The National tribune., 1895-06-13
AT ARLINGTON.
Memorial Day in and around the National
Capital.

| Memorial Day in and around the National
Capital.
| Memorial Day in the Department of the
| Potomac was observed with more than usual
solemnity. The ranks of the veterans have
| thnned quite noticeably during the last year,
| and the Relief Corps of the Department have
| been called upon to recito the burial service
| over many OF their members Among the
new made mounds in the officers section in
Arlington is that of Maj. Hamilton, the hus-
band of the Department President; and it
held tributes Of fragrant blossoms from many
other patriotic Orders beside that of the Relief
Corps.
The work of decorating at Arlington was in
the hands of the Woman's Relief Corps, in
which it assisted by several other patriotic
Orders, notably the Ladies Aid to the Sons of
Veterans, the Ladies of the GAR, and the
Women Of American Liberty. The tomb of
| the Unknown, under the supervision of Mrs.
Emma A. V. Anderson, wife Of the Department
Commander, Was heaped high with flowers
before the day was over. About the base of
the tomb, in letters foot high, formed entire
ly of roses and daisies. WAS the inscription,
Our Country's Unknown Dead" garrison
flag was thrown over the top and Topped up at
the end to show the small stone door and the
keyhole. Giant wreaths of laurel and roses
hung at the four corners, and over the front
hung large wreath of red and white roses,
the gift of Mrs. Cleveland. who is an honorary
member OF the WomaDs Relief Corps. Touch
ing ceremonies were held about the tomb Just
as the guns were firing the salute at noon
The Grand Army Of the Republic, headed by
the Commander and his staff, and 100 little
girls dressed in white and wearing red aud
blue sashes, and carrying baskets Of flowers.
formed hollow square with the tomb in the
center, and the Woman's Relief Corps and
other Orders formed in single file outside of
hat Tbnp ito. nl.I rla L.
and solemnly, a" Tread Softly, Soldiers Sleep.
ing Uers"; after which they marched about
the tomb in single file to the time of a dirge
played by the Marine Band and dropped the
flowers from the baskets upon the green mound
till the granite base Was almost covered.
Gen. Agnus. of Baltimore, and Lieut.. Young,
of the Navy. the speakers. and there was
no uncertain ring in their patriotic utterances.
Will Carleton was the poet, and hi Hymn to
Arlington" was one of { elmost tenderiy touch
ing incidents of day long to be remembered.
The officers section was in charge of Mrs.
Georgia Balm, and the other sections were as
signed to the different Corps, In charge of their
Presidents. Gen. Sheridan's tomb and that of
Admiral Porter, Gen. Harvey, and dozens of
others were wreathed in laurel by the Relief
Corps. and over 300 set pieces were prepared
for Arlington and the surrounding cemeteries
in the District. The Relief Corps ladies served
coffee and sandwiches to the veterans and their
AIDS. Lafayette Corps went to the Soldiers
Home by invitation and placed handsome
tributes from the Department W.RC. on the
tomb of Gen. Logan, and upon tho thousands
Of graves there. Details OF ladies were sent to
HerndoB, Alexandria, Culpeper, Fredericks-
burg, aud The isolated graves outside of the
District, and as far as lay in their power they
remembered every grave of a soldier as well as
paying tribute to their own departed members
Not the least of the work assigned to the Re-
lief Corps by the GAR was the decoration of
all the statues that dot the parks. big and little
about Washington. All day Wednesday the
ladies work ed at max ing wreaths of laurel and |
pine to hang upon the go or more figures, all of
which were draped with flags and hung with |
greens and flowers. The flowers were largely
the offerings from the public school children, |
and came by the wagon load, till some ID had
deposited their odorous burden, aud all the |
flowers at the disposal Of the Departments were |
cat aud added 10 the fragrant heaps.
The ladies OF the Department are now at |
work on Flag Day. and expect to present a |
splendid program which will be free to the pub |
lie, in which the Flag drill aud Balch flag salute
will be notable features The Committee on
Teaching Patriotism in the Public Schools, |
composed of Mrs. kibby Mrs. Naylor, and Mrs. |,
Mary North, Department Chaplain. has the |
work in charge. They have been able to get |
the Balch salute Introduced into a number of |
the schools in the District. aud the flag raised |
over nearly all the schoolhouses.