General Orders Number 11

[eyer]

General Order Number 11 of the Grand Army of the Republic was the document that established Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it has been also called, as a nationwide observance.

The original of the following document written in his own hand June 1868 by General Logan is in the Logan Family Papers in the Library of Congress. General Logan was then serving in Congress as a Representative from Illinois. We have preserved spelling and punctuation as in the original.

On the 5th of May 1868 as commander in cheif of the Grand Army of the republic, I issued to our comrades throughout the land the following order:

"Head quarters Grand Army of the Republic. Adjutant Generals office No 444, 14th Street Washington, D.C. May 5th 1868.

General Orders No 11.
I. The 30th day of May 1868 is designate for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades, who died in defense, of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every City, Village, and hamlet, church yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us for the purpose, among other things ' of preserving and strengthining those kind and fraternal feelings, which have bound together the soldiers, sailors and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.' What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their hearts a barricade between our country, and its foes, their soldier lives were the revilee of freedom, to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilence, all that the consecrated wealth and toils 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 rudely on such halowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent vistors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of averice, or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present, or to the coming generations, that we have forgotten, as a people the cost of a free and undivided Republic.

If other eyes grow dull, and other hands black, and other hearts cold, in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light, and warmth, of life remain to us. Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of Springtime: let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor. Let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us, a sacred charge upon a nations gratitude the soldiers and sailors widow and orphan.

II- It is the purpose of the commander in cheif to inaugarate this observance with the hope that it will 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 call attention to this order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III- Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective"

By order of John A. Logan" . Commander in Cheif"

Official A. P. Chipman Adjutant General"

This order was generally complied with, on the 30th of May 1868, by the G. A. R. and beautiful ceremonies had at the graves of the dead. And on the 22d day of June 1868 I introduced in Congress the following resolution which was unanimously adopted. & Certified as follows.

"Congress of the United States in the House of Representatives June 22d 1868

"On motion of Mr. Logan"

"Resolved, that the proceedings of the different Cities towns &c. recently held in commemoration of the gallant heroes who have sacraficed their lives in defence of the Republic. And the record of the ceremonial of the decoration of the honored tombs of the departed, shall be collected and bound, under the direction of such person as the Speaker shall designated for the use of Congress.

{attest Edward McPherson Clerk"

"House of Representatives Washington June 22d 1868

Frank Moore Esq. Editor of the "Rebellion Record" is hereby appointed under this resolution"

Schuyler Colfax
Speaker of the House of Representatives"

In compliance with this resolution the proceedings and records of the ceremonials of the decorations of the honored graves of our dead comrades, were collected and published in a well bound volume.

http://www.memorialdayorigin.info/order11.html

So what did the first formal Memorial Day look like? The short answer? Fewer hot dogs. More flowers.

If you went, you would have received this invitation, the original of which is in The Raab Collection archives (note the black border, which was used for occasions of mourning).

http://blogs-images.forbes.com/nathanraab/files/2014/05/Memorial-Day-Small.jpg

Imagine taking your carriage to Arlington National Cemetery for the reading of Logan’s General Order, followed by a prayer, hymn, and then speech by General and future President James Garfield. A patriotic song and poem later, you would have joined your friends by walking with the orphaned children of the war and strewing flowers on the graves, ending at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. This too you would have decorated with flowers.

Once at the Tomb, you would have heard Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address recited, and then gone off to decorate the entire cemetery with flowers, before hearing a performance of the Star Spangled Banner and returning home. The Gettysburg Address remains the best monument to fallen soldiers in the Civil War, and recalled the President’s assassination at the end of conflict.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanraab/2014/05/26/the-real-story-of-memorial-day/

 

[ms_ann_thrope]

Eyer having another Linus Van Pelt moment relaying the story of Christm....er....Memorial Day.

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20101013014609/christmasspecials/images/3/36/LinusvanPelt.jpg

 

[about_average]

Imagine taking your carriage to Arlington National Cemetery for the reading of Logan’s General Order, followed by a prayer, hymn, and then speech by General and future President James Garfield. A patriotic song and poem later, you would have joined your friends by walking with the orphaned children of the war and strewing flowers on the graves, ending at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. This too you would have decorated with flowers.

Too funny.
All you could do is "imagine" it.

 

[FGB]

OK.

But down here in the south we tend to look at Memorial Day as a celebration of freedom and reverence to all the people of the United States of America who gave their lives in defense of our country no matter which side, no matter what colors they wore in the Civil war or which war they fought in...and that is as it should be.

 

[eyer]

Too funny.
All you could do is "imagine" it.

What's really "Too funny" is...

...your ego is so starved for troll, your envious mind can't even process what a quote is.

But, nice anyway...

...alice.

 

[about_average]

No, what's funny is you thinking it's worth quoting someone who thinks a person could listen to a speech given by "future President James Garfield" then go visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

A history lesson for you:
James Garfield was president from March-September 1881
Any speeches by the future president were made 51 years before anyone in the public could have taken their carriage to the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers"[sic]

You and Nathan Raab are idiots.

 

[eyer]

You and Nathan Raab are idiots.

Of course we are, below_average...

 

[October46]

Of course we are, below_average...

You are correct about_average, eyer is an idiot and a communist when it comes to our fallen soldiers.

 

[about_average]

You are correct about_average, eyer is an idiot and a communist when it comes to our fallen soldiers.

So you think that's what my either of my post was about?

Or are you yet another person who thinks any idiotic statement is sacrosanct if it mentions those who have served in the military?

 

[eyer]

Kinda neat reading one troll turn so effortlessly on another troll...

 

[October46]

Kinda neat reading one troll turn so effortlessly on another troll...

That's correct eyer, you are a troll otherwise you would have not put your idiocy into a thread to honor our service people that gave all for their country! Again, you are a very sad person that has not served one day in the military.

 

[eyer]

That's correct eyer, you are a troll otherwise you would have not put your idiocy into a thread to honor our service people that gave all for their country! Again, you are a very sad person that has not served one day in the military.

You ever imagine that when people spit on you (allegedly)...

...it really has absolutely nothing to do with actual service, but your constantly repeated proclamations of who you'd like to be?

 

[October46]

You ever imagine that when people spit on you (allegedly)...

...it really has absolutely nothing to do with actual service, but your constantly repeated proclamations of who you'd like to be?

Unlike you eyer, I did serve, whereas you did not, do I have to prove to you my service, no, I don't owe you that because you are not worth it; again very sad little person!

 

[about_average]

Kinda neat reading one troll turn so effortlessly on another troll...

You really are ignorant.
So not only do you not know know the history of the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, you don't even know what a troll is.
You've, again, shown that you need to go buy a dictionary. Buy one when you buy a book about the history of Arlington National Cemetery.

 

[October46]

You really are ignorant.
So not only do you not know know the history of the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, you don't even know what a troll is.
You've, again, shown that you need to go buy a dictionary. Buy one when you buy a book about the history of Arlington National Cemetery.

Spoken very eloquently!

 

[eyer]

Unlike you eyer, I did serve...

Yes...

...I believe you've mentioned that many times in the last three days; many, many times.

And I do salute you, sir...

...for never tiring of asking everyone, Do you want fries with that?

You really are ignorant.
So not only do you not know know the history of the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, you don't even know what a troll is.
You've, again, shown that you need to go buy a dictionary. Buy one when you buy a book about the history of Arlington National Cemetery.

Why would I go to that trouble...

...when I can simply wait for your ego to Google itself silly and then return here and post all that you "know"?

 

[about_average]

Why would I go to that trouble...

One reason might be to stop making yourself look like an ignoramus. However, you seem to enjoy that, so carry on if you wish.

 

[eyer]

...so carry on if you wish.

That's mighty white of you.