Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-31
GRANp-ARMY MEN DECORATE.
Tho Graves OF tho Federal Dead at City
Point strewn with Flowers

About forty members of Phil Kearney
Post, G.. A. r.. of this city, accompanied
by about one hundred and fifty ladies and
gentlemen, mostly northern residents, left
the CLYDE wharf at A. NJ. yesterday,
having chartered a tug and barge
TO convey them to the National cemetery at
City Point for the purpose OF conducting
memorial services over the graves OF the
Union dead at that point. Ii was the first
time in a number Of years that any regu-
lar services had been conducted at this
cemetery. and quito Is number OF the citi-
Zeus from thu surrounding country were
present on the arrival OF the visitors.
The services were conducted by Depart
ment. Commander Edgar Allan and VI. X.
LLOYD. commander Of the local post. A
profuson OF flowers We're carried from this
city, the order having been given 10 NJ. *.
Catiin TO furnish ali that could be pro-
cured on the market, besides which q small
United States flag was placed upon every
one OF the 5,ljs graves in the cemetery.
One thousand three hundred and seventy
nine of these graves contain the remains
OF unknown dead.
The services commenced by tho singing
of My Country, IT'S OF Thee" followed
by the opening prayer, which was offered
by the Rev. 4. A. Cole, of the Christian
Church. DIR. Corey having been unavoid-
ably prevented from attending. Then fol-
lowed the impressive ritual-ssrvice of the
Grand Army of the Republic. vocal music
by the Glee Club. which consisted Of Miss
Eliza Van Lew, Mss Mamie Leahy, Miss
Bessie Pattee. j. A. Pattee, and General
Edgar Allan.
Tho graves were decorated, and 100 rose
bushes planted to furnish flowers for fu-
turs years. Commander Allan, IN q short
aud appropriate speech. introduced Colo
mel John Z. Church, q prominent official
OF the Grand Army from the city of
Washington, as the orator of the day.
The address of Colonel Church was
listened 10 with rapt attention, was
remarkably moderate in lts tone. and
abounded in many beautiful flights of i'm
aginery and touching "reminiscences OF the
history of the war. At It's conclu-
sion q recitation by Commander Allan,
vocal music by the Glee Club, recitation
By Miss Bessie Pattee, vocal music aud the
bcuediclion concluded the interesting
exercises.
About 5 O'Clock the Grand Army post
ard rs sitors started Oh their return trip
10 this city, arriving at the wharf about
p. II.
In On interview with General Allan upon
his arrival III the city he stated that aboat
four hundred members of the Grand
Army OF the Republic from the lie.
partment OF Virginia, would attend
tho national encampment ut Wash
iacton III September that he had every
relson 10 believe that large virginia cor.
poralion would furnish this department
VITA elegant headquarters upon Pennsyl.
wanna avenue, and mat 1t was his IN roosa
At the proper time TO suggest TO the manu-
facturers aud other businessmen OIL the
State that he could give facilities nc his
headquarters 10 them Ter the advertise
r,ens OF Their particular industries which
would be read by thousands OF comrades
froIn all parts OF the Union. lie further
stated that the number OF visitors that
might be expected in Richmonn, Peters.
! burg, and Norfolk would DO something un.
preocdentcd in the history Of those cities.