Evening star., 1869-09-07


ral,) and laid out in the parlor Of Gen. Smiths
residence. The countenance was paler than
In life, but wore q remarkably natural and
composed look.
THE CORPSE HxcAsRp.
Messrs. Harvey & Mari had the burial case
ready at an early hour this morning, and about
four o'clock placed the deceased in it, The
case Is an iroE one. highly polished and var
nished, and is lined with white satin, quilted
tastsfully. On the sides are eight heavy silver
handles, and each screw head Ii covered by a
silver rose, while ON the top there will be
placed a solid silver shield, ordered specially
for this case, on which will be engraved a
number of stars and sak leaves, with the in
scription-
GENERAL JOHN A. RAwLINs,
Secretary Of War.
Born February 13, 1881,
Died September 6, 1862
The case is of a very handsome design, and
the lid fitting into groove containing cement,
1t is perfectly air.tight. Over the face Is a
large, oval, heavy plate glass, through which
a full view of the face and bust can be had.
Colonel Dayton, Of General Sherman's staff.
and Capt. johnson, Of the army, remained
with the corpse during the night.
AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT
Last night the undertakers had an interview
with General Sherman and Adiutant General
Thomas at the War Department. to designate
the room in that building in which the remains
should lie IN state, and the Office occupied by
the Commanding General was agreed upon.
The room having been designated, mo. 4, the
centre OF the suite. on the first fioor,) the un-
dertakers Immediately set to work, tastily
draping the door ana window frames, as also
the pictures, with black bombazine, and in the
centre Of the room they erected a catafalQue,
finishing this work before morning The cat.
afalque consists of TWO steps. its length at the
base being nine feet and width five feet, and
that portion on which the coffin rests 6k feet
in length by 2k in width. This is covered
with black cloth, draped neatly with Grape
and bombazine.
REMOVAL OF THE REMAINS.
1t having become knswn that the remains
were to be removed from General Smiths resi-
dence to the War Department at o'clock this
morning, there was previous to that hour
quite large number Of persons assembled In
front OF the residence OF Gen. Smith. Gen
Sherman, Col. Parker, and a few of the init
mate friends of the deceased had assembled in
the parlor before that hour, and soon the escort,
consisting of Company X. United States cav
airy, under command OF Lieutenant James
Burns, appeared in front OF the residence. The
and eight of the cavalrymen having been
designated to carry the corpse, the remains
were placed in the hearse. The escort was
then formed on the right of the hearse, and
Gen. Sherman, accompanied by one or two
members of his staff, following the remains,
the cortege reached the War Department a few
minutes before nine O'Clock.
THE BODY LYING IN STATE
The remains We're Immediately taken into
the War Department building and placed on
the catafalQue. There was a very large num-
ber OF persons gathered front of the build.
ing, each anxious 10 obtain a look at the fea.
lures Of the deceased, and the halls Of the De-
partment were crowded. Gen. Sherman and
AdjutantGenersl Townsend were present at the
Department, and under their direction a guard
was Set at either end of the catafalque, as also
at the entrances to the room-Lieut. Thomas
Adams, 5th ARTILLERY, remaining ON one side OF
the catafalque. About 9H o'clock the doors
were opened, and the public Were admitted
and during the morning large mum Der OF per-
sons passed through the rooms, each stopping
respectfully at the coffin and gazing on the fea.
lures of the deceased. The remains will lie in
state until the hour designated for the funeral,
and the public will be admitted during the
entire day, and as late as ten o'clock IN the
evening.
About noon to-day, Mrs. General Hunter.
accompanied by the General and General
Michler, arranged q collection Of flowers very
tastily on the casket. A row Of flowers was
placed around the oval shaped glass over the
face, while below a beautiful cross was ar.
ranged, as well as q handsome wreath, and
around the catafalque flowers were beautifully
arranged
During the day a large number of persons
visited the War Department to take las look
at the features Of the deceased, included among
whom were the members Of the Cabinet, army
and navy officers, and many civilians, and La.
dies of note.
General Rawlins' brother, Mr.. Smith, his
brother .in.law, and Mrs. H Huriburt, mother of
the late Secretary's wife, called and remained
tor some time in General Sherman's office
The las.-named seemed much distressed and
wept bitterly.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DEATH
The following is a copy of a letter from the
Secretary Of State transmitted to the heads o,
each OF the Executive Departments:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, 7;h
September, 1S69-It is my melancholy duty
to inform you that the Hon. John A Raw.
Inns, Secretary Of War, departed TINS life al
afternoon. In consequence OF this affecting
event, the President directs that the Executive
Departments Of the Government will be care
full to manifest every observance Of honor
which custom has established as appropriate
to the memory Of one so eminent as ublic
functionary and SO distinguished as q citizen.
! am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, HAMILTON FISH.
OFFICIAL ORDERS FOB CLOSING THE DKPARr-
MINTs AND DRAPING THB PUBLIC BUILD.
INGe IN MOURNING.
The Secretary Of State this morning also
issued the following circular TO the heads Of
Departments:
"DHPARrMINT OF STATE, WAsHINroN, 7th
September, Is69-Sir: have the honor to
inform you that the President directs me to
communicate to you his order that in honor Of
the memory Of the Hon. John A. Rawlings,
late Secretary Of War, who died yesterday at
- minutes past O'Clock p. m, the Executive
Departments shall bs draped IN mourning for
from the morning Of the sth instant until after
the obsequies Of the deceased shall have been
solemnlxed.
1 have the honor to b sir, your obedient
servant, HAMILTON FIsH."
Under this order the following have been
issued:
TREASURY DEPA1rH8NT, september TN,
l069.-As q mark Of respect TO the memory Of
the late honorable John "A. RaWlins, Late Sec
retary Of War, this Department will Be draped
in mourning for period Of thirty days, and
will be closed from the morning Of the sth inst,
until altar the ohseQuises Of the deceased Sec.
retary shall have been solemnized.
WM. A. RICHARDeoH, Acting Secretary
TIIAsURY DBPA11N1N1, Sept ], lS69,-As
q mark OF respect 70 the memory Of Hon. John
A. RAwlins, deceased, late Secretary OF WAr,
the custom.h houses viii Be closed, the public
works under control Of this Department sus.