The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1888-06-06
Decoration Day.

city IN due form by the q. A. X. Posts,
and citizens. Last year it was, We be.
lieve, observed for the first time, regu-
larly, at this place. But this year it
was much improved upon, and the par
ade and the other ceremonies was very
creditable to the G. A. r., and a much
better turnout, which is an evidence
that the G. A. R.. the ex-Confetierates
and the people of all colors, creeis and
politics. are becoming interested in the
observance of this day, and becoming
interested and imbned with the beauti-
full ideas, solemn thoughts and tender
sentiments which move us toplace flow
ers upon the graves of our heroic dead.
This is high, pleasant and sacred duty
of the soldier in which he honors the
grave of his comrade, his enemy, the
soldier of the Revolution, the war OF
1912, the Mexican war, and of the early
pioneers who fell at the hands of the
savage.
The morning opened bright and
CHEEKY. at 10 O'Clock A. NJ, the pro-
cession was formed under Commander
Jas. L. Love. headed by band of Mar
tial music. and marched to the carriages
that were to convey them to the Hall
cemetery, about six miles up the Ohio,
where the graves of the soldiers buried
there were strewn with flowers, in an
impressive manner. Appropriate adj
dresses were made by Hon. III. r. How
ard and others.
An interesting feature of the day was
the company of thirty six little girls
dressed in the National colors, and each
carrying wreathe OF flowers, under
command of Mrs. G. w. NJ. Hooff. Mrs.
Hoof had had these little girls under
training for several days, and they did
not disappoint her for the pains she had
taken, and she was justly proud,
as were the soldiers and civilians, of her
little company. Mrs. Hootf deserves
much praise for her efforts to add to the
interest of this occasion.
The procession returned from the
Hall cemetery about noon.
AT p. m. the procession was reform
ed, and marched to the old cemetery
in this city, where addresses were made
by Hon. II. r. Howard, Col. John A.
Gibbons and others. after which the
graves were strewn with flowers and
appropriately decorated.
The following poem, written for the
occasion by Mrs. NJ. A. H. Gibbons, was,
by request of John j. Polsley Post, G.
| a. r.. recited by Miss Grace Gibbons:
TIE POEM.
Soldiers! the bugle has sounded the roll
call,
March to your places, and fall into line
Where are the thousands that answered
TO muster
And gave to our country their life blood
like wine?
Our soldiers; where are they? They
went into battle
Health flush on their check and youth
fire in their eye.
| Is there no soldier left of the thousands
that answered.?
Was their mission to conquer, their
guerdOn to die?
All there is one soldier; his beard has
grown hOary,
And twenty-five winters have whitened
his hair,
Another, another, to do picket duty,
Ger the camp that is sleeping so silent
lv there.
For swiftly and surely our soldiers march
campward,
And lie down side by side meath the
sky as of yore,
Their enemies vanquished, their long
marches ended,
They hear the tattoo and reveille no
more.
Are they dead that no answer comes
back from the bivouac2
No sentinel challenges al We go by?
Dead No, while their blood warns the
veins of their children
Their spirit will live; live to conquer or
die.
The proudest escutcheon their children
cali boast uf,
Although from the ranks of the privates
it comes,
And we search from King Arthur,
through centuries downward,
Will be that soldier bequeathed them
his name.
Because we inherit this birthright OF
honor,
We bring here these blossoms to garland
their graves;
And over the camp where our soldiers
are sleeping,
We plant the loved banner that over
them waves.
With, flowers We garland the bride at
the altar.
And pale buds we clasp in the hands of
our dead,
But we bring for our soldiers the crown
of victor,
1t shall speak in its hues of the blood
they have shed
As long as spring sunshine shall waken
the blossoms,
As long as the brave hope and dare to
We come here to honor the heroes who
Transmitted their birthright to you and
| to me;
The birthright of freedom untarnished
by letters,
The birthright of country from treason
reclaimed,
The birthright of Heaven TO all of her
children,
A nation by blood from her errors re-
deemed.
Nearly every house in town was beau
tifully and tastefuily decorated.
During the afternoon ceremonies ma
ny of our business houses closed their
doors and emplo, er and employee par
/ tiPinofe5 in tho NTaroor;ol s.,,,;ro,