Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-10
OYER HEROES GRAVES
DeCOratiOn-Day Of The OakEOOd Memorial
Association AuSpiciOuSly Observed.
AN INTENSE CROWD ATTENDS.
An EIoquent Grafton by Hon. II. II.
Munford-Prayer by Rev. Charles
II. Hyde-Beautiful Poem Read by
Rev. DIR. j. =. Dill.


in the history Of the organization under
whose auspices these exercises have for
many years been held. The weather.
while rather warm, was in all other
respects, faultless, and great crowds Of
people nocked to the lovely shades OF the
cemetery to witness the solemn and I'm
posing ceremonies.
The scene presented after the parade
had arrived was that Of a beautiful pano-
rama OF life within the city of the dead.
The foliage and flowers were in their
most verdant state. and all nature united
to make the occasion the more perfect in
its beauty and impressiveness.
The organizations and citizens partici-
pating in the parade formed at St Johns
Burying-Gr at 4 o'clock, and moved
promptly toward the cemetery. The lina
was made up as follows: Squad Of police.
chief marshal and aides; active military,
consisting Of the battalion OF the Rich
mond Light-Infantry Blues. commanded
by Major Sol. Cutchins; the Walker
Light Guard: the Guard OF the Common
HfAIINs ana 0IA ltOAlAAlAAAA AfAAAAA AAl llAlllh
a battalion, and the First Virginia Regl-
ment Of Cavalry. commanded by Colonel
Charles Euker; r. j.. Lee Camp, C0nfedc-
rate Veterans. George +. Pickett Camp.
Confederate Veterans, Joseph =. Johnston
Camp. Confederate Veterans; Sons OF
Confederate Veterans. Veterans from the
Soldiers Home. IN wagons, Hollywood
Memorial Association, in carriages; He
brew Memorial Association, in carriages;
Oakwood Memorial Association, iu ca
riages.
These organizations were followed by a
long line of carriages. and other vehicles
The Governor ana AIRS. O'Ferrall were in
line. as were a number Of members OK his
Excelency's stan.
AROUND THE GRANDsTAND.
Upon reaching the grounds the great
body OF people formed around the grand
stand. and the exercises commenced.
They were opened with prayer by Rev.
Charles r. Hyde, pastor of the Third
Presbyterian church. who was followed
by an excellent and interesting address
by Hon. b. B. Munford, the orator OF
the dav. Then followed a beautiful and
approprate poem, written by Hugh l..
Cooke, and read by Rev Or. j. $. Dill,
Of Venable-Street Baptist church. The
closing feature Of the ceremonies was the
singing OF that inspiring hymn, MY
Country. 'Tis Of Thee" led by Captain
Frank W. Cunningham. with an accom-
paniment by the Blues Band, after which
the bcncIiction was pronounced by Rev.
W l.. Boauchamp Of ST. James Metho-
dist church By request OF the ladies
of the Oakwood Memorial Association,
Colonel a. W. archer, past commander
of Lee Camp. presided over the cere-
monies. The Soldiers monument was
appropriately decorated with flowers ana
eyergIeens, a beautiful wreath being
placed upon IL by the ladies of the Oak
Wood Association at the close Of the
exercises. on each grave was bouquet
of some description, and the soldiers sec
tion presented a lovely picture at sunset,
when the salute was fired over them by
the detachment from the Richmond
H0witzers.
MIR. MUNFCRD'S GRAFTON.
Mr.. Munford'e Grafton was a mastery
effort, and was attentiyely listened 20
throughout He said:
With each recurring springtime Il has
been the custom of our people to gather
in this beautiful city Of the dead and
with appropriate service. commemorate
federate soldiers who sleep within it.
walls.
More than a generation has gone since
the close of the struggle In which they
fell. Their surviving comrades, VIII
ever-quickcning step, are daily PASSING
To iOin the ranks OF the great majority
Many OF the men ana women, with an
enthusiasm born OF a personal knOwl
edge OF those heroic times, who IN
former days led in these patriotic eX
ercises, have. Ike the soldiers who
val0r they sought % commemorate
passed into the silence. All the actor.
I'm that great drama, ike the scenes
themselves, are fast becoming parts oi
history.
"The old order chanseth. yielding place
TO new" We stand on the verge of
the decade which marks its passing
New faces throng the hour; fresh prob
lens claim solution At such a time