The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-06-01
Soldiers, Mem riaI Service a,

Soldiers Memorial Services.
On account of the very inclement weather
on Saturday last, the memorial service OF
decorating the graves of the brave soldiers who
fell in the late war, ordered by Major General
Logan, Commander in Chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic, were postponed until
yesterday, when they were all carried out &C
cording the programme.
At o'clock yesterday morning the skies be-
tokened pleasant weather and the very smiles
of Heaven seemed to bless the day, as all "the
clouds that lowered DER our town were in the
deep bosom of the ocean buried" The vari-
GUS sections of the order visited all the cemete-
ries of the city, and strewed wreaths and
crosses of rare and beautiful flowers on the
graves of all those soldiers who persisted in the
Union cause.
AT the old Eastern Cemetery, the ceremo-
MES We're conducted by Rev. e. r.. Reyes of
the Chestnut Street Methodist Episcopal
Church. Lieut.. Col. Edward Moore read the
order for the ceremonies, after which the
graves were strewn by the comrades, including
the tombs of Commodore Preble, and Capt
Burrows and Lieut.. Waters who fell in the
action between the Enterprise and Boxer in
the war of 1872. Rev. Mr.. Reyes then offered
a beautiful prayer. The names of all the sol
diers whose remains repose in that cemetery,
to the number of TO- were then read. At the
Western Cemetery and Forest City Cemetery
Rev. S. Ell. Merrill officiated. The names of
read, after which the graves were decorated
and Rev. Mr.. Merrill made prayer. Eighteen
soldiers rest in the Western, and .twenty-eight
in Forest City Cemetery, Cape Elizabeth. At
Calvary Cemetery Father De Rose was pre-
vented from attending on account of the extra
services of Whitsuntde, but the graves of
seven soldiers were properly covered with
flowers by the committee The lone cemetery
under the oaks on the Almshouse farm, con-
tains the remains of two soldiers who died in
hospital in the early days of the war, and they
were not forgotten.
AT 10 o'clock the principal service of the
day commenced by the forming of a process
sion on Federal street, consisting of the mem
bers of Post No. 2 of Maine, Grand Army of
the Republic, under command of Adiutant
Henry NJ Meek, the Portland Army and Navy
Union, under command of DR.. S. G. Gordon,
and few invited guests. The procession was
escorted by the Portland Mechanic Blues
Capt. Geo. w. Parker, attended by drum
corps and the Portland Band. After march
ing through few streets, the column halted in
front of the City Building, and there received
the City Government with representatives of
the several departments and the judiciary.
Thence the procession moved TO the grounds
of the High School building on Cumberland
street. where the Lincoln memorial tree stands
which was appropriately decorated by beau
tiful cross and wreath
The members of the G. A. r. appeared in
black suits with white gloves, and wearing
upon their breasts the emblem of the order
stamped in gold and colors upon a white rib
bon. The blue flag of the order and the Ma
tional flag Of the Union, of silk, draped in
evergreen and black, were carried in the pro-
cession. The marching was excellent, and the
supervision of Major A. M. Benson, assisted
by Captains Edward Moore, HI. L. Prince and
j. +. Land as special aids, left nothing to be
desired as far as the movement of the process
sion was concerned. The procession was pre-
coded by a platoon of policemen, three of
vi WhOul VIC hoIiCcu WOFc Cue UduS6 Vi bQe ST.
A. r., and were under command of Capt. Z
P. Beals. Marshal Head and Deputies Went.
worth and Irish preceded the civic portion of
the procession, and the whole police force did
their duty we'll
The procession then marched to the depot
of the Portland and Rochester Railroad, Lin
coin street. whence the cars started immedi-
ately for Stevens Plains. Arrived at the
Westbrook station, an immense concourse OF
people on foot and in carriages were assem-
bled. The line of march was again taken, and
they proceeded to Evergreen Cemetery, NOV
ing to the beautiful open space which has boon
reserved for the erection of chapel, and
called "the chapel lot" Here platform had
been erected with flag staff, from which
foated "the star spangled banner" at three
fourths staff. The comrades of this Post, after
the City Government and guests became seat
ed, then divided into sections going in differ
ent directions in the large cemetery, and plac-
ing the wreaths and other floral decorations
upon the graves of the soldiers. This grateful
service rendered, all now assembled again at
the chapel lot The band performed dirge,
and Rev. Mr.. Merrill, the chaplain, offered an
prayer, previous to which he made
a few remarks pertinent to the OCCASION
The following hymn, written by Mrs. E. B.
Durham, was then excellently rendered by
the fine quartette choir of the Universalist
Church of Stevens Plains, to the tune of
Boswell"
We come with sad and chastened hearts,
oh, brothers good and brave,
To lay the tribute of our love
On each remembered grave.
Unselfsh sacrifice like yours
Can neer forgotten be;
The perfume OF each loyal heart
Embalms your memory.
With these fair flowers and wreaths of green,
Mingled with tears and signs,
We lay upon your halowed graves
The love that never dies.
: Col. j. Frank Miller then read the general
order for the occasion and made brief speech
and closed with reading the beautifu poem by
Caroline ID. Howe, which we published on
commencing
''Strew flowers above our sainted dead"
He then added the following poetical gem:
THE UNKNOWN HEROES.
Others there were, heroes, though al unknown
Their names emblazon'd on Fame's glorious roll.
No epitaph is theirs, no bronze, no stone;
Their deeds unsung, their patriot deaths unshown
Yet hearts still throb that keep their memory
green,
With silent signs and solemn tears unseen.
re. Cole.
The Mechanic Blues then fired three volleys
of musketry in true military order, and in u
manner worthy of all praise for its exactness.
A benediction was then pronounced by
Chaplain Merrill, and the services were con-
cluded
The procession reformed and marched to the
station, and arrived back at 3 o'clock.
There was some unavoidable delay. caused
by the immense crowd which desired to take
tha apd for xubio fhara NOT mfr Giant