I had this socked away and, Thank-you Charles for reminding me I should beter post it.

"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 dishonor; 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."

Grumpy,

It was a useful bit of "ratcheting up the chatter," as the phrase goes these days. We took the time to visit Sergeant Benjamin Mell's grave over at St. Mark's Church. He was in Co. D, Cobb's Legion, and fortunate to have had his grave marked.  I'm still looking for some Hershperger and Harley graves in this area, but can't quite find a few that "should" be in one of three cemeteries. Odd.

Grumpy,

Thank you so much for posting that document.  I have been looking all over for it.  I had it on a disk that was fed to Miss Katrina and haven't been able to find another copy.  Thanks again.

Thank you for that Grumpy.  What a fitting and poignant document.  We the members of the 6th OVI attended that annual ceremony at Spring Grove Cemetery, firing a 21 gun salute on the gently rolling mounds where 1,000 Civil War Veterans are buried and then marched to the final resting place of our commander, Colonel Nicholas Anderson.

Thank you for posting that.  

My husband and children and I went to the Dayton VA Medical Center campus where they held a Veterans Heritage Festival over the weekend, and the Southern Ohio Civil War Association had their tents set up on the hill near the Home Chapel overlooking the National Cemetary.  

Standing on the hill overlooking the rows of white stones and the flags placed on each grave was sobering... and again I was reminded how much we owe the warriors who lay buried with honor.

I know that the government said Memorial Day was the 26th, but on Friday, assuming I get back home from my trip to Detroit (where I'm at right at the moment) early enough, I'm going to go pay my respects again on the 30th.