The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-05-30
DECORATION DAY ORIGIN.

| as HdN OF ncWoilSl duu SlI'NlNH 'l
flowers on the graves of the fallen dead
OF the War of the Rebellion; and a
the facts in the case do not seem 10 bc
generally known, we give them briefly
herewith.
There had been custom for some
years in the South, before the Civil
War ended, by which the graves of the
Southern dead were strewed with flow
ers by the women of the various com.
munities in that section of the country.
The custom had been partly followed in
the North, but without any general OBJ
servance until 1865. when General
John i. Logan. who was then Commnu-
der-n-t hief OF the Grand Army of the
Martha e.. kimbsll, wherein she men
toned the custom Of the Southern
women of decorating the graves Of their
dead soldiers, aud suggested that ''we
in the North should not allow the
graves Of our honorcd dead to be neg
lected. = Her further suggestion was
that on each fourth of July a general
public collection be taken for widows
and orphans Of the soldiers.
General Logan, who had gone to
Washington in the spring of 1868.
called Mr.. Junius Simons to be his
private secretary, because his CORE
spondence was very burdensome. Gen
eral Logan was at that time a mem
Der of the House of Representatives
as well as Commandcr-in-C Chief Of the
Grand Army of the Republic. Among
the correspondence which he received
in the spring Of 1868, was the letter re-
ferred to from Mrs. Kimball As re-
cited by Mr.. Simons, General Logan
was immediately impressed by both
suggestions, and remarked that it was
surprising that the matter had never
been brought forward before, the sug-
gestion being so timely and worthy"
Mr.. Simons further says that General
Logan never abstained from giving
Mrs. Kimball the fullest credit, "and
her letter has been perused by many
notable men who visited the General -
in the presence of Secretary Chase and
q very large audience, General Logan
alluded to Mrs Kimball as the founder
of tho day, and also said that he WAS
sorry that the fourth Of July collections
had never materialized.
The order carrying Mrs Kimballis
suggestion into effect and naming May
30th for Decoration Day, was issued
by General Logan on May >, 1868. 1t
was drawn up by General n. p Chip
man, AdIutant General, and the word
ing was revised by General Logan g
own hand, and at the time that he
signed the order he referred to Mrs.
Kimball as the one who suggested the
follows:
Headquarters Grand Army of the Repub
lie. Washington. d. c., May ., 1865,
General Orders,
No II.
], The. S0th day OF May, 1868, is des-
lgnated for the purpose OF strewing with
howers or otherwise decorating the
graves OF comrades who died i'm defense
Of their country during the late rebellion,
and whose bodies now lie in almost ev-
cry city, village and hamlet churchyard
In the land. In this observance no form
or ceremony is prescribed. but posts and
comrades VIII in their own way arrange
such fitting services and testimonials OF
respect as circumstances may permit
We are organized, comrades, as our
among other things, "of preserving and
strengthening those kind and fraternal
feelings which have bound together the
soldiers. sailors and marines who united
20 hot
can aid more to assure this result than
cherishinS tenderly the memory OF our
heroic dead, who made their breasts a
barricade between our country and its
foes! Their soldier lives were the
reveille OF freedom to a race in chains.
and their death the tattoo OF rebenlous
tyranny In arms. We should guard their
graves with sacred vigilance. All that
the consecrated wealth and taste Of the
Nation can add TO their adornment and
security is but q htting tribute TO the
memory OF her slain defenders Let no
wanton foot tread rudely on such hall
lowed grounds. Let pleasant paths IN
vlte the coming and going OF reverent
visitors and fond mourners Let no van
dalism or aYarice or neglect. no ravages
OF time, testify TO the present or to the
coming generations that we have forgot
ten as a people the cost OF a free and un-
divided Republic.
II other eyes grow duh and other
hands slack and other hearts cold in the
solemn trust. ours shall keep IL well as
long as the HSht ana warmth OF life re-
main 10 us
Let us. then. at the time appoints
gather around their sacred remains and
garland the passionleSs mounds above
them with the choicest flowers OF Spring
time: let us raise above them the dear
old flag they saved from dishonor; let us
IN this solemn presence renew our
pledges 10 aid and assist those whom
they have left among US sacred charge
upon a Nations Sratitude-the soldiers
and sailors widow and orphan.
H. II is the purpose OF the Command
er-in-Chief 10 lnauguratc this observ-
ance with the hope that II Will be kept
up from year 10 year while n survivor
OF The war remains TO honor the mem
ory OF his departed comrades.
He earnestly desires the public press
20 call attention 10 this order, and lend
its friendly aid in bringing IL to the no.
tlce OF comrades in all parts OF the coun-
try in time for simultaneous compliance
Herewith.
III Department commanders will use
every effort 10 make this order effective
BY command OF
JOHN A. LOGAN
Commando in Chief
y. +. Chlpman, Acknowledgement.