Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-05
WINDING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.
Saratoga Reached and the Coffin Trans
ferred to the Albany Train.

saratoga Reached and the Coffin Trans
ferred TO the Albany Train.
Mt. MCGREGoR, Aug. AT l O'Clock
the order to start was given. Engineer
Martin shut all the steam from the cylin-
ders, and the train, standing as 1t did
upon the grade, slowly started by it's own
weight and impetus down the mountain
bluff. The ridges ON each side of the
track were densely thronged with people.
The grove south of the cottage, where the
Generals little grandchildren formerly
played, was alive with spectators. Every
rock, every jutting point, every vantage
ground was occupied. But from all tire
throng, sra endIng uncovered in the after
noon su II ht, no sound escaped. The
mountain vas hushed and still, except
for tine heavy guns bidding farewell. 1t
was a funeral occasion.
DEATH SCENE IN THE SUNSHINE.
1t was death scene IN the sunshine.
Slowly the little engine started, but
quickly it felt the impetus Of the descent.
Engineer Martin touched the lever Of the
air brakes, and the little gauge needle
sprang to indicate five and then ten
pounds pressure on the whole of the
train. Out upon the first bluff of the
mountain and clear of the forests crept the
little engine, and the train trailed around
the curve, where seven weeks before
Gen. Grant alive had turned to view some
sweep OF the valley and mountain, with
Saratoga lake glistening in the sunlight
ten miles away, and to-day as the train
rounded this outlook the Generals sons
gaZed out upon the scene, and mayhap
thought Of the other day as compared
with this.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MOUNTAIN.
Sweeping about curve after curve to the
right and left the train passed slowly
down the mountain. At length the last
turn was rounded on the lower slope Of
the mountain, and the shaTpest grade was
entered straight away-242 feet to the
mile. Now in full view there was a puff
OF white smoke. In an instant the sound
of booming cannon echoed in the trees and
ratified a volley Of little echoes down
across the plain. The artIlleryme1 were
yet bidding their farewells. The little
village Of Wilton Was reached, and on
the platform a few hundred villagers
silently saw the train pass through with
uncovered heads. The level PLAIN WAS
reached, and the descent had been
safely accomplished. Seven level miles
lay between the train and Saratoga.
The speed was a littlcI increased. Farmers
and their families stOUd near and sat upon
the farm fence to see the train that bore
the dead ex-Presiient Again the cannon
on the mountain spoke out over the valley,
but only the edge of its echo reached the
moving train.
ARRIVAL AT SARATOGA.
The spires OF Saratoga were coming IN
view, and from that direction came the
dull, booming sound of cannon. planted
half a mile out OF the village beside the
Mt. McGregor track. Soon this battery
saluting the train on its passage. The
last curve was rounded, and the train
staighUened away parallel with the tracks
OK the Delaware and Hudson
road, on the tracks of which just
north Of the Mt. McGregor depot
the funeral train Of the New York Central
road was waiting, while thousands ofper-
sons were being held back by military.
The mountain train drew alongside the
other tram and stopped. There were nine
cars ou the New York Central train En-
gine No. 20. of the Della ware and Hudson
road, with Engineer Fisher in the cab,
was al the front. Next came the funeral
car "WOOdlawn."
HOW THE CARS WE'RE OCCUPIED.
The other cars were occupied as fol-
lows: Car No. 2. clergy and DR.. Douglas;
third, sons Of Gen. Grant and notable
mOurners; fourth, Gen. Hancock and
staff; hith, GOV. Hal and staff; sixth,
press; seventh and eighth, military es-
cort; ninth, baggage. The remains
were lifted in silence by the guard
Of honor TO the car "WOod
lawn" which was draped and hung
with flags. The funeral parties were
transferred 70 their respective cars, which
were all trimmed In plain black. The
Brooklyn guard OF honor and six men Of
the Loyal Legion, with a detachment Of
regulars, entered the dead car, as did also
two men Of Wheeler Post OF the Grand
Army Of the Republic. Soon after
O'clock Superintent Voorhees, bade Con-
ductOr Thornton give the signal 10 start,
and the impressive and heavy train moved
through the throng and away from Sara
t0ga