Evening star., 1895-05-30
BENEATH THE OAKS,
impressive Ceremonies Held Mt Sol
dicrs' Home Today

impressive Ceremonies Held at Sol
dicrs' Home Today.
Beneath the spreading oaks of the ceme-
terry of the Soldiers Home large throng
OF people gathered this morning to witness
the exercises of Memorial day, which were
held under the auspices of the Grand Army
The central point of interest was the
speakers stand, a permanent structure
open on all sides, with a roof supported by
massive columns. Today the simple beauty
of this structure was accentuated by the
folds of the national colors. The expanse
of lawn shaded by large forest trees in
front of the stand has a gentle slope, and
here were arranged seats for the audience.
The spectators began to gather at an early
hour, and found places either on the seats
provided, or else on the grass beneath the
trees. 1t was evident that they enjoyed the
quiet beauty of the scene, and as the light
breeze tempered the rather sultry heat of
the day, 1t is safe to say that few au-
diences enjoyed more comfortable or at
semblage Of veterans, although the blue
coats and the slouch hats of the Grand
Army uniform were noticeable features.
There were great many civilians, both
men and women, and also number of
children.
Organizations Present.
There were several organizations of old
J
Wilson Post, No II, G. A. R., Jacob Moore,
commander; Gen. John NJ. Schofield Gar
rison, Regular Army and Navy Union, G.
w. Giddens, commander; Lafayette Corps,
No. 10, Woman's Relief Corps, Mrs. Sallie
Miller, president; John c. Fremont Camp,
Sons of Veterans (detachmenD, Saml H.
Jacobson, commander; John A. Logan
Camp, Sons of Veterans (detachmenD, A.
W. Root, commander.
The regular Army and Navy Union was
accompanied by the Knights of st. John
Drum Corps. The committee on reception
extended welcome to those who were en-
titled to seats on the platform, and among
the more prominent visitors was Mrs. John
A. Logan. Mrs. Annie Hooks, who was
known in the war as Annie Etheridge of
the fifth Michigan, was also on the plat
form. The general direction of the serv-
ices were in charge of John H. Hewlett, the
senior vice commander Of the Department
cf the Potomac, who was the presiding Of
ficer. At half-past 10, the hour fixed for
beginning the services, everything was in
readiness, but the platoon from the third
artillery, First Lieut.. w. E. Burkheimer
commanding, which was expected to open
the proceedings with a salute of minute
guns In homer of the dead, had not arrived,
and so Commander Hewlett announced
rating the graves. Finally the artillery
wheeled into the grounds, and taking
position on the fringe of the crowd, fired
the salute with deafening effect, and as
to the east the audience was soon envelop-
ed in a decidedly martial atmosphere.
The Exercises.
A selection was rendered by the Soldiers
Home Band, and then Commander How
lett, with a few appropriate words, called
the assemblage to order. Standing as he
did within view Of the granite walls of the
Logan tomb, his reference was especially
appropriate 10 the order issued by Cen
Logan establishing the beautiful ceremony
Which has been annually repeated for the
past twenty-seven years. Under the di-
rection of Prof. Joseph H. Hunter the
Mozart Club rendered in effective style a
musical selection, and then prayer was
offered by Rev. w. H. Gotwald, a comrade
of the Grand Army. With band accom-
paniment The Mozart Club then sang Hon
ored Each Shrine" The poet of the &C.
casion, DR.. Thomas Calver, was then in
troduced, and read with dramatic force
and deep earnestneSs the poem which will
be found elsewhere in today's paper.
Miss Lillian Haley sang in her clear
soprano voice song which was composed
for the occasion by DR.. Calver, and en-
titled THE Rest CT the Brave" The ora
tor of the occasion, Rev. DIR. Garrigan,
vice rector of Catholic University, was in
troduced, and delivered the address in an
impressive manner. The address is printed
elsewhere.
Another selection was rendered by the
Soldiers Home Band, and then Mr.. James
]. Nolan sang the baritone solo. THE Min
strel Bow" In the absence of Mrs Mary