Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-05-29
INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
DECORATION DAY AT ALEXANDRIA.

This day having been set apart by the Grand
Army OF the Republic to commemorate the
glorisus deeds of the patriot soldiers who laid
down their lives for the Union, by decorating
their graves with flowers, our citizens who in
tended TO participate In the interesting ceremo.
nies OF the occasion Were pleased TO find the
morning bright and beautiful; the lowering
clouds and chilling drizzle Of the last few day.
having disappeared during the night, leaving
the dust laid and the atmosphere purified
The exercises AZ the National Cemetery AT Ar
hngton, reported full below, were Of the
most interesting character and were witnessed
by thousands OF spectators. The eloquent and
feeling address OF Hon. ). s. Fisher made
deep impression on the minds of those who
heard II, and many were affected 10 tears. The
exercises al Alexandra Will also be found re-
ported below:
The Preparations.
All day yesterday and the day before the
ladies having charge of the reception and ar
ranging OF fiOwers- were engaged at Wesley
chapel. and Were KEEP: contIn ually busy: ia-
deed, al times, the pavement was blocked up
with persons waiting their turn TO take in their
nOrai offerings. They Were brought in-some
IN baskets, and some In wagons, some withou
order, and others arrayei n bouquets. wreatns,
and crosses. Nearly every garden, pubic and
private, Lu the Distinct paid ITS tribute: the 30
isriSal, Propaganng, Arnory Square, and Ag-
rIculturaI ss--~ens Were culIed of their choice
blooms. Last evening there were iour wagon
loads started from the chapel % the grounds,
and this morning three more were started from
the same place, and three from other points.
Many of the crosses and bog uets had or them
the anes of premine u battles, and on one croes
ten feet nigh, was painted the names of the
all the principal battle fields in which the
Army of the Potomac was engaged. IL was
trimmed profu seIy and tastefulIy with lowers,
and attracted much attention az the Chapel
before II was sent over this morning. This
was the work Of a member OF the Grand Army
of the Republic, assisted by some of his lady
friends. In the collection sent over to Airing
Ton this morning there were over 500 crosses,
and about double that number OF wreaths.
Columbia Fire Company, No. 3, contributed
ten large baskets Of wreaths, &c.
Departures for Arlington.
At an early hour this morning it was seen
that the people generally would take part In
the ceremonies, and those who had put OF en-
gaging conyeyances found that II was almost
impossible 70 obtain vehicles fer family or in
dividual use-the liyeTy-stable men in nearly
every instance having hired every seryiceable
Ieam early In the day. Many went over 70 the
grounds early IN the morning. At O'Clock a
number of cars Of the Washington and George
Town railroad in front Of the Marine garrison
Were filed by the oaltalion Of marines,w with the
hne band of the corps, and proceeded to
Georgetown. and dIsembark king. under the
command Of Colonel Haywood, cOmmanI-
ing the post. marched 10 Arlington The
same cars returned 70 the switch on New
YORK avenue, where the Arion and Beethoven
Clubs, the Sspngerbund, and Heald's Band left
a. IJ-i5. The Ladies Committee of Arrang--
msuts and the orphans OF the Soldiers and Sail
OTs Orphans Home left IN Omnlbusses for he
grounds, and during the mOrnIng, from the
HeadQ dQuarters of the Grand Army Of the Re-
public. iU7 L street, carriages aud omniDusses
We're continually leaving with the comrades OF
the Grand Army. The members of the Grand
Army were on their breasts a neat satin batss,
on which was the insignia Of the q. A r. and
name OF the Post, fastened with rosette of
Dlack and white, on which was an eagle.
The ears, from nine O'Clock until after one,
gong westward were each hlied 20 overflow
ing, notvithstanding every available car wa
placed on the line.
Business Suspended.
All the Government Departments, the Gov
srnment Printing once, the Arsenal and Navy
Yard were closed, as also the Offices of the Cor
poratIOn, and the banks, &c. The courts hay-
ing adjourned over, there was no business
transacted in the east wing OF the City Hall.
The nass on many of the pu bic buildings, no.
tels, &c- Were displayed al half mast, and the
city wore n subdued holiday appearance
throughout the day Although many OF the
stores were open during the morning, quite q
large NUMBER OF business houses were ciossc
al noon. and remained closed until after the
conclusion Of the ceremonies.
Arrival Of the Presiden, and Party.
The President, accompanied by Mrs Grant
arrived in his ph3ton about fifteen minutes
before one, followed by the ehildrsn's buggy
with Miss Nellie, and following tins was the
close family carriage with Mr. Dent, the father
Of Mrs. Grant.
The Stand.
The stand was erected Immediately IN the
rsar OF the Arlington Mansion, near the en-
france 20 the cemetery, and opposite TO the
monument erected to the memory OF the un
known soldiers IL was very large and fun
nIshed with seats TO accommodate I've hundred
persons The decorations were tastefuliy ar.
ranged, the national colors being displayec
upon the front and back. The full Marine
Band occupied seats on the right. The hrsi
part OF the eeremony-address OF MI. Jisner,
&C. TOOK place AZ this stand, the immense con
course being IN fron'. where seats had been
provided Tor large numbe-. Among those &C.
eupyIpg seats on the stand during the ceremo-
nee nere- were the President and Mrs. Grant
MI Dent Secretaries Fish, Rawlins, Borie
Boutwell, and Coz. Postmaster General Cress
well and lady, Su Edward Thornton, the
BRUSH Minister, Senators Nye, and Warner
Treasurer Spinner, Mayor Bowen, General
Dyer, General Emory, Commtssiose-yan Aer.
han- General sherman. he venerable Amos
ktEcaU, Hon Mr.. Latin Of New Yorx Hon