New-York tribune., 1885-07-26
THE DEAD GENERAL.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE FUNERAL.


THE EMBALMrSG PROCESS coMyLETED-DR.' DOUG
LAS. SUGGESTS BEDLow's ISLAND AS BURIAL
PLACE
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
MT McGREaOR, n. Y, July 25.--The embaimlng
process is ended and the body Of General Grant is
perfectly preserved. The face has assumed most
lifelike expression. and the grim determination is
especially noticeable. Every one who has. seen the
face says: I" The General looks as If he were just
about to wake up out of q sound Sleep" The CONN
will not arrive until next Wednesday. The MEM
bers of the family have determined not to permit
the public to view the face of the General until
they leave Mt. McGregor. This is done SO that the
home may not be invaded by the Thousands who
would flock to the cottage. Any largo number OF
people, on account of the smallness of the cottage
would interfere with the quetDess of the family.
Until the body is placed in the coffin 1t will remain
in the ice-box. The body being embalmed perfectly,
it will not be necessary to keep IL on ice longer
Undertaken Merritt will return next Wednesday
morning with the coffin. The box in which the
body lies 10 covered with an American flag. 1t
stands in the centre of oval canopy of broadcloth
and brocaded satin. resting upon four pillars Flags
are suspended from the canopy and. intertwined
with folds of Grape they hang in graceful curves on
each side. Mourning rosettes are fastened IN the
folds vf the flags and small streamers of Grape
futter in the breeze that steals through the half
opened shutters in the parlor. The emblems under
which the old warrior lies speak of patriotism and
liberty. and are q fitting tribute to his noble
character. The old chair that used by the Gen.
eral when he used to sit upon the porch was taken
by Harrison a. soon as he died and put in place of
safety In the house. II is ordinary cane and
basket chair large and comfortable to sit in. 1t
taken from the cottage to-day by Harrison tothe
hotel. and photograph was taken of it. with the
faithful body servant of the General standing be-
side 1t he used TO do when the General was In It,
waiting for tho commands of his master. Harrison
handled 1t as tendery as IL the emaciated body OF
the General in It, and after the picture was taken
he carried 1t to the housekeepers room, where 1T Will
be draped Harrison said to-day: S1his is the
longest day ever saw In my life 1t seems when |
am near this old char that can hear the voice OF
the old General calling me, AMI at night when l
awake suddenly can hear him call my namc.'
Every train that comes up from Saratoga brings
with IL many visitors from the village. whose homes
represent almost every State in the Union, who are
anxious to look upon the place whore the heroic old
commander bore his suffering with unheard OF forti-
tude and where at last death brought the relief that
he prayed for during the last days of his fe Seven
members Of the Wheeler Post G. A. K, are on con-
slant watch. and pace with slow and mournfui
tread beneath the shade of the waving pines at
respectful distance form the cottage. None Of the
visitors who come here intrude in the slightest man.
ner upon the privacy of the family but stand sfar
off and look in silence and sadness, and at times
through tears at the place where the old hero lies
calmly sleeping When the members Of the family
walk from the cottage to the hotel at meal times
the priyacy OF the houshold is carried with them,
and the eyes Of every guest are turned toward the
plain that IL lost to view In the shadow Of the green
mountains. Every one feels in some measure the
grief that they bear so grandly, and naught but
words Of sympathy and love are spoken concerning
them So little do tho guests interfere with the
sanctty OF the dead Generals home that they have
no knowedge OF what is said aud done there until
it is spread before them in the newspapers; and as
they sit out upon the hotel porch with the papers In
hand many mn eye becomes mostened with the tear
of sympathy; and some who have been here long
aud had become acquainted with the old warrior
when he used to sit upon the cottage piazza after
reading a few lines would give way to their grief
and seek the secusion of their rooms.
The members of the family slept better last night
and got more rest than they have been able to
secure for many days. They are all standing the
great pain well, and the fears that Mrs. Grant
would break down physically as soon as the Cen
eraI died it is now hoped will not be realized. She
secured less rest than any OF her children and per-
haps shows the effect of her grief more than any OF
them. To-day she has not been out OF her room,
being in a condition of prostration but her quiet
ness is a precaution that is taken to husband her
9Th and to keep her away from all scenes that
might have an exciting or depressing effect
Letters and messages of coincidence and sympathy
are still being flashed over the wires and come by
mail from everywhere each moment of the day and
night These interfere seriously with the sending
of dispatches for the press After the messages are
copied in the telegraph office they are sent at once
TO Colonel Grant. who reads them TO his mother.
Such a Hood Of world wide sympathy has probably
never before been told by the electric spark to
suffering hearts. and the family is profoundly CRATE
full for the kindly expressions, and wish the old
warrIor who sleeps so peacefully could hear the
noble words that come from every one, North and
South alike. Tho message received from General
BeaureQar, sent while travelling, was touching in
the extreme. Emperors iand civilians. princes and
peasants statesmen of every degree OF eminence
politicians whose names are widely known ana
those whose names are lost in a village hamlet.
Governors. Mayors. Councimen and children unite
alike IN sending to Mrs. Grant their sympathy and
onnreciation of the grand character that is now .
memory. but which will never be forgotten by his
countrymen The following is q message from
Maiorl;cneral Hancock from Governors Island to
Colonel Grant:
bave been directed by the Secretary OF War to take
hape of the ceremonies connected with the funeral OF
the late ex President General Grant, to command the
escort and also 10 confer with you as 70 the ne when
viii take charge OF the remains and as 10 the Wishes
NJ Mrs Grant In regard TO all matters pertaining 10 tho
obseauies Please. therefore, send mo fu-informaton
az ,ha earliest moment convenient In order that proper
and hitting arrangements may made, and such as shall
meet the wishes OF his family M expressed ny MIS-
Grant through you.
Colonel Grant replied, saying he would like to
have General Hancock take full charge OF the
body and ceremonies after the services here on Au-
gust A. ..
Colonel Grant also replied to Governor Hills
morning offer of the hospitalities OF the |
Executive Mansion at Albany during the |
-. That ha would accent /