Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-29
QUEEN VICTORIA AND THE DEAD
PRESIDENT.


Her Touching Tribute to His Memory.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GENERAL NUssEY
AND Mr.. VICTOR DRUMMOND, Il. B. ~, CHARGE
DAFFAIRES.
While General Garfeld's rem aims were in the
Capitol on Thursday the I'D of September, dur
ing the time that the"4th relief Of the guard of
honor from the "Army of the Cumberland" of
which General Mussey was acting as sergeant,
was on duty, Mr.. Seyellon A. Brown. chief clerk
Of the State department, accompanied by Mr..
Victor Drummond, the British charge d'affaires
came to the rotunda, and stated that they had a
wreath from Queen Victoria, which they desired
to place upon the coffin, upon which no flowers
had been allowed, its only floral decoration be-
Ing the palm-branches laid thereon at ElberOn
The sergeant of the '4th relief took the re-
sponsibility of acceding to the request; and, the
guard standing at attention, Mr.. DrummOnd
and General Mussey. assisted by the florist (Mr.
Douglass, of Washington placed the tribute
from the Queen in the position upon the foot of
the coffin. which it occupied. until the funeral
services were complete. The wreath was
composed of the choicest and most
fragrant of flowers and vines, and bore
this inscriptions:
From queen Victoria, In memory of the late
President Garfield. An expression OF her sOr-
: row and sympathy with Mrs. Garfield and the :
American Nation Sept =, 1881. ::
This tender and touching tribute from this
noble woman and great ruler moved very deeply
the guard about the bier of their cOmrade
The 18th relief" came on duty again at 10
O'Clock the next morning, and remained until
the funeral exercises began when they silently
filed to their seats. At the conclusion Of the
ceremonies they resumed their station. about
the eatafalque, remaining there till the coffin
had IT,
scattered flowers about it, secured an ivy leaf
which he sent, on the day of the funeral at
Cleveland, to Mr.. DrummOnd, with the follow
ing note.
GENERAL MUssEY TO MR. DRUNMoND.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Sept. &c, 1881.
Dear Sir:-You may possibly recall my name as
one or the "Guard OF Honor on duty at the Capt.
tOl when yOl placed upon the bier of General Gar
field the wreath from that royal lady whom Amer
leans, no less than Englishmen, hold so dear.
Inere were strong men in that RELIEF who had
borne battle unmOved, but their eyes grew moist
as that most gracious and sovereign tribute was
PAID To their comrades memory.
"GOd moves IN a mysterious way
His wonders to perform"
That death which was so sad Of itself; so appar-
ently-if may say 1t without INSTRUMENTATION
and fear chased each other in quick succession
through the thrObbing heart OF humanity; have
been ordered by the Divine Providence to the
hrmer unity OF our nation Its sorrow was COM
mon; henceforth its hope and destiny are common.
And they have endeared your nation and ours each
My .sReliefn guarded the catafalaue at the last
moment Some OF the flowers upon it were scat
tered as the coffin was removed The enclosed ivy
leaf was one of them. IL is a precious possession
10 me; and know no other way to testify my
comrades and my own appreciation OF your sover-
than to ask you, as Her Representative, to accept
Victor A. W. D3unsn,ond Esq. DC, Dc, DC,
British Legation, City.
MR.. DRUMNoND TO GEN. MUssEY.
LENOx, MASS, october list, 1881.
Dear ST:-YOur estimable and so touching let
ter OF the 26th ult. has been forwarded 70 here
from Washington. hardly know how to give
beautiful mark OF attention which you have so
thOughtfully bestowed on me in Offering that
lovely emblem OF constancy and precious souvenir
OF that noble man whose beautiful life and Chris
tan sentiments to his last sad end have sent
thrill OF sympathy through the whole English
speaking race. Yes, remember you, sir, and
those gallant men standing over the remains OF
their old soldier cOmrade, when had the sad
honor of placing my sovereign's wreath on that
coffin which contained the remains of one who was
honored by all as soldier and statesman,
and as simple man. 1t was, indeed, a touching
scene shall always hold 1t sacred In this life,
and as one OF my proudeSt moments In it 1t waSa
religious duty which had been requested by my
sovereign to accomplish. AS was the intention OF
Gen. Garfield to bind the north and south together
again In the bonds OF Christian brotherhood, so has
he, feel, brought your country and mine to march
shoulder to shoulder henceforth free from jeal-
ouses and with one common idea of leading
the world in the paths OF civilization and
progress. / shall take means to let my
sovereign know the sediments expressed by
you TO me, on your own part and that of those
brave men who were guarding the late Presidents
remains when her wreath was placed in its honor
able position.
Again expressing to you my thanks for the
beautiful souvenir, which 1 Will have properly
famed and keep near me always
Believe me, very truly yOuS,
VICTOR DRUNNOND
H.B.M. Charge d'AfaireS.
To r.. d. MtLsSeg, esq, sos 5th street, Washington,