Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-05-30
MEMORIAL DAY, 1873.
DECORATING THE SOLDIERS GRAVES.
CEREMONIES AT ARLINGTON.
THE GRAFTON BY HON. c. G. WILLIAMS,
THE POEM BY REV. Or. RANKIN.
THE SERVICES AT OTHER CEMETERIES.


their graves, is not what is known in law as a
dies non or legal holiday, this year it was
more generally observed by our people than
heretofore. Business was generally suspended
today, flags were flying from various public
and private buildings, the streets at an early
hour were filled with people, many of them
with lunch baskets, fishing tackle, &C., wend-
ing their way to the railroad depOts, the
steamboat wharves, and country roads. This,
with the warm sunshine, made it look and feel
like 4th of July morning. The number of
eXcursionists and picnickers was very much
with bright sky. and fresh breeze, later in
the morning. Under the auspices of the
Grand Army of the Republic, the memorial
congressional Cemetery were quite interest
ing, and at each place there was large at
TENDANCE The District of Columbia artillery,
Major j. r. Hanneman, went over to Airing,
ton last night, and this morning at sunrise
ushered IN the day by a national salute, and
also fired similar salute at noon.
THE PRESIDENT,
accompanied by Secretary McCrary, Attorney
General DevenS, Gen. Butler, and about thirty
senators and Representatives, left yesterday
afternoon, at As o'clock, on special train
ON the Baltimore and Potomac road, for Get
tysDurg, where they will take part in the ser
vices there.
The National Cemetery at Arlington.
IL
Arlington to-day. The attendance was, how
ever, much smaller than in the year previous.
The day was ushered in by salute from
Major Hanneman'S artillery. About eleven
O'Clock the people began to pour in. They
came III all manner of vehicle, from the stylish
carriage to the rickety one horse "Shay"
Upon entering the grounds through the main
gateway, any one who was present at the cere-
monies last year could not fail to note the
N m nntC In ~,
time The grass Throughout the reservation
instead of having been allowed to spring ND
and grow in struggling and tangled manner at
will, has been moved neatly and rolled sOlidIy
The effect is TO give to the picturesque acres a
new charm, and enhance the lOveliness of the
Deautliul scene always presented to the visitor
10 lnod ArnInglon. IIn Ihe entire surface, Of the
peen covered With a thick layer of rich com
post cOmpact'y rolled. These spaces have
been covered with Kentucky blue grass, the
bright green OF which contrasts well with the
duSky shades OF the other grass and the foil
age, Of the grand old trees. The gravel knolls
TO the right OF the road have been transformed
into elevations of bright green A row of young
maple and Linden trees has been planted on
TIE sides of the road. They are in a thrifty
condlllon, and by their delicate beauty add
Eneir quota TO the general loneliness. Another
Improvement is the row of young poplars
planted around the north side Of the pavilion
Inc soldiers graves are each marked with q
pla!h Whlte marble headstOne, on which is in
scrIbed the name of the deceased, his regi-
ment and date OF death cut in the marble, but
IN many cases this data is wanting and the
SLAB IS marked simply "Unknown." In tie
middle OF these thousands Of graves are
TWO MARBLE MONUMENTS,
showing the res ing place of the former pro-
prietor of the estate, Geo. w. Parke Custis and
his wife. These graves are enclosed with
wooden picket fence. From the former mon
ument II IS aSscertained S that Mr.. Custis was
porn April 30, l7Sl, and died Oct. 10, 1857 and
wi Mor,
Was born April %, 17SS, and died April o. 1853
Mr. Cuslls' monument bears the appropriate
words from Cnrlst's sermon on the mount,
tain mercy that of his wife, Bile Sed are the
pure in heart, for they shall see God"
!, About hail past eleven o'clock the most of
parties into which it was divided presented
lively picture, seated in innumerable spots
among the graves or roaming apparently ann
leSSly amid the noble trees.
THE PROCESSION
was formed in front of the Arlington mansion
shortly before II o'clock, headed by the Marine
band. A large number of citizens jeined the
ex-union soldiers and sailors and the orphans.
and sweled the procession. Marching to the
tomb of the "UnknOWn," it halted. The band
played dirge. The tomb was decorated with
bright flowers, and the procession moved on
with a small flag by it's white marble head
stone, was decorated with flowers, loose and
IN boquets, and by Wreaths of evergreen. The
decoration was by no means elaborate the
supply OF flowers being somewhat small and
insufficient. AT intervals during the decorat
ing, appropriate selections were rendered bv
the Oand. Inc procession then struggled to
THE AMPHITHEATER,
where the oration was to be delivered and the
principal ceremonies of the day enacted. A
new canvass covered the circular space formed
by the pillars and arbor, covered with vines.
In fha
the speakers was draped on the front and sides
by folded flags. From the center of the frame
work above two large flags, draped gracefully
to the pillars at either side with large shield
work OF the arbOr and its supporting pillars
were decorated with bunting and Wreaths.
On each pillar was neat shield, inside vic.
ssa s"rbg pgshgsesn es eame %efhsrson St gsSn
Wadsworth, Meigs, Baker, Reno, Lyon, Kear,
ney and Reynolds Directly IN front of the
speakers stand were seats for the soldiers
ed the motto: Our Nations Wards!" On the
crOssbeam overhead of the speaker was: "In
mIemoriam,n me in lockwood; Allthe seats under
limited IN number, were filled long before the
exercises were commenced, and a dense ring
Of spectators circled all around the opeH1
structure.
The services We're commenced by the over
Band. '''Ao
Mr.. George E. Corson called the assemblase
to order in the following remarks:
Comrades Of the Grand Arnay, Ladies and
Gentenlen:-In accordance with our annual
custom and the rules and regulations of the
Grand Army of the Republic, we have assem-
bled to-day on this hall0wed spot to pay tribute
to the memory OF the loyal dead that here lie
buried, and to tocOmmemOrate with fitting cere
monies the glorious cause in which they died.
All over the broad land TOT day mourning thou
sands are gathered in a hundred silent cities
OF the dead, to deck with garlands the last
reSting-p!a of dear cOmrade, husband. a
SON, father. brother, who went forth To
battle at his cOuntrys call and fell in her holy
cause. So we come here reverently and sol
EMMY bringing earths pureSt and choicest
gifts and strew them with tender and loving
hands upon the grassy mounds beneath which
our comrades "sleep the sleep that knows NOT
waking" We come to offer our devOtiOps at
this shrine OF patriotism, and thereby to per.
petuate the remembrance of the glorious deeds
OF the lllustrlOus dead and those grand prin
clples Tor which they fought-the principles of
loyalty, OF liberty, and Of sublime and un-
devotion to the Union. These men
We're sndeared to us as soldiers by hundred
ties. They shared with us the tolls of the
weary march; the sleepless watches of the
camp and bivouac; the glory of victory, and
the sadness OF defeat. Some of them fell on
Bull Run, and some amid the carnage of the
bloody Wilderness and Charlottesville: others
died in camp and in hospital of the deadly
malaria of the Virginia SWampS
''On Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents ara spread