Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-06-14
Decoration Day at Winchester.

decoration of the Confederate graves 10
Stonewall Cemetery was observed. The
day was pleasant, the h0ral offerings
beautiful and abundant aud the graves
deliberately decorated. The parade which
was formed on Market street was a c7edi-
table one, and was under the charge Of
Mr.. Oscsr Barr, as chief marshall with
Hon. r. I. Barton and Chas. w. Mcvcar
as aides. The first division comprised
the military companies of Woodstock and
Toms Brook, Capts. Msgruder and
Fleming. The second division comprised
Chapel Grove band, carriages, Gen
Turner Ashby Camp of Confederate
Veterans, of Winchester and StoVer Camp,
of Strasburg, The third divis ion com
prlsed the Winchester band and Fire
Companies.
On arriving at the cemetery Capt. JnO.
J. Williams announced the programme
Rev. DR.. John P. Hyde made the opening
prayer. After excellent music by the
Friendship Military Band, Rev. DR..
Stephenson, of this place, delivered an
eloquent address upon the theme THE
Character of the Confederate Soldier"
DR.. Stephenson had been aprivate in that
celebrated command, the Washington
Artillery, of New Orleans, and served
with that portion of the battalion attach
ed to the Western army. He discussed in
an able and eloquent manner the kind
and character of men that composed the
Confederate rank and file. They were,
as a rule, young men; they were repre-
sentative men. all classes and conditions
of society we're found IN the ranks of the
Confederate army. The war wave which
swept over the South embraced all classes,
and the most prominent and wealthy
families of our land were represented in
the ranks of our army.
Ii was an American army. While other
nations we're not without representatives
our army was as whole, an American
army They were men OF one race and
one blood.
They were intelligent men. Many Of
them went from the colleges and the
learned professions to the ranks.
They were not mercenaries. They were
not attracted by large bounties and large
pay to fight for cause In which their
hearts and sympathies were net enlisted O..
They were, as a class, upright men.
They were soldielly men. You could not
make a mac blue of the Confederate soldier
there was too uCh of The an in him.
They were not punde rs and marauders.
Even when in the enemy's country. they
we're distinguished by their respect tor
the rights of private citizens
There was an elasticity of spirit in the
Confederate soldier that could not be
broken, even under the hardships and
sufierings to which he was 50 often sub
iected.
Another important characteristic of the
Confederate soldier was his courage. 1t
was personal and independent. 1t did
not depend upon discipline or upon the
courage of his officers.
Their courage rose in countless instances
to grandest heroism-heroism indeed
true herosm, common thing among the
men of the ranks.
Such were the "men of the rank"-the
men who made the rank and file of the
COME rate army. No wonder they were
called by one of their enemies "Incompar
able"
Sleep on brave men, ye did not live in
vain,
Ye did not die IN vain
Ye yet shall live again,
Live in the hearts of your country men
Live 10 the Memorial Days aud monu-
ments of your grateful sons and daughters
Live in the pages of impartial history.
Live IN the respect and admiration Of
your former foes.
In spite of tie heat, the old soldi er'
stood around and listened attentiyely t.
the 81 eech so eloquently delivered for
full three quarters of an hour One Of then
remarked tLat he loved to hear a mar
who "had been there" speak.
After the decoration of the graves, the
military and camps marched back to towr
and were made the guests of the people
and camp of Winchester, with all tha'
that means. The old soldiers like to g
to Winchester where a royal welcome al
ways awaits them.
One of the most attractive features o.
he parade was the appearance of th'
daughters of Confederate Veterans o
Woodstock who marched in the ranks o
the military company in alternate fOurs
They were the recipients OF much at
tenton and we're repeatedly cheere'
alon g the line of march.