The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-05-31

This concluded the ceremonies at the tomb.
The procession was then formed and proceeded
towards the National Cemetery, stopping on
the way to perform the ceremony OF decorat-
ing the graves OF the Officers. After leaving
this portion of the grounds, the process zion
stopped on the wayto
DECORATE THg Cross.
To the left and front OF the entrance to the
cemetery proper, was erected between two
poles which were decorated with small flags,
a memorial of unique design. The hesdboard
OF the grave was a cross about eight In height,
on which was the following Inscription;
"In memory to the heroes of Antietam Oct
tysburg, wilderness, Shiloh, Fair O,ks, 90
rlnth, Ball Run, stone River, Vieksburg. "
dar Creek, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Gold Hsr-
Dor, Petersburg"
On either arm OF the cross was a design OF
arms stscked and crossed sabres, and in the
centre was cannon. The foot-board bore the
Inscription, "Fort Flsher-Five Forks" The
cross was surmountei by a crown Of ever
greens, and the vacant spaces were covered
with army badges, formed OF flowers and ever
greens.
The ceremony OF decoration was ymbolieal
as follows; The orphans having gathered
around a mound intended to represent ma
tional tomb sang one verse OF 'Children of the
Fallen Brave" Certain floral tributes 10 the
form OF army corps badges were passed to two
OF the orphans, who handed them to the widow
OF a"fallen brave" She In turn handed the
floral offerings to a soldier Ia full uniform
without equipments. Hc In turn handed them
to two soldiers In citizens dress, one without
arms, tlost In battle.) Mr.. s. II. Decker, and
one with one arm, Mr.. Charles E. Dierman.
These MANNED heroes, by means Of hooks, at
flashed the noral tributes to the arms OF the
cross. when completed the decorations were
beautiful and novel.
THE CEMETERY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Soon after entering the cemetery we find
enclosed by a neat railing two handsome mon
uments. One of them bears this inscriptions
"George Washington Parke Oustis, born
April 30, lTsli died October 10, 1856" and the
other, "Msry l.. Custis, born April 20, 1888
died April 20, 1853"
By the side Of the main passage board
handsomely wrcathed bore this inscription:
| "The hopes, the fears, the blood, the tears,
That marked the bitter strife,
Are now all crowned by victory,
That saved the nations life."
Down the centre was another board, also
handsomely wresthed, bearing this inscrip-
| ton;
| Rest on, embal med and santed dead.
| No impious footsteps here shall tread
| Tho heritage Of your grave;
| Nmg hhap your glory no iptgO.,
| n whnIe rhn ii y y re- ,IH neePsI
| Where valor proudly sleeps. "
| "ti u''h'' on Hth''aF oo"iu
| NV, meath theiI parent turt IheS Tei'
| rat from Sne k2IS heia
| pn A. W 9PnhiIi ~ J hII1 p'oas''
| rSs .nn n1y No y D vi, I H1iis s,.y
| Smiles sadly on them heroi
| And kindred eyes aud hearts watch by
| The soldiers sepulchrc.'
| Here and there all over the cemetery the
plain wooden head.boards have been replaced
by handsome m .rble tablets, placed there by
loving ones to mark the spot where restu their
noble friend.
A guard Of marines was placed over the
graves of the rebel soldiers who are buried
near the bridge with orders to allow no flow.
ers Ia he strswn upon these grave. until the
ceremonies of the day were concluded,