The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1885-08-20
VIEWING THE REMAINS.

VIEWING THE REMAINS.
The nightwore on, and the grey Of day.
light was creeping up the east. The still
cir of the tomb like corridors became heavy
With the perfume Of whitening flowers near
the dead A huge piece, ''The Gates Ajar,"
had place at the head Of the casket, and
Che sweet smell of the lilies was borne down
10 those who stood and watched. Great
A0rseshoes of red and yellow rosebuds
added their fragrance, and cross and
crown from Mayor F. G. Latrobe, Of Balti-
more, sent out its quota to the heavy per-
fume that settled on sepulchral air. But
there was one tribute that bore no fra
TO the family Of the dead. 1t bore no per-
fume save that which lives in its memories.
This token was plain wreath of oak
leaves, pinned together with stems Of
oak leaves and formed in tho shape
Of letter &C." The leaves grew on the
oaks in tho forests of Mt. McGregor, and
Suffered in the mountain breezes while
General Grant was dying, and the after.
noon Of Thursday, the day he died, little
Julia, his granddaughter, and little Josie,
DR.. Douglas child, had gathered the oak
leaves in the mountain roads. Then, as
the children prattled, they knit with inno-
cent fingers and loving hearts the wreath
Of oak leaves that to-day is the only trib.
little ones, their offering finished, had
taken It to Colonel Grant, whose eyes filled
when his daughter said: "Papa, Josie and
have made this for grandpa, and please
won't you give it to himp" The Colonel
placed the oaken wreath on the casket, and
there 1t rested In Albany and still remains
Is the children's Offering.
Four O'Clock had passed. The gray Of
dawn had deepened into red. Daylight
Uas near. The strains of dirge music crept
On the morning air. At first distant, they
drew nearer and nearer. The red deepened
IN the east and sunrise was near. The
strains Of music, slow and sad, grew more
distinct. Then blue-coated veterans Of
Meade Post, Philadelphia, 500 strong, came
Eamping to the dirge music Of the trum:
grange and dawn was closer-the dawn Of
Che funeral day. The veterans entered the
plaza and marched past, while the muffied
drums timed their footsteps. A heavy gun
doomed out toward the sea. The chimes Of
old Trinity peaied mournful notes, and the
sound Of mufhed drums grew fainter and
died away. It was sunrise. The day was
born-the last day for the dead upon earth
before tho tomb should have opened to
shelter him.
Six O'Clock, and Wilson Post, of Balti.
more, marched by with . Chicago organi.
sation. The corridors had been picketed by
fifteen policemen, while outside 125 more
were at rest, under command Of two Ser
Eeants The last guard of the Grant g. A.
4. Post, save the thirteen who will attend
she body to the tumb, had been mounted at
So'clock. At $50 Captain A. Z. Barry and
men, Of the Seventy first Regiment, went
On duty as the last military guard before
removal. Inspector Steers, with three
hours sleep In a. many days, was In
charge. II am awaiting the coming Of the
military, and shall have $40 men here ct 8
D'clock," said the Inspector.
Seven O'Clock, and the strains Of solemn
music doated in at the grated iron doors
from many directions Eight O'Clock, and
nature was putting forth signals Of an in.
lensely warm day. The crowds grew dem
ser and denser around the piazza, Mufned
drums and dirgeful trumpets marched In
ct one side and took positions at the east
ISLAND Military Band. At $50 General
Hancock and stat trooped slowly into the
plaxa from Broadway and presented front
% the City Hall, then moving to the end
Of the plaza in Broadway, where they
ested in the plaza. At this time one hun.
bred members of the Liederkrans Society
tled up to the steps Of the City Hall, and,
bid by four instruments, sang with impress
sive effect "Chorus Of the Spirits from
Over the Water" and "Chorus Of the Pill
srims-. Tannhauser."
The honor guard of regulars filed into the
open space at 8 O'Clock. Company "A"
Fifth Artillery, under Colonel W. B. Beck
and Company "E !" Twelfth Infantry, under
Major Brown, the companies and the guard
Of regulars under command Of Colonel
Beck. The regulars took positions beneath
the trees opposite the City Hall and stood
at rest. Then came the original guard of
Donor that was on duty at Mt. McGregor
snd which alone should lift the remains.
Filing into the corridors of the City Hall
hey took their places beside the remains,
and there, under command Of John H.
johnson, Senior Vice Commander Of Grant
Post of g. A. R., Of Brooklyn, the men al
hey stood were as follows: Left of the
aaskct comrades Corwin, Howa,t, Melon
aid, Squires, knight and Guillam. Right
of casket comrades Tibbitts, Mcclellan,
McKelvey, Brodie, Collins and Barker.
LEAVING CITY RAIL-.
At 9:35 the imposing funeral car was
drawn BY twenty.fo black horses in
hack trappings. 1t halted on the plaza
directly in front Of the City Hall steps.
Beside the corridor Commander johnson
was waiting. "Columns in position, right
and left" was his command. The veteran
suard OF honor was erect. "Lift the re-
nains," was the next command, in clear
Gut low tones. The twelve men stopped to
NE silver rails with gloved hands.
sMarchW was the word. The body moved.
Out upon the portico was borne the 70,
mains, Commander johnson Immediately
at the head. Down the steps, with meas
ared tread, across the open, to the steps Of
he black and waiting car. Commando
Johnson stepped aside. The silver mount.
ihgs glistened as the burial case and ita
aonored burden was carried up and placed
MON the dais of the mounted catafalQue.
The veterans retired down the steps. Ths
Sody was alone for al to view, but deeply
Guarded. Soon the honor guard next q
he hearse on either side took the same rel
stive positions they had maintained to the
rmalns while being borne to the car. The
teps were drawn away from the hearse
Commander johnson took place In the cen.
er, aud immediately behind the car. Al
iis left and right in either rear corner Of