whose bodies lie in
city, village, and hamlet
church-yard in the land
The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated 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.
General Order No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), issued General Order No. 11 designating May 30 “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.”
Logan’s General Order, his Memorial Day Order, established Memorial Day as a national holiday.
BTW, Private Edwin Barlow is my Great Great Grand Father.
No Haiku For You 