History of Linn County Iowa Part 79

A. Austin, George Hesse.

"Decorating graves, P. H. Francis, Hiel Hale, C. H.

Sterneman, Dr. Bliss, Jos. Stoddard, with privilege to choose five ladies to fill the committee.

"Invitation, Capt. W. W. Smith, S. Neidig, Dr. Skinner.

"Speakers, A. D. Collier, D. A. Dingman, W. B. Leach.

"Printing, A. H. Neidig, Dr. F. S. McClelland, Dr. Camburn.

"Music, C. Ferguson, Mr. Baxter and Dr. Bliss.

"On general arrangements, W. B. Leach, J. F. Charles, Ed.

Thompson, L. M. Ayers, P. H. Francis, W. W. Smith, A. D.

Collier, A. H. Neidig, and C. Ferguson.

"On motion of Capt. Wm. B. Leach, Captain Otto, as the last commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, was instructed to call a meeting of the soldiers and sailors of this vicinity to have them meet and consult with regard to the part they shall take in the observance of the day.

"On motion adjourned."

The program of that first Decoration Day was as follows:

"The following programme will be observed on Decoration Day:

"President of the day--Col. W. B. Leach.

"Chief Marshal--Col. T. Z. Cook.

"a.s.sistant Marshals--Capt. W. S. Bradley, Geo. W. Wynn, A.

D. Collier.

"Chaplain--Rev. A. B. Kindig.

"Orators--Rev. Col. S. H. Henderson, Hon. Col. N. M.

Hubbard.

"At ten o'clock a. m. the procession will form on the corner of Iowa avenue and Commercial street in wagons, and headed by the band, will proceed to the cemetery on the west side, where the graves will be decorated, and after which an oration will be delivered by Col. S. H. Henderson.

"At two o'clock the procession will form on Iowa avenue, the right resting on Commercial street.

"The following will be the order.

"Music.

"1. Grand Army of Republic.

"2. Independent Fire Company.

"3. Bohemia Society.

"4. Hook and Ladder Company.

"5. Odd Fellows.

"6. Fire Company Steamer.

"7. Citizens on foot.

"8. Carriages.

"Line of march will be down Commercial street to Eagle, up Eagle to Madison, down Madison to Greene street, thence to Oak Hill Cemetery, where the graves will be decorated, after which an oration will be delivered by Hon. Col. N. M.

Hubbard.

"All soldiers and citizens in the vicinity are cordially requested to be present, and a.s.sist in paying respect to our honored dead.

"Soldiers will leave the number of their regiment at the _Times_ office and they will be furnished with a badge to wear on the occasion."

Following is the account of the exercises of that day with the text of the address delivered by Judge Hubbard. It is taken from the _Daily Republican_ of May 31, 1873:

"Decoration Day has come and gone. It brought with it the n.o.ble thought to honor the heroic dead of our land, and left thousands of green graves strewn with choicest flowers of spring. This kindly and befitting token of love and honor was placed on every soldier's grave, to show how green and fresh in our hearts are the memories of their n.o.ble deeds.

This day is one of mixed sorrow and pleasure--sad for the heavy sacrifices that had to be made, but happy to keep green the sacred memories of those who fell for their country's good.

"The soldiers and sailors, who have died to save the nation's life, will never be forgotten so long as flowers are strewn upon the quiet graves beneath whose verdant mounds those gallant hearts lie stilled forever.

"It is the sum of mortal glory for posterity to gather around the tombs of fallen heroes, as around holy shrines, and pour out their libations in songs, prayers and in fitting words of praise on their n.o.ble lives and gallant deeds.

"The day opened yesterday morning with a rain storm, which continued more or less until about ten o'clock. It looked discouraging indeed, and many hearts felt sad at the uninviting prospect.

"At eleven o'clock a few persons gathered on the west side and proceeded to the cemetery on that side of the river, and spent a short time in decorating the graves of a few soldiers that lie buried there. Rev. S. H. Henderson spoke a few moments on the importance of the occasion when the company dispersed and returned to their homes.

"By noon the clouds had cleared away and the sun shone forth beautifully. At half past 2 o'clock Was.h.i.+ngton street in the vicinity of the City Hall was crowded with a large number of people who were listening to the fine strains of music that the Ferguson band were discoursing. About three o'clock the procession began to move, and in pretty much the same order as has already been published in the _Republican_. Between seventy-five and a hundred carriages, buggies, and wagons were in the procession, preceded by many footmen; also a number were on horseback. It was one of the most brilliant occasions of the kind that was ever witnessed in Cedar Rapids.

"We are unable to go into the particulars, as we have not the s.p.a.ce today to record them.

"The number on the cemetery grounds has been estimated by many at two thousand people, and some have raised the estimate a thousand more. The following graves were decorated:

"John Harrison, Henry N. Graves and Carter Berkley, 6th Iowa Cavalry, Co. K; Henry Fleck, 40th Ind. Inft.; John Hall, 31st Iowa; Amos Fergeson, Band, 15th Iowa Inft.; James Morehead, Sr., Co. I, 37th Iowa Inft.; James Morehead, Jr., Co. K, 9th Iowa Inft.; Judson L. Boughton, Co. D, 12th Iowa Inft.; Parker Ayres, Co. D, 12th Iowa Inft,; Robert Mallahan, Co. A, 37th Iowa Inft.; James Hammersley, 31st Vt.

Int., J. R. C.; Henry Berger, Minn., Minn.; Geo. Wells, 141st Penn. V. Inft,; Edward W. Calder, Co. D, 12th Iowa Inft.; Lt. Joseph Hollan, 20th Inft.; Benj. Shaw, 20th Inft.; Donald Lothian, 31st Inft. West side--David Martin, 24th Inft,; Ebenezer Martin, 12th Inft,; John Dean, 20th Inft.; Donaldson,--. After these interesting decoration ceremonies were over, the people gathered around the stand that had been erected for the purpose, where the following programme was carried out:

"Music by the Band.

"Music by the Glee Club, 'Praise of the Soldier.'

"Prayer by Rev. A. B. Kendig.

"Music, 'Star Spangled Banner,' by the Glee Club.

"Oration by Col. N. M. Hubbard.