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0iDecoration Services. jThe sacred rite of strewing flowers on the graves of those who served iu the Union army during the late war, and who now lie buried iu our beautiful Sugar Grove Cemetery, was solemnly observed on last Sabbath by the members of the G. A. It., and citizens of Wilmington and vicinity. The ceremony passed oh' to the entire satisfaction of all those engaged iu it, and to the large number i) of spectators present 3 j The members of Post No. 104, Grand Army i of the Republic to the number of about tK),! marched from Brindle's llall at 1 o’clock,- in charge of Gen. A. W. Doan. Each mem-1 ber Wore the usual badge of thewrder, red r white and blue ribbon, surmounted on this !i i occasion by a rosette of crane. The old e tattered, war-worn colors of the 79th O. V. s I., were borne iu front, while the whole were , preceded by the inspiring notes of martial ■_ : music. As the column passed Preston’s Hall, ,, thirty-six little girls, emblematical of thet! States of the Union, dressed in white and s I each one carrying a wreath of evergreen on her arm and a beautiful boquet of flowers in her hand, the whole under charge of Mrs. I Patience Hibben, Mrs. J. G. Outcalt, Mrs. v Lydia Hibben, Mrs. M. Finley, Mrs Henry j Outcalt, Mrs. A. W. Doan and Mrs. J. C-y Smith, joined the procession, citizens fell in, iu the rear, and all marched to the Cemetery at a quick step. At the gate of the Ceine tery the drums were inutile ', and to the slowand solemn notes of the dead march, thisloug li.ie of mourners wended its wav to the•tlrst soldier's grave, which was marked by a flag placed on it. Here the G. A. IS., formed in open order, on either side of the grate, the little girls in the same order inside of their lines: the torn colors of the 79th were drooped over from either side; two little girls, one with a wreath, the other with a boquet, were stationed on either side of the grave, and Capt. T. lt;j. Hildebraut. Marshal, iu a very impressive manner, made proclamation as follows : *‘•This is the last resting place of our comrade Claudius Morgan, Co. I), Jgth Keg. O. V I. As a tribute of respect to his memory, we now deposit these flowers upon hi grave. May the remembrance of his bravery and patriotism ever be fresh in our hearts Then the wreath was laid upon the grave and the boquet in the center, by the little girls, while the choir, composed of Messers.Parker and Preston Osborn, Marion Griflith, Franklin Smith and (Jus. Hahis, sung a verse appropriate to the occasion.In this manner each grave was visited, until the grave of an unknown soldier was reached when the following proclamation was made by the Marshal:*• Unknown Sochi ki:.”“ He was a soldier in the ranks of the Union army. On his return home, weakened by disease contracted in the service of his Country, he was unable to proceed further, and here, among strangers, distant from the home of his youth and the dear friends he loved so well, lie gave up his young life, a sacrifice on the altar of liberty. Although his name is unknown to us, yet we will cherish his memory as one of that host of heroes whose blood was freely shed in support ofthe best Government the world ever saw._May the ashes of this, our departed com rado, rest in peace.”At the request of the ladies, a boquet and wreath was deposited upon the grave of Henry Babb, a staunch Union man and a good citizen who feel a sacrifice to his love of thi old flag.The procession then proceeded to the grovi in the Cemetery, where, after a song by the clmir and prayer by Itev. Mr. Irvin, whr kindly volunteered his services, flowers wort strewn typical of all soldiers who fell in the Union cause, the follow ing tribute to tlieii memory being offered by the Marshal :“To All. WHO H I.I, IN l'KI.l.DOM'S Cai si.‘•To the fallen heroes whose graves arc green in the sunny S mthland, and among the hills and valleys of the North; whose blood was freely poured out on a hundred battle-fields in the cause of freedom and humanity; who, h aving behind them the corn forts, the fond endearments of home, went boldly forth to do battle and to die, for the Country and Government they loved, this solemn tribute of respect is freely given—it is affection's offering to the memory of dc parted worth.“And while their du-t reposes on the bosom of many a well-fought field, which their bravery lias rendered immortal, let rejocings mmgle with the tear affe.ti-.u sheds over t icir graves, that they died not iu vain.— Lot us indulge in the fond hope that He who gave us this goodly heritage will, in His iu finite mercy and love, care for the departed «{irlts of its noble defenders.“ With sad hearts and uncovered heads, one and all, rentier this symbolic tribute m respect to the memory ol our fallen comrade s.”Gen. I)oan then individualized and strew cd flov\i*rs to the memory of comrade Morris McMillan, a very worthy young man. who fell at his post of duty, while striving to encourage our wavering lines in the hour oi battle, and was buried on the field.After some excellent singing by the choir and benediction by Rev. Mr. Irvin, the pro cession returned to the halls, where they were dismissed.TJie graves of the following deceased soldiers were properly decorated, in the order given :Claudius Morgan, Enoch 1’. Amott. John E. Lazenber, Richard F. Fallis, John Taylor Samuel Henry, Jas. 15. O'Neal, G»o M. O'-' Neal, Seymour J. Reed, John W. Mory. An drew II. Chapman, Edward Brme, Ia.nnes Irvin, Frank Johns, Unknown Soldier, Edward Miles, Cyrus Vanpelt, Jas. L. lliiiiiiar. David H. Horseman, Jacob Carroll, 1). 1\ Carroll. Joseph Woodruff. Warren S. Fuller, Daniel Kelly, Charles Ashcraft, J. R. Parker,W m. B. Lang, A. E. Strickle, Isaac Steph-t*ns in.
Newspaper Details
Wilmington Clinton Republican
Wilmington, Ohio, US
Thu, Jun 03, 1869
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Mike A.
OH, USA 28 May 2017
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