The Columbus weekly dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1902-1905, 1904-04-28
Decoration Day.

OnGy sun duHSIG w. OuC oC(O1 q
. ton of the graves of the soldiers
of the Confederacy. Tt pro
claims their love and loyalty t.
the memory of those who lai6
down their lives in defense o1
their country a d il teaches
present generations Of the YalOF
and heroism of those who wore
the gray. It is peculiarly appro-
pirate that the people of Colum bus
should still observe this touching
fete. 1t was here that it had it's
origin, it was here that flower
first fell alike upon Federal and
Confederate grave and that too
at a time when the country was
rent in twain by the raYages of
war and when the first memorial
day brought to the people a hope
that some day they would be unit
ed as a nation, as a people again.
The custom established by the
gentlewomen of this city years
and years ago has grown until
North and South it IS recognized
and year after year the people
gather to honor the memory Of
their soldier dead.
1t is well then that Columb bus
still reveres the memory of the
soldiers who wore the gray and
that all cares and responsibilities
of the battle of life are laid aside
for the period while our people
unite in this sacred and beautiful
celebration.
1t was held yesterday. This
date had been set apart by the
Confederate Veterans and the
Daughters of the Confederacy
and every arrangement made for
its observance Despite the
weather, which was biting cold
and very disagreeable, a large
number participated in the cele-
bratiOn. Towards ten o'clock
the people began assem- bling at
the Court House where the pro
cession was formed.
Some delay ensued in waiting
fol. the arrival of the Lee Guards
from the A. and M. College but
they wheeled into line at 11:30
o'clock and the parade started to
the cemetery The procession
was under command of Hon.
Edwin T. Moore as marshal with
Messrs. w. G. Mcclure, Chas.
w. Hale and o. NJ. Lawrence as
aids. Following t b marshal
with his staff came the veterans
under command of Maj Thos.
Harrison, Adiutant of Isham
Harrison Camp and headed by
Gen. Stephen D. Lee and Col
w. @. Richards. The company
of old soldiers umbered about |
half a hundred and it consisted |
of members of Isham Harrison
Camp, E. c. Leech Camp and
other veterans. a pitiful remnant
of a once great and glorious
army. Following the veterans
came the A. and NJ. College boys
one company, the Lee Guards,
named after Gen. Lee, first pres
ident of the College, the com
mand oficered by Capt S. NJ.
Hearon and Its w. B. Crump
and n. M. Parker. Following
the cadets were the members of
the local chapter of Daughters of
the Confederacy in carriages
preceded by the orator of the oc-
casion. Rev. Dunbar Hunt Ogden.
Citizens in carriages completed
the procession to the cemetery.
Arriving at the cemetery Ex
Lieutenant Governor James T.
Harrison in a few words an
nounced t he program. The
ceremonies were opened with
prayer by Rev. J. B. Oakley
after which the veterans held a |
short but impressive service
with reading by Col W. c. Rich
ards and responses by the com
pany. Gen. Lee was next called
on TO read tie rules for the be-
stowal of Crosses of Honor and
did so beginning with a few
graceful words of praise and
thanks to the United Daughters
of the Confederacy as an organi-
zation and especially to the local
chapter for the interest they had
shown n kppDino alive h o.