The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-03-21
WILSON'S CREEK.
The National Cemetery Near Springfield, Nj

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EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: On Feb. IA
visited the old battle-ground on Wilson's Creek
for the first time; in fact, this was my first
visit to any battlefield since the war. The
pictures of death and destruction were so deeply
impressed on my memory expected to IND
the ground strewn with the wrecks of war. l
could not make myself believe that bloody
and desperate battle had been fought here, as
all traces have disappeared / would have
passed over the ground without suspecting its
historic character. There is nothing here of
interest to a stranger, except the consciousness
that he stands on holy ground, made so by the
blood of the heroes who fought aud died here.
l learned that one cannot form a correct
opinion of this battle from the written history.
To fully understand Gen. Lyons plan, to APP
preciate the pluck and grit required for its
execution, one must see and study the lay of
the country. Lyon, with one against ive re-
gardless of Sigcl's misfortune, would have
routed the enemy had his life been spared. As
it was, he did inflict such demoralizing blow
that enabled the survivors of his brave little
army to accomplish its mastery retreat. If
the Government had offered Grover Cleveland
$1,000 per hour and pension for that amount
per month during life if he would follow Lyon
to Wilson's Creek to cool coffee on that memoir
able 10th of August, 1861, would he have &C
cepted the offer?
The National Cemetery near Springfield is
/ Oodutltul SpOb. Every Thing III anu doouS ~ 10
kept in the best of order; it is indeed credit
to the Nation. No lovelier place could have
been selected FOR n last resting place of Lyon
and his noble heroes Arriving at the gate,
found a shingle with the following notice
thereon: No admission, on account Of the
soft condition of the grounds"
This somewhat puzzled me. Farmers were
blowing; the roads were dry and dusty, the
weather delightful-(Feb. IA, 10 o'clock a. n.)
had Travelled over 200 miles, and here at the
threshold Of my journeys end was forbidden
to go any further. 1t takes something moro
dangerous to scare off an old soldier than an old
shlngle. l entered. The first thing looked
for WAS the flag, which expected to see spread
! ing its broad stripes and brilliant stars over
the graves of its defenders. | was sadly disap-
pointed. No flag waves over the cemetery. l
| remained over one hour, but failed to see the
superintendent or anyone else, so l could not
ascertain whose fault it was These heroes,
whose remains rest here, left all that is dear to
man to answer their country's call in its dark
J est hour of Distress and laid down their lives
! on the altar of their country that its flag may
| forever float over this glorious land of the free
-thatsacred emblem of Liberty and Fraternity,
/ the symbol of all we are, all we hope to be;
rivers of blood have been shed to keep it atloat
III the breeZes of the heavens. Like the token
OF Gods covenant with Noah, it is the child of
storm and sunshine. This great and mighty
sacrifices OF its defenders. The peace and pros
perity and happiness we enjoy are the fruits
and flowers from the blood of the heroic dead.
These brave men whose bones rest here III this
beautiful place are insensibe to all material
rewards. Therefore let the Nation show its
gratitude by keeping the flag for which they
died aiioat over their graves every day from
sunrise to sunset
found Gen. Lyons grave on the east side,
instead, as | expected, in the center of the
cemetery. The Generals monument is cheap
and Insignificant work of art compared with
the services he rendered to Missouri and the
Union. His bold and prompt actions saved
Missouri from the disgrace of Secession, pre-
vented the capture of st. Louis aud the United
States Arsenal by Frost, Jackson & Co Blair,
Bernstein, and all loyal citizens of st. Louis,
deserve much praise for their assistance to Lyon;
but 1t should be remembered that the head,
heart and strong arm of Lyon made the assist
ance possible and valuable 1t matters not
what kind OF stone marks the grave, his name
Will never fade from the pages of history az
| long as this country owns flag. It is this
cheap show of State and National gratitude that
oHends the eye.
have no complaints to make in regard to
the Springfield Cemetery, with the exception
OF the absence of the flag and the presence of
that shlngle at the gate. There is no excuse
for 1T. 1t is apt to scare timid visitors off,
suppose soIdieFS WIDOW from Kansas or
Iowa, after years of toll and saving gets money
enough together to enahle her to visit her hus-
bands grave here, is stopped at the very gate
by that shingle. Should the walks ever get
soit-whch seems impossible few loads of
gravel would cover up that excuse. Someone
IN authority should also persuade the Supern-
tendent to allow visitors the pleasure of max
ing his acquaintance; or if none is employed,
the position should be filled by an old soldier
with intelligence enough to answer such ques-
lions in regard to the battles in which these
heroes who arc buried here fel.-CHARLEs
GROUSE Private, Co. B, I'd battalion, NJ S. NJ.
Cav, Harlem, Mo.