The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-08-13
AT THE TOMB.


their reverence every man raised his hat as
the first horse came abreast of him, and re-
manned uncovered until the body passed.
AT THE TOMB.
Beneath fir tree at the crown Of the
knoll rested a small charcoal furnace, and
near it were the tools and materials with
which to seal the leaden lining OF the
cedar case into which the casket and re-
mains of General Grant should be placed.
able furnace, such as is used by workmen
for heating bolts. In group near by were
five men, mechanics who should rivet fast
the steel casket, within which both CONN
and cedar box should finally be preserved.
The steel case rested upon two marble
blocks 1-2 feet high, 8 feet wide, and 1S
inches thick. Similar marble blocks mad
been sunk in the floor, flush with the sur
face, and upon those the remains OF Mrs.
Grant are expected to repose.
Soon after one O'Clock drums beat, ana
the blare of trumpets was heard from the
lower end Of the park. A carriage came
was the only occupant, and stood erect.
Trooping behind him on horseback were
the members of his staff. The General rode
to point near the tomb. When he
alighted he was met by Superlntends,
others of the Park Board. General Ham
cocks staff and aids swept past. There
were among them General Fitzhugh Lee
and General Gordon, whom General Sheri-
dan once met SO warmly in other times
and under other circumstances. Upon a
commanding slope one hundred yards
north of General Grants tomb the staff
officers and aids drew rein beneath clump
OF spreading trees.
Meantime helmets were glistening, and
plumes were waving over the slope to the
southwark; the trappings upon many
horses shone in the sunlight: cannon and
limbers drawn by horses that were ridden
op-fi hrny
southern slope; and orderlies galloped to
| and fro, and sabers and accoutrements
clattered and ratified. The regulars and
marines, with light Battery r, of the Fifth
| artillery, were coming down the drive.
They marched out upon the slope, where
Hancock's staff was halted, and then the
| infantry and marines assumed positions of
"rest" in the shade, and out upon the slope
| toward the Claremont Hotel, which was
covered with black drapery.
Mounted men with plumed helmets; ma
| rines, with the uniform of the tars; the U.
| s. Marine Corps, with bright uniforms;
| saddled horses, with riders dismounted,
| but holding their bride rein; canon muz-
zles thrust from behind the lower bend of
the hillock ;Ipyramids of stacked guns, with
| glittering bayonets interlocked; along the
| drive solid walls of people upon the curb
ing; lines of uneasy and bobbing umbrellas;
| through the trees vista in which the
brown and rugged rocks of the Palisades
pierced the woods and jutted above the
river; the Hudson, too, glinting and how-
ing in the sunlight; SO looked the scene
| northward from the tomb.
| The Twenty second and Seventh Regi-
ments marched up from the east and down
by the tomb, and were drawn up in line on
the brow of the bluff overlooking the river.
The line reached beyond view from the
tomb around the slope. The two regiments
stacked arms and were at rest. so near
the ledge of the bluff were the regiments
| drawn upi that the hundreds OF men in
bright uniforms formed a line of silhouettes
against the sheen of the broad river in
Suddenly gun doomed out over the wa
ter, and a cloud of blue and white smoke
puffed over the stream.
The Powhatan, lying down under the
bluff, had fired the first of a salute. The
hills were calling back in echoes, and the
guns of the other war vessels lin the river
anon shook the bluff, and started the echoes
flying in the woods on the Jersey hills.
Three and 4 O'Clock passed. The tomb
yet waited. But there came a bugle-call
from eastward at 4:2O O'Clock, then strain
from trumpets, and soon the sound of
muff1ed drums. Carriages then came into
view, and rolled slowly through the park
Harris occupied the first, and then the
clergy, and then Drs. Douglas, Shrady and
Sands.
The bearers came after these. General
Joe Johnston rode beside General Sherman
and Buckner and Sheridan were paired,
while General Logan and ex.Secretary
Boutwell, followed. Distinguished men
came also besides these. The bearers and
those invited alighted and took places nea1
playing Chopin's "Funerai March," came
into view, while behind the black plumes
of the funeral car could be seen.
The car stopped abreast the tomb, and
, the casket. Colonel Beck formed his two
companies of escort in hollow square, be-
tween the tomb and the hearse. The
family carriages had drawn near. Theil
occupants alighted, and took positions neal
the foot of the steps of the car. so they
| stood while the casket was being removed
! from the car, and when it was borne ihte
the hollow square toward the vault.
The cedar case rested on supports at the
, posted therein. Meade Post, No. 1, o.
, Philadelphia, represented by fifteen men
circled the casket. The Commander tool
his post at the head, with officers and Pos
Commanders at the foot; the chaplain
, placed in front. The ritual service was
| then performed.
J Post Commander Alexander Reed-As
sembled to pay the last sad rites OF respec
, comrade. U. s. Grant, let us unite in prayer
! The Chaplain will invoke divine blessing
, Post Chaplain G. Irvine Wright-God O.
3 battles, Fatt er of all, amidst this mournfu
aSS6mDlag0 we seek Iloe, Will WuOu
5 there is no death. Open every eye to be
: hold Him who changed the night of deatl
> | into morning. In the depths OF our heart
1 we would hear the celestial word. II an
, the resurrection and the life. He that be
: lieveth in me though he were dead, ye
: shall he live" As comrade after conrad
departs, and we march on with ranks bro
/ ken, help US to be faithful unto Thee and t.
4 each other.
5 We beseech Thee look in mercy on tn
! | It'll of Cad
? rades, and with Thine own tenderness con
;, sole and comfort those bereaved by thi
9 event, which calls US here. Give them tn
oil of joy for mourning, the garment o
/, 1y Father, bless and save our>country witt
!. the freedom and peace of Righteousness
i and through Thy great mercy, a Saviour
r grace, and thy Holy Spirits favor, ma.
i We all meet at last in 10y before or Tn Tn:
r shall be praise forever and forever"
:, "Amen," Joined in all the Post.
e A dirge was played, after which the ser
o vice continued.
s Post Commander Alexander Reed-On
9 by one, as the years roll on, we are calle
s together to fulfil the last sad rites of re
d spect to our comrades of the war. Th
t, present, full of the cares and pleasures G
g civil life, fades away, anu we look back
y many battle fields, or around the guns c
our memo of-war, we fought for our dea
n old flag.
Y We may indulge the hope that the spir
e with which, on land and sea, hardship
10 privation and danger were encountered b
10 our dead heroes, may never be blotted oil
20 from the history or memory of the genera
a tions to come-a spirit of uncomplains
= obedient to the behest of duty, whereof
10 to-day our National honor is secure, an
70 our loved ones rest in peace under the pre-
l. lection of the dear old flag. May the illu!
trious life of him whom we lay in the tom
l. to-day, prove glorious incentive to tt
IS youth who in ages to come may be calle
is upon to behold the destiny of our countr,
n. As the years roll on, we, too, shall hay
l. fought our battles through and be laid
lie rest, our souls following the long column
le the realms above as grim death hour
le hour shall mark its victims. Let us so Ii,
IN that when that time shall come those "
g. leave behind may say above our grave
"Here lies the body of a true-hearte
IN brave and earnest defander of the r.