The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-27
Memorial Day Observed by Bf- minghan's Patriotic Citizens,
SALUTE FIRED OVER GRAVES
Services Were Held at First Metho- dist Church and Later the Mounds In Oak Hill Cemetery Were
 Strewn With Flowers.

Confederate Memorial day was observed yesterday in Birmingham Services were held at the First Metho- dist church, and later the admirers of the "wearers of the gray strewed wreaths cemetery.
 More than a thousand people were at the cemetery, and the church was filled with an attentive audience. In the col umn which marched from the church to the cemetery there were about two thous- and persons, including the members of the local companies of the Alabama Ma tional guard and about 200 Confederate veterans who were there to do honor to their departed comrades. In the column were the Jefferson Vol unteers, in command of Capt. John Yeat- man; the Birmingham Rifles, in command of Captain Ledbetter; the Brandon Light Artillery, commanded by Capt. E. D. Smith, Troop D. commanded by Capt. J. E. McCrossin, and attachments from the Bessemer and Woodlawn companies.
 Services Were Short. The services at the church were short. The programme was as follows Prayer-By the Rev. M. H. Wells. Music-"It Is All In All to Me-" by the quartette.
 Poem-"Memorial Day." by Mrs J. A. Rountree.
 song-''The King of Love, My Shepherd Is," by the quartette.
 Oration-By Judge N. B. Feagin. Music-"Lead Kindly Light" by the quartette.
 Presentation of crosses or honor. Music-"Nearer My God to Thee" by the quartette and audience.
 Benediction--By the Rev J. P. McFer- rin.
 The oration of Judge Feagin was an eulogy on the bravery and yalor of the southern soldier. He compared Lee, Jackson and other leaders to the famous characters in the worlds history, show ing that they had all the virtues without many of the faults Of all great soldiers. The music was arranged by Miss Belle Mccoy. The quartette consisted of Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Mullen, alto; MT. Stapleton and MT. Lewis.
 Three Salutes Fired. At the cemetery three salutes were fired by the infantry and cavalry of the Ma tional Guard, and three by the Brandon Light Artillery. Wreaths were placed on the graves of several hundred Confeder- ate soldiers.
 The crowd yesterday was probably the largest which ever attended Memorial day service. Many who were present at the church did not go to the cemetry, and 1t is estimated that at the latter place there were at least 1500 people.
 
 that Mrs. Rountree's original poem as delievered, be printed in the paaers. It was as follows:
 Memorial Day. We have met with you here again today, As we meet each year at this time To honor the men who wore the gray, And fought with faith sublime And we bring to the heroes now at rest, And these mounds beneath the sod, Our blossoms of praise for their souls
 most blest
 Who have gone to dwell with God These comrades now wait in the great be-
 yond
 For you soldiers who still remain, And you honor their graves with memory
 fond,
 For the cause LndL Wdb nOl III fdlI' And while today you honor the dead With loyalty, strong and true. We women, the daughters of men who
 hled,
 Have come to pay tribute to you. And we bring this cross as a token small For your deeds of valor and love, And we ask you to wear 1t until the last
 call,
 When you meet with your comrades
 above. The battles you fought 'gainst the north
 ern men,
 Was just the beginning of strife; And the many long years you have strug-
 gled since then.
 Have been full of battles of life. Iris only a little we Daughters can do, But we work with willing zest, And our hearts and our hands are ever
 for you
 Who gave of your lives the best. And so with this cross so strong and
 true,
 We seek to show honor and praise, For we honor the south when we honor
 you,
 Who fought in those terrible days. Take 1t, and wear it. and when life is
 OCT,
 And you here with your comrades lie, This little bronze cross that on earth here
 you wore,
 Shall be changed to Gods great crown
 on High.