The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-31

the honor of suggesting a decoration dav
General Chapman attributed il TO Cincin-
natl soldier whose letter concerning such
custom in Germany he laid before General
Logan. Gen. John 3. Murray, on the other
hand, has advanced the claim OF celebra-
ton held at WATERFOWL, N Y Nav 27 1S6e
Certain it is that General Logan often re-
ferred to his first Decoration day order as
the proudest act of his life.' and the year
1T was issued the first great observance was
held In Arlington Cemetery with General
Arthur as the orator of the day. Ii is
equally certain that further to the South
q few years before. those two little Mich
1gan girls had begun the decoration of
graves in small way that as certainly de-
yeloped into the national memorial. Yet so
far 1 know no recognition has been paid
TO its girlish originators
or the four persons who decked those
first graves in 1862, not one survives Little
Josephine May died in 1872, ten years TO a
day from that of the first decoration Be
fore the death of Mrs Evans, i'm 1888
Crocker Post of Des Moines, Ia. gave 10
her recognition for the part she played; and
also TO Ella May, who when she died last
year in the State of Washington. was ac-
corded military honors by the G.. a. r. and
lowered to her grave wrapped I'm the Amer
lean haS. Olive May, the actress now
playing in Arizona" in England, is a
cousin.
chaplain May. his wife Marcia and their
two daughters lie buried in Mountain
Home Kalamazoo, Mich. With the excep-
ton Of one year, the chaplain's family re-
manned with him throughout the war. Mrs
way was Cdhed an anger OF mercy from
, God for her work at Alexandria l recall
circumstances when she literally stole
dying men and smuggled them into the city
hospitals that she might minister TO their
wants. She had, of course, the connivance
of the surgeons-it was either that OF leave
! them die Of neglect and lack Of nursing for
In those first months Of the war everything
was red tape
Later on she had chance to serve her
country as well as humanity. She was at
| Alexandria in the spring Of SO when Lee
| began a series Of suspicious movements,
| and no plan could be hit upon 10 ascertain
| his intention. Mrs. Mays woman's wit
| found a way. She would assume her
| maiden name and under II visit the wound
| ed and dying Confederates. AS she cared
| for them she gained what she could of
| Lees movements and plans. With the
sanction and promised aid OF friends at
| Washington and Alexandria she then went
/ TO the Mansion House Hospital ignoring
| the Union men and Offering sympathy to
| the prisoners. The next day she went
/ again with comforts which won them over
| so that in a few days she became their
/ confidant.
"She gained not only definite knowledge
| of Lees past movements. but a clew Of the
| future-of his proposed advance on Fair
| fax, Alexandria and Washington. She even
| secured figures Of the supposed strength
OF his command and the proposed points OF
attack. These facts she repeated to Score
| tary Stanton and accompanied him TO Pres
| ident Lincoln. The President listened with
| interest Soon after he made a tour with
| his Cabinet OF the locations referred 10. and
| found them but lightly fortified. They were
at once reinforced When. at the exact
| day and points anticipated. Lee made his
| attack, they were not surprised.
| Mrs. Mays services were gratuitous
| and, though she received personal thanks
from those high in authority. it was her
wish TO receive no public mention in this
matter"