The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-12-14

MAAAEAA MAlLH IANAlHlkagaH .GlA-
close YOU q sketch Of the procession.
10 describe the scene Is Impossible. The
coffin bore hlA sword and apron, and
the members of the lodge walked ~
maprners. T7ls horse was led, properly
caparlsoned, by two Of his servants In
mourning. 1 had the best opportunity
OF observing tie countenances Of all
Every one was affected, but none so
much as his domestics Of ali ages"
The procession wac formed and
moved IN the following order;
Cavalry.
Infantry.
( Guard.
with arms reversed.l
Music.
Clergy.
The generals horse. with his saddle,
holsters and pistols.
Col SAmffteH Col. Gllpln.
Col. Ramsay. Col. Marsteller.
Moutners.
Masonic Brethren.
Citizens.
Another account, dated Georgetown.
December 20, says: I'm the long and
lofty purtlco. whore oft the hero walked
In all his glory, now lay the shrouded
corpse. The countenarce. still compost
ed and serene, seemed to express the
dignity OF the spirit which lately dwell
in that llfeless form. There those who
paid the last sad honors 70 the. beHe-
factor Of HE country took an impress
i've and farewell View. When the pro-
cession had arrived at the bottom OF
the elevated lawn on the banks Of the
Potomac. where the family vault Is
~ hofkaA ttfn f1NnVhVVf
marched toward the mount and formed
the lnlines: the clergy, the Masonic
brethren and the citizens descended to
the vault and the funeral service OF
the church was performed, The firing
was then repeated from the vessel in
the river, and the sounds echoed from
the woods and hills around Three
general discharges by the infantry, the
cavalry and eleven pieces of artillery
which lined the banks OF the Potomac.
paid the last tribute to the entombed
commander In CHIEF OF the army Of the
United States"
1t was not until four days after his
death that the news reached Philadels
phia. The house was In session Decem-
Der IS, when John Marshall rose, and
in a voice broken with emotion, adj
dressed the speaker;
"Slr-InforInatlOn has been just re-
celved that our illuBtrlous fellow cid-
zen, the commander in chief Of the
American army and the late President
Of the United States 10 no more. Al
though the distressing intelligence Is
not certain there Is TOO much reason TO
believe It's truth. After receiving In
formation OF a national calamity so
heavy aud afillctIng the house Of rep-
resentatIveS can be but lll-htted for
public business. move you therefore
that we adjourn"
Both houses adjourned Immediately.
The next day President Adams receiv-
"a official notification Of the event from
Colonel Lear, which he Immediately
transmitted in a letter 10 Congress, In
which he said: ut remains for an af-
fectlonatC and grateful people. in whose
hearts he can never die. to pay suitable
aonors TO his memory" Both houses
waited on the President to tender him
their coincidence on the sad event and
the same Gay Joint committee was
appointed ''to consider suitable mode
Of COMMUNICATING the death OF Gem
eraI washington" The committee re-
ported December %. recommending
that a marble monument be erected by
fine United States at the capitol IN the
city OF Washington: that funeral SER
vices be held on Thursday the 26th
inst Mt the German Lutheran church,
and an Grafton be delivered by n menu
her OF Congress before both houses,
and that Il be recommended TO the
people OF the United States to wear
crepe on their left arm as mourning
for thirty days. General Henry Lee was
chosen to deliver the Grafton, In the
course Of which he so hlicItously CHAR
acterized Washington as First In war:
first In peace and tirst In the hearts OF
his countrymer. subsequently on
Jnauary G. Congress passed n resolu-
Iion "Thnt II be recommended to the
people OF the United States to assemble
on the 22d Of February next, publicly
10 testify their grief for the death OF
General George Washington, by suit
able eulogles, OratiouS and discourseS
ar Inv public prayers" Memorial SER
vices had already been held in many OF
tho ritIeE hut the day fixed by Con-
gross wns universally observed
throurhout the country. EuloBies were
delivered In every town and village.
SONG were eloquent, some were Just
aome were fulsome, but 1t Is doubt
ful II any OF the orators so wen 9e-
scribed the man they eulogiSed as nus
own words. written to his Irlend' lne
Rev Bryan Fairfax (afterwards SIN,
Baron FaIrfnx), few months before
his death: ,-,.,. ,,,,,
HThe favorable sentiments, which you
say Others have been pleased to express
respectlnE me, cannot but be pleasing
TO a man who has always wa!ked on
straight line ana endeaYoreI' g taE
nsrhTps ns human frnllties nnd perhaps
TtronT passions would enable him, 70
diScbsrEs ire relative duties to his
Maker and his fellow men, without
seeking by any Indirect or fell-hhnded
attempts to acquire popularity"