The New York herald., 1864-10-23
oBssQUIes OF MAJOR GENERAL BlRNEY.

0BSeQUIeS OF MAJOR GENERAL BlRNEY.
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Imposing Observation-Disclosures Csnco-r.>
sf Fssple-0raAd Military ana Civic
Bseort - The City 81 Phiiadelph,a
Drspod I'm Mosrntnx-Funsral Add ress
by Rev. DR.. Bsa mas, nc.
The funeral Of the late MAJOR General David B. Birnsv
was attended with distinguished honors soIemnas
from bis late residence Philadelphia on the Afternoon
Of Friday.
PUBLIC AAHUBs1 Rsspacr
Tho day will be long remembered by every dweer IN
Philadephia. - we'll ~ BY oil temporary sojournsrs in
shat goodly city, the very general
ness and mourning that pervaded the community
In every street. from public buidinEs noteIs private
residences ana Gil other conspicuous pacss Amsri-
can Gag, draped in mourning and half mast
displayed from suarise 10 sunset while throughout the
day the suiIsn soomng OF minute guns betokened the
national character OF the grief that centered 10 that
locality.
ARRANGEMENTS T0a THE IUNHRAI.
The funeral Services were appointed bold at the
late residence Of the disng dead at two O'Clock
r. " The Select and Common Councils OF the CITY in
general meeting on the previous evening" in adopting
resolutions Of coincidence with the immediate family OF
tho deceased had proposed mako the fonera public
affair." the Expenses 70 be borne by the city 10 con
temptation Of such an affair." had apart the famous
and historical Independence Hall Tor ,hs osremsny But
the repugnance Of the immediate family 70 such dis
play. and their desire 20 bury their own dead with
simple and unostsntations Christian ceremonies led
the rejection Of the empty Donors proposed oy the city
authorities and the funeral appointed stated TO
Be held a the family residence. Tho distinguished
rank and position occupied by the General at tho
time Of his death however, forbade entire compliance
with tho wishes Of his bereaved relatives. Custom
and the regulations Of tho SERVICE no less than the uni,
versa desire Of the public demanded burial In accord.
ance with the rank OF the deceased and the universal
bereavement Of the community would be satisfied with
nothing less Therefore 1t arranged for a private
ceremony at the house. after which the body enclosed
In its burial should be attended 10 the grave with
oil the pomp aud show the popular will demanded.
GATHERING PEOPLE.
Az early hundreds OF people began vending
their way towards the former residence Of tie deceased
and by hapast twelve the that vicinity were
thronged With dense masses OF men, women and children
Conspicuous in the multitude large numbers OF
soldiers convalescents from the hospitals and
about the city, disabled soldiers (armess and eglsss
soldiers on temporary urough private soldiers as we'll
a. officers members Of Brney's old command as well az
many from all other departments Of the army. The
throng evidenced, BY its promscuous character. the
univsrsay Of tho grief the sudden this brave
and gallant olacer had awakened
1Hs BODY HxrosED TO VIEW.
Al ono O'Clock in obedience to the repeated demands
Of throns the doors Of house were thrown open
to admit the multitude to last gaze a. the dead Ar
raDgsmsnis we're perfected by o. W. Davis. Esq tho
Generals former law partner, took charge OF the
funeral, 10 admit the people BY tho front door a.
low them 70 pass out at side The body lying
In its plain oofin, was exposed upon . table in
large drawing room Tho pictures and o! this
room were astefuy draped with the American colors
and the coors OF the various corps which the Gen.
sra had servsd-the Third, Second and Tenth.
THE COFFIN
was plain mahogany box, covered with black cloth,
having upon the lid silver plate with following in
I DAVID BILL. BENEy,N
! MAJOR eSSxRAL UNITED sTATEs VOLUNTEERS.
! EoRN MAY 20, 1925.
! DikD ocTossR 10, 1854
S~~~~~~~~
The body dressed in the full uniform Of . major
general with the corps badge decoration OF the
Third Corps Union. Of which he was Vice President,
fastened upon bis left brcast cross OF most exquisite
white japoncas rested upon his breast and wreath Of
she came beautiful flowers lay bis feet The face
that bore evidence OF the wasting character Of the disease
that had conquered him, sti lfe.lke and natural
and betoleucd the quiet and peaceful manner In which
the spirit had taken ts flight Several sets Of sldearms
and equipments, gifts Of friendship and admiration,
were displayed upon side table.
DELAY or TIE ctRVnoSY.
Brisader General William Birney brother Of the DO.
ceased and Chaplain s. s. Jennssn brother law wore
10 arrive rrsm the army ha past p NJ 10 attend
he funersl delay In tho arrival Of the train detained
hem until hal'past two, until which hour the services
waited and sbe doors Of the remained open
fhA nfthi n,,rt
no dmnuon Of the crowd that poured in requiring the
usmcs, efforts of the police regulate and keep In
motion. Probably during this hour and halt there
we're not ess than ive thousand people passed through
the house. dropp ng tear they passed beside
mains OF the beloved dead. Finally when all ready
for the commencement OF the services, became
sy to close the doors in the o. equally great
multitude who we're begging for admission.
THx sxsyicEs Al HOUSE,
were simple, solemn and impressive. They we're con
ducted by Rev Henry A. soardman, D. D., Of the Pres
bytersn church. Of which the Broey family are nom.
bers. They introduced by reading the plsintivs
psalm commencing "Lord, make 10 know my days"
&c AFTER this read passages from S. Pauls
Eps.les commencing wherefore, seeing are spoom-
passed sbou, with great q cloud Of Witnesses &c
Dr. Bosrdman then delivered short address 10 the com
pany assembled, which followed BY touching apA
impressive prayer which, with the bensdc:ion closed
bs exercises.
rAxuSo or FAMILY REMAINS.
The family thou drew the eonn and improved the
las, opportunity Of looking upon The face Of the
one. sad and heart rendng spectacle the DO.
rssved widow, supported by General william Brncy,
and surrounded BY the orphaned children drew the
shrine OF their bearts' devotion The smentatcus and
sobs aud eries Of the deeply stricken family appealed N
30 ordinary msnner 10 the sympahes Of u behslders
sCyNB
while these touching ard impressive scenes were
ranspng within the house Brisader General Ellet
engaged without forming the escori and arranging the
funeral cortegs This WAS easy matter considering
he dense mass Of people thst thropged he streets and
choked up for severs blocks in either direction every
lveoue OF approach hDt after pcrseverng efforts the
military line formed ,hs troops facing the house
resdness 70 sauts the body 40 IL was brought out
BROUGHT OUT.
The procession appointed 10 move al three O'Clock;
but was prsoc four ss lhe remains we're brought our