The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-23
HONOR THE GRAY COAT
Exercises In Msmerlam Of Heroes Who
Gave Up Their Lives, Their All,
IN DEFENSE OF HOME AND PRINCIPLE.
Beautiful Flowers Placed ON the
Mounds Under which Rests Honor
Chivalry and All Tint liz Great ana
Good I'm Man-The Address of the
Orator and the Military Pageant.

Yesterday was the day set apart by the
Ladies Memorial Association for the
purpose Of honoring our noble Confed-
crate dead. vt came In with hGnvy
black clouds. and looked as though the
plans of these noble women would be
thwarted, but notwithstanding all this
the brave hearts of the mother and chill
dren of the sons of the lost cause never
gave up hope, and all the morning
crowds wendell their way to the Silent
City of the Dead" where loved ones lay
and strewed their graves with beautiful
flowers and made the cemeteries look
like a garden of Eden. The graves of
the soldiers were all strewn with flow
ers and were marked with small flags
with the names of those who died for
what they believed to be right. Those
who have passed over the river since
that memorable occasion were not for
gotten either. In the afternoon bust
ness was suspended and people began to
gather on the streets in large numbers,
and Old Sol came out In all his splen-
dor and SEEMED to give sanction to
the,pccasion by shining clear and pretty
aftJ such an unfaNotable morning.
Evei ything presented holiday appear
ance. Among the crowd were num-
Der of strangers and ladies and gentle
men from across the river.
At 4 D. m. the members of Stonewall
Camp formed in front of their head
quarters and marched to Crawford
street, where they were Joined by the
visiting camps and the military of this
city. after which q, line was formed
with the military in front. preceded by
the police and the Naval Post Band,
and marched along Crawford street, to
North, to Court, to the monument where
the exercises were held. Here the line
halted, and the orator and number
of prominent gentlemen, including the
clergy, were seated upon the platform.
The band played II Love To Tell the
Story" after which Major j. f. Croker.
Commander of Stonewall Camp, intro
duced Rev. u. b. Farland, who offered
q prayer to Divine Grace for blessing
upon the multitude asse mbled and the
exercises that were about TO take place.
Rev l.. Il. Betty, pastor of Monumental
NJ. E. Church, the orator OF the occa-
sion, was then introduced and spoke for
about twenty minutes, paying high
compliment to those who fought for
the lost cause. AT the conclusion the
band played Nearer, My God. to Thee"
after which the benediction was pro-
nounced by Rev. j. d. Powell.
MARCH TO THE CEMETERY.
The line was then reformed and start
ed up High street to Dillingham; to
Glasgow, to the cemetery. On arriving
there the military halted and let the
veterans pass With heads uncovered.
After marching up the main aisle to
the soldiers lot the procession was dis
banded. The military fired TIE usual sa-
lutes, and then the decorating of graves
began. After about an hour the pro-
cession was reformed and was marched
back to the monument, where obey
were dismissed. The entire line was
under the command of Chief Marshal
l. P. Slater.
The procession, which was not as
large as on some former occasions,
owing to the absence of the boy SOL
diers and the visiting military. yet It
was of a solemn and impressive nature.
and was calculated to make an impress
sion upon those who witnessed it, If
the sincerity of those who took part in
It was any criterion.
1t has been customary on these occa-
sions to publish the address after the
exercises. but on this occasion 1t has