Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-02-17
CHAs. E. THOMAS.
A Letter from Annapolis.

The following is an extract of let
ter from Abram Cash, received from
Annapolis, and published in the New
vile Valley Star, giving an account of
the funeral ceremonies according to
the rites of the Greek Church at the
burial of Russian sailor belonging to
the feet, who was lately murdered at
that place:
son last Saturday l witnessed the fu-
neral of Russian sailcr who was shot by
a citizen of this place The services were
according to the Greek Church, and as it
is new thing among US propose to give
you brief description of it The cere-
mouies were of the most solemn and i'm
posing character, and took place in the
chapel of the naval school The body
was placed in neat walnut coffin in the
centre OF the chapel. On the left were
the Russian officers, and some officers of
our army and navy, while on the right
were the sailors Of the vessel to which he
sian sailors, chanted the "Ofice for the
Dead" which was led by Greek Priest
dressed in the robes and yestments of the
Greek Church He wore a large black
cloak reaching to the ground, over his
shoulders was thrown green silk mantle
which reached to his knees, around the
edge Of which was a broad gold border,
and in the centre was large golden cross.
On his head be wore hat made of rich
velvet, in the form of stove pipe hat,
without a brim, in bis hand he carried
censer. The choir chauted for about half
an hour, when mass for the dead was said,
during which the priest performed the
ceremony OF granting absOlution; he walk
ed several times around the coffin sprink-
ling it with holy water and incensing it,
and reciting prayers for the dead After
this, he read aloud in the Russian language
from small strip of paper; this he placed
in the right hand of deceased, laid it upon
his breast, the priest then kissed the hand
of the body and all the officers and sailors
did the same, many of them making the
sign of the cross and bowed to the floor
and kissing it before touching the body;
this was very affecting, many of the sail
Ors shedding tears, After they formed in
mournful procession first came Russian
sailor bearing the lid OF the coffin on his
head, then came six sailor boys marching
in two ranks, one boy was a few yards in
advance of the rest bearing small box,
with glass top, in which was silver i'm
age, which | suppose was that of our Sa
viour; next came the coffin upon bier,
borne upon the shoulders of four sailors,
a cross of ivory lay upon the breast of the
deceased and the coffin was covered with
the Russian flag. After the coffin, came
the Priest and choir which chanted a
mouruful dirge every few minutes; next
came the band composed of Russians which
also played solemn d,rge; then came a
body of Russian mariners; then came
Union soldiers and citizens At the grave
they prayed and chanted psalms, when
they again took leave of the body, this
time kissing the face. A cross was placed
upon the breast OF the deceased. a spade
full of dirt sprinkled in the coffin, the lid
screwed on, and the remains lowered to
their final resting-place. As | turned
from the grave, | thought here is anoth.
er victim of intemperance Murder.
ed by man who first sold him whiskey
and then shot him. The people and sol
diers here threaten to lynch his murderer
A. CASH.