Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-26

through hunger and thirst and the storm of
battle than did the rebel Of 1861 3. He was
always ready for a fight or frolic. Meth
er fierce battles. hard marches, cold, hum
ger nor defeat discouraged him. He TESTED
In the camp, on the march, in the line of
battle, and even when for moment he got
a little homesick. The rebel was not a hire
lIrg, neither was he fighting for mere glory.
The best of the south went 20 the field and
lay cold and hungry in the trenches, ami
mated by patriotism as pure as ever filled
the hearts of men. They fought for the
right they saw it.
IF there was now and than a desertion,
some poor. ragged fellow going home to
help his wife in ner struggle against star
walton, the wonder is not that there was
one but that there was not more, and that
loyal men did not go home to die with their
loved ones, If they must die or live to care
for them If they were allowed to live.
I'VE are not here to revive the passions
of the past; we salute the flag of our re-
united country and join hands with the
men Of the blue, but at the same time we
hold to the memories of the days in which
We have often lived again in our dreams,
ard never regret that We fought that fight
W hich could not end as We wished.
Comrades, the shadows are frightening,
ard every year we are getting nearer the
last battlefield of earth. Ea IN year some
drop from the ranks, some fail to answer
the roll call, and the band of veterans
grows less and less.
Let US De TSduy when the marching or
ders come from above, not only to die as
brave men die, but to fall asleep as Chris
tians do at the eventide, to waken in the
brighter morning Of the land where no
shadows fall and no midnight alarms ever
come
After DIR. Williams address the choir
sang Lead, Kindly Light" which was
followed by music, during which the menu
at the base of the monument. The line
then reformed and the march to Christ
Church was commenced, the drum corps
playing sacred music. When Christ Church
was reached a quartet composed of Messrs.
Frank Field, H. K. Field, Horace Swart2
and j. F. Roberts, sang in a most touch
ing manner the hymn, abide With Me-
after which the mound, which contains
a large number CT unknown confederate
soldiers, was silently decorated with flow
ers by all the organizations in lire. Taps
were then sounded on the bugle by Mr.
Philip Briscoe and the exercises were
brought to a close.
How They Looked.
The members OF r. E. Camp in charge OF
Commander Thomas Perry, wore their gray
uniforms. SLOUGH hats and canes, aud car
ried small bouquets to place on the monu.
ment and mound. The Sons of Confederate
Veterans were in citizens dress, and Were
headed by Mr.. ]. ]. Green. The Alexandra
Light Infantry, in command of Capt
George A. Mushback, made a fine appear.
ance. They were dressed in their fatigue
uniforms. The Columbia Steam Fire En-.
CINE Company made a fine appearance, as
they always do, and were loudly cheerec
all along the line of march. They were
dressed in the regular uniforms, composed
of red shirts, trimmed with white. black
trousers and helmets. They had in line
their champion engine, which has been SC
successful in the many contests drawn by
their handsome pair of dapple grays; also
their hose wagon, drawn by Rock the
pride of the Alexandria fire department
The company was in command of Foreman
Charles Duffy, and was headed by the
Friendship Drum and Cornet Band Of this
city.