Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-03-15
Correspondence.
a Trip to Arlington Cemetery.
LAMOINE, FEB. IL, 1905
n ths Editor ~ The American:


To the Editor Of The american:
One of the most interesting and inn
pressive places / visited while away was
Arlington. II is one OF our national ceme-
teries, situated on the Potomac river OPP
posite Washington, and is devoted to the
sacred care OF the nations dead.
We left Washington on the electric cars
which cross Long bridge to the Virginia
side every half hour. The car was crowded
with sight-seers bound for different places
of interest, some for Alexandria, Others
for Washington's burial-plsce at Mount
Vernon. My husband and / were the
only ones who were going to Arlington
Heights.
After reaching the Virginia side we rode
along the river to the north for nearly two
miles. When the gateways of Arlington
were reached, so pleasant and inviting
were the paths and walks that we chose to
walk rather, than go about in carriage.
The climb up the slope was easy and
pleasant.
The afternoon was fine and sunny, and
our path took as among grand old trees,
many OF them oaks that have been here so
many years. There were numerous grey
squirrels running about without fear, as
no one is allowed 10 modest them; they
find abundant supply of food for winter
under the old oaks.
We walked up broad stone steps, each
wide enough to take two steps on, for a
quarter OF a mile, with the broad drive
way on one side, until we came to the old
mansion. Immediately we were greatly
impressed with the beauty of the spot and
the deep significance OF its purpose.
Standing upon the portico of this his
toric house, we looked out upon the ia
nous scene spread before us just below us
the Potomac rolled quietly along, while
beyond it was the city of Washington,
with its public buildings, the dome OF the
capitol, and above them all lowered the
Washington monument.
But the sentiment of the spot was even
more impressive than the beauty OF its
surroundings. Here we were standing on
the portico of one of the noblest speci-
mems of Virginian manor house OF
century ago. Beside these tall pillars
great men have gathered and looked upon
this same scene that held us in admiration
To this spot came the Father of his eoun-
try, while yet the old manor house was
near by.
The present mansion was built by
George Washington Curtis, grandson of
Martha. Washington. Here in his old age
came Lafayette, and here until the OPEN
ing of the Civil war lived the Lees, the de-
scendants of Curtis, the builder. From its
doors went forth Robert f. Lee to assume
command of the Confederate forces, and to
its doors came the advance of that army of
deliverers who marched to the defense of
Washington. During the war it was
camp, headquarters and hospital
In 1854 the property was purchased by
the United States government for
national cemetery. How we'll ii has been
cared for, and how largely Arlington has
been used, is shown by the neatly trimmed
terraces, the lawns, the flower beds, the
splendid trees and the shafts OF marble
and granite. Almost at our feet were
resting those great heroes of the Civil war
Sheridan, the general, and Porter. the
admiral.
All about us we read names famous in
the great struggle to save the Union; and
farther out where the shaded grounds
stretch away towards the fort are camped
in the bivouac of the dead thousands of
private soldiers, victims of the battlefield
and hospital. The round summer-house,
grandly styled the Temple of Fame, was
by the amphitheatre upon which were
seen the world famous names Washing
ton, Lincoln, Grant and Farragut In the
granite sareophagus close beside are gath
cred the bones of 2,211 unknown dead.
We walked back of the Arlington house
through the oldest part OF the cemetery.
Along the driveway to the right were
many beautiful monuments in all STYLES,
mostly of low kind; many of the
mounds were decked with lovely flowers.
Farther on we came to gateway close to
the main road. / could not resist the
desire to go outside and walk in this road
of Virginia. A very pretty view of the
country may be had here; ON the right are
the barracks and fort, while to the left
and in front are southern farm houses.
Continuing our course TO the left we fol-
lowed the cemetery around to large lot
where private soldiers are buried. Each
grave is marked by headstone. The GEM
etery is like large park with graves for.
flower beds. All the men who lie buried
here in this place marched from their
homes more than forty years ago, never to
return.
We went into Arlington house where the
lady in attendance allowed us to enter but
two rooms, one very roomy one over
looking the Potomac. A plan of the diff
ferent burial places on the wall enables
one to locate accurately any place in the
grounds.
Lingering as long as we could in this
beautiful place, we were reminded finally
that the sun was leaving US and night was
coming on; so we took reluctant fare
well of this place, feeling well repaid for
our afternoons visit.
As we were crossing Long bridge ON orr