New-York tribune., 1885-08-09


titudes in thousands waited in these wonderful
lines of the previous three days to catch glimpse
of the face reposiug in the open coffin. had BAN
isbed every token of disturbance or disorder,
seemed to hold entire sway over
the vast numbers that watched the
funeral march. Quietly, decorously the people
waited while the broad files went by, subdued
whispers only breaking the reverent silence which
held the spectators most of the time and the usual
labors of the police at the gathering OF enor-
nous crowds were lightened. made almost
snperhuous by the sentiment of grief and respect
inspired by the presence of the illustrious dead
In the City Hall Park the crowds were light inc
better view of the parade offered by the more
northern end of the route drawing the bulk OF on
lockers further up town.
The cattering of horses hoofs on the pavement
of Broadway, as General Hancock and his staff
rode slowly up toward the head of the column
gave the signal for the moving Of the Federal con-
tingent. Out on the air floated the mournful melody
of drge and then preceded by the attending clergy
between the darkhued lines of the body-cscort.
the sombre shape of the hero's coffin was tenderly
borne from the portals of the City Hall
and placed amid the black mag
niicence of the catafalque. With solemn
slowness the funeral car moved into Broadway
the lines Of waiting soldiers and the civic organza-
tions stifened to the orders of the commanding
officers; division after division swung into Its place
in the mighty procession the carriages
holding the many dignitaries of Nation. State and
city Joined the array, and with the quiet air
thrilled with the beauty of solemn music the pro-
gress toward the burial ground was begun.
Until the bright sheen Of leaves and grass in
Riverside Park greeted the eyes of the marching
troops the picture, differing only in the extent and
variety of Its beauty was like other spectaces OF
gavly clad military with which great city Is IA
miliar. The march mad been made up Broadway to
Fourteenth-st., through the street to Fifth
ave. and mp that proud avenue to FIfty-seventh-st
Here some of the organizations fell out of line and
dispersed while others lured by the coouess of the
day, kept on their way to where the ceremonies
were TO end though the regulations did not require
it. Shortened somewhat in it's length but shorn OF
none of the beauty of martial uniform and accom-
tremept, the pageant seized new speDdor from the
loveliness Of Its environment The rolling
sInuous Drive rose and fell In gentle
undulatOns, now skrting around rugged
knoll of rocky, stony ground. crested with
the foliage Of tree and bush then dipping until
the rich screens of verdure in the park would hide
the glory of the river from view again seeking
level where the changing tint of wave shone under
10 burst Of sunshine through the interstces OF
emerald boughs By this varying stretch Of grove
and sward, over the broad gray OF the road. the
glittering fes Of soldIery carried their brilliant
changes of bright color. hsrsemeu, bandsmcn and
troops alternately bearing some new hue within the
range Of vision. Marred by the happening
Of no serious accident the splendid array
moved on. until the goal of the mourners was
reached late in the afternoon Majestic IN its calm
tranquility, the broad bosom Of the Hudson spread
its fair expapse at the base Of the steep slope lead
ing down from tho plateau. the eye vanly seeking
the limit Of the intermiDable azure to the south
and to the north resting the purple glory Of the
lofty shores that seemed TO wall In the placid
waters of tho Tappan Zoo as though to eDshrine
a jewel. To the southwark. stretch
ing beyond the range Of sight, the
verdurc Of the Park heaped its emeads in careless
profuson. and across the river the bold heights on
the western bank stood like battements against
the heaven. Only to the east was the vista really
broken by the rude work of mans hands.
but beyond, IN the distance, another
magnificence of landscape unrolIed splendor of
green against the misty blue, family visible. Of
Long Island Sound Around the plateau
where stands the tomb. a Gordon Of color
was made by the troops selected to encircIe
those who were privileged to take
part In tho closing exercises, while down the road
regiment after regiment deployed In double
lines Of blue and white and gray, relieved by the
scattered bits of veier hue from epaulette. felt or
feather Against the whole array the sobcrer
coIors of civilian dress yielded an effective con
trast
After the recital of the noble military ritual of
the Grand Army of the Republic, the modest but
impressive burial services OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church were read. Swecty the tones
of the bugle. sounding military TAPS" foated
upon the air after the benedction had been pro-
nounced and then the thunder Of artillery and the
rattle of musketry called into life the slumbering
echoes of the hill in the salntcs fired
over the grave of the Nations most illnstrious
warrior. Slowly, reverentIy the great assemblage
of soldiers and citizens dispersed. He who
had lived life crowned with heroisn. +
who yielded to the COnqueror of all men.
only after a heroic battle with the foe rested In
ground henccforth to be sacred in memory, song
and story, heros burial closing the last scene IN
the noble drama of his life.