The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-24

purchase Of TIE Atlas an was entered into With
the Of ths Arg tn,t the Subscribers and
latter and that Cassidy should be associated With Com
stock editors and o'tenmble proprstors This vas
perfected and behold you have paper called the
Argus and Atlas. Isl "a le Monde.
The maxtyrs' Burial.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Ipropose to give your readers brief narrative Of
the circumstances attending the burial Of the prison
ship dead in 1903 =
Our guilty and unnatural mother across the sea
had done her worst-yes, the worst Of all-in her
calendar Of crime. She had hurled the thunderbolt
Of war upon . weak and humble people; she hired
foreign cutthroats to desolate the homes of her
children, and for years her cathedral organs had
celebrated the triumphs Of her tyranny. Every
cruelty which wickedness could suggest, and every
meanness which debasement could invent had been
practised; she had gorged herself with blood and
spoil, and was besmeared with treachery dishonor
and shame, until the invincible lion seemed nothing
better than buzzard reeking with filth. But while
she was doing her worst, our sircs had been doing
their best-as patriots, freemen and Christians.
They rose superior to trials danger and defeat;
tending for mighty principle, it nerved them to
giant deeds-matchless in heroism, sublime in self
sacrifices. England contemplated her pumed gene
the land, and with unholy vanity trusted in hersef
but the Colonies viewed their little band of leaders
and feeble army they fed often like the hunted
deer from the hound feeling that their only trust
must be in God.
For seven long years the English butcher rioted
in our bleeding country, and yet, on the 18th of
November, 1888, the shattered remains of their
splendid armies embarked at the Battery cresfalen
and ofo nd Vboh ;lie<;p boI
the avenging Samps0n the bullying Goliah had met
the omnipOtent David--it would not do. There was
something in the American sword which the Euro
pean adventures could not blunt, and they were
going home, smartng from its keen edge. The sun
arose upon the preparations for embarkng on Eva
EQUATION morning, and before its last rays gided the
weston horizon New York had seen its last Of the
scurvy crowd.
In time the almost exhausted confederacy merged
into the model republic, and she marked out
that lofty path of progress, which the wisest de-
clare is'only bearing her forward to destiny still
The bones of the martyrs, who had endured such
horrd sperings in the British prison ships laid
tentedly in the soil, until excavations Tor the Navy
Yard rendered their removal imperative. It will be
remembered that these men were sailors captured
by the English cruisers, and brought to New York.
where they were confined in loathsome hulks, an
chored in Wallabout bay. Thousands died from
starvation and disease; the Shore for great length
being filled with their graves.
On the 10th of February, 1903, memorial was
presented to Congress, by the Hon. Samuel l.. Mitch
ELL OF New York, petitioning. that body to collect
the bones under monument, and was signed by
Geo. j. Warren, VIM. Mooney, Nathan Sanford, VIM.
Boyd John jackson and Edward Roberts, Committee
of Tammany Society. 1t failed. In 1907, new
committee was appointed, consisting of Jacob Van
dervoort, John jackson, Iraachan Cozzens, Burdet
Stryker, Robert Townsend, Jr., Benjamin Watson
and Samuel Cowdrey, who reported, Feb. l. 1908, in
favor Of their removal Immediately, issuing circu-
lar letters to all important societies asking their
currence and aid. These were very tavorably
swered from every quarter, and the Common Council
OF New York appointed Aldermen King, Miller and
Society. The vault was, consequently, commenced
near the Navy Yard, and the corner stone laid on
Wednesday, April ID, ls0s procession formed at
the ferry in Brooklyn, and marched up Main street
through Sands, Bridge, York and Jackson streets,
to the tomb, under the direction Of Major Aycrgg,
Grand Marshal Of the day. The corner stone was
drawn on truck, and bore the following inscrip-
tion-
cred to the memory Of that portion American seaou,
soldiers and citizens who persisted board the prison
ships Of the British at the Wallabout during the Revo
This Is the corner stone of the vault erected BY the
ranmsny Society, OF Columbian Order, which contains
their remains The Rrouni for which was bestowed by
hn Jackson Nassau leland, season of blossoms year
the 36h Of the institution the 19th and Of
American Independence the 32d, April 6, 1908.
Then followed the names of the committee and
builders.
The ceremony was performed by Benz. Romafne,
Grand Sachem of Tammany Society, and then an
Grafton delivered by Joseph D. Fay. Speaking OF
death to dereliction of principle, and their
are not known to Americans. They suffered when
no eye could admire and no voice praise, yet their
relics have not had the rights of sepulture."
The tomb was fastened to completion, and May
Is appointed for the burial, but in consequence of
q storm, it was postponed until the next day. Day
light was announced by the firing of guns from
various points, flags were h0isted at halfmast on
In hui lin mi
10 o'clock the military assembled, under command
of Generals Morton and Steddford, and the civic
societies under direction of Carrot Sickels, Grand
the Park down Broadway, through Wall, Pearl and
Cherry streets, to the market (nOw Catherine),
in the following order:-
First, q trumpeter, mounted, dressed in black,
wearing helmet ornamented with flowing black
and red feathers; in his right hand was trumpet,
having black flag attached to it, bearing the mot
to, in gold letters "Mortals, avaunt; 500 spirits
of tie marty red brave approach the tomb Of honor
of glory of vrtuous patriotism" Second Colonel
Van Zandt Chief Herald, in full military dress,
mounted on white horse, richly caparsoned, bear
pended blue silk shield, edged with Grape the field
showing thirteen stars. Three, Major Aycrigg as
| citizen, and Captain Coffin as naval character,
acting as aids to the Chief Herald, IN plain black
dresses, and carrying the American flag. Fourth,
escort Of horse, Major Warner, commander. Fifth,
Sixth, Brigadier General Morton and aids, com.
handing first grand division of military: Seventh,
| Brgadier General Steddiford, commanding second
division, among which was Captain McClures corps
| of Republican Greens, with their band. which per-
| formed the "Grand Wallabeut Dead March," COM
| posed by Captain james Hewett. Eighth, band.
Ninth, intended for the Cincinnati, but they were
distributed in other parts OF the procession. Tenth,
| Grand Marshal, dressed with feathers and sash,
carrying a truncheon in his hand, supported by
| four aids, holding white silk banners. Eleventh,
clergy. Twelfth, Wallabout Committee, buck tails
| in their hats and badge of mourning on the left
| arm. Thirteenth, the Tammany Society and thir-
teen coins in the succeeding order:-First. cap of
liberty sbrouded in crape second, the great t.lld-
ard of the society, supported by the Sagamore and
| his two Masters of Ceremonies; third, the Grand
| Sachem, wearing the badge of Office, which con.