The day was clear and warm bathed in brilliant
sunshine for the dedication of a special memorial service for our fallen
dead at Hollywood Cemetery. A
monument was dedicated on Saturday November 15 to honor those brave
soldiers who gave their lives in this struggle we now are embroiled in. President Davis was present and would say a few words.
This monument is for those brave boys who have fallen.
It is to remember those who would be known only by their families
and fellow comrades who gave the supreme sacrifice fighting for our
independence that otherwise would be faceless nameless souls.
This monument is to honor those who wore no stars of a general, no
gold upon their coat sleeves, but of the humble ranks of private, corporal
and sergeant. Those brave men
who carry the fight to the enemy in the large ranks of the many bloody
battles that have been fought and will be fought.
The ceremony began in the late morning of that lovely day.
Boys from Texas and Louisiana formed ranks for inspection as their
officers, some mounted, looked on with pride.
Every musket seemed to shine bright as the brilliance of this sunny
day sent rays of sun shinning down upon the ranks.
By later morning the boys began to march in splendid style lead by
a chorus of bagpipes giving the mood a deep hallowed feel.
The soldiers marched with mounted officers behind to the banks of
the James River where the monument rests and memorial ceremony took place.
Women in black dresses sat to one side, widows and mothers of
fallen sons honored here this day. The
soldiers halted at the monument, which remained covered by a green felt
cloth, in file and then form ranks in lines.
It was but a beautiful site. A
row of Confederate flags on either side of the speakers stand began to
flutter gently in the warm breeze that came from the river.
Army Chaplin Paul Puebla began with a prayer to our fallen
hero’s. With heads bowed and hats removed the soldiers in their ranks
and those present all join in prayer to our heavenly Father asking for
peace for those brave dead and peace to the living and an end to this war.
Ordinance Sergeant Robert Milner of the First Louisiana presented
the eulogy. The names of some
of the honored dead were read allowed as our flags fluttered as if with
each name read the banners themselves stood at attention.
Steamboats lumbering along the James River blew their whistles as
they passed. President Davis
in attendance spoke briefly reminded all present why such sacrifices were
nessesary and why this war must be won.
“These honored dead must not be forgotten, but revered as
hero’s of our great cause”, the President said.
A special flagpole has been erected at the site of this monument
where First Sergeant Kelley of the First Texas Co. M raised a flag of The
Confederate States as a band played Dixie.
The flag will remain for all time fluttering over the monument to
those who gave their lives for the country that flag represents.
A volley was fired in honor of fallen comrades from those in ranks.
Indeed a sobering day and reminder of what this ceremony truly was
about. This war has taken so
many of our young men and so many a wife; a sister; a mother dressed in
black have only this small monument of memory of their loss.
When the green cloth was removed the monument was revealed.
It is a small carved stone with words honoring those who it
represents, but forsaken not that those who gave of themselves will
forever be remembered in our hearts. It is encouraged that those who have not yet seen this
monument should do so. It is
located at the southwest end of the Hollywood Cemetery along the river and
railroad.
Tom R. Grandy
Daily
Richmond
Examiner