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 General Order No. 11 - Grand Army of the Republic - Adams County Courthouse - Gettysburg, PA
N 39° 49.769 W 077° 13.875
18S E 309059 N 4411213
The outside walls of the Adams County Courthouse is replete with historical markers, signs & proclamations, both of a religious and secular nature. This tablet recalls the general order that established Memorial Day while celebrating an anniversary.
Waymark Code: WMG4KW
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 01/12/2013
Views: 5
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Pennsylvania Department Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, erected this large, bronze tablet on the outside brick wall of the Adams County Courthouse on June 25, 1941. The bulk of the tablet is about the General Order with the dedication information at the bottom. At the top center is a profiled relief of a Civil War figure. I cannot tell who it is. It is surrounded on either side by what I can only imagine is olive branches. The tablet is about 3 feet high by 2 feet wide and is approximately six feet off of the ground. It is on the left side of the building, attached to the brick, to the left and underneath a World War I memorial/tablet, of equal vintage and appearance. This sign of history reads:
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868
- 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.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and 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 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 the 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 pleasant 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, 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 remain to us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
- 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 lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
- Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.
By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief
N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General
Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.
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
Parking can be had at metered spaces along the street. The battlefield is only .24 miles away (Confederate Avenue)
Address:
West Middle & Baltimore Streets
(southwest corner of the intersection)
Gettysurg, PA USA
17325
Website: [Web Link]
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