Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-05

changed. peaceful death and conscious
The last night had psssed.
lis morning. The stars have melted into
the coming light. The rosy fingered morn
lifts the draperv of the night. The distsn,
mountains stand sslow. The soft pure ligh,
of early dawn eoquers earth and sky. The
dew drop spsrkles on the grass and in the
daisy's cup, The birds from their sylvan
coverts carroll the melody of a thousand
songs. The world rejoices, and its many
minstrels challenge the hsrders of the sky.
In humbe cottage. prone upon his couch.
lies "our old commander" He is dying,
lis morning. and in the light OF that day
thousands of earnest faces fash with renew ed
concern. From many a shaded lane and
mountain slope, from many farm house
and splendid mansion, eager eyes look
toward the mount OF suffering and breath a
prayer to God for the one We loved. Alas
He is dead.
'Tis morning Ii is the promise of bright
er day. The trumpeters of the skies are
sounding the reveille. Their notes have
reached our generals ear. He has gone to
join the triumphant host. lis morning in
heaven.
After the services there was general
movement of the people toward the cottage
to get final look at the corpse, but it was
not deemed advisable TO admit any one in
view OF the fact that il WAS near time for the
funeral train to start. Generals Hancock
Sherman and MIR. Evsrts left the balcony
together.
The great crowd that attended the service.
at the cottage renamed to see the body borne
out by the main entrance. 1t was borne
Anxr fhas h.,s sl. ~
lyn, composed of thirteen veterans and was
preceded by detachment of soldiers and
two buglers, playing the dead March il
Saul"
Gen. Sherman aud Col Fred Grant and
Jessie and Ulysses Grant walked two b,
two in advance. Then came Gen. Frederick
Dent and DIR. Sharp, Gen. J. A. Cresswe eli
and Mexican Minister Senor. Romero, a de.
tachment of artillery with arms reversed
marching as infantry, Gen. Hancock and
staff, Senators Evarts and Miller. Gen
Horace Porter, Thomas Ochiltree of Texas,
DIR. Douglass, Gen. Rufus Ingalls,. Admiral
Rowen and many friends of the dead general
Arrived at the station there was another
great crowd and after some little time spent
in getting passengers on board the train left
for Saratoga.
Mrs Grant has concluded not to 20 to
New York to-day, and will probably not
leave here until FRIDAY next
At one O'Clock the start was given and the
train standing as 1t did upon the grade, slow
ly started bv its own weight down the noun
tain. The bluffs aud ridges on each side of
the track were
ThrOnged with People.
The grove south of the cottage where the
Generals little grandchildren played was
thronged with spectators. Every rock, every
jutting point. every vantage ground was oc-
cupied, but from all the tbroDg standing un-
covered in the sunlight no sound escaped.
The Mount was hushed and still except for
the heavy booming of guns bidding farewell,
but upon the first bluff of the Mount and
clear of the forests crept the little engine,
and the train tTailed around the curve. where
seven weeks before Gen. Grant, alive, had
turned to view the same sweep of valley and
mountain, with Saratoga Lake glistening ten
miles away.
When the little village of Wilton was
reached a few hundred villagers were on the
platform and with uncovered heads silently
saw the train pass through. The level plain
was reached and the descent had been safely
accomplished. Seven level miles lay be-
tween the train and Saratoga. The speed
was little increased.
Farmers and their families stood near and
sat upon farm fer ces to see the train that
bore the dead ex President. Again cannon
on the mountain spoke out over the valley.
The spires of Saratoga were coming in
view and from that direction came the dull
booming sound of cannon planted half mile
outside the village beside the Mt McGregor
track. soon this battery was reached and
passed, its brass guns salutng the train on
its passage.
The train Strengthened away parellel with
the tracks of the Delaware & Hudson, on
which. just north of Mt. McGregor depot.
the funeral train of the New York Central
road was waiting, while thousands of persons
were being held back by the military. The
mountain train drew alongside of the other
train and stopped. There were nine cars in
the New York Central train. Next to the
engine came the funeral car "Woodlawu," +"
the second car was occupied by the clergy
and DR.. Douglass; third, the sons and hots-
BILE mourners; fourth, Gen. Hancock and
staff; fifth, Gov. Hill and staff; sixth, the
press; seventh and eighth, military escort
ninth, baggage. The remains were lifted
in silence by the guard Of honor to the car
"Woodlawn," which was draped with bonn
bazine and hung with aags, and the funeral
partie were transferred to their respective
cars which were all trimmed in plain black
with plated bombazine.
The Brooklyn guard Of honor and the six
men Of the Loyal Legion with detachment
of regulars entered the dead car, also two
men of Wheeler post G. A. X. Soon after
2 o'clock the train moved through the throngs
and swav from Saratoga.
Lying in State. {.
ALBANY, Aug. 4.
The decorations throughout the city are
very elaborate. The doorways Of the capitol
are richly draped as well as the stone col
umns between the entrances. The catafalque
rises twelve feet high and is surmouDted by
a dome rising SIX feet and the whole topped
with gifted ball on which rests an eagle
with outstretched wings. Although the new
capitol has been occupied for more than six
years, during that time the only reception
TO any public man given within its wall was
given to Gen. Grant when he was here in
1881, and the first remains of any
distinguished man to lie in state within its
walls are those Of Gen. Grant.
To all on bord the funeral train the beau
tiful drapery Of the cars was the subject Of
comment. No woodwork save the sashes Of
the windo~s was visible. The engine and
tender were also draped with black in taste
full manner. The funeral car "Woodawn .
was plated all over with black, and the ma
tional flag was festooned gracefully. The
other cars were all elaborateiy finished, but
all were draped with good taste.
At the rate Of eight or ten miles per hour