The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-03-20
BIVOUACS OF THE DEAD.
SOLDIER, RESTl
The Boys in Blue are Steadily Dropping
Away.

Nearly flfty.one hundred soldiers sleep in
the quiet cemetery at the Military Home, in
Dayton, o. OF the veterans OF the war whose
quarters are at this institution, fully as many
have passed away as still answer to their
names at roll-call. The solemn words "Dust
thousands of times by the chaplnins since
1867. when the first bu rial took place there.
This generous, ,Ibig-nenrted Government has
shown unlyiny friendship for the veteran
since the war, and the kindly feelings which
have been stirred by the flames Of the coun-
trys love will continue to glow for all times.
In view of the TACT that hundreds OF veter-
ans are buried at distant points, 1t Is mat
ter oi conjecture as to tue total number who
have nnsned the battle OF life. In any event,
however, Barrack SO Is tne most populous on
the grounds. It may not be ainiss to explain
that there are thirty-iive barracks peOpled
with veterans, and the quiet city OF the dead
has been douued.
"Bartack 80" is located on a gentle undu.
lating section OF the park immediately north
west OF the hospital. 1t overiooks the Day
ton and Eaton pike and vast farming COM
munity adjacent. Kept scrupulously clean
1t IA tracts general attention. Hundreds Of
rows OF little quare marble stones mark the
last resting place of the nations defenders.
There Is something inexpressiby touching
In the soldiers simple funefal. Military cere-
mony in its most unostentatious form is here.
Yet its simplicity makes II conspicuous.
Sea cely day passes that the bulletin boards
ut the Home DO not convey the news that an
other OF the boys In blue has passed away.
Usually the bodies OF the dead are Inferred
within twenty-four hours after life has fled.
The body IL taken at once to the Easement Of
the hospital, where 1t Is prepared Tor burial
Su Main IA ~
fles the relatives or Immediate friends of the
dead comrdde. In many cases the body is
sent away for burial at the request OF o
daughter, son or some very dear friend, for
not a friendless soldier enjoys the freedom Of
a Central Branch.
Notice OF tue death OF the comrade Is for.
warded TO headquarters, where the official
announcement Is made and posted on the
public camp bulletin. At any time in the
day n curious crowd may be seen surround.
ing the bulletin, where not only the funeral
notices are displayed, but all manner Of gen.
eral orders anu Information OF public char
ac.er.
The assembly call Is sounded and the fu-
neral escort aud lrlny party assembled. Five
minutes later they march to the receiving
vault where the nearse has already preceded
them. The body is carried from the hospital
Easement through a tunnel-a merciful pro-
vision to spare the feelings OF the sick men In
the building.
The coffin is placed within the hearse, the
firing party, meanwhile, presenting arms.
The coiftn Is covered with the United
States flag, the Sergeant In charge commands
"Shoulder arms! Reverse arms! by fours;
right, forward march," and to the futtering
roll Of mufiiei drums and the subdued music
Of the HE, the procession marches slowly to
"Barrack &c."
In reverent silence the escort stands beside
the open grave, while the chaplain reads the
solemn burial service. As the last words are
said and the mortal body Of the comrade-in.
arms Is lowered into the grave, comes the
Sergeant's sharp command: Attention!
Shoulder arms! Ready, aim, iirer'
A crashing valley OF musketry wakes the
rafting echoes OF the distant groves and re.
yerbates among the hills till the last sound
dies away. Il breaks upon the ear OF the
distant city bearing the message that an
other loyal defender Of the flag, who surviv-
ed the slaughter at Gettysburg, or the charge
at Uhickamauga. has passed to its final ac-
count
After the quick, successive firing the bugler
steps to the mead OF the grave aud sounds
"taps." The grave is then filed and paint
cd stake. bearing the name, company, regi-
ment and age of the deceased, Is driven into
the little mound. In due time marble slab
Ii received from tho Quartermaster- General
OF the United States Army; the grave Is sod
ded AMI stone erected at the head.
Every burial Is recorded at headquarters.