Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 05.pdf/307

302 "" has not been forgotten this year at the South, and we trust that the time is far distant when our women shall cease to deck with flowers the graves of the patriot heroes "who died for us," or to teach our children to cherish their memories and emulate their virtues.

Our printers stopped work to-day (May the 22d) in order to join the throng that pressed through the avenues of beautiful "Hollywood" to deck the graves and honor the memories of the braves who sleep beneath its sod.

As we gazed on the silent "bivouac of the dead," and noted that all (from every State of the Confederacy and of every rank) were remembered, and that at least some simple flower decorated the grave of each, we felt that it might be gratifying to loved ones far away to assure them that Richmond still cherishes in her heart of hearts the "boys who wore the gray" and freely gave their lives in her defence.

It was a sacred privilege to stand among the graves of these "unknown heroes" of the rank and file, or to linger around the resting-place of "Jeb" Stuart, whose stainless sword is sheathed forever; A. P. Hill, who gladly laid down his noble life at the call of duty; the gallant Pickett, who appropriately bivouacs among his boys on "Gettysburg" hill; Willie Pegram, "the boy artillerist," whose record lives in the hearts of the whole army, and whose last words were: "I have done my duty, and now I turn to my Savior"; John H. Pegram, whose brave young life was sacrificed at the post of duty he always coveted; General Ed. Johnson, who so loved to "go in with the boys," musket in hand; General Henry A. Wise, "the fearless tribune of the people," who claimed no exemption from hardship and danger on account of his age or long service; Colonel D. B. Harris, Beauregard's great engineer officer, "whose merit was only equaled by his modesty"; Commodore Maury, whose brave devotion to the right was not eclipsed by his world-wide fame as a scientist, and many other men of mark whom we may not now even mention.

The following beautiful letter from ex-President Davis was read at the recent laying of the corner-stone of the Confederate monument at Macon, Ga., and so appropriately gives voice to the sentiments of the people of the South generally that we print it in full: