Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-04-08
OF VERMONT INTEREST,
Gen Neazey's Funeral.

The Notable tribute OF Love and Re-
.uect Paid TO Ills Memory by the Peo-
plt Of Washington, by His old Conn
rsdcs-at-Arms, by Vermont Friends.
and Many Men OF NOtt--.TouchInU
Scenes aud Incidents.
comrade- alarms of Gen. Wheelock
e Vealey sends to The Phoenix, as a mat
fer of personal interest to Gen. Veazev,s
Vermont friends, letter showing how
Great was the impression produced by his
death, and an account of the spontaneous
tribute paid to his memory at the funeral
The writer says:
Though the fatal termination had long
been anticipated, the end yet came with a
,uddenness which plunged his family and
immediate friends into the greatest grief.
No death in Washington ever elected more
universal expressions of sorrow, and SINH.
lar spontaneous expressions come from all
parts of the country. No soldier of the
Union army was more esteemed by his sur
wing comrades, and he was as universal
" held in respect by the Confederate SOL
diers as one of the real heroes of the war
Although his funeral was private, and IL
was sought to avoid all needless display.
there was an outpouring of all those whose
sympathy and recognition are most appre-
cated at such time. The floral Gifts
were remarkable for their profusion and
their beauty. Many of the most notable
Of these came from Vermont friends and
organizations.
A very touching incident was that of the
visit of coincidence paid to Mrs. Veazey by
Mrs. Pickett, the widow of the Confeder-
ate leader, in the attack upon whose divi-
sion on the field of Gettysburg Gen. Yea.
ley won his Congressional Medal of Hon
or Mrs. Pickett brought with her beauti-
full roses, and as she rose to go the ladies
embraced, remaining long with arms
around each other, both noble representa-
tiyes of true American womanhood and
furnishing a beautiful illustration of the
reunion of the blue and the gray which
now so delights our entire people.
The casket was covered with large flag
on which were heaped the floral tributes
Around the dead generals neck was the
ribbon of the Medal of Honor Legion, to
which the Congressional Medal of Honor
was attached, while his Grand Army badge
and Loyal Legion ribbon were on his coat.
The body was removed to the Church of
the Epiphany, where the solemn Episcopal
o'4 'lNVo III bllC hCdh mGlt ICuutItu.
large delegation of Vermont friends
and comrades went to Washington to at
tend the funeral. The members of Gen.
Neazey's staff when he was commander
in-chef of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie were present. The pail bearers included
Senators Morrill, and Proctor, Representa-
tiyes Grout and Powers, ex-senator Ed
munds, Gen. j. G. Mccullough, Col. A. F.
Wollxar Al
men of national fame.
The burial was at the Arlington National
cemetery, the funeral procession being met
at the outskirts of the Fort Myer military
reservation by troop of mounted cavalry,
who, dismounting at the gate of the Gem
etery, proceeded on foot and formed in
line at the grave. A long line of carriages
had brought very large body of friend:
who were soon grouped around the family
and occupied every available space. The
pastor of Epiphany church then read the
burial service and the Grand Army of the
Republic followed with its sublime and
beautiful ritual. The cavalry troop fired
three rounds and taps were sounded with
the bugle. The day was clear, calm and
bright and Arlington, venerated city Of
the dead heroes of the Republic, wa.
clothed in all the beauty of an early spring
All through the ceremonies little thrush
on tree, whose branches were over the
heads CT the family, sang sweetly, while
other birds near by softly responded. The
spot selected for the grave is near The
graves of Generals Sheridan, Sturgis ant
Crook, in front of the old Arlington
mansion, not far from the graves of tn,
unknown dead, faces the east and looks
down upon the grand historic Potoma,
river and across it upon the city and tn,
capitol, and can be plainly seen at all times
from the window of one of its rooms where
the Oldest SOD of Gen. Veazey is employed
Thus amid scenes and surrounding,
peaceful and beautiful the gloom of death
and burial almost lost their power t
grieve and afflict, and sorrowing hearts
were consoled and strengthened by tn,
gentle songs of sweet-singing birds, tn
beauties of reviving nature, the lovin!
sympathies of friends, the consultations o
religion, and the belief and assured con
yction that a noble soldier, an uprigh
jurist, a devoted husband, self-sacrificin!
father and friend, great because goo'
man and Christian gentleman, had Blu
crossed over the river of life to lie down il
the shade of the trees, and to enjoy the re
wards of well spent years and the blessed
beatltudes of heaven.
A comrade who dearly loved him anC
had every opportunity to know the detail
of his career, to value his friendship ant
appreciate his character and his geniu
ventures to send this letter through tn
columns of your paper, to his friends an,
comrades of the Green Mountain stat
who served under him and with him an,
helped to make the motto of Vernon
Freedom and Unity" not a phrase but
lfe-giving sentiment and reality.