The first monument dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic in California was unveiled in the Sacramento CIty Cemetery on Monday, September 9, 1889. The members of the locat G.A.R. posts gathered at the Grand Army Headquarters at the corner of Tenth and K Streets for the processional parade. At 3 o'clock the groups began the march down Tenth street to the cemetery. The parade was headed by a platoon of police, behind whom marched the 1st Artillery Band. A military escort followed under the command of Mr. T.B. Hall. The officers of the day were next in line in carriages, accompanied by State, County and local officials and guests. Next in line were the Sons of Veterans and their drum corps followed by a large contingent of the Society of Pioneers, in charge of P.S. Lawson, President of the Society. The local posts of the G.A.R. acted as escorts to the pioneers. The Ladies of Fair Oaks and Sumner Relief Corps, and the Ladies of the G.A.R. concluded the line, occupying carriages.

     Grand Marshal Cyrus H. Hubbard, himself a veteran of the famous 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, handled the procession and was ably assisted by George W. Ficks. Upon reaching the cemetery, the dedication ceremony began at once with the opening prayer by Chaplain W.C. Merrill. Superior Judge W.C. Van Fleet then turned the monument over to the old veterans on behalf of the citizens of Sacramento. J. W. Reeves, Senior Post Commander, accepted the monument in the name of the Grand Army of the Republic in a few well chosen words.

     Then followed the ritual services by the veterans attending the dedication. A guard of honor was stationed at each corner of the monument and a sailor, representing the navy, solemnly placed an anchor and a cutlass at the south base of the monument, while a soldier, representing the infantry, laid a musker, cartridge-box and knapsack at the north base.

     Judge N. Greene Curtis was then introduced, and spoke about an hour. His oration, which was frequently interrupted by bursts of applause, was a masterly effort and perhaps one of the best of his life. The Judge, in referring to the occasion which had brought so many people togerher, said in substance: We have assemlbed for the purpose of dedicating a monument to the memory of our soldier dead. Today we stand in the presence of the war worn veterans who fought in that great conflict for the perpetuation of the American Union.  (Sacramento Bee Tuesday, September 10, 1889)