Title
Decoration of Graves in Soldiers' Lot
Description
Excerpt from Chicago Tribune with information on the decoration of enlisted soldier graves in the soldiers' lot.
Source
"Decoration Day," Chicago Tribune, May 31, 1870.
Date
May 31, 1870
Original Format
Newspaper
Text
OTHER GRAVES.
For the benefit of those of our readers not acquainted with Rosehill, we will say that the entrance is at the foot of a hill, having a slope of about 200 feet to a rise of about 25 feet. ON the summit of this elevation, immediately facing the entrance and grand approach, stands the monument dedicated yesterday on behalf of the Board of Trade and the county government. ON each side of the gravel walking leading from the gate lie the graves of the soldiers to the number of about 230. A few were decorated by private hands, but the most of them were decked from the common store. Noticeable among those that had felt the hand of love and affection, was a simple mound, one of a long row, which was surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves, inside of which, in immortelles, beautifully fashioned, thousands of passers-by read the simple name of “Frank.” Nothing could have been more beautiful or touching. At the head of the grave, lying in a wreath and under a glass cover, lay a photograph of him who lies beneath. The picture represented a handsome, dashing youth, a true type of the American soldier. Not a single soldier’s grave, no matter how remotely situated in the enclosure, was forgotten, and many a fond parent mourning a loved offspring, husband a wife, or orphaned children a tender mother, accepted this occasion to lay a tribute of love and devotion on the grave of one long mourned but not forgotten.
For the benefit of those of our readers not acquainted with Rosehill, we will say that the entrance is at the foot of a hill, having a slope of about 200 feet to a rise of about 25 feet. ON the summit of this elevation, immediately facing the entrance and grand approach, stands the monument dedicated yesterday on behalf of the Board of Trade and the county government. ON each side of the gravel walking leading from the gate lie the graves of the soldiers to the number of about 230. A few were decorated by private hands, but the most of them were decked from the common store. Noticeable among those that had felt the hand of love and affection, was a simple mound, one of a long row, which was surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves, inside of which, in immortelles, beautifully fashioned, thousands of passers-by read the simple name of “Frank.” Nothing could have been more beautiful or touching. At the head of the grave, lying in a wreath and under a glass cover, lay a photograph of him who lies beneath. The picture represented a handsome, dashing youth, a true type of the American soldier. Not a single soldier’s grave, no matter how remotely situated in the enclosure, was forgotten, and many a fond parent mourning a loved offspring, husband a wife, or orphaned children a tender mother, accepted this occasion to lay a tribute of love and devotion on the grave of one long mourned but not forgotten.