The Washington times., 1904-05-30
IN REMEMBRANCE
OF FORT STEVENS
Brave Defense of Capital in
Summer of 1864
THOMAS MOVES GRAFTON
Brilliant Description of the Military
Movements eliminating in the
Repulse of Jubal Early.
THOMAS MOVES GRAFTON

Ions before the hour appointed for the
exercises to begin this afternoon at the
Brightwood Battle Ground Cemetery,
crowds Of citizens, anxious to do hom-
age to their heroes. gathered about the
tombs of those who died TO save Wash
ington from Early's advance. There,
amid the murmur of the grave-grass
and the white solemnity of the head
stones, the reverent silence Of the living
was eloquent tribute to the dead.
Here regular and volunteer. resident
and guest, the healthy and the invalid,
old and young. stood shoulder to
shoulder in the summer OF 1864, and
grasped victory from defeat in their
defense of Fort Stevens, driving in rout
Early and his followers who mad thought
TO seize the National Capital.
These exercises consisted of addresses
by Commissioner mcfarland. Wilton J.
Lambert and T. c. Noyes; music by the
band of the National Soldiers Home;
singing by the choir of St. Paul's
Catholic Church, and songs by the chill
dren of BrightwOOd. The rendition of
the entire program was effective and
appropriate in every way.
The decoration of the graves by the
children. marching in military line. was
among the last of the tributes paid the
CNcN SpluAtiS- quietly. anu as II InelT
young minds were impressed by the Sig
nihcance Of their service. the little ones
passed solemnly from grave TO grave
tenderly placing their flowers on the
sod made sacred by the blood Of pa
trfots.
The Days Program.
The exercises were opened today by
a bugler of the Soldiers Home Band
rendering the Assembly, and following
this, the band played The Soldiers
Dream" Then followed Nearer. Ny
God. to Thee" by ST Paurs choir
After the reading OF the G. A. r. or
ders by Arthur Hendricks. the band
played zimmermann's Sweet Remem-
brance,' and the Rev. John L. Brooks
pronounced the invocation.
The solo, Just Before the Battle
Mother" by L. + Randolph. ir.
brought the tears to many an eye. with
the veterans dwelling on the war pic
lures it brought up.
Louis p. Shoemaker, who has been for
years so intimately Identified with all
the affairs and interests Of Brightwood
and knows its history by heart, was ex-
pected to speak. but could not be pres
ent- A letter of regret was read.
Mr.. mcfarland Speaks.
With only an interlude filed by a
gong Of war times. sung by the Bright
wood children. Commissioner Macfar-
lano arose 10 make his address in honor
Of the martyr dead. Representing, as
he did, the government of the city
saved by those who lay in death about
him, he responded in eloquent and noble
speech TO the debt OF gratitude this
District owes the men who battled for
At lie said.
After indorsing the project for max
ing national park OF the battle-ground
and naming IL for President Lincoln,
Mr.. mcfarland said:
The District has but one battle
ground. but Abraham Lincoln stood on
IL under fire and saw the wave OF at
tack break and roll back at the very
gate OF the National Capital This gives
II unique and historical distinction.
Nowhere else did that first American
come so near the actual fighting of
that greatest OF wars through which
he led the nation to victory. Never
again did the gallant foe come so near
10 the city Of Washington, the prize
over which vast armies fought and
which was consecrated as the seat of
GOV eminent Of the United States be-
yond the power Of change by the life
blood OF men and the heart-tears OF
women.
1T is an honor to stand on this sacred
ground and attempt to say what can
never be said by poet or orator of the
memories which Il brings TO our minds,
ard TO express what can never be ex-
pressed OF the EratltUQe we feel 10 the
men who saved the Capital and the
ration for which il stands.
" Let Us freely idealize them said
Phillips Brooks in speaking of our civil
war heroes We see them in all the
strength and beauty Of their immortal
youth. We see the glory Of their self
ism. the majesty. the far-reaching sig
nihcance Of their achievement. All that
was selfish. sOrdid, and unworthy sinks
out Of our sight, and we see as we
ought 10 see only that which was best
and nOblest. Il would be unprofita BILE
for US 70 recall what we ought TO for
ger Of the shortcomings and wrong
doing. We need the inspiration OF those
who did not come short or do wrong.
For while, after all, we can do nothing
for them, even when We honor their
memory and praise their services. they
can do much for US by stimulating our
endeavors and increasing our patriot
1--WE have felt this more keenIy ever
since the war OF IS9S brought the men of
the North and the men Of the South once
more shoulder 10 shoulder In line OF
battle under the old flag and reminded
US OF the new generation OF all the
heroism OF the greater war.
No Despair for Republic
'If. as we believe, and as every sudden
call upon our patriotism has proved, il
IS sound at the core, there IS no war
rant for those who move US 10 despair
OF the Republic. We know that with
the great expansion and the great
growth which the outcome Of the civil
war made possible, and which the Span
fsh war impressed indelibly upon the
mind Of the world. have tome, as we
ell realize. new dangers as well as new
opportunities. and new responsibility a
well as new greatness. We do not close
our eyes 70 anarchy in any form, 10 the
economic strifes. to the social troubles.
90 any Of the things which have made
the word problem most ready on our
tongue. But while We deplUre we do
not despond. For we believe we know,
that the men who died for this nation
did not die In vain. but have left US
not only the example. but the spirit
that will make Us follow IN their steps
and emulate their services.
Mr.. Noyes Speaks.
After another selection by the band
and the reading OF the poem. The
March Of the Gallant Sixth Corps" by
d.. Thomas Calver came the address
OF Thomas G. Noyes. who eulogized the
Union soldier as follows.
In this little plot Of ground lie tho