Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/261

 General P. R. Cleburne. 261

to the memory of the gallant General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne, by the devoted exertions of the patriotic ladies of the Phillips County Memorial Association. The reverential occasion convened numerous gallant veterans from a distance, including many from Memphis, Tennessee.

At 2:10 o'clock P. M., the services were opened in the Opera House by General James C. Tappan, master of ceremonies.

An impressive prayer was offered by Rev. C. H. Lockwood. Mrs. J. B. Pillow, then, in behalf of the Memorial Association, in a brief address extended a hearty welcome to the visitors.

Miss Eva Coolidge then sang, with touching effect, the sacred solo " Cavalry." After benediction by Rev. Mr. Lockwood, the proces- sion formed and proceeded to Evergreen cemetery, Judge R. W. Nicholls acting as marshal. The shaft erected to the memory of the heroic Cleburne stands in the centre of Confederate hill, the highest point on Crowley ridge, a range of hills that extend from Missouri to Southern Arkansas. Round about the monument lie the remains of more than four-score of the devoted followers of Cleburne. There also rests General Thomas C. Hindman, to whom it is the design of the ladies also to erect a fitting memorial. It is their aim, finally, to commemorate by massive monument, collectively, the humbler patriot of the ranks.

The procession reaching Confederate hill, over which General John S. Marmaduke made his effective charge against the forces of General Prentiss, July 4, 1863, and which overlooks the City of Helena and the wide-stretching valley of the Mississippi river, the ceremonies were renewed with solemn prayer by Rev. Father P. F. O'Reilly.

Miss Rosa Fink then recited a poem by Mrs. Virginia Frazer- Boyle, of Memphis, Tennessee, entitled " The Death of Cleburne." Whilst the poem was being read the bunting which draped the monu- ment was drawn aside by five young ladies, Misses Maude Saunders, (daughter of Captain Matthew T. Saunders, ex-judge of the first circuit of the State of Arkansas), Fannie Mitchell (daughter of Captain J. D. Mitchell, and granddaughter of General Gideon J. Pillow), Etta Govan (daughter of General P. C. Govan). Ophelia Polk Moore (daughter of the late Major W. E. Moore, and grand- nt- ice of President James Knox Polk), and Mamie Clopton, (daugh- ter of James W. Clopton, a prominent wholesale merchant of Helena).