Omaha daily bee., 1914-02-20
BRINGS BACK MEMORIES
Cadet Taylor Finds Mrs. John A.
Logan's Book Interesting.
TELLS OF THE FIRST MEMORIAL
writer Gives History of the Original
Decoration Nay and the order
that Made the Holiday
Permanent.

Cadet Taylor. formerly Of Illinois and
a lifelong personal friend OF General and
Mrs. John A. Logan. says:
Il have just finished reading 'Remi-
niscences OF a Soldiers Wife" written
by Mrs. General John A. Logan and pub
lished by scribners. It is intensely in
teresting. covering a long period OF time
from the Mexican war almost up to date
The stirring events OF the civil war IN
which General Logan was one OF the
most gallant soldiers, and an officer OF
distinguished merit. are terseiy described
by Mrs. Logan. who had a wonderful
personal experience in southern Illinois
in camp and in field in the south
There are many interesting historical
features given for the first time. Those
Of us who passed through the trying
days OF the civil war % near IL as 20
appreciate General sherman's definition).
follow the writer's "reminiscences with
genuine interest. 1t was my pleasure TO
have been close personal friend OF Gem
eral Logan for more than a generation,
and as such I know that the beautiful
compliments paid him by his dstln-
guished wife were well deserved. The
volunteer soldier never had better
friend than General Logan. HIS nsme
Is made in history, and Is high on the
roll, not only as a soldier. but as an hon
est incorruptble statesman
There has always been more or less
dispute as to who established the Grand
Army OF the Republic and Decoration
day. but Mrs. Logan In her book gives
he, -
the Grand Army of the Republic came
from Rev. w. j. Rutledge chaplain of
the Fourteenth Illinois infantry. made to
Major b r. Stevenson, the surgeon of
the regiment. The latter called confer
ence of few officers at Springfield. ILL.,.
in March, 1866 at which time the ritual
as prepared by Major Stevenson was
adopted.
The First Memorial Day.
"In 1868 General Logan was comman-
der-in-chief of the Grand Army OF the
Republic In March he and Mrs Logan.
with some Chicago friends, were to visi,
the battlefields in the vicinity OF Rich.
mond General Logan was obliged 70 give
up the trip but Mrs. Logan made II. On
her return she told the general OF the
small bleached confederate flags and
faded flowers and wreaths that had been
laid upon tho graves by loving hands on
the occasion OF their Decoration day. The
general was so touched by the revival OF
this beautiful custom of the ancients, In
preserving the memory OF their dead
that he issued order No. IL Grand Army
OF the Republic, dated May 5, 1858 es-
tablishing Memorial day on May 30. which
has ever since been observed by the old
soldiers and people generally.
80 the American people are Indebted
to the suggestion of splendid woman
and the official act Of as gallant a soldier
as ever drew sword for the establish.
ment Of Memorial day.
Mrs. Logan Is stili residing in Wash
inston, where ! had the pleasure of takin,
lunch with her in her home about thre,
years ago. When the historian of tn,
future writes OF the prominent womer
from 1858 to 1914. the name OF Mary s
Logan will head the list in the world o.
accomplishments
Her most interesting and valuabl,
book should be found In every prlvat,
library"