Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-26
SOME OF THE EPITAPHS

Comparatively few persons outside of
those who go there for the purpose of visit
ing the graves Of their departed loved ones
are aware OF The fact that Congressional
Cemetery contains the remains or memo
rails of some Of the most noted men this
cpuutr. has ever produced.
The cemetery which is beautifully locat-
Cd on the north bank of the Anacostia
river, in the southeastern section of the
city. was purchased by Washington city
fnow known as Christ Church) parish. z.
Z. Church, in 1Sns. The original purchase
was added to at various times, the largest
being made In 1873. The area of this city
OF the dead is extensive. 1t reaches from
nth street southeast 20 the city limits.
For many years it was the custom of
the authorities to erect in the grounds a
cenotaph to the memory of each member of
Congress who died in Washington. and
whose remains We're buried elsewhere; but
about twenty-five years ago it was found
that there was no longer space to devote to
that object. and in 1875 the practice was
abandoned
Below will be found a few of the names
OF statesmen warriors, naval officers and
others whose bodies repOSe in the sacred
spot.
Graves of Vice Presidents.
Scarcely more than 100 feet distant from
the entrance to the cemetery by the gate
at the side of the superintendent office
the graves Of two of the earlier Vice Presi-
dents Of the United States. These were Ell
bridge Gerry and George Clinton. over the
r-T1aiuS of each there is handsome monu-
n"ut. That over MIR. Gerry was erected
10y -hs order of Congress in 1923, and bears
The following inscription. which was placed
upon If by direction of Congress: THE
tomb of Elbridge Gerry. Vice President of
the United States, who died suddenly in
D. Ia nj fi
dent IF the Senate November %, 1914; aged
az. Thus. fulfilling his memorable in
junction. 1t - the duty of every citizen.
though he may have but one day to live,
L. de.ore that day 10 the good of his coun-
try"
The monument to Mr.. Clinton who. as
governor Of his native state, originated
some very comprehensive plans to improve
The transportation and other business in
tareStS. was erected by Mr.. Clinton's chill
dr-u. and the record tells the visitor that
George Clinton was born in the state of
New York, 26th Of July. 1879. and died at
the city of Washington on the 10th of April,
1911, in his I'D year. He was soldier and
statesman of the revolution, eminent in
council; distinguished in war. He filled
with uneXdmpled usefulness, purity and
ability among the many other high offices,
those Of governor of his native state and
Vice President Of the United States. While
he Evef his virtue, wisdom and valor were
the pride the ornament and security Of his
country, and when he died he left an il
thy uf all imitation"
Beneath a massive granite tomb lie the
remains IF Alexander Dallas Bache, for so
many years the head Of the United States
geoietic survey. The inscription upon the
shaft reads: Alexander Dallas Bache, born
July II, 1StH, died February Ii, 1861 Su-
periuteudeut L. S Coast Survey from De
cember -, 1913. To February II. 1857.
Erected by the officers of the United States
Coast Survey"
Close by there is monument which
tells in brief the story of the dreadful hur-
r.easue III HGtteras, September :, 1S46, dur
ing which George Niifiiin Bache, lieutenant
commanding the coast survey brig, Wash
lustau. was lost, tn following members of
his ere" Per-ShtHg with him: Petty officers
I'M Fi-hburne. benjamin Douroff, James
Dorsey and Henry Schroeder; Seamen
Thomas Stanford. Peter Hanson, Francis
Butter. William Wright, Edward Grennin
AID Lewis Maynard The inscription states
that The gulf stream in which they en-
gagged in exploring has received their
bodies. The marble is erected to their
n em0ries by those who shared their perils.
but escaped their fate
Commander of the Armies.
y tall shaft OF remarkably unique design
IS erected over the remains Of Alexander
Nac0rlb who, at the time of his death in
this city. May -. 1871. was major general
commanding the United States army. The
Inscription says: THE honors conferred on
him ~ President Madison. received on the
field of victory for daShing and gallant con-
duct in defeating the enemy at Plattsburg
and the thanks Of Congress bestowed with
a medal commemorative of this triumph Of
the arms of The republic, ATTEST the high es-
innate Of his gallantry and meritorious
service
Above the grave of Commodore John
Rogers anu Of those of several members
Of his family Is a granite pyramid, on
which il is recorded that Commodore Rog-
Crs was born in lI12 and died senior officer
ct the United States navy August l. ISIS
after for-y-one years Of brilliant and i'm
{.lrt}nt Esrvica5N on the diverse side is
- name OF Minerva Dennison Rogers
WHO WIS the beloved wife of Commodore
john Rogers. the fond and faithful mother
~ eleven children" She was born in 1854
married u 1916 and died in 1877.
tai Ilatt marks the last resting place
~ Raj Admiral John J. Amy. who died
Nay u l~5, aged eighty years and TWEEN
|y-Dur days. after sixty-six years in the
navel service, tw"Hty-eiGht Of which were
I.as5.3 IT sea- Not ar from this is a beau
tifui slab erected 10y Erevet Brig. Gen. l..
l. Graham. colonel. I. s A. to the mem
cry ~ his brother VIM. NOntruse Graham
lieutenant colonel. nth I. s. Infantry, who
VS. tHTD I'm Prince William county. Va.
February l.. l1.,r. and was killed while
CALAMITY 'eadluE his regiment to an assault
or fl- suamy's works at the battle of Mo-
LHl del Ray. Mexico. the sth Of September.
The Wainwright vault contains the re-
mains Of men whose names are inscribed
high ru the roll pf their cOuntry's honor
These are Eravet COL. Robert Dewar Vain
wright lieutenant colonel L. s. Marine
Corps. born June IL. ISL. and died October
{ ISL Commander Richard Wainwright
L. :. y. born January > 1917. and died Au-
gust Il" l~i1. and Erever Col. R Auchmut
Wainwright born July ~ 1915, and died
I-c-ulbar - 1855 Also Of Thomas Harmon
Patterson. rear admiral L. : y. who was
D tn May To- lS2p and died April 9. 1889.
Eminent Statesmen.
There are many large blocks of granite
IN memory, respectively, % Henry Clay
John g. Calhoun. Charles Sumner Preston
:. Brooks and hosts OF other senator's and
rour'srntdtivcs. The name Of Brooks is
almost 0hliterated, and 1t is imposs BILE to
rlaka out from the inscription in what year
H. died
Tn student Of the history Of the United
State for the ten years preceding the civil
war Is. however. very likely 10 recall that
y was Brooks more, perhaps. than any
otAe: one man who precipitated the four
years IF war between the states 1t was
Preston ;. Brooks. In 1855 then member
OF the House Of Representatives who be-
came lHcrUSed at words spoken IN the SEN
.HUH.n