| Show first order J of the day the original order establishing me mortal morial day Is as follows headquarters grand army of the re public adjutant general s office fourteenth street washington D C may 5 1868 general order no 11 I 1 the day of may 1868 Is designated for the purpose of atrev strewing ing flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in de tense of their country during the late rebellion and whose bodies now lie in almost every city village and ham let churchyard in the land in this ob servance no form or ceremony Is pre scribed but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit we we are organized comrades as our regulations tell us for the purpose among other things of preserving and strengthening those kind and tra fra feelings which have bound together the soldiers sailors and ma rines who united to suppress the late rebellion what can aid more to as sure this result than cherishing ten derly 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 of a race in chains and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious 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 a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders let no wanton foot tread on such hallowed grounds let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitor visitors and fond mourners let no vandalism of avarice or neglect no ravages ot of times testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have for gotten as a people the cost of a tree free and undivided republic it other eyes grow dull other hands slack and other hearts cold in the sol V dmn trust ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth ot of life remain to us let us then at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mound mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dis dig honor let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us fo a sacred charge upon a nation s gratl tude the soldier soldiers s and sailor sailors s widow and 0 orphan 2 it Is the purpose of the corn com mander in chief to inaugurate this ob servance with the hope that it will b be kept up from year to year while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades he earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to i the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith 3 department commanders will use efforts to mahe make this order effective by order of john A logan commander in chief N P chapman ad juhant general official william T collins A A G ir 0 i M V ir ka |
