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Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans today have forgotten the meaning and the traditions of Memorial Day. People often confuse the day with Veterans Day (November 11th) and make mention of their sacrifice. Still others think the day is to honor all of the dead. Sadly, many people just think of the day as another long three-day weekend for family reunions, out of town travel, barbeques and backyard fun. However, the day is steeped in tradition, and its solemn beginnings are accredited to the women of the South.
The story begins in Georgia. It is a matter of record that the Mrs. Charles Williams of Columbus, Georgia, instituted the custom of decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers. She was a remarkable woman, the daughter of Major John Howard, of Milledgeville, Georgia. She married Major C. J. Williams on his return from Mexican American War. Later, during the War For Southern Independence (1861-1865), Major Williams served as Colonel of the First Georgia Regiment of The Army of Northern Virginia. He died of disease in 1862 and was buried in Columbus.
Mrs. Williams and her daughter visited his grave every day and often comforted themselves by wreathing it with flowers. While mother sat abstractedly thinking of her lost loved one, her daughter would pluck weeds from the unmarked Confederate soldiers’ graves near her fathers, and cover them with flowers, calling them “her soldier’s graves.” After a short time, death tragically summoned the little girl and Mrs. Williams took charge of these unknown graves for her daughters’ sake.
As she cared for these graves, the thought of the thousands of patriots who gave their lives for the Southern Cause, and who were buried in unknown graves, far from home and kindred came to her. She then proposed an idea of having one day set aside every year to remember the war dead. That day was the 26th day April, for all practical purposes the last day of the war.
It was on April 26th that Confederate General Joseph Johnston surrendered to Major General W. T. Sherman near Durham, North Carolina. Robert E. Lee had already surrendered to Grant on April 9th and Johnston’s surrender, for the most part, ended the war. To be continued next week.