The National tribune., 1900-06-14
TIE PoRTLco OF TIE AR11xGrox MAxs1ox

ed on the green hills in Arlington, and
the white tents hemne1 in the old man
sion. The flag was run mp that Wash
ington fought under for his country. It
was yet the emblem of service for the pres
eryation Of tie Union he loved. The man
sion was the Headquarters Of the Com
marder OF the troops on the grounds. a
military lie had taken the place Of the
peaceful home life Of the Custises and the
Lees. TIE Surgeons S!aG Of tie Hos
pital Ccrfs also had its headquarters
here. Sickness and death dUeit in this
white-tcnted city.
The Soldiers Homo vas the burial place
for the soldiers. BY the Spring Of 1864
the intermeats there were over 5000, and
but few more could be there inferred.
The problem that confronted Gen. N. c.
Meigs. Quartcrmaster-General. was, where
were the balance 10 be buried?
President Lincoln. always helpful in
great emergencies, came 10 the rescue Of
the troubled Quartcrmaster. A close
chronicler Of events has left this story:
On the afternoon Of the 18th Of May,
1864, Gen. Meigs left the old War DEPART
ment building and was passing the White
House portico, with eyes on the ground
and enwrapped in thought, when he was
bailed by q familiar voice: step in here,
Meigs, and take a drive with me-" said
the President. You look tired and worn
rz. You need rest" Gen. Meigs looked
CO. quickly and saw the honest, rugged
tsce Of Lincoln, lit By a half smile, more
serious than mirthful. Two iron-grays
Etood restIessly paving the ground. 8Ir.
.EA.H Il. 7 -.
ria, and the QUarJerIaaster stepped in.
They we're soon out Of the city, through
Georgetown, making their way toward the
camp at Arlington.
We rarely stand upon the terrace in front
Of the mansion bat our memory carries
US back to this day when Abraham Lin
coin stood there overlooking this grand
panorama. The sun behind the western
hills had tipped the low-hanging clouds
in gioging crimson. The Potomac in the
distance was winding its placid way TO the
sea. The city beyond, with all its burden
Of Voc and anxiety, was nestled in the
valley, and 4 brilliant glory was spread
over marble and granite. A small pro-
cession was passing by. On canvas
stretchers the bodies Of several comrades
We're being carried 10 the lower part 0? the
grounds 10 await removal to the Soldiers
Home.
set down the strctchcr, boys" com
manded the Quartermas.er. Captain, or
der out 4 burial squad and see that all
these bodies at Arlington are buried on
the place at once"
Gen. Meigs pointed out the place for
burial. He was angered at the desertion
OF Lee, and his taking up arms against
his country They had spent years in
brotherly companionship and now he said
abruptly 10 the President: Lee shall ney-
er return to Arlington"
Places for u graves were marked ont
few yards south Of the house, and soon
the yellow mounds stood out on the green
lawn at Arlington.
The first intermcnt Of Union dead had
been made. In defense Of their country
the boys in blue had passed through the
gates Of Arlington and entered the pearly
gates of the Great Divide
The first interment was a Confederate
prisoner, L. Reinhard, of the 23d North
Carolina regiment, who died Of his wounds
in one of the hospitals. His grave was
nearest the house, and over this the brie
burial service was read. The second in
terment was that of Edward 6. Fisher, &
Sergeant of Co. d, 10th n. Y Here the
wearers Of the gray and the blue had found
q place where all differences are al
rest
1t was thus on the 18th of May, 1864
the National Cemetery at Arlington wa,
consecrated. From that time the inter
ments were constant. Here rests thou
sands Of those who gave their lives that the
Union might live. Here lies the gallant
Sheridan and Admiral Porter, side by side
Surgeon-General j. II. Baxter, Gen. Sam
uel ID. Sturgis, Gen. Crook, the venerable
Harney. and the daring, brave Gen Rick.
etts. Gen. Meigs, the Quartermaster dur