The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-31
APPEAL To PRESERVE
OLlIFORT Stevens
W. v. Cox, in Memorial Day Address,
Urges that Congress
Buy Site.
EXERCISES AT THE CEMETERY

An urgent appeal for the preservation
of Fort Stevens, scene of the defense of
Washington against the attack of Gen.
Jubal Early and his Confederate force.
was made yesterday by W. V. Cox, in
an address delivered at the Memorial
| Day exercises held at the battle-ground
National Cemetery. He proposed the
acquisition of Fort Stevens and the sur
rounding battle ground by Congressional
action.
The history OF washington's peril from
the Confederate armies under Gen. Early,
of the successful defense and the final re-
pulse of the bes!egers. and of the part
played by President Lincoln on the MEM
orable battlefield and at Fort Stevens was
retold by Mr.. Cox.
The Confederate stronghold occupied
by Gen. ]. c. Breckenridge and his men
has been saved by Congress" he said,
| which should save the Federal part of
the battlefield up to and including Fort
Stevens. where Lincoln, the successful
candidate against Breckenridge. was in
command. This ground should be ac-
quired without delay and made a part of
the Walter Reed Hospital grounds. hu-
namely typifying reunited country.
| Unless Fort Stevens. the Union strong
hold. is saved within a limited time. the
work will have to be done by others or
remain undone II is our hope that Con-
gress will complete the work begun by
the citizens, and that the republic will
not prove itself ungrateful to the memory
of the commander-in-chief of the Union
armies, Abraham Lincoln. and Of the
brave defenders of Washington in war
times.
IF We care for history. let us for his
tory's sake do our part to save the Fed
eral part of the battlefield as a tribute
to Lincoln and the American soldier,
North and South
George Francis Williams outlined the
events OF July 10 and II and dwelt upon
the Importance of the battle of Fort Stew
ems in view OF the great blow to the
Federal cause which the loss of that bat
tie would have been. He declared that
the number killed and wounded on the
Union side was 400 and on the Confederate
side 600
The singing of patriotic songs by pupils
of the Brightwood. Brightwood Park. Ia
koma. and Petworth public schools was
one of the distinctive features Of the
memorial exercises. The chorus was I'M
der the direction OF John G. keene.
Lincoln's Gettysburg address was read
by Barry Buckley. The Grafton was de-
livered by former Representative David H.
Mercer of Nebraska. He paid a glowing
lFlDult 10 lltIuplN VI th'St uil boAh
sides of the great conflict who sacrificed
their lives on the battlefield
A solo was sung by John Schrider. and
Mr.. Schrider. Paul Kelly. Leon Anthony.
and Mrs. Rose Vincent sang a quartet
selection. The school children sang Co
lumbia, the Gem OF the Ocean and
''Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" The
entire assemblage Joined in singing
America" and Nearer. My God. TO
Thee" Rev. William V. Tudor. former
pastor of the Mount Vernon Methodist
Church. pronounced the benediction.
The exercises were closed with the fir
ing of the customary salute over the
graves of the dead soldiers and the play
ing of taps by the entire Soldiers Home
Rand. under the direction of J. S. NJ.
Zimmerman.
The exercises were conducted by Capt.
Newton NJ. Brooks. past department COM
mander G. A. R., and Louis p. Shoe
maker. Capt Brooks read the usual me-
mortal day orders Of the G. A. R.. direct
ing the observance of the day. The in
troductory address was made by Mr..
Shoemaker.