The New York herald., 1870-04-09
THE HEROS OBSEQUIES.
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The Nation Honoring Her IL
lustrious Dead.
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Last Sad Rites to the Remains of
General Thomas.
Imposing and Impressive
Ceremonies.
Grand Gathering of the COuntry's
Representatives.
Comrades-in- Arms at the Tomb of the
Great Commander

III the meeu he edTneu Nuiie III ille WAS SLOW 10
come and tardily acknowledged. it cannot be said
when he became insensoe forever to the breath
either OF praise censure the dead hero, General
Thomas, was forgotten. The republic may well feel
proud OF the honors paid 70 his remains to-day The
funeral procession which defled through the streets
of Troy at noon, and to slow and solemn
music bent its measured way to Oak wood Cemetery
had all the elements In 1t which represent q great
national tribute to departed worth. Other such sad
mementoes OF ypopular feeling ana regard may
have been on scale Of greater display, but none
was more thoroughly representative Of an en-
tire country's grief, none more heartfelt, none so
utterly devoid Of hollow pOmp and counterfeit sor-
row.
THE HERo's TRIBUTE.
The day opened with a cloudless sky and with the
balmy breath ana he-givng freshness Of spring. 1t
might have been more IN consonance with the
mood OF thought which made men deplore the
sharp, unseen blow which carried OF one
whose great character only just grow
ing to be understood, that the sky should
be draped In mourning, and that the heavy clouds
should rain down tears of sympathy. But betterthe
philosophy that mitigaes afllIction, and better in
the bright sunlight to think Of the departed hero
with cheerful thought that after his great work
well and fully DONE after writing his record IN
impershable letters the scroll or fame, he has
been LAID by loving hands TO rest, and his memory
remains enshrined forever III the hearts OF his
countrymen
The President, the Secretary OF the Treasury, the
War Minister. the Attorney and Postmaster Gener
ais. General Sherman, the Congressional delegation,
representatives OF The armies OF the United states
the Governor and Legislature OF The state citizens
and dignitaries OF all ranks and positions IN lie
were present TO testify the nations sense OF the
loss sustained IN the death OF the gallant Thomas.
HOW TROY LOOKED AND FELT.
From early hour this mornng the town exhib
ited indications OF something unusual being about
70 occur Troy, usually so auii and prosy appeared
reused INTO condition OF abnormal ACTIVITY. AT
halErast SIX the boat IRON New York drew up at
the pier, near River street and discharged over
1000 passengers. 500 Of whom were soldiers belong
ing TO the New York garrison. At a little after
seven the train rom New York brought
Of whom was General Grant AT half-past ten an
other train entered the depot bearing Governor
houses OF the Legislature, making a cavacade OF
almost endless length Getting breakfast at the Troy
enough, but seeking dinner at the time when the
procession broke up, the vicinity OF four O'CLOCK,
was more than enough to shake the patience OF JOB.
THE BUsTLE THE MORNING.
The country people, ever eager for anything
INTO town before ten and filed the sidewalks for
several miles. All we're well dressed some OF the
motive which animated them counterbalanced
their departure from the rules OF taste:
with big mustacnes, ponderous epaulettes and
clankng spurs Jostled porty aldermen and reverend
cTazy Who Ws IS tsis and wno ' is hat We're IN
terrogatories burted out at the sight OF anybody
wafer colors pretending to be likeness Of the great
Ulysses or tae renowned Iecumseh order
IN the negnporhood OF the hotel, When an awkward
company OF cavalry, calling themselves regulars,
but more ike Bashi Bazouks drew up to take posi-
tion. From the the line began to form, AT nine
O'CLOCK. constant roll OF muified drums was Kept
up till the procession moved. The military arrange
ments being in charge OfNthe veteran General Nc
Dowell, aided by Sherman who arrived Inc previous
evening, every confidence was entertained that no
Itt.h tualU N
DEPTH THE POPULAR SORROW
But take all the military pomp away, dispense
nags draped in mourning, and still the funeral as 1t
passed through the streets, llned as they were from
would have produced the same profound emotion
that stirred TINS community to-day.
MOURNING TO EXTRAvAGANCE.
Around the corner from the Troy House Is new
and massive pie OF building surmounted by Man
and other stores, the upper noors by lawyers and
insurance offices. over the immense front OF
from Mansard ROOT to plate cgiass front,
noated something ike a thousand yards OF real
THIS perhaps was the most oS
character. All The public buildings had mourning
devices III wn1e and black. and there were few
houses along the entire route that failed TO show some
outward mark OF respect to the memory of the dead
soldier. or the line Of the procession the same
might be sad; IN fact except those who were too
poor 10 afford 1t, all endeavored to have share In
Iesniyng their regard Tor the memory OF The finest
Union soldier OF the war, the one who wore the
nower OF a Dameless life through good and evl re.
port, IN success as well as III adversely.
PRESIDENT HOLDS RECEPTION.
AT len O'Clock arranged that President
Grant should give a reception at the house OF Mr.
J. M Francis. IL was simple affair." con-
nned entirely, proper, TO gentlemen The
President assisted IN receiving by Senator Fen.
ton Generals r Porter ana Dent and Secretaries
boutwell, and Creswell. Tne Congressional
delegation, the members OF the New York Legisla
xure members OF the Common Council, OF the judi.
ciary army and militia officers, together with many
private citizens. called In the hour and a half al
foted TO the reception. Grant was, perhaps, less
usual, ANYHOW, he Wore smile
upon his iron-cas countenance ana went through 9,a
the operation OF shaking hands with more than MS
customary look OF martyrdom
HERO'S BIER.
In the morning about ten O'Clock several persons
who were entitled to admission paid visit TO the
church, where the remains OF the General were laid
out in state. The expression state" exaggerates
the simplicity OF manner In which the casket on lts
lowly bier lay exposed to view In the vestoule
OF the church. Above 1t four Union naes
OF vestibue to the pillars either side, and this
formed the simple catafaque The casket, raised a
few feet above The floor, was buried IN lavish pro-
fusion OF Ivy evergreens ana immortelles White
flowers woveniinJo wreath were at the head con.
Meeting with cross and star In the centre and end
ing with another wreath the FOOT Around the edge
Of the coffin extended fine border OF evergreens,
native to the valleys OF California. The mmortees
when excited such very general admiration were
presented by some ladies OF Cleveland. guard OF
eight artillery soldiers wearing Grape the left arm
seated themselves IN the vicinity OF the remains
and kept patient, silent watch In the sombre
light that entered through the high and deep-salned
gothic windows Two ladies' sat alone inside the
vestibule sewing with loving hngers. mourning
badges for the men. The church was all empty, but
outside crowds OF people quickly gathered and filed
the neighborlng streets long before the religious
ceremonies began. Wnen the delegated representa-
tlves at length arrived,
SCENE IN THE CHURCH
was very impressive The cnancel ana choir were
draped in mourning On either side the former
branching candelabra threw softened light on the
em5ems OF mourning covering the chancel railing
and readers desk. In three front pews OF the centre
aisle sat the near relatives OF the deceased,
Mr Lewis Southwick, Mrs. Soutnwick Charles
an J0snOh IlllInQha5t MalOr MCDONALD,
and Mrs Colonel Vim. G. Willard. All were dressed
in deep mourning. To the right OF the chancel the
members OF both houses; New YORK Legislature mad
an entire row of pews assigned them and TO the lett
various local delegations from the Common Councils,
lodges and the Grand Army OF the Republic The
centre aisle was devoted TO tne Renerals ana