REMEMBERING
THE CIVIL WAR
With so many Civil War
veterans in Ganges Township, Memorial Day (first called Decoration Day because it was the
day the graves were decorated with flowers) was always celebrated with enthusiasm. Treva
(Miller) McKeown, whose grandfather, Adam Miller, was both a Civil War veteran and a
member of the Ganges band, wrote:
"About the years 1906 to 1912 Civil War veterans were guests of honor at the Memorial
Day services at the Ganges Methodist Church. After the benediction and tributes to those
tired old men. and a program of local talent, including the reading of the
"Gettysburg Address," all who cared to "marched" to the Taylor
Cemetery.
On one such occasion that I remember vividly Major W. H. Dunn, a veteran cavalry officer,
decided to ride a horse in the procession. As the assemblage was being organized, Major
Dunn rode up on a fine looking well-groomed horse. Everything went well until the horse
became excited and thrashed about and became unruly. For a few minutes much concern was
felt for the elderly rider, and all those standing nearby, but with the good horsemanship
of Major Dunn, and the aid of several men, the horse was quieted down. The procession
finally started with the accompaniment of our local Fife and Drum Corps, consisting of
George Gaze on the fife, Marion Pressler on the bass drum and my father, Bertrand Miller,
on the snare drum. After reaching the cemetery the children placed the lilac and snowball
bouquets on the graves of veterans." by Kit Lane
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