The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-10-29
The Funeral OF Major G@VttG ansl
Private Charles MsLaEn.


Private Charles MeLaIn.
Last Sunday was q memorable day in
the history Of this city. The remains of
two citizens who had fallen upon the battle
Geld we're upon that day followed to the
grave by many thousands of their country
men assembled in honor Of the dead. The
arrival of the remains Of John 8. Gaviet and
Charles McLaln from Missouri was an
bounced In Saturdays JOURNAL, aud the
intelligence that they were to be inferred
"a Sunday, spread far and wide By Satur-
days trains and packets. II was expected
shat large crowd would be present, but our
anticipations were more than realised in the
thrOngs which poured into the city on last
Sunday morning. 1t was understood that
grand military display would be made
upon she occasion of the funeral, and this
fact drew 70 the city thousands from the
country. The funeral was advertised to
take place at two P. NJ, but no public an
nouncement was made as to where the pro-
cession would form, whence 1t would march
Or Wnea. Aany of the military officers
seemed to be as oblivious concerning these
points, as the spectators themselves; at an
early hour, however, the people lined the
streets, along which it was supposed the
procession would pass. Anxious spectators
filed the windows and balconies of the
buildings, and every standing place along
Main street was occupied. While the peo-
pie waited along the route, the funeral adj
dresses were being delivered at the respec-
tive homes Of the deceased. Rev. Messrs.
White and Sterritt oficiated at the residence
of Mrs. Gavitt, and Rev. Mr.. McCarer at
Capt. John McLain's dwelling, on First
street The crowd at both places was very
large, and only a portion of those addressed
could hear the discourses. at q P. NJ, the
body Of Major GsVitt was taken from his
residence on Clark street, escorted by the
I'd regiment of the Indiana Legion with re-
Versed arms, under command of Lieut. Col.
DENLY of the 42nd. The Home Guards
marched through the city to Main street
where it was Joined By the 42nd Regiment
AAAAoho HOAAAS%CAS GAoSA 11ASACA SOICes
The body Of Charles McLain had left the
residence of bis father some time previous,
escorted By the Evansville Band, the Brown
low Guards, and the Evansville Artillery.
AT the corner of First and Main streets this
escort Joined the main procession and the
whole body moved at once toward the Gem
etry. The Cavalry of the Legion followed
the &2d regiment; after these, came citizens
inEcarriages, onhorssback and afoot. Major
General Love, accompanied by Brigadier
General Blythe, Quartermaster Gwathmey
and Lieut.. Bingham Of the LIST Cavalry,
were in an open baronche and preceded the
42d regiment. At half past 5 o'clock, the
whole procession moved down Main street.
Three brass bands, almost beyond hearing
Of each other, discourssd dirges to which
the solid masses of infantry marched with
the tread of veterans, The solemn music,
the untitled drums, the banners draped In
mourning, the long line Of soldiers and
citizens, together, formed a pageant never
squalled before-we believe-in this State.
Long before the head of the procession
reached the railroad track, the cemetery was
6lled with women and children awaiting
its arrival. Hundreds of wagons and bug
gies were In the wood adjoining the cems-
terry, belonging, for the most part, to
strangers from distant points At half past
four, the procession began to enter the cem-.
etery. The remains Of Charles McLain,
wrapped in the American flag, were taken
to the grave prepared for their reception,
where the funeral ceremonies were conduct
ed by Rev. Mr.. McCarer. The remains of
Major Gavitt were enclosed in a metallic
case, and before their interment the intimate
friends OF the deceased took last look at
she loved one. The scene was distressipolv
sad. Around the coffin stood the AGED and
enfeebled mother, the orphaned children and
many of the life time friends of Major
Gavitt. As the mother knelt beside the
coffin, every eye within the comparatively
email circle who witnessed this last mourn
tai scene, was dimmed with tears, as they
remembered that the distinguishing ex-
cellence of the deceased's character was his
love for his mother. The sobs end cries of
the bereaved friends broke out anew as the
colin was lowered to its last resting place
and the ciods fell mournfully upon the cas-
ket containing all that was left of the son
and father-cut of in the midst of life
When the pall-bearers commenced to fiji
,he grave, the sentinels we're unable to keen
back the crowd who rushed forward and
deposited, one by one, their sprigs of ever
green in the open grave. The prayer at
the grave, was made by Rev. Mr.. Rawlins.
Thus ended the ceremonies Of the day