CHAPTER XXIV.

THE GRAVES OF THE SOLDIERS.

FLORAL DECORATIONS.

A National Tribute-May 30th, 1869-The Gift of a Flower the Truest Pledge of Friendship-Strangers Remembered with the Home Born -Observance of the day by General John A. Logan-Response of the People-Three Days devoted to the Ceremonies-Arlington Heights -General Lee's Old Home a Federal National Cemetery-Decoration Ceremonies at Washington-President Grant and Family attend them-Ceremonies at Chicago, May 29th-Library Hall-Miss Sheahan-Miss Drury-Miss Nellie Medill-Misses Pierce, Lowe, and others-Mrs. Henry Sayrs-Mrs. Sherman-Misses Ella and Lou Sherman-Miss Norton, and others-The U. S. Grant Guards-Grand Army of the Republic-General Sheridan Guards-General Sheridan and Staff-Hon. N. B. Judd-General T. O. Osborne-Generals Salomon, McArthur, Sheffner, Stockton, Beveridge, Smith, and Thompson -Rev. Robert Collyer's Address-A Soldier of the Revolution—Oak Wood-General F. T. Sherman, Marshall-Judge Jamieson-Coatsworth's Grave.

ONE would be glad to know in whose mind the happy thought first arose of rendering to the fallen heroes of the Republic a tribute so beautiful as that which was, as with one heart and one mind, paid them on the 30th of May, 1869, and will, it is to be hoped, be repeated, from year to year, for a long time to come. The gift of a flower is everywhere esteemed the truest pledge of friendship or affection. Flowers are themselves true; they are symbols of truth and of fidelity. Their beauty is the impress of its own perfection left by the hand of the Creator where he touched them; and their emblem is