River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-06-05

conditions that aroused the patrio-
tism of the country at the time of
the civil war no one can understand
except those who lived in those
strenuous days. The soldiers en-
gagged in the war felt these condi-
tons in all their acuteness. Yet
they experienced the hard condi-
tions of the conflict no more acutely
than did those at home allied to
them in kinship, Indeed it is prob
able that the women suffered more
in mental anguish than did the men
at the front, 1t was a common
thought that one who enlisted was
liable to be killed in battle. The
women lived In constant dread of
hearing that their own beloved were
shot. They thought of this more
than the soldiers did. The women
were much alone, confined to a mar
row routine of duties that became
monotonous. The soldier was al
ways in crowd amidst excitement
that occupied his mind. When he
enlisted he weighed the possibility
of getting killed in battle and risked
1t. He never thought of the posi-
bility of sudden or lingering sick
ness in camp, nor did this weigh
heavily upon the hearts of those at
home, yet the experience of army
life showed that not the fatality of
actual conflicts was to be feared
and guarded against as much as
sickness incident to camp life.
During the four years of war, with
over 1000 battles fought, the killed
in battle on the Union side num-
bered 1858, but the total deaths
in the service amounted to $50, 1928
These figures apply to the men act
ually in service and do not include
the countless thousands that died
at home within a few months after
their discharge as the result of the
exposure and hardships of the ser
vice. No record of such deaths was
kept by the government but we
know that they were numerous
The killed in battle were fortunate
compared with those who died a
lingering death in hospital or pris-
on. The bullet was a swift mes
senger of death.
1t has been the province of the
Grand Army posts to promote a
sentiment of pervasive patriotism.
The veterans themselves are indi-
vidually examples of PATRIOTS m
The ritual of the Post is replete
with suggestions of patriotism
The Posts, loyalty seconded by the
Relief Corps, have made Memorial
Day an occasion for all the people
to get together for solemn remem-
brance of their dead. Since the
Posts began to scatter flowers on
the graves of dead comrads the
whole people have become accus-
toned to observe the day in the way
of placing floral tributes upon the
graves of relatives and friends. AS
result of the observance of Deco
ration Day the cemeteries are kept
in the best of condition.
The Posts and the Relief Corps
have been chiefly instrumental in
the requirement that the flag shall
be displayed over the school houses
and that teachers shall inculcate a
reverance for it by their pupils and
that at certain times patriotism
shall be taught. By their persist
ent suggestions and recommends
tons certain days are largely given
up in the schools 20 patriotic exer-
cises, as Decoration Day or the day
previous to it; flag day; Lincoln s
birthday as well as that of Wash
ington. 1t is desirable that Me-
mortal day shall be forever OBJ
served by the people and it is SO in
itmately interviewer with the lives
of all that some way will probably
always be found for its perpetual
ton under some organized direc-