Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-30

IN
Col. l.. -. Bumpus.
A pretty stone house. nearly hidden by
vines and flowers, stands at the entrance
and prominent above the emerald terrace
rises the polished granite monument
which loving Pennsylvania erected in men,
DRY of the gallant Col. John T. Balier
and thirty-eight soldiers of the 9Sth Penn
sylvania volunteers, who lost their lives in
defending the home of the government.
Back of this monument on a grassy knoll
are forty-two little headstones that marx
the last resting places of as many other
brave men who fell in the same devoted
cause.
The Flag and Flowers.
Such is Battle Creek cemetery, and this
morning the stone obelisk was draped with
the coiors which those who sleep beneath
it loved so WELL and then the flags them
selves. almost -obscured by masses of ex-
quisite flowers, which loving hands hung
| upon 1t at each of the individual graves,
were the colors of the nation too, and each
mound was piled high with the fragrant
tributes of memory. The services attending
the decoration of the monument and the
graves were simple and impressive and
were conducted under the auspices of the
Union Veterans Union and the ladies of
the Union Veterans Relief Union. 1t was
the first time the Union Veterans Union
had ever acted as an Independent organiza-
ton on Memorial day. il having heretofore
ton ceremonies, and its officers and men,
bers and their fair companions may feel
well satisfied with the success of the in
rovation.
Miss McGOwan's Address.
The services were opened with a feeling
prayer by Rev. Green Clay Smith, the chap
lain of the organization. Miss Jessie A.
MCGOWAN, secretary of the woman's Re-
! lief Union. hung a garland of flowers on
how hn L., 49,
dust and made short and graceful adj
dress. After reciting the prowess OF the
| great hosts who went forth in behalf of
their country TO offer up their lives upon
the altar OF patriotism a willing sac
rince she expressed appreciation of the
honor conferred upon her associates in be-
ing permitted to join in the exercises The
name of soldier to some may mean but lit
tie, she said, but to those women who
are either the mother. wife. sister or daugh-
ter of a soldier how much ii means; what
pride II infuses; a pride that no oppression
can subdue, living or dead"
Gen. Bumpus' Remarks.
Gen. L. d. Bumpus. commander of the
Union Veteran Union followed
"A generation has passed away" he
said, since the last battle of the civil war
was fought, and still there remain many
who participated in the bloody and stirring
scenes or those days that tried mems souls
Altogether 2.6J6OU answered their coun-
try call during the war or that grand
army 3nOp sealed their devotion 10 one
country and one flag with their lifes blood
OF those who were safely discharged and
sent to their homes when the war was
over 100000 have answered to the last roll
call.
Altogether I.GoOuOO of those who went
out to do and die for their country have
passed TO the other side of the silent river
and are stll passing over at the rate of
3O,WU each year.
1T would be impossible for a grateful
erect mCnnmnnl a
bronze to commemorate the heroic deyo-
ton of each individual soldier who thus
died that the nation might 1--we, hence this
beautiful custom of Strewing their graves
with flowers and tears was inaugurated.
thus erecting in the hearts of the people
a monument more lasting than marble
slab or granite shaft.
when cur beautiful city was menaced by
traitors hands, the comrades, at whose
graves we meet today to decorate, werei
called from other battlefelds to save the
seat of government from the despoiling
touch of a traitor and here within sight
of the dome of our Capitol they gave their
lives to save our city and government.
THE blood of the soldiers of several states
mineling together sank into this SOIL and
by that red covenant IT has become conse-
Grated and hallOwed ground for all time TO
ccme.
.'The soldiers of all the loyal states did
yell. and it would i'll become me. in this
sacred presence TO make any distinction.
but as Pennsylvania, and standing at
thu base of this Pennsylvania monument,
] trust you will pardon me for saying that
none did better than the soldiers of the old
keystone state.
.'There was not a state, loyal or insurrec-
tonary. which was the seat of war. which
does not hold within its borders the honor
ed and sacred remains of the slain heroes
of Pennsylvania. Remember, that when
Beauregard first trained his murderous guns
upon Fort Sumter Pennsylvania was there.
Our volunteers were first to reach the ma
tional capital. Remember, they were at
Appomattox, where traitors fred their last
volley."
was no exception to the rule. ami he feel
lngly described how the beautiful monu-
ment was erected by a grateful people to
the memory of Col John T. Balier of the
PENNSYLVANIA volunteers and thirty-six of
his command. who had shed their blood on
that very spot for their country's salvation.
The participants in the ceremonies then
took possession of the ag-drapei platform
that had been erected on the mound around
which the forty-two headstones are ar
ranged. and Mr.. ]. C. Burchfield read an
original poem by ]. w. Powell. two verses
of which were as follows
"Sleep on, brave hearts. nor heed the storm
That breaks above your humble bed
| The noblest names are those that form
The roster of our country's dead.
To-day with offerings we come,
Mute tributes of our grateful love;
| More eloquent, though ever dumb,
Than FASHIONED words can ever prove"
Congressman BroSiuS of Pennsylvania
was then introduced to the assemblage and
I made an address, an abstract of which is
| given elsewhere.
ST. ELIZABETPS.
| AnacOstia Patriots Remember the
Graves of Dead Heroes.
Nearly all of Anacostia turned out to at
| tend the memorial services at the cemetery
| NJ CT E,lizo baths whore there are MANY