The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-05-28
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EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Being one Of
your regular subscribers, and as this is my first
contribution 10 your valuable paper, | hope
you will give my first efforts a corner in your
paper.
In your Issue of May If, read Comrade
II. 5. Stcveuss remarks on % Plea for the
Better Observance of Memorial Day at Our
Southern National Cemeteries" As / am in a
position to corrOboratc Comrade Stcvens's state
meut in regard to the neglect shown TO at least
one Of these Southern cemeteries beg leave
10 present them.
One Of the prettiest little cemeteries in the
country is situated on the battlefield Of FraZer'5
Farm, on the Quaker road, two and oHe-half
miles from Malvern Hill. 1t is called the
Glendale (Va.) National Cemetery, and con-
tains 239 known and Sol unknown; total ]. 100
These arc inferred in CPS graves. New
York has 80 known, Ohio has 40 known, MassI-
chusetts has Is known, Maine has IL known
Michigan has l3 known, New jersey has 8
known, and other States in less proportion.
Strange and sad TO relate, these graves have
never been hOnOred ut any Memorial Day
with those beautiful little flags that are so
common at the larger cemeteries near the
Northern cities. The Northern comrades Of
these poor boys appear to have forgotten their
old comrades whom they left behind them ::
23i at Frazers Farm, 103 at Fussel's Mills, 3i4
at IlarTisOn's Landing, 203 at Malvern Hill, 1OI
at Robertson's Farm, and many others who
gave up their lives on the march from Harri-
sons Landing to Malvern Hill.
In looking over the register book at this
cemetery few days ago, was astonished to
find that no visitors names appear on the book
for the years 1879, 80 and 81, on Memorial
Day.
In 1882 Mr.. Isaac Pleasant, Superintendent
Of the Gravel Hill Sunday School (coloredl
marched his school children to the cemetery
and decorated the graves with flowers. No
visitors in 1883. The cemetery was visited by
four members Of Phil Kearny Post, 10, GAR,
and also by Mr.. Isaac Pleasant and his school
children in 1884. From lS-i to 1883 there arc
no names signed in the book on Memorial Day.
| In 1889 the book received II names but the
/ day being extremely wet and stormy kept Mr..
Isaac Pleasant aud school children from pay
/ ing the usual tribute 10 the dead heroes. In
/ 1890 however, Mr. Isaac Pleasant with his
| school aud friends came in body, accom-
/ panied with flies and drums. and signed the
+ book TO the number Of Sc and after apprOpri-
ate speaking and singing the graves were nicely
+ decorated with flowers. Tho cOlOred speakers
/ impressed on the minds Of all present that
! they were met to decorate the graves of those
| heroes who bad lost their lives i'm their cause,
] or who had given up their lives that the colored
/ people might live and be free to go where they
4 chose. The ceremonies were very Impress
| i've, and nothing appeared TO be wanting but
/ those little flags ut the head Of each grave.
! IL will thus be seen that only four members
| Of the GAR. have visited this cemetery once
/ in l. years. / think this is a very poor show
/ ing, aud that some one ought to be very much
\ ashamed OF themselves, and | will say right
+ here that whoever the cap fits has my per-
/ mission 10 wear it, as / do not cOvet that
| honor myself The old opponents of the brave
boys who lie inferred in this cemetery re-
mark that their old comrades have forgotten
| them.
Being GAR. man myself I stand ready 10
be assessed pro rata with the remainder of the
GAR. 50 cents EACH the Editor of THE Ma
| TIoNAL TRIBUNE to be- the Treasurer, and
this fund to be used solely and for no other pur-
pose than to furnish flags and keep them in re-
pair for all the National Cemeteries In the
country, and herewith inclose my own assess
mcnt for 1892. as 10 is now too late TO make an
assessment for the present year. This assess
/ ment Of 80 cents per year from each Grand
Army eomrade, / think, would be sufficient for
the purpose mentioned. Now comrades send
In your so cents to The NATIONAL TRIBUNE
aud let every cemetery throughout the eoun-
try be treated alike. The boys who lie inferred
in these out-of-the-way cemeteries deserve the
same kind membranes Of the GAR. as the
more favored ones situated at more accessible
points. l trust that some favorable action
may be taken in this matter.-AS OBSERVER
Glendale, Va.