Decoration Day at Rose Hill Cemetery has several historical origins. In 1868, Gen. Joshua Logan, the Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic (Union Veterans of the War Between the States), established May 30th as Decoration Day, a day to decorate the graves of the Northern war dead. The observance held then coincides with the observance of our present day Memorial Day. In 1971, the National Congress established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May.

Another version of the beginning of Decoration Day takes us back to April 25, 1866. A group of women visited Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, with the idea of decorating the graves of Confederate soldiers who had died in the many hospitals in Columbus. While placing the flowers on the graves, the ladies noticed how bleak the graves of the Union dead appeared, so they began placing flowers on the Union graves as well. This was considered an act of reconciliation, helping to bring closure to a long and bitter war. It was written in some newspaper articles that Friendship Cemetery was the place “where flowers healed a nation.” In the South, Decoration Day evolved into Confederate Memorial Day that is celebrated in Southern states, generally in April, although some southern states observe dates in January, June or May and call the Day Confederates Heroes Day, Robert E. Lee’s Birthday, Jefferson Davis’ Birthday, or the date of the death of Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson. Mississippi observes the Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday in April.

Decoration Day will be observed at historic Rose Hill Cemetery at 10 a.m. on April 14. Ladies, dressed in period clothing, will place flowers on the graves of selected Confederate veterans. Ella Mosby Calhoun, the great-granddaughter of Sgt. Charles M. Rubush, a member of the 17th Indiana Mounted Infantry, will place flowers on his grave. Sgt. Rubush is the only Union veteran buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. Rubush came through Meridian during the later years of the War, like what he saw and vowed to return and help rebuild the south. After learning to be a brick mason, Rubush left Indianapolis and returned to Meridian in 1868. After establishing his business enterprises, Rubush courted Martha Ann “Mattie” Wedgeworth. They were married in October 1871. Charles Rubush constructed buildings across the south. His most notable accomplishments include the Grand Opera House, Lauderdale County Court House, The Marks-Rothenberg Building, numerous churches, Lee Hall at Mississippi A&M; College (now MSU), several buildings at the state female college (MUW), as well as several train depots. Charles and Mattie Rubush are buried in the Rubush plot at Rose Hill Cemetery. Carol Sessums and Jennifer Stockman, along with the ladies of members of the 46th Mississippi, will be escorted to each grave to place flowers. Company E, of the 46th Mississippi Infantry, was formed in Warren and Yazoo County and named the Jeff Davis Rebels. Company F was formed in Lauderdale County by Capt. Constantine Rea, local attorney and editor of the Lauderdale Republican, and named the Lauderdale Rifles. Members of the 46th Mississippi, dressed in Confederate uniforms, will after the placing of the flowers, fire a rifle salute in honor of the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice and the playing of Taps by Casey Stockman will follow.

The Confederate Mound is the final resting place of more than 150 Confederate soldiers who died in Meridian hospitals during the war. Confederate Naval hero, Lt. Charles W. Read and his wife, Nebraska Carter Read, are also interned in the Mound. These soldiers were originally buried at the location of the Meridian Main Fire Station on 25th Avenue and 14th Street. The remains were discovered in 1885, when construction began on Whitfield School, and they were moved to the Confederate Mound. The obelisk atop the Confederate Mound was purchased with funds raised from a performance of “The Queen of the East.” This play, written by Meridian Mayor Edward Dial, was performed in the Grand Opera House in May 1889. Across the 10 acres of the cemetery, more than 170 other Confederate soldiers rest. These are men who returned to Meridian after the war and rebuilt the city and held positions of responsibility in government, commerce and education. Several were doctors and ministers.

Historic Rose Hill Cemetery is rich with the history of Meridian and the men and women who rebuilt the city after the War Between the States.

Informative tours of historic Rose Hill Cemetery can be arranged by contacting Walton Moore or the Lauderdale County Archives. The public is invited to attend this event. It is suggested that lawn chairs be brought to the ceremony, as there is no seating available. Historic Rose Hill Cemetery is located on the corner of Eighth Street and 40th Avenue. Because of congestion, parking inside the cemetery is not available. However, parking is available in the Calvary Baptist Church Parking Lot, just across the street.

This event is sponsored by the Benevolent Association, Owners of Historic Rose Hill Cemetery, the Maj. Constantine Rea Historical Society, and the “Lauderdale Rifles,” Company F, 46th Mississippi Infantry. For additional information, please contact Walton Moore or Ward Calhoun at the Lauderdale County Archives.



Ward Calhoun Jr. is records manager of the

Lauderdale County

Department of Archives.