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Staunton Spectator: May 14, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Jeff. Davis in Richmond
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that Jefferson Davis arrived in Richmond last Saturday where he was greeted by a large crowd of onlookers. He looked "older and rather haggard and feeble" compared to the last time the Richmond public saw him, and offered no comment on his imprisonment.

Negroes and Street Cars
(Column 01)

Summary: Refers to the conflicts in Richmond over allowing blacks to ride the streetcars as "a foolish prejudice" and encourages the Northerners who dislike the practice to address the prejudice in their own cities.

Full Text of Article:

The New York Sun says that a great deal of indignation has lately been wasted upon the people of Richmond because they dislike the ideas of having negroes ride in the street cars. It is a foolish prejudice, of course, and one which disappeared in this city several years ago But why do not the special champions of the Freedmen direct a little of their surplus indignation toward Northern cities in which the same prejudice exists. The people of Philadelphia have persistently refused to allow negroes in their street cars, and it as only by coercion on the part of the late Legislature that they were finally obliged to sacrifice their prejudice. It is somewhat singular that the self-constituted defenders of the negroes give their attention exclusively to fault-finding in the South paying, no attention to the colored people of the North.

Another Street Car Difficulty
(Column 04)

Summary: Reports that another conflict has occurred in Richmond over access to street cars. The compromise proposed by Gen. Schofield, which called for four of the six cars to be open to all patrons and the other two reserved for whites only, has, according to the article, not given blacks "satisfaction, and they now express their intention of riding in any car which they like."

Origin of Article: Richmond Times

Local News
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that General Lee will be in Staunton this week for the Episcopal Convention.

Local News
(Column 01)

Summary: Scaffolding collapsed yesterday at the Freedmen's Church, which is currently under construction. No serious injuries are reported.
(Names in announcement: Lewis Peaco, Hughes)

Full Text of Article:

On yesterday, the scaffolding to the Freedmen's Church, which is in course of erection, fell, whilst Mr. Lewis Peaco, Mr. -------- Hughes, and one or two others, were on it. None were hurt, we understand, except Mr. -------- Hughes. He was considerably hurt, but not seriously injured.

Local News--Memorial Day
(Column 02)

Summary: Summarizes the local Memorial Day proceedings, which included addresses and a procession to the Soldiers' Cemetery.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Wm. E. Baker, Col. Bolivar Christian, Col. C. T. O'Ferrall, Rev. Jno. L. Clarke, Col. Baldwin, Maj. Garber, Maj. Hall, Capt. Waters, Capt. Berkely, Maj. Hanger, Capt. Harrison, Capt. Bumgardner, Capt. Balthis, Capt. Friou, Capt. Arnall)

Full Text of Article:

The fourth anniversary of the death of "Stonewall" Jackson-10th May, 1863-was appropriately celebrated in this place on Friday last. The ceremonies were inaugurated at the Methodist Church, and presented a most interesting spectacle.

The Augusta Fire Company, Capt. Waters, and the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Fire Company, Capt. Frion, turned out in their beautiful uniforms. The "Stonewall" Band and the Blind Band, of this place, were both present to add interest to the occasion.

At the church, which was crowded to overflowing, the Rev. Wm. E. Baker, of the Presbyterian Church, offered up a fervent prayer for our country, and for the uplifting of the hand which is laid so heavily upon our late chief magistrate, Jefferson Davis.

Col. Bolivar Christian, in introducing the orator of the day, made some brief, but eloquent and appropriate remarks, and read with great effect, the following touching poem, written for the Memorial Association of Fredericksburg, but Father Ryan of Knoxville, the author of the "Conquered Banner," and the "Sword of Lee:"

Gather the sacred dust

Of the warriors tried and true,

Who bore the flag of our Nation's trust,

And fell in the cause, though Lost, still Just,

And died for me and you.

Gather them each and all!

From the Private to the Chief,

Come they from hovel or princely hall,

They fell for us, and for them should fall '

The tear of Nation's grief.

Gather the corpses strewn

O'er many a battle plain,

From many a grave that lies so lone,

Without a name and without a stone

Gather the Southern slain.

We care not whence they came,

Dear is their lifeless clay!

Whether unknown or known to fame,

Their cause and country still the same-

They died-and wore the Gray.

Whenever the brave have died,

They should not rest apart;

Living they struggled side by side-

Why should the hand of Death divide

A single heart from heart!

Gather their scattered clay,

Wherever it may rest;

Just as they marched to the bloody fray,

Just as they fell on the battle day,

Bury them breast to breast.

The foeman need not dread

This gathering of the brave;

Without sword or flag, and without soundless tread,

We muster once more our deathless dead-

Out of each lonely grave.

The foeman need not frown;

They are all powerless now-

We gather them here, and we lay them down,

And tears and prayers are the only crown

We bring to wreathe each brow.

And the dead thus meet the dead,

While the living o'er them weep;

And the men whom Lee and "Stonewall" led,

And the hearts that once together bled,

Together still shall sleep.

Col. C. T. O'Ferrall, the selected orator of the occasion, then delivered the anniversary oration-marked with beautiful thoughts and language and touched the hearts of many of those present, causing the tear of affection and sorrow to flow down the cheek of many a heart-stricken one. He referred to a number of the "bravest and best" men of our town and county who fell in defence of their homes and firesides-whose memories will ever be cherished and whose memories will ever be cherished and whose graves will be kept green by the tears and consecrated by the prayers of their loved ones in their now bereaved and desolated homes. An allusion to the self-exiled Early, the latest commander of the forlorn hope in the Valley drew forth irrepressible tribute of applause.

At the close of Col. O'Ferrall's address, the Rev. Jno. L. Clarke, pastor of the Methodist Church, pronounced the benediction. The order of procession to the Cemetery was then announced by Col. Baldwin, the chief Marshall, as follows:

1. Stonewall Band, Maj.

2. Band of D. & D. & B. Institution, Garber,

3. Clergy, Marshall.

4. Press.

5. Confederate Soldiers, Maj. Hall, Marshal.

6. Fire Companies, Capt. Waters, Marshal.

7. Female Schools, Col. Christian and Captain Berkeley, Marshals

8. Ladies, Maj. Hanger and Capt. Harrison, Marshals.

9. Male Schools, Capt. Bumbgardner, Marshal.

10. Citizens, Capt. Balthis, and Capt. Arnall Marshals.

The long procession of near a mile in length was a scene of touching interest; and , arriving at the Cemetery, the gentlemen stood reverently with uncovered heads, while the ladies in tender silence spread wreaths of evergreens and flowers of early spring upon the graves of the loved and lost. Amid these sacred scenes-the solemn precincts of the dead-only the magnanimous feelings of our common nature had place-any emotions of hostility which may have survived the civil strife, were suppressed; for it was observed in the evening that the graves of the federal soldiers, killed in battle and temporarily buried there, were all religiously respected and garnished.

The ceremonies of the Cemetery being concluded, the procession returned in order to the town and was dismissed by the chief Marshall. The events of the day can but impress upon the ladies of the Memorial Association how truly their labors of love are appreciated by our people.

The distant friends of the dead may well feel comforted in knowing from the spirit of this occasion, that these hallowed graves will ever be tenderly cherished-

"The sunshine of the Southern sky

Smiles sweetly on them here,

And loving hearts and hands watch by

Each hero's sepulchre."

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: Henry Cupp and Mary Jane Cupp were married on May 13 in the Augusta County Clerk's Office.
(Names in announcement: Rev. John L. Clarke, Henry Cupp, Mary Jane Cupp)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Henry McCadden died near Greenville on February 13 at the age of 79. McCadden was a veteran of the War of 1812.
(Names in announcement: Henry McCadden)