Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1922-05-25
Anniversary Column
Twenty Three Years Ago
MEMORIAL Day AT
ANDERSONVILLE
MAY 80, 1899, told by Mother Enter
prise in FITZGERALD FnterDr;eel

\Mdy ou, 1917, told by Mother Enter
prise In Fitzgerald Enterprise)
The procession escorted by troops
from the fort marched from the cars
to the cemetery ground where a large
crowd OF colored people decorously
awaited our coming and amid the
singing of birds, waving of thousands
OF flags at the graves, the soft breezcs
signing a requiem through the pine
trees the upturned faces of the now
tree bondsinen, besides those of the
northern whites listened to the pro-
gram carried out as follows:
Bugle call.
Duties of the Day-A. w. Keenev.
Com. Post No. II.
Flag Salute-gotten up by our own
Prof. Green.
Prayer by-Chaplain Green.
Reading of National Orders-G.E
Whitman, Adjt. Post No. IA.
Extract from Lincoln's Address
c. H. Brooks, M. D. Post 10.
Address-Mrs. Nettie c. Hall MO
Their Enterprise.)
Flags at Half Mast'-J. R. Green
The Camp Fire Above'-Miss Der.
tina Chovin.
Recitation-Miss Ola Bidwell.
(Miss Bidwell will never do better
as an elocutionist. The scene seemed
to inspire her and she carried her thrill
led audience along with her.)
why We are Here"-Dr. S. B. Coe
Address-Rev. ]. B. Shoup, Post
Dept Chaplain of Florida.
Ritual
Dead
Salute to the Dead by the troops
from the Fort.
Taps by the Buglers.
Decoration Of Graves under direc-
ton of the w. R. C.
-Four hours is too short to get even
a glimpse of all that is to be seen in
that historic spot Mother Enterprise
hopes to spend week with Captain
Wilson and wife, caretakers of the
frlson Park Hotel, and take notes of
all that is wonderful, sad picturesque
and interesting especially for the ben
et1t OF our readers. 1t is IMPOSSIBLE
to give a faithful and compile etc de-
scription of it now.
The cemetery proper is enclosed
with a wide brick wall which is all
oVergroWn with ivy, giving it the APP
pearance OF an pld English castle
and grounds. The magnolia trees SC
beautiful, were in bloom. Cedar trees
trimmed to fanciful shapes, smooth
velvety lawns, the many walks tiled
and winning in intricate ways and BY
ways, trees and shrubs of all descrip.
tons.
Along the walks are painted inscrip,
tons to the memory of the brave ones
sleeping i'll their twelve inch graves
The different sections resemble large
beds OF flowers as old glory float:
above each small headstone, her briph
colors waving in the soft southern
breeze. The oft recurring stone witt
the pathetic word Unknown attract,
more attention than the others tc
strangers. Who was hel Was the mo.
Their waiting for that morning that
would bring her boy back home?
The gates of Boston donated bv that
historic city and carried free bv the
railroads from there to Andersonville
stand guarding the nations city of the
dead.
Mother Enterprise gathered roll
of honor on the excursion train which
included the names of veterans, wives.
widows, sons and daughters, also of
confederate excursionists. This was
two full columns in length. We quote
but one:)
Mrs. Nettie C. Hall, widow of Cleve
land T. Hall; 9th Mass, and Tooth N.
Y. and 9th Army Corps, served 4 years
and II months; had 7 bullet wounds
and two sabre cuts. Received a medal
OF honor for bravery and promoted
to Gen. Truax's staff.
The G. A. R, Posts of the north send
yearly 500 to the posts in this city to
assist i'll the annual visit to Anderson
vile on Memorial Day.
Next year they will send 500 and
increase the amount as necessary. It
is said that money will buy almost
anything, but it never yet has bought
convenience and comfort for the pill
grlms to that Mecca from this Colony.
We trust there will be better arrange
,,,n, d, L E.