Year: 1866

! From the Savannah Republican, April ~


According to the announcement made in


the city journals, yesterday was the time
| appointed for the commemoration Of the
battle Of Sailors Creek, the last fearful


struggle of the Confederate troops under
| Gen. Lee for the defeat and overthrow Of the
| Federal army in Virginia. A more pro-
pitious day could not have been selected.
The atmosphere was June-like, little too


warm for comfort but during the afternoon
a gentle breeze sprang up, which made a
walk 10 the silent city Of the dead" very
pleasant, if we may be allowed TO use such
an expression. During the day hundreds
Of our citizens slowly wended their way TO
| the beautiful cemetery, bearing fragrant
| flowers, wrought into the most chaste floral
! designs, such. as crosses, wreaths, anchors,
hearts and choice boquets.


The road leading to Laurel Grove literally
swarmed with people, rich and poor, old
and Young, with solemn mien, uniting in
this simple and touching demonstration Of
love and affection. Vehicles of every do
scription were constantly moving to and fro,
conveying sad and grief-stricken hearts to
the graves of gallant men. We entered the
the simple gate at the lodge just at sunset,
and the scene that met our gaze as we rode
quietly along the shaded serpentine paths,
was such a solemn one as we have never be-
fore witnessed. The golden shadows Of the
suns declining rays shed their soft and mel
low light over the entire foliage which sway


ed mournfully in the gentle breeze, while
groups of lovely women and innocent chill
dren, with here and there a father, brother
or comrade, stood motionless, watching over
the little clods of earth as if in communion
with the departed spirits, whose earthly ten
ements lay mouldering in the dust Dep
recating the cause in which these brave
spirits fell, rs we eonscientiously do, and
however diversified may be the opinions of
many Of our readers as to the terrible or
deal Of blood and fire through which our
nation has Just passed, we feel that no hu-
name heart could behold this solemn spec
tacle without feeling a throb Of deep pity,
and warm glow of christian sympathy.


We felt the wounds Of war open afresh in
our bosom as we beheld devoted mothers,
wives and sisters clad in the habiliments Of
woe, kneeling at the graves to strew flowers
of holy love and affection, while the brlny
tears gushed from the windows of the soul.
1t was pitiful TO hear the sobs of children as
their little hearts racked with grief and
despair for those dear 10 them that lay be-
meath the sod, while from the distant camp
of the 18th Maine Regiment was borne in
the cool evening breeze the stirring strains
Of a brass band, the melody floating through
the grove Of trees until the last cadence died
away in sadness, while the blue haze Of
evening slowly began TO envelope the scene
and draw the curtain of twilight over the
picture There were no signs Of merriment,
and as the festoons of funeral-like moss
swayed from the branches of the pine, syca-
more oak and magnolia, subdued voices
were heard enumerating the virtues of the
dead. The graves Of the Confederate dead
were elaborately decorated with the rarest
flowers, and presented beautiful appear
ance, in impressive harmony with the air
of tranquility that dwelt in all the surround
ings. Not single grave but what was
decorated by the fair hands of tender wO-
man, and we felt that cold indeed must be
| the heart which could not forget and forgive
the animosities and prejudices of the past
as he beheld this panorama Of atlliction, and
we trust that those who assembled yesterday
| 10 honor the dead of the South did not for


get that other households were draped-
that Northern hearts were pierced by the
same poignant grief.


While making our way out of the ceme-
terry, we rode past the simple little enclosure
where repose all that is mortal Of the Union
dead. We pictured the heroic spirits of
| these gallant men clothed in the armOr of
| loyalty sitting at the bar Of eternal judgment
TO receive their Just reward. But where
were the tender flowers of affection to deck
their graves? Where was the fra yrant in
cense of remembrance to ascend for their
valor? Alone, far from the scenes of their
childhood, away from home and kindred,
they sleep their last sleep" but not forgot
ten nor unhonored. Let the Union ladies
and gentlemen of our city,see to it that these
] sacred remains receive on the first day of
May floral token of our undying love and
| admiration Tor those who stood by the flag
when the heavens scowled in anger, and the
| clouds Of despair and woe hung like can
| opy Of death over our land


| Let us assemble and with contrite hearts,
| free from all hostile feelings, usher in the


month Of May with prayer over the graves


Of our dead while the perfume of fresh
flowers ill the air. While we condole and


deeply sympathse with those who have suf-
fered in a cause we could not espouse, let US
not be totally Indifferent to the claims of
those whose memories will ever be enshrin-
ed in our hearts, and whose courage and
| fidelity future generations will hallow.