Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-11-20
Fell in Early's Raid,

| Sot'y uCuiOIdUle TAU, July 10, lOOf uc
monument erected to perpetuate the memory
OF the gallant wearers Of the gray, who push
ed on to Washington and their death during
the last summer OF the civil war, is at Grace
Church, about nine miles from Washington,
on the Brookeville pike, over which Early
marched with his army.
These Confederate dead fell in close
proximity to Silver Spring, where Early's
army was turned back, and though they
have lain unknown and neglected for thirty
years, their remains were, about year ago,
gathered together through the efforts of the
Confederate Veterans Association of Wash.
ington and of this county, and inferred in
a single grave in Grace Church Cemetery
Saturday, before 500 spectators, veterans of
both causes, plain granite shaft was un.
yelled over this single grave.
A strong delegation from the local Con-
federate Veterans Association left Wash.
ington at 1890 o'clock to conduct the un.
yelling exercises. AT Woodsde station sew
eral hundred of the county people were as
sembled to meet them, besides a committee
from Rdgley Brown Camp, of Rockville,
and from the station marched to the GENE
terry, headed by Weber's band, where at $50
o'clock the exercises were held over the
grave.
Capt X. Byrd Lewis, of the Washington
Association, presided and conducted the
exercises, which were opened with prayer
by Rev. Mr., Mead, of this county. Capt.
Lewis then made a few remarks illustrative
OF the efforts undertaken to mark the spot
where He'll the advance guard of the Con-
iederate army that came the closest to Wash.
ington during the war. He detailed how
money had been subscribed by both the
Rockville and Washington camps, and how
the remains of the dead had been collected
by Rev. Jas b. Avirett, former rector OF the
parish in conjunction with the Confederate
veterans. He was followed by Mr.. Magnus
S, Thompson, who read General Orders, No.
8, the last ever issued by Gen. Robert E.
Lee, known as his farewell address to the
Army of Northern Virginia. "The Bivouac
OF the Dead" was then recited by three
young ladies of this county, Misses Laura
Ray, Bessie Cashel and Lottie Jones.
A letter was read from Gen. William II.
Cox, who commanded the brigade to which
these seventeen men belonged, and who re-
GREETED his inability to be present. The let
ter was addressed to Capt II. Holland, of
Maryland, who was an aide de camp on
Gen. Cox's staff, and was in part as follows
Your kind work enlisted the more inter.
est from ne, as know among the unknown
dead cared for were members OF my com
mand. AS member Of my staff, you will
recall the fact that Rhodes division was in
the van, in the advance on Washington
The hottest engagement and the nearest APP
proach to the city was made ny members oi
my brigade. On the day preceding the
night Of Early's retreat my loss was severe,
but | am unable to state it with accuracy.
You suggest it was about sixty; you may be
correct, Rhodes division consisted oil Civ.
ems and Cox's North Carolinians, Cookies
Georgians, and Battles Alabamians.
"My impression is that my headquarters
were in an uuoccupied frame dwelling, sur
rounded by beautiful oak grove, nearly
opposite the residence OF the Hon Mont
gomery Blair. remember soon alter go
ing into camp hearing that this residence
was being plundered. sent guard for
its protection, which remained on duty un-
til relieved by my orders through you, on
the night OF our retreat. Soon thereafter
the Blair residence was fired, accidentally,
as is supposed, by straggers and camp FOL
lowers, who were engaged in plundering
This confiagration disclosed our retreat,
which was intended to be unobserved. A
warm pursuit followed, aud intense shell
skirmishing vas kept up during the night.
| remember returning to the family, through
Gen. Breckenridge, certain notable silver
ware, belonging to Mr. Blair, which was
recovered from cavaryman. | regret very
much my inability TO be with you in per
son, as | will be 10 spirit at your celebra
ton. hope to see you soon in Washing
ton during the winter, when we can fight
our battles over again"
One of the unusual condolences of the
day was the fact that Mrs. Clara Wilson, Of
Woodside, TO whom the siverware was
turned over, was present at the exercises,
and perfectly recalled every detail of the
circumstances.
The monument was then unveiled by Miss
Dollie Young, daughter of Mr. Archibald
Young, of Washington, amid much enthu.
siasm and cheering.
Judge Samuel ) Blackwell, Of Alabama,
was the orator of the day. He remarked
upon the almost total obliteration OF sec.
tiona lines, and said that both North and
South alike should now stand for the per
petuation of patriotism AMI the flag. VIII en-
Judge Black well fl finished, MIR Paul Jones, a
well. known citizen Of Washington, whose
father died fighting for the Union, arose and
said that as n member of the Loyal Legion
he claimed the privilege Of recognizing the
valor of the Confederate soldiers by laying
at the foot Of the monument large bunch
of white chrysanthemums. After the exer-
cises, abundant refreshments were served
and the Confederate veterans once more
heard the old time cry, bidding them TO step
up and receive their ratons.
The monument unveiled is plain granite
shalt, nine feet high and four feet square.
1t bears the simple inscription, Erected in
memory OF seventeen Confederate dead, who
fell before Washington, July IL, 1864, by
their Comrades"
Theaters in Washington this Week
Academy of Music-The War of Wealth.
New National Theater-Miss Georgia
Cayvan 10 Squire Kate"
Lafayette Square Opera House-Fregoli
Crnnd nnnra Hnnsn-,Hrhe Great Train