The herald., 1897-06-01
AT RosEDALE
Tributes Of Love to the Nations
Dead

The ceremonial at Rosedale cemetery
was under the auspices Of Stanton post
No. IS, and the Ladies' Relief corps.
Early in the morning hours the ladies'
went to the cemetery burdened with
the floral tributes to the dead. Mines
Bradwell, Burdick and Barnes deco
rated the grave Of the unknown dead
and transformed 1t into q veritable
mound Of flowers. At one end arose a
pyramid of roses. while the grave itself
was banked with masses of gerani-
ums. yellow marguerites and pure white
lilies. Across the top, picked out in
variegated colors was the legend,
Peace; Rest" The other ladies of the
Relief corps distributed themselves
around and adorned the graves of those
sisters of the corps who had passed
over In the post enclosure are buried
thirty-five veterans, while f1fty-six
graves are scattered outside. But none
were forgotten, and all were tended by
loving hands.
At a quarter before 10 the smaller
children Of Pico Heights school marched
into the enclosure sacred to the veterans
of the war. There were sixty little tots
in line, under the care Of Miss Mosher.
principal Of the school, Miss Van Cleve,
Miss Quick and Miss Fitzmier. Each
child was laden with a huge bouquet
of flowers, and each assisted in bearing
twenty-five foot garland, formed OF
red and white roses, interspersed with
smilax.
At 1915 detachment Of twelve men
of Co. c., Seventh regiment, NJ G. c.,
forming firing party, under command
of Captain Langworthy, marched upon
the ground. A very few moments later
the members of Stanton post, A. c. Sha-
fer, commanding, arrived and massed
themselves around the stand erected for
the purposes of the ceremonial
The sounding Of the assembly call
produced stiffness among the throng
of visitors that surrounded the little
plot dedicated to the dead veterans
Commander Schafer in a few brief
words pointed out to the comrades and
friends that in meeting together for
the purpose of honoring the dead it was
also to deepen the reverence for their
worth, to strengthen the bonds of fra
ternity and to encourage a more gen.
erous charity toward the sick and dis
tressed members of the 6. A. r. To
also renew their allegiance to their
country and flag and stimulate a
healthy and patriotic feeling.
Captain Osgood then revived old men,
ories by singing "Tenting on the Old
Camp Ground" all present joining in the
words Of the chorus. and the voices
blending together in the open air with
very pleasing effect. The Rev. E. B.
Belden, chaplain Of the post, read the
ritual prayer, and then Comrade Thorn
as Hyatt recited an original poem suit
able to the occasion. The address to the
members Of the post, ladies' Of the Re-
lief corps and visiting friends was then
delivered by General c. C. Allen. It
was replete with patriotic sentiment and
in paying loving tribute to those who
fought and fell in honor's cause, he
said:
I'VE stand by the graves of departed
comrades" he said, ''and what a place
for meditation! Here it is we call up in
long review the history of bravery and
devotion to country, of which they and
we formed a part. We turn back in
memory nearly forty years to the first
alarms of war; we hear again the
screaming fife. the rafting drum and
see the gathering hosts The plowboy
leaves the field. the clerk his desk. the.
mechanic his forge and bench, the pro-
fessional man his calling, the preacher
his pulpit. Each lays aside his garb and
dons the blue. With sudden partings.
such as press the life from out young
hearts, mothers arms about us. the
embrace of a sister, or the heart-crush-
ing farewell of wife or sweetheart, and
with eyes dimmed with manly tears we
march away"
The spe aker gave graphic and thrill
ing description of the scenes prepara-
tory to a battle.
The speaker deplored the fact that
there was disposition to be uncharit-
able, at times. to the old soldiers, and
there was growing tendency to over
look the real significance and import
ance of Memorial Day.
Upon the conclusion of Gen. Aliens
address all present Joined in singing
America" the sweet young voices Of
the children contrasting with the deep
tones Of the war-scarred veterans.
Then came, perhaps. to most suggest
ively solemn moment Of the occasion.
Everyone turned around, and with un-
covered head faced the graves that had
been by loving and sympathetic hands
transformed into mounds Of floral treas
ures. The children had heaped up
flowers on every grave, and the minia-
ture flag that marked the resting place
Of each weary head cast a shadow
athwart the tributes of devotion Sharp
ly the first volley rang out on the still
air. and the draped colors bent sweep
ing to the ground in honor of the mem
ory of the dead. A second sharp rattle
of musketry. and then third, and each
time the colors dipped. And then, as
the words Of benediction ended, the first
loud notes of taps rang out, dying
away and melting softly toward the
end.
And then the dead were left, covered
with flowers, and the tender memories
Of the living lowering around them,
while they are sleeping. softly sleeping,
TO spring forth once more when rev
ellie" sounds. that they may answer
once again at the final roll call.
EVERGREEN CE1GETERY
Music, Prayer, Addresses, Salute to
the Dead