On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, an Illinois
congressman and three time Commander of the Grand Army of the
Republic (G. A. R.), issued an order to adopt (his wife’s idea) May
30th as a day to “decorate the graves of comrades who died in
defense of their country during the late rebellion.” The custom
became widely observed. President Johnson released the government
workers for the day. A small American flag was placed at the grave of
each soldier in Arlington. There were approximately five thousand
persons at the exercises in Arlington National Cemetery. G. A. R.
posts around the country and in Massachusetts joined in similar
ceremonies. Merchants closed their shops and the day was observed as
a general holiday.
In Chelsea, the heavy rains that had fallen during the night
and morning stopped as the hour of service drew near. The parade
formed at City Hall on Central Avenue and marched to Garden Cemetery.
All the graves had been decorated before the services commenced. The
Chelsea Brass Band led the parade followed by the Theodore Winthrop
Post, G.A.R. Nearly every member was present each carrying a bouquet
of flowers and evergreens. Next in line came a floral carriage
carrying a number of young ladies who would furnish the singing at
the cemetery. The mayor and other prominent officials rode in an open
barouche. Company II, First Regiment MassachusettsVolunteer Militia,
led by Captain Perry, marched behind the carriages carrying bouquets
of flowers and wreaths, ending with a double line of marching citizens.
The ceremonies took place at the Civil War Soldiers’ lot.
The band provided music selections followed by the girls singing
“Peace to the Brave.” Reverend J. C. Knowles gave the
invocation prayer and an informative address. The G.A.R. members
walked through the grounds placing flowers and a small flag on each
grave while the girls sang a decoration hymn. The mayor gave a brief
talk and Reverend W. H. Cudworth gave the benediction. Concluding
services at Garden Cemetery, the procession re-formed in the street
and proceeded to Woodlawn.
The services of sculptor Frank Simmons were enlisted by the
city, at a cost of $13,000 to construct a Civil War monument in the
center of Union Park. The following April the monument was dedicated.
The dedicatory address was given by the Honorable Frank B. Fay,
war-time mayor, 1861 through 1863 and Chief of the Auxiliary Relief
Corps of the United States Sanitary Commission with the care of the
sick and wounded during the remainder of the war.
1817 men served in the army, while 358 served in the navy
during the Civil War, for a total of 2175 men. The population of the
city at the time was 13,000, with a heavy influx of Irish immigrants.
Recruiting posters were geared toward immigrants.
Memorial Day became a very serious and important holiday
each year following 1868. In 1918 it was voted to include veterans of
all wars to be remembered on this day.