Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-31

1t was but a few years ago that the
veterans themselves walked to the
cemeteries where all took part in strew-
ing flowers on the graves of the COM
radeS. That time is now passed. for
the march of years has commenced to
tell on the men who gave up 50 much
of their strength, years ago and, yester-
day. detachments were sent to the diff
ferent cemeteries where small flag
and a Grand Army emblem marked the
resting place of some comrade who had
taken his last march.
This decoration was done under the
charge of Senior Vice Commander a.
A. Nichols, Junior Vice Commander w.
H. Holmes. and officer of the Day Il.
p. Swift and Past Commander Lewis
Selling. Each grave in each of the
different cemeteries was streWn with
flowers and when that part Of the pro
gram was completed the attachments
returned to the Grand Army hall where
a dinner was served under the direction
of Lewis Selbing.
At 40. the different companies as
sembled at the Post hall, and again. at
> o'clock the line was formed on Water
street in the following order:
Platoon of Police. City Marshal Henry
NJ. Brcen, Commanding.
| George Doughty. Marshal Of the Day.
George L. Gay, Chief Of staff
| Charles Weymouth.
| Harry Savage. Color Bearer
Ralph W. Smith, Trumpeter.
| Augusta cadet Band. 20 pieces F. A..
| Dennis, Director.
Co. F. n. G. 5. NJ, 40 men, capt. u. ".
| Henry @ STAPLES Camp, 5. of v. II men,
Cant Fred Willett, Gommi9and5lnng; mon
| James a. Jones, Commanding.
| Disabled Soldiers in Carriages
| Seth Williams Ladies' Relief Corps.
| Orator and President Of the Day.
United States ana state officials. Augusta
| City Government.
Clergy. Citizens
The route of the procession was: Up
| Water to Bridge street, up Bridge to
| State street, down State to Monument
square. where the column masSed ana
memorial ceremonies were observed:
after which the column reformed ana
| marched down Grove street to Water
street where the parade was dismissed.
II Long before the arrival of the process
II sion at Monument park large crowd
of people had collected on the park
The parade came down State street and
space having been cleared on the
green. about the monument, the pro-
cession formed in a circle.
The Augusta Band played the Col
umbian Anthem. after which prayer
was offered by Rev. John NJ. Wyman
After the response by the band. Officer
of the Day B. p. Swift placed beautl-
full bouquet on the monument with the
following words: I'm your name, my
comrades, / deposit these memorial
flowers upon this monument which rep
resents the graves of all who died IT
| the sacred cause of our country. Gun
floral tribute shall wither. Let the
| tonder fraternal love for which
stands endure until the touch Of death
shall chill the warm pulse-beat of oul
/ hearts
Lewis Selbing. past post commander
then placed a magnificent immOrtellt
Grand Army badge upon the monu-
| ment with the following words: Com
| rades. by this service, without distinc
ton of race or creed, We re
assert our pledge to exercise {
shirt of fraternity among our
selves, or charity to the destitute
wards of the Grand Army and loyalt.
] to the authority and union of the Unit
!. ed States of America, and to the glOr
: ious flag under whose folds ever,
Union soldier or sailors grave is tn
Z altar of patriotism.
u Then followed Campaign Melodies
" by the band, and the benedicition b
Rev Mr.. Wyman. after which Taps
were sounded by Trumpeter Ralph v
Smith and the procession reformed an