The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-08-16


halt the clergy, in flowing sobss, headed
the procession from tina carriages "a the
grave Bishop-elect John + Foley, Of
Detroit, (hFother of Bishop Thomas Foley,
of Chicago, who married General SheT-
dan,) was the officiating priest. His as
sistants, scolytes and trained choir of
dominican monks numbered more than
score in all. Next came the pail bear
ers, General Sherman and Secretary En-
dicott, Speaker Carlisle and Secretary
whitney, walking at the head, and behind
them leaning heavily on the arm of
Colonel Sheridan came the grief-stricken
widow. The mourners included John
Sheridan, brother of the deceased;
General and Mrs. Ruoker
parents of the widow, her brother and
sister, and the military staff and several
other intimate friends of the general. The
president and Mrs. Cleveland and the
committees of the two houses of congress,
with barred heads, followed the mour ners.
Eight sergeants of the army lifted the
oasket from the caisson and bore it to the
mouth of the open grave. After a mo-
ment of reverept silence the clear voice
of the bishop elect was heard uttering the
words of the blessing "Deus Cujus," etc.
With twig from neighboring
branch holy water was sprinkled
over the grave, and the oasket
was lowered by the sergeants. The reg
ular burial services, beginning with the
canticle of Zachary, or the benedicite, and
ending with the chanting of "De Pro-
funds" by the choir of dominican priests
brought the religious features of the OBJ
sequies to an end.
The priests stood aside and remained in
a group near the head of the grave, and
every breath was hushed while the widow
came step forward, and for one brief
moment looked upon the oasket which
held her beloved dead. As she turned
away other mourners, in a body, paid
their tribute of love and respect,
and then, at a signal, the artillery fred
salute of seventeen guns. The Loyal Lee
gion moved up in line and looked in upon
the still uncovered casket and then filed
away. The great hollow square now con-
fined but one fgure-that of a stalwart
cavalry bugler, who stood at ease facing
eastward, with his bugle under his arm at
the head of the grave. There was hoarse
command at the left, echoed and passed
on down the line of infantry, a rattle of
steel, movement OF expectation and then
a simultaneous flash and the echo of 500
muskets.
Again and again the volley was re-
peated. Then the bugler came to "at-
tention," raised the bugle to his lips and
blew the call for Sights out" the military
signal for goodnight, and the people dis
persed,
While the services were in pro-
gress, the oaison was placed in position
TO receive the oasket, and the
generals horse was led to place i'm
mediately behind. The horse is dark
bay, and was bought by General Sheridan
in Chicago about four years ago. 1t was
bridled and ssddled Just as when ridden
last by the general.
The generals military boots were in
the stirrups with the toes pointing back
wards. The animal was led by tall SER
geant in full uniform. All the horses
used by the general during the war are
dead, and the one used on this occasion
is the animal which had been longest in
the generals service as his personal sad
die horse.
In accordance with the wishes of Mrs.
Sheridan the funeral was strictly mill
tary affair, and the escort was formed
precisely as prescribed by army regula-
tions for an officer of the rank of the
deceased.
Just before the close OF services, General
Sohofeld and his aides arranged them
selves in front of the troops and prepared
to receive the funeral parry. As the body
was borne from the church the bell tolled
and the Marine band played the hymn
"Nearer My God To Thee" The soldiers
stood at "present arms" and all citizens
removed their hats. The best of order
was preserved and the crowd seemed to be
inspired by the solemnity of the occasion.
When all had been arranged the column
moved slowly ia the direction of the ceme-
terry.