Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-05-25
stone. The same pail wraps the
community about in which his young

stone. Inc same pail wraps the
community about in which his Young
young life was spent, But there are
extraordinary elements that enter into
the occasion of our coming together.
Not only has son. a relative. a
friend. a citizen been taken away. but
also soldier recently enlisted from
among us, who but few DAYS age
was mustered into the service of his
country, the honor of whose flag was
assailed, Four brief weeks ago the
electric wires flashed the word that
Company A should prepare immedi-
ately to embark for the capital of the
state. And Saturday last the wires
again glowed with words of great in.
terest to our city. 1t was that at
Falls Church, Va, Louis Bledsoe had
heard from the other side of the river
the beating of taps, and had gone
into everlasting bivouac, his earthly
campaign ended forever. Had he died
few months ago. the groups of friends
| and acquaintance with which he moved
would have gathered ut the humble
home on Twenty-second street. few
lines would have appeared Elm the
daily papers. and soon the public
would have forgotten the incident.
But now on the very threshold of war
with n foreign power. this lad being
among the very first to fall. the city
feels it has his,an interest here. and
II n Is 10, =
assembled in this sacred place foul
weeks ago in meeting intended as a
farewell for our departing soldier boys
the remark was made: We shall not
forget Company A. Though they
may be far away from us we will re-
member them when we are at the
throne of the heavenly grace, We
will send them encouragement from
time to time as the opportunity pre-.
sents itself. and should any
of them fall. as some of them are
certain to fall we will bury them with
military honors. and with all the
aifectionate regard which we can
command We are here in this
vast assembly today to redeem
that sacred pledge DIR.
McCulloch spoke of personal
recolecttons of the civil strife that
were active today. of his own fathers
burial in July, 1868, wrapped in the
uniform of Il lieutenant colonel. Turn.
ing again 10 Private Bledsoe's death,
he paid the young soldier an eloq uent
tribute, abiding to his bravery
and soldierly conduct, his unaf.
fected patriotism and unostenta-
tious devotion to country. Think.
ing of him said the preach
er. las he was so recently among us,
dutifui son; never lying down a
night without saving to- his parents
good night. and persisting till tn,
parental response came; nevervulgar
but always truthful and chaste in hi,
speech; standing by his commercial
contracts, paving a bill at one of oul
stores Just before he went away. re.
marking that he might not return
alive; a favorite among his friends al
home and his comrades in camp
these mute lips speak to us with al
eioquence more powerful than words
They seem to breath the sentiment:
I'm mustered out.
o God of our father. our freedom prolong.
| Ana tread down rebellion oppression an,
wrong,
o land of earihs hope and thy blood-reddene
die FOR the nation, the Union and God.
| I'm mustered out.
| 1t is very appropriate that h,
should be buried with military honors
and that under the sleepless vigilanc
OF the flag he died to protect. his dus
should sleep the years away. Peace
ful be his rest. And as we shall
gather vonder on federal soil. an,
! lower the. casket that holds these NOR
tai remains to take their place by tn,
side of others who many years az
found unbrokcn calm amid the roa
of war, once more we shall swear on
feaity to this glory-covered banner.
And Wei rally round the flag boys,
| Rally 'nce again.
Il Shouting the battle cry of freedom
And with those words on our lip
!, and with that love in our hearts. a
the oyer-arching blue witnesses tn
covenant we make anew, we will o
Nrth. not only till poor. plundered
bleeding Cuba shall be free forever
but till not one serf on the grea
round of the earth lies helpless unde
| the heel of oppression.
| The body was at the conclusion o
the ceremony taken back to the hears
and the procession made up an
moved to Moline, the societies goin
by street cars.
AT THE NATIONAL CEMETERY.
Military HonOrs Paid Under Capt. Blunt