Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-01-20
How Prusslan Soldiers arc Buried.

A letter from CaSSel says: As 1 sit
down 10 write the funeral cortege OF n
Prassian soldier is pacing my window.
Almost every day three or four OF these
mournful professions march by, vending
their way TO the spot whore soldiers and
citizens alike "sleep we'll sitter lies
iitful fever" is at an end.
Even in death, rank, which the living
so sedulouSly presbrve and respect
asserts its power. It's aplendors are dis
played 10 their full extent for the lofty,
while its favors are totally withheld from
The obscure.
The mortal remains OF the common
soldier are enoased in a plain board coffin,
which is onvelopcd in black pail, and
thus, borne upon the shoulders OF six
comrades, is conveyed 10 its final resting
place. Upon the cotlin-id rest the he'll
met and sabre. the former FURNISHED
brightly, and enoircled with wreath OF
/ immertellos, the latter returned forever
10 its scabhard, bound with white
ribbon and garlanded with flowers. Two
squads of soldiers in fun uniform lead
the van aud bring up the rear. Their
arms are shouldered instead of reversed,
us We have them. They march to three
or four mutfled drums. Between the
/ two squads are the twelve bearers, who
relieve each other al intervals, the otfieia-
I ting clergyman. and occasionally few
/ friends of the deceased in civil attire.
The eortege of AN officer Of rank,
however. is formed by the garrison Of
the town, led by its fine military band.
There are stationed in this town at pre-
sent the entire Eightieth PruSsian, or
FIRST HeSsian infantry regiment a
battalion OF the Eighty-third, or Third
/ Hessian infantry regiment, battery Of
/ the Eleventh artillery, and battalion Of
! huEEars. saw the entire force recently
eScorhng the catafalque of Major of
Cuirassiers of noble HesSian Family TO
his grave, and they made a most impos-
ing spectacle, the infantry and the
hrilhaney of the cavalry and artillery
contrasting finsly the one with the
other. In addition TO the military escort,
the catafalque was attended by multi
tude of the hired mourners in their
voluminous eloaks and cooked hats, who
are paid 10 attend funerals in this country.
The burial casket, deliberately carved
from oak, was richly decked with gar
lands. and ribbons twined about the side
arms of the deceased, and green boughs,
strange emblems for the warriors bier,
lent their grace and verdure TO the grim
surroundings of death. The riderless
charger was led in the rear. An i'm
mense train Of carriages, many OF them
empty, and people on foot, completed
the procession. The female relatives
and friends were not seen in the process
sion. which is composed entirely OF men,
horses and vehicles. Indeed, women
always remain at home on such occasions,
in this country and in Europe generally.
The deaf ears of the dead soldiers we're
greeted by the customary salute, and the
grand vet solemn strains of one OF
Beethoyen's funeral marches added their
mournful charm TO the ceremony.
In thinking OF this war we are apt to
picture to ourselves universal loy IN
Germany and universal sorrow in France,
but there is deep and widespread lamen-
tatio4 in Germany, the more conspicuous
from the rejoicing with which it is con-
trasted and surrounded. The people
were measurnbly prepared for the first
losses Of war tremendous though they
were, they purchased brilliant success
Then came q season OF comparative
quietude, during which hopes Of cessa-
/ ton of hoStihties were constantly rising,
/ for the victories which had been achieved
seemed TO point TO this as q speedy
result. But now winter is here, and the
brave boys are still away in France
enduring the severest hardships, and
being cut of by the hundred. This is n
severe trial 10 the people, who had hoped
TO celebrate their Christmas festival with
the fathers, brothers, and husbands
whom the hard fortunes of war had torn
/ from them, once more at home.