Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-06

posts snrouueu IN plack upheld piumed
canopy. No glimpse of color relieved its
somher hue. Eight steps led up TO the raised
platform upon which the vetersns sat down
the coffin
Their duty done the veterans stepped dow n
and took their stand beside the catafslque.
The clash of troops presenting arms and the
mournful strains of the dirSe played by the
band had greeted the appearance Of the cas-
ket in the doorway Files of soldiers of the
2lst regiment were drawn across the street
and on the opposite curb from portal to the
catsfalque, As the cssket was borne between
them, the crowds behind the militia were I'M
covered and the sunlight fell upon thousands
of bowed heads, then the regulars marched
up TO take their places beside the catsfslQue.
Twelve colored men seized the reins of the
twelve horses that were shrouded in black
like the hesrse, and, standing beside them,
awaited the signal. The head OF the cortege
was lar down 9th avenue when the order TO
move was given. The start was made with
out delsv. The stalwsrt figure of Gen. Han
cock in the lead OF file of 20 mounted po-
licemen, cleared the wsy. Every stoop and
railing that might furnish point of observa.
ton was occupied. Every dismounted lamp
post and electric light pole the boys hung
like knots on rope Everywhere Ms
erence. The huge crowd WAS silent
absolutely voiceless. All was still. save for
the steady tramp of the msrchers, rumble of
heavy guns, roll of muffied drums aud m ourn
full dirges of bands. MANY of the houses on
9th avenue were handsomely drapei in
mourning. AS the procession entered
Broadway the show of black became profuse
and flags everywhere were seen at half mast
More than an hour was consumed in reach
ing City Hall. When the right entered the
park the left was still a mile away.
AT the Hoffman House tonight a meeting
of 80 confederate soldiers presided over by
Gen. j. Gordon passed resolutions of re-.
spect for the memory of Gen. Grant and ten
dering their sympathy 10 his family.
Mayor Grace has sent circular to all the
pastors in the city asking them to have
their church bells tollei from 3 A. NJ. Sat
urday. till the close of the funeral ceremo-
nies.
The Womans' Relief Corps, G A. r.,
sent TO the City Hall today model OF an old
fashioned clock in flowers. The hands marked
eight minutes past eight. the hour of the gen
erals DEATH Below the dial are the figures
"ls22-lsS5." The Loyal Legion of Honor
also sent a beautiful pillow of roses, four feet
by three feet in size.
S. Artillery followed behind Gen Hancock's
staff. Armed artillery men marched behind
them and were followed by a band from Gov
ernor's Island. Then came Lit. Commander
w. NJ. Mead, with two companys of marines
and two of blue jackets. They carried their
arms reversed and banners veied with Grape,
as did every succeeding regiment. Grape
was on the hits of the officers swords, on
drums, buges and everywhere. Major Gen
Shaer and his staff of National Gusrdsmen
brought relief to the picture. Resplendent
with gold and epauletts the rode ahead of the
first brigade of New York's citizen soldiers
Ii comprised the I'd battery, Gen. Ward and
staff. 22d regiment, 9th, 18th and llth fol-
lowed in turn. A double file of carriages con.
tanning distinguished New Workers, citizens
committee, Gov. Hill and staff. and commit
tee of the Legislature followed the Ilth regi-
ment Gen. Grants three friends. DIR.
Douglass, DIR. Newman and Gen. Porter.
rode ahead of the catafalque. Major Browns
regulars marched on the left of the cata.
falque and Capt. Beck's on The right. walling
in the mourning veterans. The coffin rode
easily and when it passed no sound was
heard Behind it Gen. Fitzpatrick led the
second brigade of national guardsmen.
The matchless 9TH regiment had turned out
in full force. The Goth and 8th followed in
succession, file of policemen coming up in
the rear When the procession arrived at
the park it was after o'clock. When the
mounted police had made everything ready,
Gen. Hancock and staff moved into the park,
followed by the 22nd regiment. Dismount-
ing, Gen. Hancock ascended the steps and
passed into the building. Here, beneath a
canopy OF black. with which the ceiling of
the hall was covered, he was met by Mayor
Grace and President of the Board of Aldar-
men Sanger. and escorted to the mayors
office. The 22nd regiment was drawn up on
either side Of the entrance, and moment
later the carriage containing the Grant party,
rolled up to the steps. DR.. Douglass, Rev.
DR.. Newman and Gen. Porter were the first
to alight. After them came the funeral car.
As 1t paused in front Of the portico and prep
aratiOns were made for taking the coffin from
the funeral car, solemn dirge was played.
A detachment of IL men from Brooklyn
U. s. Grant Post lifted the coffin from its
resting place and bore it to the steps. The
people bowed their barred heads as the pro-
cession passed into City Hall. There be-
meath the catafalqbe which had already been
erected the men who bore the coffin laid
down their burden. Col. Fred Grant, U. S.
Grant, Jr., and Jesse Grant followed the
body into the hall where the catafalque stood
Then came the committee of 100 New York
citizens, the legislative committee, members
of the common council of Albany and others
When these had passed around the catafalque
they left the building. After the Grant party
and everybody else had left the coffin was
taken into private room where it was
opened and the body prepared for public
view. The powder which had been placed
over the features was carefully removed.
Then, at the request of Col. Grant, 1t. Col
Clarkson placed on Gen. Grants breast a
decoration of the Loyal Legion of Honor.
and Senior Vice Commander johnson fas-
tened by its side medal Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic. Mayor
Grace accompanied by two ladies viewed
the body before the public was admitted.
He thought the body was remarkably well
preserved and that the features of the dead
soldier looked quite natural DIR. G.. W.
Brush and Deputy Coroner jenkins, who
viewed the body officially. stated that it was
in an excellent state of preservation and there
appeared to be no tendency to decomposi-
ton.
1t was few minutes after . o'clock when
the coffin with the lid removed was again
placed on the catafalque and the iron gates
were swung open and the public allowed TO
enter. The guard of U. S. Grant Post stood
about the coffin on either side. The Legion
of Honor guard stood at the head and mem
bers of the National Guard were distributed
about the corridors. Each detachment was