Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-05-30
MemoriaI pay in Charles Town.


and the ranks of the veterans of the gray
are being rapidly thinned; yet the inter
est in this hallowed occasion, rather than
being abated. seems. if possible, to be on
the increase. The attendance here last
Saturday was immense from far and near,
and the exercises were thoroughly inter
esting. The following programme was
observed
Meeting at the Court-House at p. M.
presided over by Col. R. P. Chew.
Music-By Band
Prayer-By Rev. ]. H. Wolff.
America By Choir and Band.
Introduction of Speaker-By Capt.
George BAYLOR.
Address-By Hon. John H. Alexander.
Columbia BY Choir and Band.
Relation of War Incident-By Col. E. H.
Mcdonald.
Procession was then formed Is. c.
Young Chief Marshal. c. NJ. Hough Mar
shall Fire Department. in the following
order:
Charles Town Band, T. NJ. Baker
Lawson Bolts Chapter, Daughters of the
confederacy, Mrs. Margaret Aisquith
President.
John w. Rowan Camp and Other Con-
federate Veterans, David Howell
Lieutenant commander.
Independent Fire Company, B. F. Dooley
First Lieutenant.
Citizens Fire Company, Jno. w. Russell
Captain.
Procession moved first to the Meth
odist graveyard. then to the Episcopal
graveyard, and from thence to Edge Hill
Cemetery, where the programme was
completed as follows:
Music-By Band.
Prayer-By Rev. F. A. Stroller
Cover Them Over With Beautiful
Flowers BY Choir and Band,
during which flowers were strewn over
the graves of the Confederate Dead.
The address of Mr.. Alexander was elo-
ouent and thoroughly interesting. The
Confederate soldier, he said, was the out
come of Southern civilization, in which
honor, truth and integrity were the tests
of character-a civilization of gracious
DANES and courtly men-a civilization in
which men were recognized by the
strength of their character, rather than
by the length of their purse. The speaker
then proceeded to give pictures of the
Confederate soldier as he saw him, related
interesting bits of history of 'Mosby's
Partisan Rangers, of which organization
he had been gallant member, and fol-
lowed with an eloquent peroration, say
ing that we had helped make the South
lands story: of the great struggle mate
rial benefits will accrue to blue and gray;
glory crowns the Confederate soldiers
grave; and Southern women will see that
his grave is kept green through all the
coming years.
Maj. E. H. McDonald's relation of the
story of the apron flag (Which he exhib-
tied to the audience) was pathetic and
elected heartfelt interest. On the retreat
from Gettysburg his regiment (I1th Va.
Cavalry had in charge a wagon train,
and early in the morning as they were
getting over into Maryland he heard at
the front Che being in the rear) some loud
cheering, which continued down the line
until his company had reached the point
where it commenced, and he found the
cause of it to be young girl standing in
a doorway with Confederate apron flag
upon her person. He thereupon rode up
and begged of her but small piece of it,
when, suiting the action to the word, she
tore it from her waist and said, You
may have it all, SIR" Young Watkins,
of his company, but seventeen-year-old
boy, at once asked if he might carry it,
and the Major told him. Yes; go up to
the head of the regiment, beside the
colors." That evening there was some
fighting to defend the wagon train, and
when the conflict was ended Mai. Nc
Donald went over the field to see who
was injured. He soon found young Wat
kins, badly shot. with a surgeon beside
him. On inquiry the noble youth told
him he was not much hurt But. Ma
jor," said he, there is your apron flag;
1 have kept it safe, " and taking it from
his bosom delivered it up to his comman-
der. The boys wound was mortal, he
was faithful unto death, and through all
these years the Major has treasured this
little apron flag as a memento of untold
value. The incident has served to inspire
the poets pen, and is beautifully told in
the verses which we append;
THE. APRON FLAG
1t is Just little apron,
That Il tinv 1nnid 1nirht rrnnr