The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-05-31
G. A. r. and the u. G. V.
United in Honoring
Soldier Dead.
Impressive and Interesting
Ceremonies Conducted at
the National Cemetery,
and Graves of Departed
Strewn With Flowers.

The graves of between two and
three Thousand soldiers who lay
buried in the national, cemetery at
Fort BarrancaS were decorated with
flags and floral emblems yesterday,
when scores Of Pensacola people, as
sisted by troops from the fort,
thTonged the historic burying ground
to pay tribute to a nations dead. The
exercises had been well prepared,
and those who Witnessed the demon
stration which occurred this year
were much impressed with the re-
suit of a worthy effort
The cars left Pensacola at
o'clock. The w. T. Sherman Post.
G. A n, and the Sherman Camp. Sons
OF Veterans, had been joined by the
members Of Camp Ward, United Con
federate Veterans, and the Sons or
Confederate Veterans, at the court
house, and headed by Wyer's band
the procession had boarded The Bar
rancaS car which, it had been ar
ranged, was to carry the crowd to
the cemetery. Friends of the organl-
cation and those who were interest
ed from the standpoint of a pardon
able curiosity, filled the cars, and
many carried flowers with which the
graves were to be decorated
ARRIVAL AT BARRANCAS.
Upon the arrival at BarrancaS the
entlre party was met near the east
side OF the naval wall by a battalion
OF artillery which was composed of
the goth, 22nd, 18th and -fe3rd compa-
MES accompanied by one cosnpanrs OF.
marines. second PROCESSION was
then formed, Meyers band appearing
dt tne mead OF the following parade:
army and navy detachment. garrison
OF the Army and Navy Union. United
Confederate Veterans. Sons of Con-
feoerate Veterans. Sherman Camp.
G. A R., and Sherman Post. G. A
X Upon the arrival in the inside of
the yard the troops halted and open-
ed ranks. the march being then CON
tlnued to the monument where the
services of the day were to be COM
menced.
SERVICES AT THE MONUMENT.
me services at the monument.
winch We're in charge of Commander
} Z. Peterson, of Sherman Post.
proved one OF the most Interesting
features of the day. The service of
the G. A r. was employed. those
assisting being Rev. Charles P. Hall.
Mr. Geo. l. Smith. also from thts
CITY, and others who aided in the
singing Strewn with flowers, which
had been placed by loving hands
and surrounded by members of both
armies, past and present, the stone
smart proved the center of a world OF
tender memory and deem sOIicitude
on the part OF those who had pre-
pared the place for the coming OF
us annual visitors The songs were
sung, and the service read, strong
men. web used to the usaees of the
world. stood pensive and with heads
bowed down, while the simple. al
Though impressive ceremonies took
place. immediately after the ser
wee at the monument had been CON
Guided, the salute in honor of the
dead was fired, after which the bat
TALON Iett the cemetery.
THE DAYS PROGRAM.
The real program Of the day was
commenced, however, when those
who were present congregated about
the grand stand and the speakers OF
the day were introduced. Those who
had been chosen as orators of the
day, and those who had consented to
add to the musical portion of the
program. were al Pensacola people
who hold a tender respect for the
rapidly thinning ranks of the boys in
gray anu DIue. ana Tor the memory
of those who have gone out just a
little before. to the ranks OF the
Great Beyond. They had gathered IN
the Historical spot to discharge d
pleasant duty, and one which made
them better men and women for do
ing so. The sun glinted in and out
among the trees. and reflected back
among the resting places OF men who
had been both brave and true, and
il was in an atmosphere such as this
that those whose names had appeared
on the program, prepared to do JUS
tice TO an occasion which warranted
much.
The opening prayer was delivered
by Rev Charles P. Hall. OF the Uni
versalist church of Pensacola. who
impressed his audience with the rev
erence which he felt, and succeeded
in placing into so many words the
unexpTesSed sentiments of those who
were present. Hon. John h. Still
man was then introduced bv Com
mander Peterson. and in his own
forCefUl STYLE handled his theme with
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