The National tribune., 1899-05-18
ORIGIN OF MEMORIAL DAY.
Graves Of Union Soldiers at Charleston Decorated In
May, 1866.

Editor National Tribune: 1t is very
common custom, and has been, no doubt,
for a long time, for people to decorate the
graves of their friends by planting orna-
mental flowers and shrubs, and also by
placing bouquets of cut flowers on the
graves. OF course, the graves OF soldiers
would be honored in the same way. Out
of this general custom has grown the
special and beautiful and sacred observ-
ance of Memorial Day. The following
brief account of probably the earliest pup
lie observance of a Memorial or Decora-
ton Day, | think, will be OF general IN
terest to your widespread circle Vi
..Hymns, Poems and Patriotic Selections
complied for use in the Public Schools Dy
Harriet l.. Mathews and Elizabeth T..
Rule, in 1893"
"AlthOuph the origin of the day as now
observed is credited to several sources IL
is generally conceded that the honor Oh
the first observance of the day, in con-
nection with the Union dead, must be
given to James Iledpath and DIR. EstheI
III. Hawks, who on May 80, 1863, planned
and carried out a memorial service over
the graves of the prisoners who had Deem n
held in the stockade at Charleston, D. y.
In the diary of Dr.. Hawks, dated Gnaries -
ton. Nav 30, 1865, we find: I'VE nave 10
day celebrated the decoration OF the Dieak
snot where so many OF our soldiers are
buried. In the long trenches tour snort
rows contain 249 bodies of our men, the
dead of less than week. Inc coiofeu
men, inspired by Mr.. Ifedpath, nave puiit
a fence around the spot. fine monu-
ment is to be erected as soon as we nav
SUFFICIENT MEANS The school chlidren
yere formed in procession at the Morris
street Schoolhouse and marched 10 tne
race-course, where the opening cere-
monies were held. On reaching the
ground we found n great crowd OF peopie
already assembled, comprising all the
military notables and many Nortnenn
visitors. Mr.. Redpath was the ahihia'iie
spirit of the occasion.
"At 10 o'clock a. m. the procession Wds
formed again, the school children IN ad
vance. each with bouquets or baskets "
lovely flowers. AS they passed under th.
flag. which was stretched across the trach
leading to the soldiers graves, Singing
NV Country, 'Tis of Thee 1T was peau
tiful sight. On entering the lncioouis
every voice was hushed, and with quiet
reverent steps all marched around tht
ward depoSiting the flowers on tne erhNe Ne9
II was a most pathetic scene, and IT wouio
have rIaddened the heart OF many a poo
mother to have seen this beautifu, 'rlpu'e
to the memory OF her precious dei q.
.rChe ceremonies in the yard consisted
of prayer, singing and reading passages o.
Scripture. None but the colored peoplt
ioined in the exercises. 1t was very
solemn and impressive service.
I will here state that some OF the IN
vited guests were detained on duty VIII
their commands. Charles Co%iey' .,'. o
IoweIl. Judge Acknowledgement OF tht
south Atlantic blockading squadron, ex
pec pected to be present. In his interesting
book, "Ahoat and Ashore" he mentions
| the meeting and his regret at not beint
able to be with his friend liedpatn una
day, and gives a hint at the conciilator:
| spirit of the remarks he intended 10 max h'
~, that occasion. At the time mentioned
| there were more than Il thousand coloret
children in the Charleston schools, II
charge of Northern teachers, mostly youhs
women.-.J. NJ. Hawks, Hawks Park, Fla