The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-09-15

her HUSBAND, ana SO Iar all eHOItS ~
allow the same right to the wife
of private soldier has been Of
no avail. This picturesque spot now
devoted to the nations heroic dead
is coveted by others, and recently a
movement has been started to allow
distinguished civilians to be buried
here, but although this has the ap-
proval of some high officials it is moi
believed that Congress will sanction
this departure from the original pur-
pose to which it was devoted and
thereby rob it of its distinctive char
acter.
A grave is given for soldiers of any
of our wars on application being made
to the Office of the quarter master
general of the army, and that great
organization, the Grand Army of the
Republic, has arranged that no man
with an honorable discharge show
ing service in the Civil War need be
buried in the Potter's field. Con-
gress has provided a fund for the in
terment of soldiers whose circum-
stances are such as to make them
objects of charity.
On being notified of the death of
one not attached to the organization
here the G. A. R. officials arrange
for grave at Arlington, hearse
and an escort, and an honorable buri-
al is given. The undertaken renders
his bill to the War Department prop
erly certified by those who had
charge of the funeral, and if within
a specified sum it is paid. Each of
the G. A. R. Posts provide hearse
and escort for their own members,
and a telephone message to the ad-
jutant at Ft. Myer insures bugler
meeting the cortege at the gate, to
sound TAPS" over the last resting
place of one who has made his last
march.
Few more mournful sounds are
heard than the notes of this call,
flights out"-echoing through the
groves of this city of the dead.
A beautiful custom prevails at Ft.
Myer, through which the way of the
cemetery leads-the officers meet,
face the passing hearse with its flag
draped coffin, and uncover. Iron
tablets by the sides of the well-kept
drives within the cemetery bear verses
of O'Hara's immortal poem, the
one nearest the entrance being
"The muffied drums sad note has beat
The soldiers last tattoo,
Nlmore on life's parade shall meet
The brave and fallen few"
Memorial day is always elaborate
ly observed. On several occasions
Presidents have been the speakers,
and orators of note embrace the op-
portunity to address the large and
cultured audience which always
gathers.
On this day the monument of Sher-
idan is surmounted by floral saddle |;
the tomb of the unknown dead is
elaborately draped with the National
colors and many handsome floral
pieces, and a dirge is played by the
Marine Band. To visit this place
and reflect that each of the head
stones and monuments which stretch
in long lines as far as the eye can
reach represents one who died in the
storm of battle or from disease or
wounds makes one realize something
of the meaning of a battle loss of 2o,-
900 men.
From lofty staff in front of the
house the flag, which these quiet
sleepers followed and for which thou
sands of them gave their lives, floats
from sunrise until lowered at the
boom of the sundown gun at Fort
Myer, and in its shadow.
AFTER life's fitful fever they rest WELL"
DooL o[ a. Dn.,rT DL,<1