Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-05
FROM MOUNT McGREGOR.
YESTERDAYS CEREMONIES.
The Family OF the Dead soldier View the
Remains and oive Them Up 10 the Na,'os-
The First DAYS fuacrai journey.

MOUNT McGREGoR. n. Y, August
i.-0n the mountain brow by the
eastern lookout gun doomed sullenly
at 4 o'clock this morning. The shock
Of reverberation was yet on the heavy
air when the second report shook
the earth. The artillerymen had be-
gun firing thirteen guns to mark
the sunrise Of General Grants last
day upon the mountain. In quick
succession and at short intervals
the guns were fired. The guests at
the hotel and the family in the cottage
were startled by the reports, but the
meaning of the guns heavy booming
was quickly suggested to the waking
car. Many arose when so aroused to
learn the weather outlook for the day.
On the mountain summit there were
thick gray walls Of fog on every hand.
The pelting rain Of the night had
ceased before daylight.
At an early hour the soldiers re-
ceived orders to break up camp, and in
less than twenty minutes all tents had
disappeared from among the trees and
were packed away in boxes ready for
shipment. Notwithstanding the heavy
and continuous rain Of the night the SOL
dicrs slept we'll and were comfortable.
They had an abundant supply Of dry
straw to place under their blankets and
the tentcovers being waterproof, they
had little uneasiness from the rain down
on the mountain side.
At 5:45 O'Clock a bugle rang out on
the still air. II was the assembly-call
for trumpeters. Fifteen minutes later
the buglers Of four companies of troops
were sounding reveille, and as the last
strains floated over the mountain they
were swallowed up in the booming
of guns, that every half hour through
all day will thus tell the valley the
significance Of this day, and at sunset
close with thirty-eight volleys. Then
soldiers in full uniform stood at parade
rest for rOll-call down where battery
of guns are planted close by the path
of Gen. Grant last ride to the lookout.
The family at the cottage were astir as
morning touched o'clock, and csrre-
spondents and guests were moving at
the hotel. Mountain trains at 7
O'Clock had begun bringing up
people, and every hour thereafter the
little engine drew up at the depot.
The funeral ear TO carry the remains
from the mountain 10 Saratoga came up
early. and lay waiting for the burden it
should carry. The hustle of an active
day had begun early, and when it was
s o'clock the sun had cleared away for
itself. The clouds had sailed away to
the mountains across the valley, and
the plain lay bright and fresh and
green beneath. The voice OF the can
mons echo like rafting thunder in the
forests below. Last night the family,
in a group and alone, had taken their
final farewell Of the remains Of the
dead General, and to-day they gave up
his body to the nation. At 9 o'clock
the family, with the exception of Mrs.
Grant. repaired 10 the hotel for break
fast. On their return Colonel Grant
and his wife and Mrs. Sartoris paused
upon the ridge at the rear Of the cot
tage and among the pines to scan the
bright picture Of the mountain and valley.
Then the family entered the cottage
and preparations were begun for the
funeral journey. At half-past O'Clock
the doors Of the Grant cottage had
been thrown open and a stream OF
visitors poured in steadily for over an
hour. About 9 o'clock the head Of a
long line Of buggies, wagons, omnl-
buses, aud various kinds of vehicles
appeared climbing up the steep incline
near the eastern outlook, and soon the
area in the vicinity Of the cottage was
thronged with horses and wagons and
farmers with their wives and families.
At $3.50 train Of two cars brought
General Hancock and a number of dis
tinguished visitors, two companies OF
regulars being drawn up in line to re-
ceive them. They proceeded from the
station to the cottage in the following
order General Hancock and Colonel
Jones, Admiral Rowan and Gen
eral Sherman, Senator Eyarts and
General Rufus Ingalls,, Senator
Miller and Ar. Joseph W. Drexel,
General Hancock's staff, Miss
Drexel, her aunt, and cousin, dressed
in deep mourning. On the same train
came the Loyal Legion, under Passed
Assistant PaymaSter Gilbert a. Robin
son; Brevet Brigader-General Charlie:
A. Carleton, Paymaster George De-
Forest Barton, Breyet Lieutenant-Colo
nclS Floyd ClaIkson and Augustus NJ
Clark. and Captain Edmund Blunt. Al
10 O'Clock services at the cottage were
hed in the presence of over a thousanC
persons. Cane chairs and rustic set
tees were provided for the ladies under
trees in the grove before the cottage.
THE CEREMONIES.
The ceremonies opened with the read
ing of Psalm No. 90, which was fol
lowed by an impressive prayer by
Bishop Harris. The hymn - NJ,
Faith Looks Up to Thee was joined
in by the whole assembly present viii
fine effect. DR.. Newman then came
forward and delivered sermon on thu
subject Of the dead General, the famil!
meantime sitting about the remains il
the parlor.
DIR. NEwhAN's SERMON.
"Well done, thou good and faithful
servant. enter thou into the JOY of tn!
Lord. Matthew NV, 81.
Such, my brethren, is the eulogy tina
God shall pronounce upon human good
ness and fidelity wherever foun'
among the sons Of men. Academia
distinctions between prince and peasant
millionaire and pSuper, commanding
general and private soldier, are but a
dust in the balance in His estimation .
personal worth; He regards not tn
person of any man ; lie looks upon tn
heart.
If the renowned philosopher searches
the ancient city for man, God is ever II
search for character, which, in Iii
sight, outweighs transitory distinction
OF earth and time. and out Of which ar
issues of life. Tell me not what ma
poeSeskes-the beauty of AbsalOm, tn,