Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-06-18
MEMORIAL DAY

mtMUKlAL UAI
The Decoration Of the Confederate
graves IN this place on last Saturday
afternoon, was an impressive affair, and
was one Of thousands of co instantly re-
curing events that preye how deeply en-
shrined in the hearts of onr people is the
memory Of the cause for which our fair
land was for four long years covered
with the smoke and riven by the red
lightning of battles. and drenchtd with
the life blood of our best and bravest,
and how revere ntlY sacred to our people
are the ashes Of the heroic dead who fell
under the banner of the South with their
faces towards the foe.
Long before O'clock the people COM
menced assembling at the court honse
When the hour for the procession to move
had arrived hundreds OF men women aud
children had gathered TO pay their
tribute of love by strewlng with flowers
the graves of our sacred dead.
Under the direction of Chief Marshall,
Maj }. W. Magruder, the procession was
formed as follows:
First section of mounted veterans
under Capt. Jack Adams, of Qoicksburg'
New Marker Band. followed by body
of Confederate Veterans under Capt. Jno.
II. Grabill, composed of Shenandoah
Camp. of Woodstock, and delegation from
Observation-Disclosures Camp, of Edinburg,
Slower Camp, of Strasburg, and num-
Der Of old soldiers not members of camps.
Behind these was carriage containing
the orator of the day, Capt. r. s. Parks,
of Luray, Chaplain Rev. DR.. Stephenson,
of Shenandoah Camp, and Gen. j. H.
williams.
Next came the Brook Guards, of Toms
Brook, Capt. Fleming, and marching be-
tween each set Of fours were number
Of young ladies from that section, carry
ing flowers. The whole making a fine
display and attracting much attention.
Following these was the first platoon
OF the Anderson Guards, and between
them and the secand platoon Of the COM
pany was large number Of ladies, bear
lug wresthes, crosses add other designs
beautifully wrought in flowers.
After the military came the camp OF
Sons of Veterans under their commando,
L. s. Walker. These were followed by
a number of little boys dressed in white,
drawing after them a hand wagon sur
mounted by terraced benches draped
with white aud covered with flowers in
cans. and in designs of various kinds.
This was very attractive feature OF the
procession. Benin them marched the
Daughters of the Confederscy and the
Young ladies of Virginia Dare Chapter,
all loaded with flowers TO place upon the
graves. The rear of the procession was
composed of citizens generally on foot
and in carriages.
Starting from the court house the pre-
cession moved ont Court street to Mnhlen-
burg to North street, then to Mail, up
Main to High street and ont that street
to the Methodist grave yard where the
graves of the dead there were covered
with flowers.
The procession then moved ont Mullen
burg % soring street, down Spring to
Main aud thence ont High street TO the
Lutheran cemetery where the greater
number of Coniedsrates are buried.
Here while the band rendered appro-
pirate mnsic the ladies profuse ly decora'
ted the lowly mounds of these heroic
sleepers, after which the military fred
three vollevs over the graves
The crowd then gathered around a
temporary stand on the grass plot on the
west side OF the chuIch to hear the ad-
dress by Capt. R. S. Parks.
We regret that we have not space to
give Capt. Parks address, or even eX-
tracts from it,
Capt. Parks was a gallant Confederate
soldier, and commanded Company X. 10,
Va, Iofantrv, command composed of
the very flower of the Young men Of
Luray and the surrounding section of
Page county.
After and impressive prayer by DR..
Stephenson, the speaker was introduced
by Gen. J. H. Williams in few telling
words.
Capt. Parks is man of splendid pres
ence, and ranks high as public spea ker.
His impressive words fell upon the ears
of his eager listeners with thrilling effect.
and his mastery and eloquent defence of
the Confederate soldier and his cause
will long linger in the memories Of his
hearers.
At the conclusion of the address the
procession reformed and returned TO the
court house aud were dismissed.
The whole affair was most credltable
to those who had it in charge and to oil
who took part in 1t.