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About The banner of the South. (Augusta, Ga.) 1868-1870 | View Entire Issue (June 25, 1870)
' r OL. 111. From the Ilawkinsville Dispatch. Hold up Your Heads Brave Men! Addressed to the Soldiers of Lee's Army. BY ROBERT FALLIGANT. [The following lines were recited at the late banquet to the Press, in Savan nah, by their author, Captain Falligant, who, at our request, kindly furnished us with a copy for publication. They will be appreciated by every true Confederate: —Ed. Disp.] Hold up your heads, brave men! No stain is on your brow! You have buried your brothers by rock and glen— Let your souls be true to them as when They died in the battle's glow! ’Twas Freedom's trumpet call, When the lied Cross was unfurled ! And they fell as heroes ever fall! And that flag became their funeral pall ! Which was lifted against the world! Let not the foeman think That we crouch to a coward fate ! We have inspiration they dare not drink; \al the memories of our Dead will link With a never dying hate ! Can we forget the past — All who have fought with Lee ? What though our sky be overcast ? The reigu of tyrants will end at last*— We can ! we will be free ! Wait for the glorious hour, With souls nerved for the fight; And we’ll teach these haughty foes to cower, When our country stands in her match less power, To demand anew her right! Hold up your heads, brave men ! No stain is on your brow ! You have buried your brothers by rock and glen— Let your souls be true to them as when They died in the battle’s glow ! Louisville, Ky., May, 1865. 11% UEHORIAi?!. DEAD OF THE CONFEDERATE ARMIES. From the Baltimore Gazette. With the dust of one of our burial places are now mingled the ashes of many sol diers who died for a cause which our peo pie thought just, but which has been beaten down and pronounced to be lost. Whatever we may now think or feel, we utter no unavailing regrets. But our sorrow and reverence for the men who so died are unabated, and on this day it is proposed to oiler a slight testimonial of the affectionate remembrance in which we hold them by strewing their simple graves with flowers. Iu Loudon Dark Cemetery, at 4 o’clock this afternoon, this ceremony will take place. The dead whose memory we thus desire to com memorate were not of our own people, though they gave up their lives upon the .'oil of Maryland, and for what they right ly deemed to be her cause as well as their’s. They were from far distant States, and, thinking of their graves, their kindred may possibly recall the lines of the Irish poet who touchingly referred to the fate of some of those who had once fallen in an unsuccessful struggle for the rights of Ireland : ‘‘Some on the shores of distant lands Their weary hoarts have laid, And by the stranger’s heedless hands Their lonely graves were made. But though their clay be far away Beyond the Atlantic foam— In true men, like you men, Their spirit’s still at home.” As the kind hands of their loved and loving ones can throw no leaf of laurel or of cypress upon the clay which covers the remains of those whom they deplore and honor, let our people show to-day that we are neither ashamed nor unmind ful ot the Confederate dead. MEMORIAL OFFERING AT LOUDON FAR.K THE ANNUAL FLORAL TRIBUTE. The annual memorial offering of tho ladies of Baltimore to the graves of the Confederate heroes who repose quietly beneath the green sward of Loudon Park Cemetery could not but awaken an in terest throughout the entire community, and it may be said the deep solemnity and interest attending the ceremonies at Loudon Park Cemetery yesterday were beyond precedent, and without parallel in the history of Baltimore. The entire scene was one of the most impressive nature, and the occasion thus beautifully celebrated cannot fail to as sist in strengthening the tie of sympathy and affection which already unites the people of Maryland with those of the late Confederate States. THE PREPARATIONS By the Loudon Park Memorial Associa tion, of which F. B. Loney, Esq., is President, and Mr. J. Wesley Smith Secretary, have been quietly progressing, and through their exertions the arrange meats were all completed in a satisfactory manner. THE WEATHER. The recent necessary postponement occasioned by the unfavorable weather, it was feared, would prevent a large at tendance yesterday, as the Cemetery had been visited on Saturday last by several hundred persons, and the graves covered with flowers; but in this respect all were agreeably surprised, and as the morning dawned propitiously for the ceremony an unusual interest in the celebration was soon made apparent among those desirous of participating, and thousands were soon engaged in preparing their floral tributes of affection. THE FLORAL OFFERINGS Consisted in part of the most elaborate and exquisite wrdaths, crosses, garlands, crowns, bouquets, and other devices of the rarest and costliest exotics that could be procured, and were the almost exclu sive offerings of Baltimore’s fairest daugh ters, to whom the pleasing task of provi ding the annual floral tribute had been as signed, and who, it is unnecessary to say, responded promptly and in a manner not soon to be forgotten by those who wit nessed with feelings of the deepest emo tion their action at the graves yesterday, where with gentle hands they arranged the flowers on the green mounds that mark the resting places of nearly three hundred of the soldiers of the armies of the Confederate States. THE ROUTE TO THE CEMETERY. The hour of four o’clock having been determined upon for the assembling ot the visitors, and notices to that effect having been promulgated, the visitors began their preparations soon after the hour of noon, and for several hours there after the cars of the City Passenger Bail way transported hundreds of persons to the Catonsvilie Depot, where they took passage in extra cars provided for their accommodation by the Catonsvilie Bail way Company. Other conveyances were also brought into requisition, and probably three fourths of those present proceeded to the Cemetery in their elegant private con veyances, forming an animated and at tractive scene on the Frederick avenue, from the city limits to the Park, une qualled since the decoration of the Con federate graves on the last occasion. A drive of thirty minutes brought the visit ors to the Cemetery, and alter an unim portant delay they passed through the arch way at the gtand entrance, and stood AUGUSTA, GUA_., WITHIN THE CEMETERY GROUNDS. The several avenues leading from the entrance to that portion of the enclosure occupied by the Confederate graves, was soon lined with elegant equipages and pedestrians, all laden with flowers arrang ed in every conceivable device, and in sufficient quantities to have covered the graves of three times the number for which they were designed. The interior of the Cemetery presented an attractive and beautiful appearance, the recent rains having had the effect of refreshing the foliage, and the rose bushes and the creeping vines emitted a delightful per fume, at once gratifying and pleasing to the senses. In a' few moments every avenue approaching the scene of the ceremonies was filled, and persons arriv ing in carriages were necessarily com polled to descend from their vehicles and wend their way on foot to THE CONFEDERATE GRAVES, Situated in a northeasterly direction, and in one of the most picturesque portions of this beautiful Cemetery. Surrounded, as is this spot, by tall forest trees, the graves are sheltered from both sunshine and storm, and near many of the green mounds there had been placed choice shrubbery by' the hand of affection and sympathy. * ASSEMBLING OF THE VISITORS. On reaching the graves, the visitors arranged themselves near a temporarily constructed stand on the north border of the site, and patiently awaited the com mencement of the exercises. The num ber of visitors almost momentarily’ in creased, and before the hour appointed for the opening exercises, it may be safe to say that nearly three thousand persons were present, of whom probably two thirds were ladies. While awaiting the arrival of some speaker, the work of ADORNING THE GRAVES With the floral offerings was proceeded with, and in a few moments each mound (numbering in all nearly three hundred), was made to “blossom as the rose.’’ it may be remarked that on reaching the graves the labor of love performed by the visitors on Saturday last was noticea ble, and each grave contained several bouquets arranged by those who visited the Cemetery on the day appointed for the ceremony to take place. PROCESSION OF ORPHANS AND OTHERS. Before the services were begun there arrived at the Cemetery about one hun dred of the boy’s of St. Mary’s Industrial School, and an equal number of the in mates of the House of Refuge, who pass ed around the graves, and arranged themselves on the east side. Each of the boys carried a bouquet, which lie < quietly laid on the graves. THE OPENING EXERCISES. The House of Refuge Band arrived on the scene a few minutes later, and, under the leadership of Mr. Edward Grady, performing a solemn dirge and several other musical selections. The stand was then taken possession of by F. B. Loney, Esq., President of the Association; Mr. J. Wesley Smith, Secretary ; Rev. Dr. Huston, of St. Paul’s M. E. Church South; Rev. George G. Brooks, Messrs. John W. Davis, 11. Clay Dallam, Professor Frederick Volck and several other gen tlemen. Rev. Mr. Brooks invoked the blessing of the Almighty on those assembled, and after repeating the Lord's Prayer, fer vently prayed that all might be profited by the sad and impressive solemnities of the occasion. On concluding the prayer, Mr. Brooks introduced Mr. 11. Clay Dallam. REMARKS OF MR. DALLAM. Mr. Dallam said he had been, within the last few minutes, invited to supply the place of Rev. Drs. Dudley and Linn, both of whom were unavoidably absent, and who were to have made addresses. Upon an occasion so solemn, sad and touching as these memorial services arc, and with these impressive surroundings, and having sympathized most thoroughly and fully with the cause for which these bravo men yielded up their spirit, the speaker remarked that it would require no preparation, as the inspiration of the moment was sufficient eloquence for the purpose. The speaker esteemed it one of the greatest privileges that the old State of Maryland enjoys that these per sons are buried on her soil, and cared for by Maryland women. This is no time to speak of the issues that brought forth that which convulsed the Nation, and it is sufficient to know that the remains of the brave sons of the of Geor gia, of Virginia, and other Southern States, are here, and kindly tended by Maryland’s love and Maryland’s sympa thies. We can only siug the song of the “Conquered Banner,” and feel a plcasuia ble emotion in knowing that these re mains are not in a strange land, but lie peacefully in this beautiful place, soon to be made more beautiful by the erec tion of a remarkable shaft to commemo rate still more effectually their many virtues. REMARKS OF REV. DR.. HUSTON. Rev. Dr. Huston, of the St. Paul’s M. E. Church South, was the next speaker. He introduced his address by felicitating himself that there were to be no prear ranged speeches, I feel, said he, that this is no place nor time for elaborate addres ses. Nothing could be more inopportune nor inappropriate than an oration. He h >ped that the time would never come when other attractions than those three hundred graves will be required to re mind the people of Baltimore of their duty to the dead. Those green hillocks are, and ever should be, the magnet that will serve to attract us to this sacred •pot. It affected the speaker deeply to see scores of familiar faces that he had not seen since the last decoration day, all attracted here to-day by a common sym pathy; rejoiced to see the women of Baltimore participants in this ceremony and thus espousing the cause-' they be lieved to be right. As I before said, this is no time for a speech; such a time has not, and I trust never will come. How glad I am to see this great con course of people, all engaged in their work of love. The speaker here referred to the fact that the graves were uumarked by any head-s tones, and said lie doubted not that many felt the silent rebuke. He (the speaker,) felt almost ashamed to wear so fine a coat while nothing exists to mark the burial place of the dead and enable the sorrowing mother to arrange one little flower over her offspring. Never theless, the graves of all are adorned alike. We now propose to erect a memo rial that will defy the frosts of winter and stand as a fitting offering to the Confede rate heroes. The speaker then referred to the monu ment being executed by Prof. Frederick Volck, a sculptor artist, and resident of Baltimore, a portion of the work of which, as already noticed, has arrived in this City, and the work on the other portions is being pushed to completion at Munich. Continuing, Dr. Huston said this monu ment is to represent Peace, and will be surmounted by a figure representing one who will be remembered by many Vir ginians I see present—“ Stonewall Jack son/' j Loud applause.] It would have been executed before, but for the fact that the means have not been forthcom ing. Professor Volck now informs me that it can be ready to be placed iu posi tion by September next if the requisite | amount can be obtained to defray the ex ! pense. The speaker here related several | anecdotes, iliustating affecting scenes m j occasions of a similar nature to this, ! during the recital cf which many of the t attentive listeners were moved to tears. | The speaker concluded by inviting sub 'scriptions to the monument fund, and an- nounced the following gentlemen as a committee to receive the several amounts contributed : Messrs. John A. Hamble ton, John W. Davis, George W. Burns, Henry Duvall, Charles Ilodgins and Luther Wilson. THE MONUMENT FUND. The simple appeal met with a prompt and generous response, and in less than fifteen minutes upwards of seven hundred dollars was subscribed. Among the con tributors were the following : John W. Davis, President Police Board, $100; Augustus Albert, SherifT, SSO ; W. J. Green, S2O; Mrs. Charles Marshall, $10; Joseph Pierson, $10; George W. Burns, $10; George W. Knauff, J. Berry Ely, E. Mills & Sons, l Wm. Deck, G. Holliday, D. C. Fulton, Ja mes Hyde and James Webb, each $5. Os the remainder many subscriptions were banded in, varying in amount from twenty-five cents to ten dollars, the former sum being contributed by an aged and infirm woman, whose attire betokened her extreme poverty. After the subscrip tions had been received, “Maryland My Maryland,” was performed by the band in attendance, and, at the request of the Association, Rev. Geo. G. Brooks made a brief address. REMARKS OF REV. DR. BROOKS. This, said the speaker, is no unmeaning ceremony; grand manifestations do not become mourners. We have not assem bled here to indulge in metaphysical disquisitions concerning human rights and constitutional laws, which have per plexed philosophers and sages for cen turies, and deluged our land in blood, and served to make it one vast mauso leum. The spirits of these brave men, whose remains now quietly repose be neath our feet, have departed, and are now resting beneath the shady trees in Paradise. And methinks I see the faces of these men who met face to face on the bloody battle-field from the North, South, East and West, those who fell and whose bodies now mingle with the dust. I think I see them all in love’s embrace, standing in the blight sunlight on the green fields of immortality. We are not here to rekindle the strife that is past, but to burn incense on the altar of those we love, to offer our sympathies on the altar of Peace, and may it be the prayer of this weeping multitude, let peace re turn to our country. God grant us uni versal and perpetual peace. We have received a lesson, and one by which we shall all, I trust, profit in the future.— The storm has swept over us and bereft us of almost everything except our hope of Heaven and our dying honor. “0 long may my heart with such mem- Ties be filled; Like the vase in which roses have once been distilled, You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will, But the scent of the flowers will cling to it still.” CLOSING CERE Mi )NIES. The services throughout were of the most interesting and solemn character, and nothing occurred to mar the impres siveness of the scene. On the conclusion of Dr. Brooks’ remarks, the visitors quietly left the Cemetery and returned to the City, all deeply impressed with the exercises they had witnessed. MEMORIAL DAY AT FREDERICK. Frederick, Md., June 4, 1870. —Un- der the supervision of the Confederate Memorial Association of Frederick coun ty, to-day the ladies of this City and County performed the beautiful ceremony of distributing flowers over the graves of the Confederate dead now lying in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Notwithstanu ing the unfavorable weather, the bursts of sunshine being interrupted by frequent showers from flying, ragged clouds, the exercises wore attended witu a success that was more than gratifying to those who took an active part in them, and to ISTo. 15
