The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-05

Fair oaks were passed quickly with few
stops, and after a forty minutes run
the low brick wall that surrounds the
soldier city of silence rounded into view
beneath the spreading branches Of the
pines with the flag floating high above
from its stately mast. The proud ban
ner seemed to catch the tremble OF ma
tlOn cOnyalescing as IL caught It's first
life-giVng breath from the breezes OF
common cause, and its star-crOwned
stripes waited q welcome beneath its
folds to the first Southern soldier 10
sleep beneath II.
The car accommodatingly stopped az
the treelined cemetery avenue, and the
soldiers lining themselves I'm double rank,
presented arms as the casket was taken
out.
six stalwart soldlers-Priyates c. r.
Monkey, James Williamson, III. Cole. J.
IT, ROdenhizer, Charles Watson and
Charles Adams-lifted their sleeping
comrade and led the way. while the re-
naming men in two ranks followed
slowly.
Through the gate, down the east ave-
nue. and a turn to the left the quiet lit
tie procession led 10 a spI. where the
mingled incense of the rose and the lily
waited sweetest where It halted and the
solemn burden was placed over the mar
row grave.
Stack arms" was the order, and the
men Obeyed as the captain took his
stand at the head OF the casket.
A SOLDIERS TRIBUTE.
once. for the last time the men look
ed I'm impressive silence at the calm face
Of the young soldier. As they turned
away the captain opened his Bible
simple Psalm was what he read. but
a. "a Fifl
by the sorrOw-stilled group of sorrow
stilled soldiers. The reading over the
captain with a visible effort strOve 20
master his emotion as his brave heart
tried 10 overflow It's bounds but its we'll
ing tears We're but reelected in the eyes
OF the bows that stood az the grave. De-
spite the cliuched teeth and the heaving
shoulders the great drops trickled down
the cheeks as the captain manfuly and
with blunt elOQuence called on his men
to pay soldiers tribute 10 the dead.
IT might have been sent as lesson, he
said 20 the boys of his command, not "a
lost sight OF the great God OF Battles in
their coming struggles.
Silence reigned for a moment, and then
a pretty girl, whose moist eyelids showed
her 10 have been Il close listener came
forward. IN her hand she held a gar
land Of lilies and roses, which she offer
ed Captain Hutchngs, as a tribute 10 the
dead. The Captain already much wrought
upon. was wel-nigh overcome at this,
but he gracefully and sadly accepted II
and laid Il over the breast Of the sol
der.
MILITARY SALUTE.
There was 10 shroud for Private Dowell
save his uniform and the warm sunshine
that cast through the leaves its tenderest
laceWOrk about him.
Then the old earth Americas earth.
the earth Of old Virginia, received its
son again 20 It's bosom.
few slips Of evergreen were silently
dropped upon the coffin before the grave
was filled. The firing squad was ordered
10 assemble and filed along the east side
OF the mound
with blank cartridges squad load,'
and the clicking Of hammer catches rang
out grimly. Ready" another click
"aim." ana the cleaning rifle barrels were
leveled above the grave. Al the firing
command the noble burst OF martial mel
ody sent the echoes thrObbing across the
sunlit meadows. Three times they fred
and this completed the military rite. Cap
tain Hutchings then pronounced a simple
benediction and an was over
There was no minister; 40 glowing elo-
quence: 10 bitter wailings Of mOurners.
but Il was Christian burial and nature
kept back her tears while there gathered
a cloud Of surprising grandeur and rosy
with the smiles Of the sun't. which hoy
cred for an hour above the solemn spot.
Were the whlte-robed hosts Of heaven
watching from behind It this sweetly sad
official reuniting Of a nation? II may
have been.