National Republican., 1874-06-01
DECORATTON SERKICEs.
HOW THE FALLEN BRAVES WERE HON
ORED-INTERESTING AND IMPRES

HOW THE FALLEN BRAVES WERE HON.
ORED-INTERESTING- AND impress
SIYE EXERCISES IN THE VARIOUS
CEMETERIES.
on Saturday, in accordance with the published
programme the members Of the Grand Army Of
the Republic assembled at the corner of Tenth
and streets, and, accompanied by the children
OF the Sailors and Soldiers Orphans Home, pro-
eeeded at once to Arlington for the purpose of
decorating the graves.
Arriving at the cemetery the procession, con-
sisting Of the committee, the invited guests, and
the orpan children, and in which the public
Joined, formed at IL o. m. In front Of the mansion
headed by the Marine badd, and passed by the
man road into the cemetery, where It separated
and proceeded withthe decoration of the graves,
miniature flags supplying in many cases the un-
avoidable scarcity of flowers.
During the decoration ceremonies the Marine
band rendered appropriate selections, and after
their completion, the procession reformed and
marched to the amphitheatre, where the follow
ing services were held National salute at o'clock
p. m; music, "Norma," Marine band: calling the
assemblyto order, Department Commander F. H.
Sprague: prayer, Rev. q. H. Fay, D. D.; chorus,
ave have laid them down to rests" orphans from
the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home; origi-
nal poem, ]. p. Irvine; music, religious, "An-
dante" Marine band; GRAFTON, General Joseph r.
Hawley; chorus, Bring Flowers" orphans from
Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home; music, Sc
lections, Lucia, Marine band; benedictiOn, Rev.
DR.. Fay. ------
In alluding to the army and navy, Rev. DR.. Fay
prayed that 'alI our people, North and South,
East and West, may, under the Quickening i'm
pulse Of Thy impartial love, be joined In stili
closer union, and. by fidelity to Thee and to each
other and by right use Of the means Of growth
they enjoy, achieve the highest glory Of nations
intelligence and righteousness"
The poem OF Mr.. Irvine, which is . beautiful
and appropriate effort, was read with much feel
ing and power.
The Grafton of General Hawley was listened to
attentiEely, and frequently applauded.
The exercises were closed with ben ediction.
There was an immense crowd in attendance,
and there were numerous incidents but no acci-
dents.
OTHER CEMETERIES.
At the Soldiers Home cemetery the services
were commenced at 10 q. m, under the direction
of Colonel B. F. Hawkes., senior viee-commander
G. A. R, assisted by the following committee:
Mrs. A l. Hawkes. Mrs. NJ. B. Greene, Mrs S.
h. White, Mrs Mary V. Hart, Miss s A. War
rem, Mrs. A. Ridgely, Miss q. F. Van Buren,
Miss Rebecea Michener, and the Messer family.
The Rev. W T. Vandoren delivered fervid
prayer to the Most High for His blessing upon
the occasion. and then q dirge was sung by the
choir improvised for the occasion.
During this time the veterans OF the Home,
under the direction Of Major General Pitcher,
Governor Of the Home, were grouped Rt ease
about the pavilion, and appeared deeply inter-
ested in the services.
Hon. William c. Lawrence, Of Ohio then de-
nvered an eloquent address.
Mrs. Marie Barton Green then recited an origi
nal poem with fine effect.
The choir then, under the direction of Mr.. B. E.
Messer sang the song composed for this Memorial
day, entitled "Our Braves"
The assemblage then proceeded to battle-ground
cemetery, where thirty-two soldiers are buried,
who fell in defence of the capital July L. 1884 at
the time Of Early's raid. Alter few explanatory
remarks by Colonel B. F. Hawkes., the graves
were decorated, each with small national flag
and choice bouquet. The committee and many
of the assemblage then entered conveyances to go
TO Arlington, and Join in the ceremonies there.
The ceremonies at Prospect Hill cemetery were
conducted by the German Veteran Union. 1t
was expected that Senator SchurZ would deliver
the address, but on account Of his sickness that
duty devolved upon Major Charles l. Behle-
This was followed by singing Of the S@ngerbund
and the pupils of the District German schools.
While the graves were being decorated q salute
OF thirty-seven guns was fred by the District
Foot artillery, Capt. Hahnemann commanding.
y.
him, left headquarters on street, early in the
day, and drove to the Congressional cemetery,
where he made q brief address, after which Rev.
Mr. Davidson offered prayer. The graves were
all profusely decorated, after which the commit
tee repaired to Oak Hill, where, without cere-
mony, the graves of Secretary Stanton, Generals
Reno, Griffin, Harris and Dyer, Colonel Owen,
Lieutenant Meigs, Admiral Shubrick and Com
modore Boyle and others were strewn with gar
lands.
The grave Of Captain Peck and those who are
inferred in Glenwood were decorated by the COM
mittee of the German Veteran Union.
At Mount Olivet cemetery the tomb Of Colonel
Garesche was entwined with garlands by O COM
mittee Of the War Department employees.
A large party made the usual trip to Mount
Vernon, among them being q committee of ladies
from Baltimore, who came for the purpose Of
decorating the tomb Of Washington. Captain
Hollingsworth. the superintendent, Aad the en-
closure tastefully decorated, and When the pas
sengers had gathered about made brief address,
Captain Frank Hollipgshead, OF the Arrow, read
an original poem, and several appropriate odes
were sung.
ELSEWHERE.
Services of a most imposing character were also
held at Antietam, Md, Gettysburg, Pa, Fred
ericksburg, Va, New York, Boston, end many
other places.