Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 21.djvu/191

 tn I)cf ( }' \ Vr/,-.s-/;//,v/. 183

eral Lee, of the iyth of June, 1864, that go very far to explain this transaction, and these orders reflect imperishable honor on the dash and gallantry of Pickett's Division. (See McCabe's History, pages 508 and 509.

A HOWLETT-HOUSE SURVIVOR.

[From the Memphis (Tenn.) Appeal-Advance, April 27, 1893.]

THE DEFENDERS OF VICKSBURG.

A Monument to Their Memory Unveiled at Vicksburg, Mississippi, April 25, 1893.

Exercises on the Occasion, With Addresses by Lieut. -General Stephen D. Lee, and Ex -Governor M. F. Lowry.

While the South was still bleeding and impoverished, and at a time when the horrors of war were still fresh in the memories of all, the patriotic women of Vicksburg organized the Confederate Cemetery Association, and securing a large and beautiful plat in the city cem- etery, northeast of the city, began removing the remains of such of their gallant defenders as had fallen during the siege to this hallowed place of interment. This work was continued for years, in fact, is still in progress, for whenever the relics of a departed soldier are found they are taken from the place where they were hastily interred and laid to rest among the thousands of comrades already sleeping there.

At the same time this noble sisterhood formed the design of erect- ing a fitting monument to the dead, a design which was cherished for many years, money was slowly accumulated, as could be spared from more pressing necessities, and last spring the association let the con- tract. This was secured by the Hill City Marble Works, whose design for the structure was also accepted. A few months later the corner-stone was laid by the Masonic order of the State in the pres- ence of a great assemblage.