Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-28

The rear of the stage was decorated with two
largo flags upon a staff, draped either way, to
small banners were grouped around the edges
while above all was the green foliage of the
overspreading oaks, the lower boughs of which
we're gracefully draped with the national coiors
Running from either end of the stage were lines
upon which were suspended the badges of the
various ar;nv corps. two lines meeting at point
IN front OF the stage and with il forming tri-
angie adding much to the splendor OF the scene.
Among those occupying seats on the stand
dur1ng the ceremonies were the President and
Mrs Grant. Mr.. Dent, Secretaries Fish. Rawlins
Borie. Boutwell, and Cox. Postmaster General
Cre.Weil. Sir Edward Thornton, the British
minister; Senators Nye and Werner, Treasurer
Spinner, Mayor Brown, Gems. Dyer and Emory
Commissioner Van Aernam. Gen. Sherman, the
venerable Amos Kendall. MIR. Latin of New
York, Sidney Clarke of Kansas, the Swiss con-
SUI general, John Hitz. ESQ.,. DR.. L. Alcan Of
Grand Army OF the Republic and the committee
OF arrangements also had seats upon the plat
form.
The crowd at the time was immense and
scores were still arriving. The soldiers
orphans, slxty-six in number. were unable to
nnd room upon the platform, and the managers
seated them on benches directly in front of the
platform. The girls were dressed in white,
with neat straw hats trimmed with green rib
bons, and the boys in light-blue jackets and
pants, each orphan bearing wreath and bou-
quet. The national salute of thirty-seven guns
was fired at 1 o clock precisely by Col. DuPont's
battery (F). fifth United States artillery, which
was stationed in front of the mansion.
The assembled multitude which had gathered
between the stage and the tomb of the unknown
dead was then called to order by Col. Timothy
Lubey, chairman of the committee of arrange
ments, who, in brief speech appropriate to
the occasion, introduced Comrade Samuel A.
Duncan. grand commander of the Department
OF the Potomac, as president of the day.
TOUCHING SCENE.
After this there followed a most affecting
ceremony. While the band played Beethovens
'Dead March the orphans from the Soldiers
and Sailors Orphan Home passed from the
stage and gathered around the tomb of the un.
known dead. where they knelt in prayer led by
Chaplain Butler. Then the Beethoven Club
sang Sigh Not, Ye Winds" after which the
orphans in chorus sang ''Shal We Know Each
Other There?" and also 1.-THE Children of the
Fallen Brave" The ceremony was so touching
that men and women in the audience sobbed,
and hardy old veterans, who had faced death in
all its forms, were seen to brush away tears
with their armless coat sleeves.
The procession then formed and passed into
the national cemetery and the decoration of the
graves then commenced. The Marine Band
and Heads American Brass Band were sta
toned in opposite sections of the cemetery,
each playing dirges while the graves were being
strevn with flowers. Every mound was ovna-
mented with bouquets and wreaths which,
until the fading of the garlands there placed by
loving hands, will remain a living tribute to the
gratitude of those who contributed the offer
ings at the call of their fellow comrades COM
posing the Grand Army of the Republic. who
so anspiciously began the movement and car
ried it to "a successful conclusion
To the left and front of the entrance of the
proper erected. between two
poles. which we're decorated with small flags. a
memorial OF unique design. The headboard Of
the grave was a cross about eight feet high. on
which was written an inscription. On either
arm of the cross was a design of arms. stacked
and crossed sabers. and in the center was a
cannon. The foot-board bore the inscription
Fort Fisher-Five Forks" The cross was
by crown of evergreens. and the
vacant spaces were covered with army badges
formed of flowers and evergreens.
An incident occurred during the day which
created considerable comment
throughout the country. In an Enclosure ad-
joining the Arlington cemetery were a number
of graves of confederate soldiers. The Grand
Army committee placed guard of marines
over this inclosure. who. it was stated. pre-
vented the decoration of their graves by any
one. The adjutant general of the G.. A. r., Mr..
T. Collins. afterward issued d letter vim
dicatory of the action upon this occasion.
ne SAID: Il ne committee IL charge of the cere-
monies at Arlington directed the placing of a
guard over the graves of the rebel soldiers
buried there, with the view of informing those
who. surprising that Union soldiers lay beneath.
might ignOrantly place on them their floral Of
ferings. and also to prevent such mn
seemly act as the designed decoration Of these
graves, to effect which. it is well known. there
was purpose on the part Of persons whose
every sympathy was, and still remains, with the
lost cause.
AT OTHER CEMETERIES.
The following Sunday was devoted to deco
rating graves at the Congressional cemetery,
Georgetown cemetery and Glenwood. The
having charge of these decorations
was the same which conducted the ceremonies
At Arlington and consisted of Timothy Lubey,
chairman; Jno. Edwin Mason. L. 4. Branden-
bury. A. J. Huntoon, G.. Wiley Wells. Saml
Mcdonald, S. r. Harrington, J. Lewis, A.
H. A. Myers. ]. Bell Adams,
Charles II. Brown. A. Ii. G. Ricllardson. L. F.
". Faehtz. +. A. Fiske. ReiEhold Spfingsguth.
~ c. Battcy. Newton Ferree. Richard Middle
ton. T. W. Sanborn. l.. Lowry Moore. A. A.
Hosmer. Hanson z. Weaver, A. 7. knight, W.
II. Browne. Henry Moore, W. I. Collins and
Lewis Waldecker.