Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Memorial Day Order

General Orders, No. 11

— Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic, Washington, D.C. May 5, 1868. —

Memorial Day Order Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 23, 2024

1. Memorial Day Order Marker

Inscription.

Memorial Day Order. General Orders, No. 11.

1. 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 those bodies now lie in this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit., We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains and their deaths a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance, all that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let peasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic., If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remains to us., Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choices flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the nation's gratitude - the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan., II. It is the purpose of the Commander in Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith., III. Department comrades will use every effort to make this order effective. By command of- , N.P. Chipman, Adjutant General. , John A. Logan, Commander in Chief.

, Presented to the City of Gettysburg in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Grand Army of the Republic by the Pennsylvania Department, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. , June 25 1941.

1. 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 those bodies now lie in this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains and their deaths a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance, all that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let peasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism
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of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remains to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choices flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the nation's gratitude - the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander in Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department comrades will use every effort to make this order effective. By command of-
N.P.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 23, 2024

2. Memorial Day Order Marker
Chipman, Adjutant General.
John A. Logan, Commander in Chief

Presented to the City of Gettysburg in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Grand Army of the Republic by the Pennsylvania Department, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
June 25 1941

Erected 1941 by Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the The Grand Army of the Republic series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1868.

Location. 39° 49.77′ N, 77° 13.874′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Memorial is on Baltimore Street (Business U.S. 15) just south of West Middle Street (Pennsylvania Route 116), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 Baltimore St, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "…sights and sounds…too horrible to describe…" (here, next to this marker); Manor of Maske (here, next to this marker); Adams County World War Memorial (here, next to this marker); Adams County (a few

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steps from this marker); Thaddeus Stevens, the Great Commoner, 1792 - 1868 (a few steps from this marker); Politics and "Penelope" (within shouting distance of this marker); "…the busiest scene I ever witnessed…" (within shouting distance of this marker); The Camp Colt Officers Club (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 74 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.