Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-05-31

nigh 1000. That of all this outpouring
of the flower of the county, and the
great sacrifice of lives and health, let
it be said to the everlasting shame of
Vernon county's patriotism that as yet
no public monument has been erected
to honor these distinguished dead.
Some of Vernon cOunty's soldiers
served in nearly every regiment raised
in TIE state. The state furnished in
the great conflict nearly 100, 200 troops
Upwards of IL, 900 died or we're killed
in action. Co |, of the 9Th regiment
had 81 killed, which ranks sixth or sew
enth in greatest number of company
casualties during the war. This com
pany was furnished by Vernon county.
Among our soldiers Frank A. Waller,
of De Soto, received a medal of honor
from congress for conspicuous bravery
in capturing the colors of the Second
Mississippi at Gettysburg. G neral
Rusk was breyetted once and General
Rogers twice for gallant and meritcrious
services; General Rogers having been
brevStted captain at the battle of the
Wilderness, major at the battle of
Petersburg. Others we're mentioned
for distinguished services and all did
well their respective parts.
The speaker referred to the heroic
achievements of General Grant, in whom
President Lincoln reposed full conf
cence, and quoted from Lincoln's Sec
o1d inaugural address, the eloquence of
which, the speaker said, was only sur
passed by the Gettysburg address re-
petaod here today and delivered No
vember II, 1868, at the Getty sburg Ma
tional cemetery. This address il was
said to be the most complete and ef-
fective utterance of the century.
The speaker then referred to the
triumphs of peace and concluded by
saying: THE flowers of the southern
fields are no longer dyed with the blood
of contending brave, but drip with
Heavens own dew. The sullen battery
has gone silent on the hills, and the
crash of steel no longer resounds amid
the valleys. No longer the northern
child waits and watches for the soldier
sire whose lips have felt the touch of
Gods own hand. No longer the south
ern woman wanders with bursting
heart amid the wreck and wrath of
battle, seeking among the mangled
dead for all that life held dear The
curse is passed. In the grandest words
that ever escaped victorious warrior
lips-"Let us have Peace.
''And in the years 10 come may the
memory of these departed dead grow
greener. May this day be fitfully OBJ.
served. Let some friend worthy to
perform the task recount the life, com
memorate the triumphs, and voice the
praises of these soldiers. Let public
monument be erected-here or in the
court house square. r. these Vernon
county soldiers are not entitled to a
public monument 10 one is deserving of
one. Let enduring bronze transmit TO
generations the patriotism Of Vernon
county's soldiers. Upon each side of
its granite base let there be craven the
names, rank, company and regiment Of
all Vernon county's soldiers, living ard
dead, in all our wars. May it be done
at once.
Forty thousand soldiers of the great
war answered the final roll call last
year. To those buried here let it be
known that we commemorate your
service. We formally ce upon your
graves these beautiful flowers of the
springtirne, tokening our appreciation
and iscreasing respect for your bravery
and sacrifices OF fifty years ago.
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While fame her records keeps.
Or honor points the hailogesd spot
Where valor proudly sleeps.
Nor wreck. nor change. nor winters blight.
MOI Tires remorssless doom,
Shall dim one ray Of holy light
That gids your glorious tomb"
---
Following the Decoration Day
ceremonies the ladies Of the Relief
Corps gave a spread to their brothers
Of the Post, and the courtesy was very
much appreciated and enjoyed.
School about at an end. Com
mencement tomorrow, Thursday night,
Junior reception Friday night.