The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-31
DECKED WITH FLOWERS.
TIE GRAND AHMY's TRIBUTE TO
TIE NATIONS DEAD.

I = y ~ - AAOAN . LIE ILL.,
The Graves OF Union Soldiers IN Laurel
Crave, Bonsventure ana the Cathe-
dral Cemeteries Decorated by W. s.
Hancock Fost-The Memorial Exer-
cises "a Laurel orove-Commander
Porter's Address.
The Grand Army CT the Republic deco
rated the graves yesterday of the union
soldiers buried In the cemeteries of Savan-
nah. OF the thousands Of the great federal
army which rest beneath southern soil but
nineteen are buried here. The graves Of
that little remnant were strewn with sweet
flowers aud over them were planted the
crossed flags that to-day mark the hum
dreds of thousands of soldiers graves all
over the land. The memorial exercises by
W. 8. Hancock Post No. took place at the
grave Of Comrade Erastus Davis of John
Il. Chapman. Jr;, Post Of Beverly,
Mass, in laurel Grove Cemetery
The members of the post, under
Commander Ybanez, assembled at the GEM
revenue cutter Boutwell,, commanded by
Capt. Mitchell, formed a square about the
grave OF Comrade Davis.
The impressive ritualistic ceremony
of the Grand Army was read, and
at it's conclusion Post Department
Commander David Porter delivered
brief memorial address. ave meet
to-day" he said, "to honor the memory of
the patriot dead; to express, by our action
and tribute. our love. We honor and
revere the memory of those brave men
for their patriotism, which was heroic.
For their heroism, which was patriotic.
We honor them because they were true to
49, H.
dared to do right, though death was In the
balance. No terms OF opprobrium in this
day can cast reflection upon their valor.
No question Of pension at this time can be
used to obscure their patriotism. No sug-
gestion Of bounty can honestly be made
against the army which had enlisted before
bounties were offered. From the diff
ferent vooations Of life; from the differing
grades Of society rich aud poor. idler and
laborer, without military knowledge and
rawest of raw recruits they crowded to
the ranks and upheld the American union
| on their bayonets until law aud order again
held sway. Deeds Of desperate daring as
well as those Of the highest valor. were OF
everyday occurrence. Privations were
| were made a jest. The end to be
| attained made light the means necessary.
The cause, too, was SO great that 1t was
rarely dishgured by personal animosity.
Anger played small part In the great con-
tention. The action of the great general at
| Appomattox was the feeling at the heart
Of the prlvates who composed the armies of
the union.
"BraveI Generousl Loyal Patrio.icl
All hail the union soldier, supporting the
cause Of liberty and union, and all honor
and love to him.
Before this grave, representative of the
| graves Of the hundreds Of thousands who
4 Nkah Hawr 80 1Akk1
| the grand army of eternity, there Is a
yet greater lesson than patriotism, exceeding
| great though IL be. To those of Us who as
| semble as veterans, whether OF the blue or
the gray, this lesson speaks loudly. Turn
your thoughts back thirty years-a genera
tion. As young men you carelessly took
your lives in hand, and plunged into war,
with hardly thought of the future. To-
day gray hair proves the departure Of youth
the approach of eternity. We must soon
enlist in that grand army which shall never
disband. This enlistment is close to us,
comrades. Then let US keep it in mind and
$50 live, that when thy summons comes to
| Join
The innumerable caravan that moves
To the pale realms of shade where each shall
His chamber in the silent hall of death,
Thou 20 not, like the quarry-slave at night
Scourged to bis dungeon, but, sustained and
| southed
| by an untdlU6flnK trust, dpprOaon my grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of bis couch
About him, and lies down TO pleasant dreams"
At the conclusion of Commander Porter's
address the chaplain pronounced the bene-
dictioD, and the little mound around which
the post was gathered, and over which
floated the United States flag, was covered
with flowers and wreaths Of laurel.
On the little Tag which marked the grave
was pinned pressed flower taken
from a bouquet at the banquet ten
dered the Savannah delegation Of the Grand
Army by John Fl. Chapman, Jr., Post in
Beverly year ago The flower was pre-
served by a lady who was one ofthe Savan-
nah party, and who placed it upon the
grave Of the dead soldier.
The post then decorated the thirteen
other graves of union soldiers who are
buried in Laurel Grove, and planted over
them the little crossed flags. 1t was dusk
| when the Post left the cemetery. The cere-
monies were Witnessed by several hundred
people, many Of whom were ladies. The
music was one of the features of the exer-
cises.
After leaving the cemetery the post
marched to the park extension and deco
rated the confederate monument
The union soldiers graves in Bonayenture
and the Cathedral cemetery were decorated
by committees from the post. Three
comrades are buried in the Cathedral ceiue-
terry. Their graves were decorated by
Commander Ybanez aud Comrade j. r.
Emery. The two comrades graves 10 Bona
venture were decorated by Comrades Will
lam Gray and Emanuel de Christ.
|