The National tribune., 1895-07-04
EDTToH's CHAT.
Memorial pay in Historic Tennessee.
wurur FOURTEEN THOUSAND SLEEP.

appeal more touchnglv TO those who recall the
terrible times Of lS6I-'65. than the following
girlish account of the decoration of soldiers
graves IN the National Cemetery at Chat
tanooca, written by a c. C. member.
1t was with the same young, hopeful eyes our
hero boys looked upon the towering Tennessee
mountains, with smiling valleys and dimpling
streams between, when suddenly the scream of
the bugle and the sullen growls of the rever-
berating cannon summoned them 10 The terri
bic conflict Of arms, TO snperbuman exploits for
the dear old flag-alas too often 10 a soldiers
unknown grave.
They fell but not In vain. or how eonld this
tender-hearted c. T. girl sit down IN holy calm
in the sweet days OF distaDSS Spring 10 recount
the gentle deeds that are done in their namep
How, indeed, had not their speculative pat
riotism won for their country UNITY and peace
from shore to shore. from mountain TO mount
ain. from valley TO valley; the unity and peace
of Union, one and inseparable now and for
ever2
MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS AFTER.
By Lotsa Uuiie Auonddle. Tenn
In the hue Of the upper deep here and there
o white cloud foated like a foam-cap plllowed
on old oceans heaving breast.
food or golden sunlight bathed valley and
hill. The valley smiled again. while the river
in the midst OF il glisiene6 like chain Of
polished silver.
The lesser hills seemed somewhat responsive
10 Natures warm smile; hut with their brows
wrapped in a blue haze StOpd the mountains
Lookout and Waden's Ridge.
Always sullen ia appearance, when the sur
rounding country is full or light and life. these
mountains seem to irown and draw more closely
about them their baZy draperies.
A gentle breeze tanned the brows of the peo-
pie who were assembled in tie National Gene
terry on this fair Memorial Day 10 show that the
memory OF The fallen patriots is cherished in
trne and grateful hearts.
With what mingled feelings did pass through
that fine stone gateway and stand for the first
time in this air city OF the Nations dead. No,
Twill not cali il city. 1t is rather like great
empire where Death walks alone among the
many groups OF silent tents.
The graves are arranged Ia groups. called
sections, and these sections form "A broken
circle around the base Of a natural mound or
small hill.
On the summit of this small Hill is a speakers
stand and near il the dear old Tag, around
which my father and his brothers. your father
and your brothers rallied in tie dark days OF
'6l trailed az haii-msst.
know tina; none of nay kindred repose here,
but DO not know how many of these low y
beds their hands helped 10 make for fallen COM
rades: Tor WITH Thomas and Sherman they
charged the foe on Missionary Ridge.
Seated on the SOFT grass ] listened TO the
ORATOR, which WIS pronounced tiy Bishop
Joice. and / wish that every veteran who
has come to feel that she private soldier is
neglected aud receives no credit for his long
years of hard serv ice could have heard that ao-
dress.
From beginning to finish it was Plea for
q loyal people. the culogy or the spirit that
caused men TO leave not oBly the pleasant pur-
suits of peace, hut to leave their fresiaes un-
protected, and g. 10 the defense OF country and
conntry's honor.
When the service ended the assembly
dispersed. Those detailed TO strew the flowers
the graves went about their beautiful
labor OF love.
The graves that saw as came up the slope
from the gate TO the s9eaker's stand were
marked each with marble slab, having on its
face the name OF the soldier who rcsls there,
The name Of the State from which lie vouu-
ieered. and the number of the tomb. Some of
the numbers arc sadly large. Nearly 1A,ooo of
the brave boys ia blue are buried here.
When the rays Of the descending sun
strcamed aslaut under the branches of the
giant trees tAat stand md spread their arms
above the silent army rs though 10 shelter the
sleepers. ] found myself bciore section IN
which the graves were marked not ty Stats OF
marble bni br marble blocks. which bore only
the numbers 81 the tombs. Standing before
one of these lille blocks M. heart read what
the stone revealed not 10 the eye.
Raising my eyes. i saw many other sections
Of these blocks, seeming so mute. yet SO elo-
ouent. Mate IN that they bore npon their
fronts no hcro's name, who died that the Ma
Iion might live; name OF loyal state which
gave Der son. that Liberty might have added
10 her bright crown one priceless gem.
IN this same fact are they eloquent. Each
stone tells how soldier was found dead On the
field, with nothing about his person TO SHOW
his name nativity.
The sunheams, reflected from the surfaces Of
these little gray stones reveal 10 the active
fancy sad. sad pictures.
Far away among the Northern hills mother
with wan. pale face. aud eyes weary with watch
ing. waits the return Of her siaiwart son. who
Is 10 be the support Of her declining years
When the smoke has rolled mp out Of this Souib b.
ern valley. this rude grave is made and her
boy is asleep.
Could that mother but know this. the blow
wond be heavy. hut the suspense would he
ended. Bat when on the wings OF the light
ming the news Of this battle Few northward,
that mother sought in vain 10 know the fate Of
her soldier boy.
his name. Missing" oh what uncer-
tainiy! What might not that word mean. So
she waited aud hoped tiil hope long deferred
made The hesrt sick. Years passed The war
ended. and many mothers were made glad by
the return 1T their sons while the grief of
coming Of her neighhurp' sons In their coats OF
blue. reminded her that meath the low. green
curtain that never more shall outward swing F"
her once bonny boy IS lying. still and cold.
But the mother who was leit in uncertainty
what OF her? She looked aud longed for the
coming OF her boy, fearing. dcsparing. yet
hoping again. tili tie light of this world faded
out OF the tired eyes aud she. too. WAS asleep
Thus waited wives for their husbands aud
children for their fathers anxious and unrer.
tain ever, till Death aud called them
home, we hope TO fud the vigil ended, the
iost found.
c. C. GIRLS AT THE FRONT.
c. c. girls are fast coming TO the front.
Matte T. Elliot and O. Edith Dickey are Eli.
ing the Offices Of Secretary and Treasurer OF
the Department Of Indiana. and Cad NJ. kepner
was good second in the election for Depart
ment Treasurer Of Iowa, there being four cam
cidstes ia the field.
Best wishes TO those who are In the harness
and may Sister Cad come out fast next time.
AL expect TO be at the Louisville Reunion.
HAPPY HOUSEHOLD.