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ORIGINS OF MEMORIAL DAY

As the American Civil War came to an end in 1865, both Following the war, Logan
the North and the South were exhausted from the long returned to politics and served
bitter confl ict. Much of the Confederacy had suff ered as a Congressman and U.S.
economic deprivation since most of the fi ghting had Senator from Illinois. He was
occurred there. An even more devasting result was the the Vice-Presidential running
loss of life and injury suff ered by both sides. Depending mate of James G. Blaine who
on the source of information, estimates of combined ran unsuccessfully for President
service personnel deaths from all causes ranged from in 1884. Logan passed away in
620,000 to 850,000. 1888 and is buried at the United
States Soldier’s and Airmen’s
As a means of remembrance of lost loved ones and Home National Cemetery in
those who had given their lives, communities sought Washington, D.C. In 1901,
a means of honoring the dead. In 1866 communities, Logan was honored when an
both north and south, began decorating graves with equestrian statue of him that
fl owers. Although multiple claims exist as to where the General John A. Logan was dedicated in Logan Circle in
practice originated, Waterloo, New York has been offi cially Washington, D.C. and still stands there today.
recognized as the fi rst community to commemorate
those soldiers who died by decorating graves on May 5, From its inception, Decoration Day was celebrated
1866. At that time the practice was known as Decoration across the country and was expanded in scope to honor
Day. Of course, fl owers from yards and gardens would all veterans as well as deceased loved ones. Often
have been plentiful in the springtime, but perhaps the parades were held, fl ags prominently displayed, and
time of year held a more signifi cant meaning in relation military honors became a part of this annual event.
to Easter. Each May cemeteries came alive as families traveled to
honor their love ones with fl owers used to “decorate the
The observance of Decoration Day spread quickly in graves”. Following WWI, the name Decoration Day began
both the north and south and in March, 1868 General to be referred to as Memorial Day, as the scope of the
John A. Logan, 2nd Commander of the Grand Army of the remembrance was expanded. In 1968, Congress changed
Republic (the Union Veterans organization often known as the date to the last Monday of May under the Uniform
the GAR) issued Order No. 11 that May 30th would be the Holiday Act giving federal employees a 3-day weekend
offi cial date to be observed. Logan chose this date since and making Memorial Day a National Holiday.
it was one of the few dates where a Civil War Battle battle
had not been fought. That same year the fi rst Decoration Bro. Logan was also a Mason having been raised in
Day event was held at Arlington National Cemetery with Mitchell Lodge No. 85 of Pinckneyville, IL and affi liated
5,000 people in attendance including General Ulysses S. with Benton Lodge No. 64 in 1851. Bro. Logan received
Grant. his 32o in Oriental Consistory, in Chicago, IL, in 1880. He
also was exalted in Washington Chapter No. 43, Royal
Logan was from Illinois and had been a lawyer, politician, Arch Masons, Chicago, IL, in September of 1885 as well
veteran of the Mexican War, and Congressman prior to the as being knighted in Chevalier Bayard Commandery No.
outbreak of the war. When the Civil War broke out, Logan 52, Knights Templar, Chicago, IL, in December of 1885.
was appointed as colonel of the 31st Illinois Volunteer On September 15, 1886, he was elected to receive the
Infantry Regiment and would eventually be promoted to 33o, but died on December 26, 1886 before it could be
Major General in the Western Theatre. Even though he conferred.
was a political appointee, he proved to be very competent
and fought in a number of major battles including Fort
Donelson, Corinth, and as a divisional commander at
Vicksburg. He commanded the XV Corps during the
Battle of Atlanta in 1864 and during Sherman’s Carolina
Campaign. Always one to lead from the front, Logan
was wounded three times at the Battle of Fort Donelson.
Following the war, his reputation grew when he became
one of the founders of GAR and its second Commander. Chuck Clampitt, Mt Etna Lodge 333, Huntington, Indiana.
Logan was also popular with Indiana soldiers, having a Indiana Freemason Magazine, Summer 2020
number of Indiana units under his command during the
war.

Montana Freemason Page 24 March/April 2022 Volume 98 No. 2