being composed Of youths and their gray-haire'
sireS-literally stolen from the cradle and tai
grave. The Invitation to deliver the address h,
accepted as a high privilege, but ne feared ina
he would not be equal 20 do justice 70 the occa
gions
~ stand" he said, "before men who on I
ecore Of deAthless plains have wrought suci
deeds as are not shamed by any done across tn
Rubicon' or In the splendid Hundred Days o.
modern GauL What can say that VIII not Iai
tAmeiy upon ears familiar with the trumpett
can and all the spirit-stirring sounds OF battle
Many Of you have experiences and thoughts o
those perished times that none but tongue IN
spired could clOihe In language; and should
decline the task OF speaking OF your past bu
that know the ready responsiveness OF you
hearts 20 every touch upon this magic theme
SO prompt the echoes when this chord Is thrllle
that even my Impractical hand may set tn
strings In motion and wake the harp OF memor,
20 voluntary music.
THE FOREMOST NAN.
mot without purpose and without benefit ha
history embalmed the deeds Of heroism and ex
amples OF unselfish sacrifice with which, 70 thu
praise OF humanity be IL spoken, every age Q
the world has been inumined. Example !
the great power by which the youthful mind 1
led 10 virtue, and but for the pages that keel
fresh the chivalry Of a Sidney, the purity OF
Bayard, the piety Of a HavelOck, the patriotism
OF a Washington, II may be doubted whethe
even the greatness Of nature that cam
from God would have blossomed int
The full perfection Of character TIA
made our Lee the for foremost most wP man nro
come after US there will be no need 10 searc
through classic lore or medieval romance 10 nm
the models whereby men In search OF noble lii
and conquering death should shape their course
The virginian child that seeks hero needs no
as his father did 20 weave the warp OF worship
around some form by distance magnihed and b.
antiquity made sacred. FOR In this yer
land and in these very times his sires have don
the work Of giants, and have Illustrated ever
virtue that made Rome great or kept Greco
free"
WHO WORE THE GRAY.
With glowing eulogy Of the men who wor
the gray, Colonel Cameron continuing, sald
whole country. A Confederate soldier pro
nounced the other day the most eloquent eulogl
ever paid 70 the memory Of General Grant
only few weeks before the bell tolled his owl
funeral knoll our Scared old chieftain, Jos
Johnston, boreithe pail above the remains o
his old-tlme adversary, Sherman Last Thurs
day IN Norfolk j saw veterans Of the Fedora
army joining with our people TO do honor 70 the
Confederate dead.
NOT sHED IN VAIN.
"And when NJ last the haven OF honest pros
perity and genuine liberty and cordial union hs
been reached, the genius Of America shall hove
contented above our land and say TO those Wit
fell for faith and right, whether for Maine o
Georgia, Your blood has not been spent Il
vain. IL has been the cement Of the perfec
arch
And peace shall hail your warriors
And crown your work divine,
And your name all aname
With glory molly won,
Shall live till hlstorys voice be mute
And freedoms life Is dono.'"
Governor CAmerons eloquent speech was en-
Enthusiastically applauded, and his perOratiol
brought out round Of hearty cheers.
At the conclusion Of the address a beautifu
ode was sung by the assemblage, " Let US gathe
meath the Laurels," after which followed an al
tillory and musketry salute, and the decoration
Of the graves, and the services we're ended.
6LAcKseURG'S COMMENCEMENT.
Tho Baecalaureate Sermon by Rev. ID
j. Y. Fair-Arrival of Visitors.