New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-05-31
THE 1uMBs OF UNION SOLDIERS.
THE srEEoHHs ON THE ccAsroN,

In accordance with a request of the
commander.in.C Chief of the Grand Army of
M Republic, General John A. Logan, yes.
srday was devoted to the pious duty of
decorating the graves of our patriotic dead
With flowers, and commemorating their
de5ds and glorious death in suitable
mseches and other ceremonies.
Two steamers were kindly placed at the
disposal of the public-the revenue cutter
wilderness by Collector W, P. Kellogg, and
ne Ella Morse by Colonel R. N. Batchelder.
Both boats started with passengers, leaving
frst at twelve o'clock, noon. and returning
Immediately for another load. TIE last
boat left the foot of Canal street about half
Dsa two, pretty well crowded with people.
large number of ladies went down each
Trip
The number OF visitors during the day
vs. very large, On arriving at the GENE.
terles the people laid their offerings at the
head Of the tombs, and afterward inspected
he grounds with feelings Of deep and
nournful interest. They stood within
mail city of the dead; around them were
he remains of twelve thousand true men
VIC had braved the perils of the battle.
field aud exposed themselves to the many
dangers of a soldiers life. They now sleep
hpeace after having so nobly performed
ihe highest duty they owed to their country.
Of the number buried in the cemetery
cnly about six thousand FIVE hundred are
Eloyn by name. The rest have never been
iientfed.
Captain Barnard, Captain Hyatt, and
Captain Gray are entitled to the special
sthsnk8 of the visitors for the courtesies which
hey extended to ALL These gentlemen
have charge of the cemetery, and the per.
fiction of its arrangement is lasting eyi-
dence of the fidelity with which they have
discharged their duties.
When the task of strewing the graves
with flowers was. completed the people as.
Rnbled upon and around canvas-covered
platform and to listen to the speeches.
Captain W. B. Armstrong was chosen
chairman. He stated the objects for which
they had been called together in brief and
#brcible speech, after which he introduced
Rey. MI. Brakeman, who addressed a pray
Ter to the Throne of Grace, and then read
general orders No. II of General Logan, and
commented upon it in appropriate terms.
The chairman then introduced General
|. A. Sheldon, VINO was tohpeak on behalf of
he Army and Navy Union. The General
poke as follows:
Speech of General l.. A. Sheldon.
FELLOW CITIZENS AND FRIESDs: The pro.
oundest sorrow is said often to be mani.
listed by muteness. Therefore, on this
eceason it is perhaps not becoming TO
Indulge in any elaborate speech. It will be
oi little use to Us and Of no service to those
Who are here inferred.
lean not help remarking the appropriate.
ness Of establishing a national cemetery
upon this historic field. 1t has been the
custom of all civilized nations to respect
Tie dead; more often it arises from relation
MP personal acquaintance, or other ties.
From the earliest times nations have been
"a the habit of perpetuating the memories
q their heroes in history and in song.
Many who sleep here are nameless. But
their virtues, and the cause in which they
ought entitle them to go down to posterity
hy the side of the most honOred in history.
We all remember well the feelings with
Vhie1 we were impressed at the time of our
tsath. When we swore fealty to our GOV.
Eament we but recognized that principle
which was instilled into the minds of the
spartan youths when they went out to war
Dretu-l only with or upon their shields.
nose Of us who survive returned lciM
~ shields, while those who are buried
lere returned upon their shields to mother
Arth. (Applause.) They were aotuated
y the same spirit that moved Regulus to
taoose imprisonment torture, and death
iather than advise his country to disad.
'ansageous peace. There was in them the
ane selfabnegation that characterized the
pscn when they devoted themselves for the
eod Of Rome. The same love of country
tach actuated Jasper in risking
losing his life to prevent the
of his country from remaining in the
AAds of its enemies. The same absence Of
yenality that actuated the bosom Of
eoael Morris ofthe Revolution, whowhen
hrad power and possessions to turn
Alaat AIS country, replied that he was not
afh purchasing, but such as he was King
aarge had mot money enough to buy him.
sle aame pertinacious courage which char
led the dying Lawrence when he
Don't give up the ship =
same spirit which actuated that brave
aaadelphia general whose name can not
N reeoAeet who when dying of wounds,
NJ 70 his physician, " Doctor turn me over
III may die with my face to the foe.r The
ne spirit was manifested by an officer of
e0mmand who when pierced through
We body with rebel bullet said to his men
J aim, = Boys, tight on to the last. have
one life for my country, wish had
aolher TO lose." The same spirit
actuated young soldier whom had
( lle tWenty-seventh day of April, 1863,
lie sergeant for gallantry, and who on
'ls INST day OF May following fell .mortally
elnded, and when being carried past me
1 Fed TO speak with me- Seeing the
4lqr Of death upon his countenance, |
Eed, Gray, are you wounded ~ He
llea tsYes, badly, and / can not sur.
4 leR Said !, Don't despair; men some
! Fe de for want Of the will to liye.r
Eeplied, Il can not live, but ] want to
4 Qle question. Colonel, have i been q
q ,oldierM To which replied. eyes,
aaveg been good soldier, GrhyF He
SAD, That e All 1 desire 10 know.
carry me on " Fhe same spirit that
.lActerized another soldier of my com
b who, after receiving fatal wound In
= rsAiqi 1T Is as expected when | en-.
a-to die; but have lived the life-of
stan, Tell my grandfather that have
% do my duty as a soldiers tiil- hp
81 tho affecting 70 continues q recital Of
occurrences. They may be carried 50
20 become tedious. These illustrate
q eaetal feeling that perVaded an mine ds
Wien j think Of the-death and suffering
z hRTe fallen under my observation Il
Z .rErQWs up my soul that 4 could Al.
d wish that treason and all its
ortefs had shared the fate OF Satan
g 1e was cnst frOm the battlements Of
yen. But it does not become ne, viotors
4e late war, 70 indulge In feelings Of
tlndness. It will not restore the dead to
nor viii It heal the wounds that have
= made. We should now labor for the
- happiness, aud welfare Of our com