Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-08-15
MARTNsBURe, W. VA, SATURDAY, AUGUST Is, 1885

dead was left In care OF the guards who
stood erect and silont within TIA ciossi iron
gates and beneath the black drapingz
The night wore on and the gray Of day
light was creeping up the east. Tie still
air Of the like corridors became heavy
with the perfume OF whitening flowers
Near the dead huge piece, ssThe Gates
Ajar. v had place at the head Of tho casket
and the sweet smell Of lilies was borne down
to those who stood and watched. A great
horse shoe Of red and yellow rose buds added
their fragrance, and . cross and crown from
Mayor LAtrobe, Of Baltimore, sent out its
quota Of heavy perfume that aettled on the
sepulchral air.
But there was . tribute that bore no fra
GRANGE except such rs will come to the fam
ily Of the dead. Il boro no perfume save
that which lives Ii its memories. This token
was plain wreath OF oak leaves pinned to-
gsther with stems Of oak and formed in the
shape Of letter G.. The oaks In the forest
Of Mount McGregor had futtered IN the
mountain brcezes whi!s Gen. Grant was dy-
ing, and in tho afternoon of Thursday, the
day he died, little Julia, his granddaughter,
and little josie, DR.. Douglas child, had
gathered the oak leaves in the mountain
woods. The children prattlsd and knit with
Innocent fingers, and loving hearts took the
wreath Of oak leaves that to-day II tho only
tribute that touches the generals caslket
The little ones' Offering being finished, they
had taken it to Col. Grant, whose eyes dim
med when his daughter said:
Papa, josie and have made this for
grandpa, and please won't you give 1t to
himg'
The colonel placed the oalen wreath on
the casket, then 1t rested there in Albany,
and still remains as tho chilirens' Offering.
Four o'clock had passed The grey Of
dawn had deeped to rcd; daylight was
near, tho strains OF dirgc music crept out
ON the morning air. At first distant, they
grew nearer and nearer. The red dimmed in
the east. Sunrise was near. The strains Of
music, slow and sad, grew more distinct.
Then blue coated veterans OF Meade pest,
Philadelphia, 500 strong. came tramping to
tho dirge music of the trumpets. The
east was suffused with tints Of orange and
dawn was closer-the dawn OF the funeral
day.
The Veterans entered the plaza and
marched past while unified drums timed
their footsteps. A heavy gun doomed out
toward the see The chimes Of old Trinity
pealed mournful notes, and the sound Of
muffied drums grew fainter and died out 1t
dsv for tha dead unon Garth bafnra the tomb
should be opened to shelter him.
marched ~ followed nv & Chicavo orcani-
PATTON The corr;dors had baan n;cIxeted hv
fistaor, ,,ol;ca ,,ndar sargesy,t NsIlv ~ ths
Fourth while outside 12, more men were at
rest under command al gsrreantx Marnn
and Farley The last guard Of thu Grant q
A. r. most, save the thirteen who will at
tend the body to the tomb. had been moved
81 & O'Clock Their names: George r. Tart
James Hands. W g Young. p. 81 William,
SON q n Kennev A. r. Carshaw. A II.
Frost John Curfain. James A Bronson and
r wilson.
Al ,.s0 Cant. Barry and men Of the First
regiment went on the plaza. Muff1ed drums
and dirceful trumpets marched in at one
side and took positions at tho eost side The
nlavers Constituted tha David,s Island Mill
tarv hand
A $50 Gen. Hancock and his brilliant
staff trooped slowly into the pIaza from
Broadway, and presented front to the City