Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-08-13
GEN. GRANTS FUNERAL.
The Last Scene at Riverside
Park, New York.


1t was twenty-siX minutes past nine
when the undertaken lifted the coffin
from its resting place under the canopy
and the Grand Army men took hold OF
the silver bars at its sides, and raising
themselves, ,StrOde with it and with sol.
emn tread down the stairs. Other un.
dertakers' assistants had put in place
the portable black steps that fit the end
of the funeral car, which just then had
been driven up to the steps, and while
the regulars formed on the right and
left of the railing that marked the pass
age way to the car, presenting arms as
they did so, the men of Grant Post car
ried their precious burden down the
stone stairs and up the wooden steps to
its place on the platform of the great
black.'van. Their heads were barred land
so were those of the clergy and doctors.
Workmen at once screwed the coffin
firmly in place upon the platform, and
then brushed away their brown foot
prints from the sable drapery of the
car.
While they were thus busted the
Grand Army men and the detail of the
Legion of Honor took their places in
even numbers on either side of the fun
eral car, the portable steps we're loaded
on twO-horse truck, the regulars look
up their positions on the right and left
of the car, tie doctors and clergy, the
Mayor and the bustling police officials
stepped into carriages, and while the
island band played dirge, the car and
its escort moved out of the piazza and
into Broadway. 1t was then ten min
utes to 10 o'clock.
The Federal troops were far ahead
when the body guard and it's charge
passed up the great al terry of the city,
the second division, consisting of mill
tia and veteran organizations, falling
into line ahead of it, and the Grand
Army posts and others coming along
behind it.
The line of march was up Broadway
to Fourteenth street, Fifth avenue to
Fifty-seventh street to Broadway again
and to the Boulevard, to Seventy sec
ond street, TO the end of Riverside
Drive, and thus through the slender
unfinished little park to the tomb. 1t
is estimated that 10000 men were in
line. The rays of the sun were beating
down with torrid fevor, and many of
those who had gone through the long
march were nearly exhausted.
AS the procession moved up town it
was viewed by nearly twenty miles of
men, women and children, standing
shoulder to shoulder on either side Of
the nine and a-half mile line of march,
The behavior of the populace was SUBJ
dued and decOrOus. 1t is calculated
that between 400, 900 and half mill
ion persons were i'm the double line
through which the paraders passed and
i'm the windows commanding view of
the procession.
At Riverside Park, the first of the
column to appear within the enclosure
was the.carriage of General Hancock.
This was a. lis p. m. The General
had been compelled by illness to dis
mount from his horse at Ninety-fifth
street, and was driven to the tomb i'm a
carriage, his horse being led by the side
Of the carriage.
There was sudden stiffening of the
crowd all along the line at 4:30. Muffled
drum notes are heard, soon followed by
strains OF sad music, which heralded
the approach of the funeral car. Bugie
notes are sounded. The sable drapery
of the funeral car is seen and the mel
ancholy music is heard more loudly and
distinctly. Bishop Harris and DIR.
Newman alight opposite the vault
Others follow closely. General Sher-
man and General Johnson step out of
the same carriage and walk to their
places arm i'm arm; once enemies in war
and now friends in peace. 1t is noted
that General Sherman's grim soldiery
features appear to better advantage a.
bOve a uniform than when SurmOunt-
ing the plain dress of civilian. Gen
eral Sheridan and General Buckner got
out of the same carriage and paired off.
It is with deep and sympathentlc inter-
est that the people look at the members
of the afflicted family. Mrs. Fred Grant,
Mrs. SartOris, Mrs. U. ). Grant and
Mrs. Jesse Grant are all there, heavily
yelled. 1t is felt to be well that intru-
sive eyes should not observe their grief
too closely. The Colonel'S little daught-
er and son, who bears the name of his
renowned grandfather, anc Jesse
Grants pretty little Nellie are objects
of tender interest. They carry flowers,
but wear no wells. Colonel Grant,
Jesse Grant aud U. S. Grant, Jr., wear
the look of men who have steeled them
selves to the ordeal, as becomes men.
The funeral Car draws up opposite the
vault, the black steps are placed al the
rear of the car and the men of the
Ulysses s. Grant Army Post, who have
SO faithfully guarded the coffin, lift it
reverently for the last time, carry it
down on the steps and place it on the
cedar chest, Meanwhile, troops are
everywhere in mOtion. Brilliant colors
are flashing on all sides. Mournful
music rolls wave on wave, seemingly
from all sides.
The Grand Army ritual was first read
and flowers and wreath laid on the
tomb, while all In and around the tomb