The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-24

OF the grave is plain board about two feet
high. painted white. bearing the inscription,
Henry W. Lawton, General. United States
Volunteers, Killed in Philippines" Close to
the grave OF General Lawton is the mag
nificent monument OF Gen. John Gibbon'
commander OF the famed Iron Brigade.
The grave OF Cushman X. Davis, late
United States senator from Minnesota, VINO
was a lieutenant in the Twenty-eighth
wisconsin Infantry. is unmarked, save by
plain white board. on which is inscribed his
name and regiment. y handsome bronze
bust of the late senator, however, Will be
erected over his grave on Decoration day,
and il is understood that arrangements
have been made to properly mark the rest
ing place of Lawton.
Conspicuous among the memorials at Ar
iington is the sarcophagus of General Meigs,
and among the monuments which attract
attention for their design are those Of Belk-
nap. Burns. Harvey. Hazen. Sheridan. Kirk.
Lyford. Paul. Plummer, Ricketts,, Shelby
Stedman and Van Dachenhausen.
One OF the memorials recently erected in
Arlington is the shaft to the memory of the
American soldiers who died during the
Spanish war. This monument is one of the
most appropriate and beautiful memorials
was purchased by the National Society of
Colonial Danes, and was received by Presi-
dent Roosevelt in the name of the American
people. It is a column ffty-four feet high
above the pedestal, surmounted by a globe.
on which is perched an eagle with wings
outstretched. About this globe on a band
which stands in high relief, thirteen
stars, and at its base are four cannon balls.
- Of ha r7non
the city support modern guns. one taken
from the wreck Of the viscaya and the 9TH
err from the huh of the Maria Teresa. OPP
posing these trophies OF the last war are
two ancient cannon brought from Spanish
batteries at Savilla, near MORO Castle, Ha-
vana. Not far from this shaft. in the Span
ish war officers section, are the graves of
Capt. Allyn r. Capron. OF the Rough Rid
ers. who was killed at La Gausma; Capt.
William DIVINE ONeiII, also of the Rough
Riders who was killed at San Juan, and
Capt. Richard ]. Harden. Of the First Dis
trict OF Columbia, who fell at Siboney.
GENERAL LOGAN'S ORDER.
Since the order OF General Logan. issued
on May 5. 1868, exercises on Memorial day
have been held annually ct Arlington and
elsewhere throughout the United States.
Should the United States desire to erect a
monument 10 the man IN whose brain origi-
mated the idea OF national Memorial day
the name place the granite shaft would
bear the simple word, Unknown" Consid-
cradle controversy has appeared in recent
years in relation to the author OF the sug-
gestion. and much of it has found lodg-
ment in The War Department I'm Washing
ton. A great deal Of the testimony contribu-
ted is hearsay: many Of the claims
tenable. The facts seem to be that in May,
1883 Adjutant General Chapman, of the
Grand Army OF the Republic, received a
letter from a veteran OF the war living at or
in the vicinity of Cincinnati. This soldier
was of German descent, and he called atten-
ton to the custom of the fatherland Of
strewing flowers in the spring over the
graves Of dead soldiers. He suggested that
the Grand Army establish a similar custom
in the United States. General Chapman lost
or mislaid the letter, but the idea appealed
to him, and he placed the matter before
General Logan. the commander-in-chief of
the G. n. r. The result was the following
order, the first to be issued calling for the
observance OF Memorial or Decoration day,
as il was then called:
Headquarters Grand Army of the Republic,
Washington, D. c., May 5, 1865.
. IL.
IL. The 3Gth day of May, 1868, is desig-
mated for the purpose of strewing with
flowers or otherwise decorating the graves
of comrades who died in defense of their
country during the late rebellion. and whose
bodies now lie in almost every city, village
or hamlet churchyaTd in the land. In this
observance no form OF ceremony is pre-
scribed, but posts and comrades will. in
their own way, arrange such fitting services
and testimonials OF respect as circum-
stances may permit We are organized, as
our regulations tell US, for the purpose.
among other things, of preserving and
strengthening those kind and fraternal
feelings which have bolnd together the sol
diers, sailors and marines who united TO
suppress the rebellion What can aid more
TO assure this result than by cherishing ten
DERBY the memory OF our heroic dead, who
made their breasts a barricade between our
country and its foes? Their soldier lives
were the reveil,e OF freedom TO a race in
chains, and their deaths the tattoo of re-
bellions tyranny in arms We should guard
their graves with sacred vigilance. All that
the consecrated wealth and taste of the Ma
ton can add to their adornment and secur-
1ty Is but fitting tribute TO the memory of
her slain defenders. Let no wantOn foot
tread rudely on such hallowed grounds Let
pleasant paths invite the coming and going
OF reverent visitors and fond mourners Let
no vandalism OF avarice or neglect, no raw
ages of time. testify to the present or to
coming generations that we have forgotten
as a people the cost of a free and undi-
vided Republic
IF other eyes grow dull and other hands
slack and other hearts cold in the solemn
trust, ours shall keep IL we'll as long as the
light and warmth of life remain to us.
Let US, then, at the time appointed gath
er around their sacred remains and garland
the passionless mounds above them with
the choicest flowers OF springtime let us
raise above them the dear old flag they
saved from dishonOr; let in their solemn
presence renew our pledge to aid and assist
those whom they have left among us a sa-
cred charge upon a nations gratitude-the
soldiers and sailors widow and orphan
.. 1t Is the purpose OF the commander
fn-chief to inaugurate this observance with
the hope that ii will be kept UP from year
10 year while survivor Of the war remains
TO honor the memory of his departed com
rades. He earnestly desires the public press
10 call attention 10 this order and lend its
friendly aid in bringing il TO the notice of
comrades in all parts of the country in time
Tor simultaneous compliance Herewith
y Department commanders will use ev-
cry effort TO make this order effective By
command OF
JOHN A. LOGAN. Commander-in-Chief.
N z. CHAPMAN, Adjutant General
LOST TO HISTORY.
Thus was Memorial day created. but the
name of the man who suggested 1t is lost tc
history. General Chapman was unable to re.
call the name and he must remain an un-
known benefactor. Gen. ]. 3. Murray. OF
New York. just before his death. claimed
that he was the man who suggested the idea
OF Memorial day to General Logan. But