The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-05-09

! G.. A. R.--The following order was
received by us last evening, and for the
information of the soldiers In West
Virginia we cheerfully give 1t place in
our columns. We presume that where
no Posts have been organized, IL would
be eminently proper for the surviving
soldiers to assemble on the day desig-
mated, and decorate the graves OF their
deceased comrades: Y,gz
Ho'Rs CPD ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
ADJ'T GEN'L's OFFICE, 446. nth ST.,
WASHINGTON, d. c., May 5, 1893. }
General orders No. IL.
L. The S0th day of May, 1868, is desig-
mated for the purpose OF strewing with
flowers or otherwise decorating the
graves of comrades who died In defence
| of their country during the late rebel
| lion, and whose bodies now lie in al
most every city, village, and hamlet
church-yard in the land. In this OBJ
serYance no form of ceremony is pre-
scribed, but Posts and comrades VIII In
their own way arrange such hitting
services and testimonials OF respect as
circumstances may permit.
Wear organized, Comrades, as our
Regulations tell us, for the purpose.
among other things, "of preserving and
strengthening those Kind and fraternal
feelings which have bound together the
soldiers, sailors, and marines who
united to suppress the late rebellion"
What can aid more to secure this result
than by cherishing tenderly the MEM
ory OF our heroic dead, who made their
breasts a barricade between our coun-
try and its foes. Their soldier lives
were the reveille of freedom to a race
in chains and their deaths the tattoo OF
rebeIlious tyranny inarms. We should
punrd their graves with sacred vigil |
Snce. All that the concentrated wealth |
and taste OF the nation can add to their |
adornmeuL and security, is but fitting |
tribute 10 abe memory OF her slain de.
tenders. Let no wanton foot tread
rudely on such hailowed grounds. Let
pleasant paths invite the coming and
going of reverent visitors and fond
mou rners. Let no vandalism of
aVarice or neglect, no rayages of time
testify to the present or the coming |
generations, that we have forgotten, as |
people the cost of free and undiVtd-
ed Republic.
hands slack, and other hearts cold, in |
the solemn trust, ours shall keep II
well as long as the light and warmth of
life remain 10 us. /
Let US then, at the time appointed,
gniher round their sacred remains and
garland the passionless mounds above
Ibem, with tho choicest flowers of
the dear old flag they saved from dis |
honor; let us in this solemn presence
renew our pledges 10 aid and assist |
those whom they have left among us
suCTed charge upon nations graft
Iude, the soldiers and sailors widow
and orphan.
ii. Ii is the hope of the Commander
in-Chief 20 inaugurate this observance
with the hope that 1t will be kept from
wear to year, while survivor of the
war remains to honor the memory of
his departed comrades. He earnestly
desires the public press to call atten-
ton to this order, and lend its friendly |
aid in bringing 1t to the notice of COM
radeS in all parts of the country in |
time for simultaneous compliance
Herewith.
III. Department Commanders will |
use every effort to make this order |
effective.
By order Of
Commander in Chief.