Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1864-06-29
The Battle Monument.
Dedication of a portion Of the Grounds at West
Point for the site Of Memorial to the
Dead Of the Present War.
GENERAL MCCLELLAN DELIVERS TIE DEDI-
CATORY GRAFTON


Wednesday, June 18th, in the dedication
of a portion Of the grounds as a site on
which to erect monument to the mem
ory of those members of the regular ar
my who have perished during the pres
ent war. The announcement that Cen
eral Mcclellan would deliver the oration
on the occasion, induced an immense
number of people to visit the Military
I cademy to witness the ceremony, and
all the trains and boats we're crowded
with them.
a stand was erected on the site, at
Trophy Point, and was decorated with,
flags, in festoons and unfurled. Over
the centre of the front of the stand was
national shield, ornamented with a tro-
ply of bayonets, the paints radiating
from the top and sides. On the platform
of the stand table was placed for the
orator, and during the morning some
young ladies covered and ornamented 1t
with natural roses, in full bloom, and
other fragrant flowers. In front of the
stand several rows of seats we're arrang-
ed for the ladies, but proved far to few
for the occasion, many of them making
seats for themselves on the grass. The
gentlemen either stood or reclined on the
green, and among the civilians we're dis
tributed large sprinking of officers of
all ranks, both in the army and navy,
Shortly after half-past twelve, nation
al salute Of thirty-fve guns was fred
from battery Knox, and the procession
commenced moving in the following or
der:
1st, The Military Academy band. %,
Battalion of cadets. 8, Detaehmen;s of
troops stationed at or visiting the post.
4th, Carriage containing the President Of
the Executive Committee, and the Chief
Marshal. 5,h, Senior member of the
Executive Committee, orator and chap
lains. 9th, The Executive Committee.
7th, Carriage containing Lieut.. General
Scott and the Inspector Of Military Aca-
DENY S, The Academic Board, Board
of Visitors, Academic staff, and State and
municipal civil officers. 9th, Officers of
the army and navy. 10Th, Families Of
the same 11th, Civilians.
The following was the order of the
proceedings:
1st, Religious service, Prof French.
ID, Music, Hail Columbia. Sd, Grafton
General Mcclellan. 4th Music, Star
Spangled Banner and Yankee Doodle.
5th, Benediction, Rev. DR.. Sprole, 9th,
Dirge.
At about one O'Clock, General Nc Cle,-
Ian, accompanied by General Anderson,
walked from the carriage along an aveu-
ue lined with people, who saluted him
with cheers as he passed along, to which
he replied with military salute. On
ascending the steps Of the stand the
cbeors were continued until he took his
seat. At this time there were on the
stand several distinguished guests, who
all uncovered as General Mcclellan pas
sed to his seat, which was in the centre of
the platform
After prayers, Prof. French addressed
the assemblage, expressing a wish that
as the event was to honor the dead, there
should be no demonstration made, but
that it should be allowed to pass through
to the end as would a funeral service over
the remains OF those who had fallen in
war to defend the welfare and honor of
the United States.
| General Anderson introduced General
Mcclellan as the crater of the day, asser-
ting that he was far better known to the
people than he (Anderson) could ever
hope to be.
AS General Mcclellan arose from his
seat-in spite of what Prof French had
said, and entirely disregarding the Gen
erals signs of disapproval and attempts
to make them desist-ths crowd saluted
him with loud and prolonged cheering.
As soOd as quiet had been restored, Gen.
eral Mcclellan, in q clear, calm, yet per-
fectly audible voice, delivered the dedi.
catory OratiOn, which We cannot print
now for want of room. Here are the
concluding paragraphs of the perOra-
tion:
ain the midst of the storms which toss
our ship of state, there is one great bsa-
con light to which We can ever turn with
confidence and hope. It cannot be that
this great nation has played its part in
history; it cannot be that our sun, which
arose with such bright promises for the
future, has already set forever. It must
be the intention of the overruling Deity
that this land, so long the asylum of the
oppressed, the refuge Of civil and rslig-