The morning call., 1894-04-17
A SAD. soLDIERLY CORTEGE.
Buried With Military Honors at
the Presidio.
PROMINENT OFFICERS PRESENT.
Remarkable Forced March Made by
Captain Parker and His Men
From Gilroy.


the squadron of cavalry encamped near
Gilroy. received telegram informing him
Of the death of Captain Abram E. Wood
Of Troop l of the Fourth United States
Cavalry at noon on Saturday last be imme-
diately ordered a detachment of twenty
men to place themselves in readiness for a
forced march to this city and The Presidio
reservation.
As result the men we're the escort and
firing squad at the funeral yeste rday, hav-
ing made the remarkable march of ninety
four miles in twenty-three hours, being
fourteen hours of that time in the saddle.
The funeral of the dead veteran was one
Of the largest ever seen at the Presidio 1t
was not only attended by distinguished
military men and the troops OF the reserya-
ton, but by large numbers of people from
the city who knew and appreciated his
good qualities.
As the hour of 2 P. NJ. approached crowds
OF people were licking toward the quar-
ters of the deceased. where the ceremonies
were to begin.
The cottage is situated about midway on
the main avenue, and is ensconsed, as 1t
were. in climbing vines, picturesque trees
and ornamental plants.
On the outside everything was cheerful
duus UIlSHt. II DIdCluS cdiiic III
from the ocean. and ships were passing
through the Golden Gate, on their various
missions.
Within, however, where the dead hero
lay. there was a scene of mourning. A
widow silently sobbed near the bier of the
dead and two beloved brothers bore their
bereavement in silent grief, while those
who were bis friends IN lite sympathei-
cally shared the grief Of the mourning rel
tives.
The Rev. DR.. Kelly read the Episcopal
service for the dead most impressIvely at
the appointed hour, after which six ser
geants of the Fourth Cavalry bore the
heavy metallic casket from the quarters to
a caisson which was waiting in front. To
the casson were attached six black horses
and behind was the favorite charger OF
the dead hero, led by two prlvatss.
The casket was attended by the follow
ing pallbearers: Major ID. III. KinZle,
Captain G. III. g. Gale, Lieutenants w. H.
Coffin. h. G. Benson. j. e. Nolan ana NJ.
f. Davis.
The cortege was he ded by the Presdio
band in full force, which played funeral
dlrge as the advance was made toward the
little cemetery on the hill. known as the
National Cemetery.
Captain Parker commanded the escort
of the squad of twenty men, who rode
platoon front. They presented an impress
sive appearance Five from l troop were
on grav horses, five from B troop and five
from troop were mounted on bay amin ais.
while five from * troop were astride of
blacks.
All the troops of the post turned out in
force and were in line.
After the mourners came General Miles,
General Ruger. Colonel Shafter and Colonel
Graham, commandant of the post, followed
by army and navy officers from Angel
Island, Alcatraz, Black Point and Mare
Island.
The procession was the largest and mo st
picturesque that ever wended its way TO
the soldiers burial plat, near the Golden
Gate.
Those who had shared the fortunes of
the dead man for years were in immediate
charge of The entire ceremony. The six
sergeants who bore the casket were old In
The service with him and are old Indian
fighters. Nearly all of them are known.
They were Sergpants Arndt, Richards son.
Singer. Wilson. Girdwood and Sovulevski
After the ceremonies at the grave the
detachment under Captain Parker fired
the salute.
Then came the trial of the day. Taps
had to BE- sounded and by Bob Harris, the
man who had been the dead commanders $
own trumpeter for years.
1t was thought that he would break
down when be put his trumpet to his
mouth, as bis affection for Captain Wood
was so well known.
He did not however. The shrill blasts
of his bugle sounded the finish as clearly
as taps were ever heard, and then the
crowd dispersed, the soldiers marched away
and cartloads Of flowers were placed on
the grave by loving hands.