The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-08-16
snERIDAN's FUNERAL.
IN Compliance With his Request the Last Rites
We're transformations.


IN Compliance With his Request the Last Rites
We're Transformations.
The funeral of Gen. Sheridan took place ut
Washington. The sentry had paced up and
down in front of the catafalque and the
dimly lighted church all night; the guard of
honor OF the Loyal Legion had been sitting
in the front pew at his side. When the light
of the early morning drove the dark shadows
from the chancel and revealed the SOM
Der drapery that hung in festoons
early mass came, and with them great
number of working people to take one look
at the caskct for the last time. Twice only
had the casket been opcned-oncc to permit
the brother John, who had just arrived from
the plains, to see the remains for the first
and last time; again to permit Mrs. Sheridan
to have one more look at the soldiers face,
and then all withdrew.
After early mass the church was closed for
a time, and when it reopened those pro-
vided with tickets hogan to arrive.
The invitations had requested that those
who held the cards should be in their seats a
little before 10, and the suggestion of the
military officers was u command. None dis
regarded it except the president and Mrs.
Cleveland aud Secretary Eaynard They
came after the family had entered. The
civilians for the most par: We're
and navy officers were in full uniform.
The congregation, of persons of mixed re-
lglOus belief. or none, was not very familiar
with the ceremonial! ofthc:: t'atholc high mass
And some reared in Cuivinistic faith made
poor work of it when they undertook to par
t'clpnte The incense burning, the jingle of
bells. the genufiections. the clapping OF the
master of ceremonies, the intonations of the
Dominican priests were the features of q re-
1iGiOus ceremony which were new to many
who were present, and the religious attitudes
which some OF them attempted wcro not
characterized by military precision. A few
minutes before 10 o'clock, az the mnffied
voices of the officers in command of the
troops forming outside could be heard
through the open windows, the altar boys
lighted the high candles about the altar, and
the low strains Of funeral music from the or
gan mingled with the chanting of the priests.
procession of sanctuary boys issued from
the sacristy the clergy entered in solemn
procession, Il chorus of Dominican priests be-
gan the information OF the ''Misercre' and tho
wailing notes of the dirgc music broke forth
from the organs as the cardinal in his red
robe of Office knelt before the altar and as
rended the cardinals throne. The mass
ended and the cardinal delivered an address.
After the sermon, the ceremony of absOlu-
tion was begun. The cardinal was nrraycd
10y his assistants in a black cap decorated
with gold. On his head was Il tall white hat.
Thus, preceded by tho altar boys and the
clergy he left the place at the altar and pro-
cee,led to The c;.sl:ct OF the dead. The car
dnnl knclt. the choir OF Dominicans ci.lntci
'Libera mo Domino. he cardinal rose and
sprinklrd the c:lsket with holy water and in
censcd it with burning incense and pronounced
the also'ution. The cardinal re-
turned to his throne tho Dominicans
chantcd ''Bcncdictus." the priests, they
finished their parts, silently disappeared into
the sacristy and the high requiem mass was
at an end. While the services We're in progress
the caisson was placed in n position to re-
,,ive the caskct. and the generals horse was
led to n place Immediately behind Tho
horse is n dark bay. and WAS bought by gen.
eral Sheridan in Chicago about four years
ugo 1t was bridIed and s;dded Just as when
last ridden by the general. The generals
military boots wer" III the s'irrups, with the
toes pointing backwards. The animal was
led by IL tall sergeant in full uniform.
In accordance with the wishes Of Mrs.
Sheridan the funeral was strictly military
affair." and the escort was formed precisely
as prescribed by the army regulations for an
officer of the rank of the deceased. Just be-
fore the close of the services Gen. SchOfeld
md his aides arranged themselves in front of
the troops and prepared to receive he funeral
party. The clanking of sabers and
the steady tramp of artillery SER
gcunts coming up the aisle succeed.
ell the final notes of the "Bcnc-
dictus. and the strong arms otthc scrgcants
bore the casket to tn" caisson at tho door.
Then the long hot march to Arlington com
mcnccd. Gen. Schofcld mounted up
on Il splendid horse" gave the word of
rommand. That word was echoed down tho
line The bugle sounded and the procession
moved. Two score of mounted police
reached Arlington half an hour before the
space about the grave. Not only was
sitting room cleared for tho family
md official Eonrners, but sew
cral acres wero vacated, so that the hundreds
of worthy citizens were unable to get even Il
glimpse Of the ceremony of the interment.
This was needless, and could serve no other
purpose than to permit some one clothed in
brief authority to exercise his power. A
young staff officer gave the order. 1T OK
clude1 from the line man who had made
many caupnigns with Sheridan, and another
who recountrd from behind the sacred
boundary experiences he had had in the bat
Ties of his country years before the gilded
young lieutenant was born. The earth had
been removed twenty feet from the grave
and placed under an adjacent tulip tree, and
the sward so carefully cleaned that there were
no traces Of earth upon it, The grave itself
was in fact n soldiers grave. 1t was simply
an excavation in the earth. There was no
brickwork and no oemcnting or sheathing-
nothing to keep the earth or water from clos
ing in about the caskct. The man in charge
said that that was Sheri1an's wish lie de-
sired to be buried soldier. \ more ap-
Sroprinte spot could not have been selected
Tor the grave OF the general of tho army.
Philip .A4!,erdnn living was always at the
head of his army; Phil Sheridan dead also at
the head Of his army, but it is IL vast silent
army-lG,4GO strong. Their graves lilo be-
hind him, marked BY long lines OF white head
stones: line after line, column after column;
like regiments and Irigades it rest In this
enclosure there are 100 acres. and room, 1T
is estimated for 100, OnO graves, and every
soldier of the army or old soldier OF the war
who DESIRES has the right Of sepu1ture there.
80 -