The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-06-04
memorial Ceremonies at chestnut Grove.

The ceremonies Of decorating the soldiers graves
in Chestnut Grove church. yard, near Sweet Air,
were performed on Sunday morning last by vii.
son Poet, Grand Army Of the Republic, and were
Of a very impressive character. The committee
from the Post, composed Of W. y. MeCOnn, Ora
ham DukchaIt, Thos. 4. COliett, Chas. II. Rich.
ardson, Charles T.. white. Chas. Gehring. \. n.
Cole. James Glenn, W. y. ShOrey and Jas. Bufta,
reached Towsontown n little before 10 A. NJ.
where they were met by the balance Of the COM
mitiec. consisting Of DR.. j. II. Jarrett. Major John
]. Yeliott. u. I. chenowith, Geo. w. SeipP, Ezra
y. Brown and Frank NJ. Hines. From here they
proceeded 90 Chestnut Grove, accompanied by q
number Of citizens. II was their intention 10 at
tend the morning service ut the church but the
weather being very warm u was nearly u o'clock
before all had reached their destination. Al the
conclusion Of the church services the large eongre-
cation repaired 10 the graveyard where an I'm
pTessive prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Rathburn,
pastor Of the church, at the conclusion Of which
and during the singing by Wilson Post quarte,te
Of the beautiful ode, 'Strew Blossoms Brightly"
the graves fallen heroes literally covered
with flowers. The graves decorated were those Of
Col. John W. Wilson and his three brothers !;
Marshall Wilson, son Of the late Asael q. Wilson;
William Henry Francis, ron Of Mr.. Thomas Fran
els Capt. Chas. I. Halle, soldier In the Mexi.
cap war, and Robert Wilson and wife, parents Of
the Wilson boys, who sleep beside their honored
son, Col. Wilson.
Attic conclusion ofthese ceremonies all repaired
10 the church 20 listen 10 the Grafton by Major
Iclloit, In which he paid howery tribute 10 the
memory Of the dead. lie referred with much
pathos and feeling 20 the self-sacTifcing, humane
and noble conduct Of their dead comrades. lie
reviewed nj length the struggles and hardships
undergone by the dead soldiers during the war,
and closed with n warm appeal 90 the audience 10
always keep In fond remembrance the patriotic
acts Of the veterans that had given up home,
country and friends in defence Of the nations
honor.
The Post quartette then sung \ beautiful m.
them and the audience, which hlled the church 10
its utmost capacity, was disnissed. The wife %
Col. Wilson and her two sons, II. Clay and Noble
Wilson, prepared n lunch for the Grand Army
men. after partaking Of which they returned to
Towssntown where they were spienddly enter.
tanned by Major Yeilot,, returning TO the city in
the cool Of the evening.
Among those present were Gen. W. Y. W. Ross,
Department Commander; Adjutant General John
II. Suter. and Messrs. Dodge, Scarlett and Ritten.
house. Of the Department staff; also Gen. d. T..
Stanton and Major Fred. Simon, of Baltimore.
The two latter gentlemen oughi with them
magnificent h"ral cross. made TO represent their
army corps badge. which they placed upon the
grave Of Col. Wilson. IL might not be out of
place to mention the fact here that Major Simon
was bcsidc Col. wilson when he was killed.
Among ether weil-knoun persons who were
present We noticed MessTs. Samuel NJ. Rankin,
Alex. ". Morrison. J. Glenn McComas. Col d. =.
Taylor. the Mcssrs. Halle. the Messrs. Jessop.
George and Thos peercc. Jas. n. Henderson,
:. Parker l'"sIey. l.. Foreman. Joshua Green, 4.
A. weGklty. Robert Piper. J. 4. Chilcoat, W.
Harrison Curii,. Capt. RObt. :. Smith, Job Smith,
Samuel Moore. Eugene P"c"ek. the Mcssrs. Elm.
rinr Frank Smith. Joshua Parker. Frank Chiffon,
joshua Price and Vim. Malary. many of whom
were accompanied by their families
A great many of those attending the ceremonies
brought flowers with them. Everything passed
oil in the most satisfactory manner and the part
taken By the committee from Wilson Post was per
G,rtnrh rerv rre.lifahlr