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Contrasting views of the 1st (official) Memorial Day...



Item # 651765

June 07, 1868

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 7, 1868  Page 3 has an article related to the 1st official Memorial Day which includes a touching letter from a young girl who had lost her father during the war, addressed to Col. Leaming: "Will you please put this wreath upon some rebel soldier's grave? My dear papa is buried at Andersonville, and perhaps some little girl will be kind enough to put a few flowers on his grave," signed in block type, "JENNY VERNON." It is interesting to note that they did find one remaining rebel grave at the cemetery, and granted her wish.
In contrast, page 4 has an article which states: "The members of the Grand Army of the Republic are spending a great deal of money in a decoration of the graves of Union soldiers all over the country. When such tributes are the spontaneous offering of popular gratitude, nothing can be more touching or more beautiful. But when done "By Order" of the military head of a political organization, they appear in a totally different light...," with more.
Speaking of coverage related to cemeteries, page 8 has a lengthy article describing "GREEN WOOD CEMETERY - The City of the DEAD." See images for details.
Complete in eight pages, a few brown spots mostly in the margins, but overall in nice condition. See images for details.

Category: Post-Civil War