The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-05-31
to these aaeted sbripes, each nnc may have
Gained be the taachinRa Of the t0mmoratlve

NAV
above us these sturdy warriors are marching
shoulder to shoulder, keeping time to lestia
music; and as we are sire wing flowers upOI
their graves, here, may not they sbe looking
with angelic eyes upon US, and preparing eter
nal, uufading chapets for our brOws, when We
shall Join them there, and our ranks shall bt
filed to stay untroken through all the ages Of
eternity !
The benediction was pronounced by the
chaplain. and the battalion reformed to return
home. From the depot the procession moved
up Chestnut street to Congress. leaving the
guests at the City Hall The march was tber
resumed down Congress to Pearl down Pear
to Middle, up Middle and Free to High, dowu
High to Spring, up Spring to State, through
State to Congress, down Congress to headquar.
tiers, where the procession was dismissed.
IN THE EVENING
City Hall was quite well filed, the galleries
showing better array Of filed seats than the
floor, which may be accounted for by the close
atmos phere of the room. 1t was quite late
when the exercises began. On the platform
were the Mayor and City Government. the
Grand Army OF the Republic, tina Krentzer
Club and the gentlemen to whom were assign
was past o'clock when past Commander Land
called the assembly 20 order aad assumed the
chair. The Kreutzers gave in excellent har.
moDy The Ruined Chapel; which was follow
ed by fervent prayer by Rev. Dr. Carruthers
aud in response the Kreutzers gave beauti-
full vocal selection, entitled brothers, though
from yonder sky" Rev. Mr.. Root then ad-
vanced and read with true dramatic power the
following little impromptu poem, written yes
terday afternoon by Capt Eaoch Knight, Of
the Sunday Star-"a soldier boy" who did his
duty in Ges. Buffers Anew England Depart
ment" in the Gulf and at New Orleans:
Memorial Day-1ssl.
There's a beautiful legend mortals have heard,
How the prayers of the children or men
Are gathered by angels the shining gate,
And are garlands CT flowers, then;
While all through the city where reignelh our God,
Fen to the great white throne, ~
By every breath of the setaph realm
Tie rich perfume 10 blown.
Oh. a rare and glorious thought /. this,
That cen where the angels sing
The grandest token OF Immortal taith
Is the fragrance the flowers bring.
So the prayers OF these Years Of sorrow and doubt
The nation has passed through,
Are rewu in flowing wrea,hs to-day
On the graves vi the brave and true;
And the fragrance they shed about our lives
Is sweetsr and richer far
Than the glory that comes Of the laurel crown
Or the smOke-stained battle scar.
For we bow to-day 10 the hottest shrine,
With faiih that. is chastened and meet,
As Mary OF Beth any bowed and wept
At the loving SaviOr's feet.
Thus the prayers of earth are the flowers above;
DWhile the spirits that DIV ell in bliss
Distil from the Iealai OF perfect 1--we
The az Gets that blossom in this.
Bespeak we then, the iondest tribute we know.
The heavenly smile anu the earthly prayer,
That golify all things below.
And blossom In gailands there.
Past Commander Land then introduced the
orator Of the evening, Gen. James A. Hall,
who commanded the ID Maine Battery at the
battle of Gettysburg, who had promised to re-
late his experiences and observation during
Three Days at Getty sburg. The General was
evidently almost exhausted by his previous
efforts. He had spoken long and ably at
Gardiner, under blazing sun. and had ridden
sixty miles in the intense heat 10 fulfil bis en-
gagementss and had arrived here lust in time
to take his place on the platforms; consequent
~ his voice was weak and, being deceived by
the size of the hall, exerted himself more than
was necessary, and failed to make himself dis
tinctly understood at first, but lie afterwards
took position more in front, with better sue
cess. He began by narrating the position of
the opposing forces in The early part of June,
1855 and the causes which led 10 the battle of
Getty sburg-the restrictions which General
Hooker labored under in consequence of the
or jealousy of Gen. Halleck; the re.
llet OF the former from the command of the
Army of the Potomac at his own request-the
succession Of Gen. Meade TO the command
three days before the battle, and the concur
rent adoption Of Gen. Hooker's suggestion for
the abandonment of Harper's Ferry: and then
he passed to a more detailed description of the
eventful scenes of those days. To reproduce
like a just idea of the lecture would
be but to reproduce chapter of history writ,
ten many times over, and given anew by one
of it's most gallant makers. 1t was frequently
interrupted by demonstrations of favor, and
gave great satisfaction TO those who were pa
tient enough to put up with the imperfections
Of the speakers delivery.
The Kreutzers followed with the selection,
'Calmly in peace thou art sleeping" The
by the chaplain closed the exer-
cises.
THE DAY
was universally regarded by our citizens in
some form. Many graves Of those who died
not in battle were decorated anew with spring
flowers, and love exerted itself to gather the
70 rast Aowar. ond uoavo than, IN sorna roxv
form as tokens Of affection or gratitude to those
who had gone before; and the avenues of the
different cemeteries were fragrant and bright
with tokens Of undy ing remembrance. We
do not remember ever to have seen so lavish .
display as Goods Acre" presented yesterday.
There was a commendable suspension OF bust
ness in the afternoon. The public offices and
almost all the stores were closed, and if there
was not so large crowd Of people attendant
upon the services it was evident that the peo-
pie recognized and kallowei Memorial Day.
PORTLAND BANp-Ye,terlay morning we
forms to be worn by the Portland Band ON the
occasion of their concert on Thursday night,
which are at the same time handsome, neat,
and serviceable. The coat is military frock
of dark blue cloth, single breasted, with nine
buttons on the front and three on each cuff.
The cuffs and collar are also embroidered with
gold cord in Zouave pattern. and the should ers
are ornamented with the Russian knot in gold
on a light-blue ground. The pants are of
dark blue with stripe Of light blue an inch
wide edged with gold braid. There is very
handsome body belt, that passes over one
shoulder composed of light blue cloth edged
with dark blue that supports little cartridge
box ornamental with the monogram, p. B..
the belt being ornamented where it crosses the
breast with the same monogram The waist
belt is also of light blue, the belt plate being
ornamental with the monogram. This hat is
the same as that worn last fall by the Band,
but the pompon has been changed, the base
being of white, the top of light-blue. They are
some of the prettiest uniforms we have seer
for some time, and reflect great credit upon
the establishment of Mr.. A. E. Webb, who
manufactured them.
SUDDEN DEATH Coroner Hall was called
at II o'clock last. night to investigate the cause
of the death of a child Of Henry P. and Saral
LOUISA Ball, living in the rear Of Washington
street, aged about eight months. The chilt
bad been suffering from what appeared to be a
cold, for about week, and it was put to bet
last night with two older children. The moth
er went to look at the infant before etirinI
and found it ia CON atose state. DR.. Webste
was called, and when he arrived he pronounced
it dead. Coroner Hall regarded an inques
unnecessary. 1t is probable that congestion