The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-06-12
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON, D. c., I
May 31st, 1873. [


ing flowers upon the graves of those who
fell in defence of their country is not
declining.
Twelve years ago Arlington was owned
and occupied by Col. Robt. E. Lee, who
soon cast his fortune with the cause of
the South aud left his lands, to fight in
defense of that cause. But Robert e.
Lee, though brave man, and perhaps
conscientious man, was doomed to defeat
and after the spring Of 1861 he never
set foot on his old estate. Now, twelve
years have passed, General Lee has been
gathered to his fathers, and Arlington is
owned by the Government he attempted
to destroy, aud is occupied by
Why, here has grown up a city, of
nearly sixteen thousand inhabitants. But
it is quiet city, very orderly city. 1t is
silent city or the dead Its inhabitants
are the noble men who went forth to stay
the traitors hand, to save from dishonor
the flag that Robert Z. Lee had dc
serted
The Rrst thing the visitor observes
upon approaching Arlington is the mag
nifcent gateway, forty feet in height,
built of red Seneca sandstone, over the
top of which is inscribed in letters of gold
the following stanza:
"On fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead
Upon the key y-stone of the arch sur
mounting the gateway is this inscrip-
ton :
"Hcre rests l5,Sl5 of the 3l5, $50
citizens who died that their country
might live"
Passing through this gateway and up
the hill by a nice gravel road beneath
the boushs of immense trees which
shade the entire way, we reach the old
Lee mansion This is building hay
ing front Of about one hundred and
fifty feet and depth of fifty feet. To
the rear are quite number of one story
buildings, doubtless intended tor the do
mestic servants, and quite commodious
stable Standing in front of the risi-
dence we have magnificent view of
Washington and the broad aud peaceful
Potomac. From here can be seen the
Capitol building. the Treasury, White
House, War and Navy Department
Buildings, Patent Office and General
Post Office, the Howard University,
Soldiers Home, the United States Insane
Asylum, the Naval Observatory and the
buildings on Arsenal Point.
To the rear and right of the mansion
is the cemetery. In that portion OF the
cemetery nearest the house is the tomb
of the unknown, handsome monument
of garnite, surmounted by four large can
mons and pile of cannon balls. A
short distance from this is the grave Of
tho nHoor highest In rank among all
those inferred in this cemetery, marked
by a neat marble monument. bearing the
inscription "D. F. Cole, Major 10Th
Coored Infantry, died at Point of Rocks,
Maryland, January 7, 1865, aged 27
years.-Florence. This moutment was
erected by young lady whose first name
was Florence, and to whom this officer
was betrothed at the time of his death.
At the head of each grave is a plain
white board, upon which is painted in
black letters the name, rank, company,
regiment and date of death of him who
rests beneath Quite large number Of
graves are marked by marble slabs and
stones more Oh less elaborately carved,
placed there by the personal friends of
the deceased. The cemetary is laid off
regularly, the graves being in strai ght
rows with streets between them neatly
graveled and kept in good condition.
Yesterday the grounds were profusely
decorated with the national colors and
with flowers. A small flag was stuck in
the earth at the head of each grave.
There was also wreath or a bouquet
placed upon each mound marking the
resting place of Union Soldier,
Did it not require too much space |
would love to give full description of
the ceremonies of yesterday. They con-
sisted of music. instrumental, by the fa-
nous Marine Band, and vocal by choir
of Eve hundred singers, prayer, orations,
the reciting of poems, the strewing of
IOWGlS. GU. hC OIdllOu ny lhC ltCH
7. Dewitt Tallmage was a most eloquent
one, and is we'll worthy of publication in
every journal In the land. l will
content, myself however, with giving
one brief extract:
"In all time to come, let this memorial
day be kept. Strow flowers on the mar
tyers' graves. Strew them on the heads
that ached, and over the hearts that
bled, and over the feet that blistered in
the weary march, Oh, ye throng of de-
parted heroes Stoop down and breathe
this perfume of nations thanks. Stoop
down and take this kiss of nation 5
love. Stoop down and hear this shout:
of nations redemption. Speed on the
day when War itself shall be buried
the grim old breaker of hearts. Carry
him out on an old rusty shield. Bury
his sword with him. Heap on him
stones and broken chariot wheels. Let
widows and orphans clap their hands
and the winds howl for his requim
This IS the second deah'"
President Grant headed the process
ion that marched over the ground, scat
tering flowers upon the graves. The day
was clear and bright, and from fifteer
to twenty thousand persons partici
dated. *.