CSA Soldiers Rest

 

Memorial Day 2015 At Soldiers' Rest
C. S. A. Cemetery, Vicksburg, Mississippi

hosted by the National Park Service

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Flags fly at half-mast in remembrance on Memorial Day 2015 at Soldiers' Rest at Vicksburg. Five thousand soldiers or more are interred here. They represent all the Confederate States. So many names are unknown.
   

The wreath at the base of the Monument to the Confederate Dead was placed by the National Park Service.

On Monday, 25 May, the fallen of the War Between the States were remembered with a wreath laying at Soldiers' Rest in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Vicksburg, Miss.

There was prayer and a rifle salute, and J. C. Pemberton Camp Poet Joel T. Bailey read his poem, "Soldier's Rest" (see below). Echo Taps were played - in all, a very moving service.

Ranger Tim Kavanaugh, who spoke at the service, said that this war cost the North and the South 800,000 lives or roughly 5% of the population and that would be a modest estimate. Almost every family was affected in some way by the war.

All gave some and some gave all.

     



Left, the Monument to the Confederate Dead, placed 1893 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Middle, flags at half mast over Soldiers' Rest, include the Bloody Banner.. Shown above, a portion of the hallowed resting grounds for CSA soldiers who died at Vicksburg.
   


Leaving flowers on and around the wreath.


Flowers and a special message left.

   
   


Salute by rifles.


One of the buglers playing Echo Taps.

 


Wayne McMaster, Past Division Commander, SCV,  and Ranger Tim Kavanaugh of the
National Park Service, who spoke at the service.

Members and guests of J. C. Pemberton Camp 1354.

 

"It is a duty to preserve the record and honor of such sacrifice, such privations, such patriotism, such endurance of hardship.

"This is why we raise monuments to our honored dead. While we live, nothing is needed to keep alive the memories of our comrades who fell on the field of battle, but we wish to make our lost cause consecrated forever to the hearts of our descendants.

"We wish to hand down to our posterity a feeling of reverence for their heroic forefathers, who risked their lives and lost fortunes for their country."

-- Gen. Stephen Dill Lee on the 1893 dedication of the Monument to the Confederate Dead

 
 

 


Photo by Bryan Skipworth


Soldiers Rest

by Joel T. Bailey, J. C. Pemberton Camp's Poet

 

The wind blows softly
over the many rows of stone
That are silent reminders
Of the men now long gone

Many people over the years
Have walked here with care
Searching for the name
Of one whose blood they share

 

From all walks of life
And from all over this land
They came to these wooded hills
To make their final stand

For the love of their homeland
They paid the ultimate price
Standing together as one
To make this sacrifice

 

They'll always be remembered
As the South's very best
Bonded together for eternity
Here at Soldiers Rest

 

 

Photos by Larry Holman, Adjutant for the J.C. Pemberton Camp 1354

 

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