The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-04-29
IN OAKLAND's SOD.
The Ashes of Mrs. John Miliedge Sleep I'm
der n Mound of IIOwers.

Beneath n fragrant mound of April flow
ers on which the tear drops or the olu
confederate soldiers glistened in the slant
ing RAYS of the evening sun, the mortal duot
oG Mrs John Milledge was left IN the 81
lent Keeping OF Oakland cemetery oa'ur-
day afternoon.
Hundreds of sorrowing friends stood rev
erontly about the open grave and listened
TO the last sad words that were spoken over
the lifelcss form of one whose life was the
embodiment of love for the confederate
soldier.
The lot in which Mrs. Miledge will rest
until the angel of thes resurrection SOUNDS
the trumpet that will rouse the pale dream
ers from their long sleep IS one that mas
always been sacred to the confederate dead
1t was purchased by Mr.. Miledge from the
Ladies' Memorial Association and the last
stroke of her pen was TO sign a check that
conveyed TO her the beautiful lot on "hlch
the flowers of love were sprinkled yesterday
afternoon.
The grave was decorated by special
committee of the Ladies' Memorial Associa-
ton and the flowers for this purpose were
cullcd by them from that part of the Gem
etery I'm which the confederate soldiers were
buried
The bottom of the grave was covered
with gray moss and the sides were trimmed
i'm green and white, emblematic of the puri-
" and sweetness of the gentle lite that
would be forever folded in their embrace.
IT was more like u fragrant couch designer
for beautiful dreams than cold receptacle
that implied the cruel isolation of death.
Mrs. MiIIcdise's Devotion.
The devotion of rs. MilledGe TO The
cause of keeping green the memory of the
confederate soldier will never be forgotten.
Several years ago Mr. j. u. Carter, who
attended the funeral of Mr.. Davis, as Il
representative of the Confederate Veterans
a of T.
tie souvenirs from his grave, and these
were presented to the memorial association.
I'm response he received the following beau
tiruI letter from Mrs. Milledge, and as
showing the spirit that characterized TINS
gentle lady the letter is reproduced in fun;
"Mr. ). ID. Carter: My Dear Sir-I have
been trying to think how ! can give you an
IDEA of how very grateful ] am to you for
the gift Of these mementoes of our late
president, jefferson DAVIS.
an my girlhood during the war, l lived
i'm Richmond. Va, and was present at the
inauguration of President Davis and met
him personally i'm his own nome ana wor-
shipped God Sunday after Sunday in the
same church and very near 10 him. l have
always admired him greatiy and never so
greatly MS in his days OF adversely, after
failure blasted all our prospects
what little ! have been able TO do to
keep alive the memory Of these poor sol
not deserve either thanks or praise for it..
/ wish. from the bottom of my heart.
though, that there were more to echo the
sentiments YOU express There would not
now he so many countless graves in oak
land ana elsewhere, unknown We have
thousands of names of men who died in the
hospital here in Atlanta ana were buried in
Oakland. and yet the graves of only about
nine hundred can be identified. The rest
time has plotted out. There was no money
even to keep the wooden headhoards in
place for years past. until recently our city
council appropriated 5000 year for ten
wears TO the confederate cemetery, ana
thc veterans fair has given us the means
TO order the marble headstones.
Ell deserve no credit for caring for them.
VI the members Of our community who have
uerSsteutly snecrcd at this work for years
past had been in Richmond Va, as ! was,
when General Lee surrendered, and heard
the wall that went up from the poor fell
lows on the cots i'm the hospitals there
men MANNED ana blasted for lifo-'all for
nothing they would have felt as l have
felt That the least we could do was not to
| forget them.
1.-The flowers are beautifully pressed, ana
they ana the bunting from the bier viii
bee priced by both my husband and myself
AS long as we live.
"Wiih many thanks for giving me this
qualification believe mo. most sincerely
yours. FANNY c.. MILLEDGE.
March 20. 1880"
The spirit that breathes in this letter
characterized the life and labor of Mrs.
Niilclgo ana her memory will always be
green ia the hearts of those who honor the
hcroism Of the confederate dead.