The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-16
Stars and Stripes UnfurIed at Half
Mast over the Wreck of the Vessel
in the Port of Havana.
GRAVES OF DEAD DECORATED
EXERCISES MARRIED, HOWEVER, BY
UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS.
Flags HaIf-Masted at New York and
other PIaces-Exercises by Children
Claims Filed for Indemnity.

ly this morning for the first time in sew
eral days when the wreck Of the United
States battle ship Maine destroyed in
Havana harbor on the evening of Feb. 10,
1S9S was decorated with a large American
flag At o'clock the flag was hoisted at
half mast by Captain Eaton, of the United
States auxiliary cruiser Resolute, who, with
Mrs. Estes Rathbone and Mrs. Dudley and
ten sailors of the Resolute, rowed to the
sunken battle ship. The only others taking
part were a battalion, with officers of the
First Maine Heavy Artillery. An immense
rope of greens was festooned about the
fighting top, each loop hung with laurel
wreaths four feet in diameter and tied with
red, white and blue ribbon. The Cuban
Club of Havana had placed an artificial
wreath on the boat crane and this Captain
Eaton transferred to the peak of the gaff
At 10 o'clock high mass was celebrated in
memory of the Maine victims the Merced
Church. at which Major General Ludlow and
several of his staff were present. The cere-
mony, which was very impressive, was at
tended by Brig. Gen. George r. Ernst, rep
resenting Major General Brooke Com
modore B. j. Cromwell, captain of the port,
and other naval officers, the City Council,
the executive committee of the Cuban AS
sembly and other members of the Assembly,
the secretaries of the civil departments and
many officials. together with representatives
of the Havana fire brigade and other local
organizations. Many women of the better
classes were in the congregation which
crowded the edifce.
This afternoon the graves at Colon Gene
terry were decorated in the presence of Amer
ican officials, military and naval details
participating. The graves were thiclly
covered with flowers. Father Sherman had
been invited by Mrs. Rathbone, who is
president of the women's association, to
read prayers at the graveside, and he ap-
peared at the American Club. from which
the procession started, in full vestments,
and with the assurance that Mgr. Santan-
der, the bishop of Havana, had given his
consent. Commodore Cromwell said the
bishop was not willing that Protestant
chaplain should ofticiate, he Commodore
CromwelD would not consent to the reading
of prayers by Father Sherman. The latter
thereupon went to his hotel. He had de-
ferred his sailing on receipt of Mrs. Rath-
bones invitation.
Commodore Cromwell informed the news
paper correspondents that the sailors felt
deeply on the subject, regarding the cere-
mony of decoration as distinctly a naval
affair. Therefore he could not permit any
except naval chaplain to off1ciate. AL
though he was quite willing that both a
Protestant and Catholic clergyman should
act if either was to be excluded then the
other must be Also.
The procession from the city consisted of
marines and sailors from the Brooklyn and
the Resolute, the band of the Brooklyn,
Major General Ludlow's staff, representing
him; American women in ambulances, car
riages containing American visitors, troop
of the Seventh Regular Cavalry and one
Cuban society. 1t was met by Governor
General Brooke and staff at the cemetery,
where wagon load of floral tributes pre-
sented by the American women and local
societies were heaped upon the graves, each
sailor and marine also contributing some
floral token. The crowd looked on in silence,
some kneeling. 1t was 2:45 p. m. when the
procession reached the cemetery and the
ceremony was over in half an hour.
Meanwhile Major General Lee and the de-
tachment of the Seventh Army Corps had
not arrived. The marines and sailors
marched away, Commodore Cromwell, the
naval officers and few others remaining.
In about quarter of an hour General Lees
column arrived-battalions of the Second
Illinois and Third Nebraska regiments, the
First Maine Artillery battery Of the Sec
ond United States Regular Artillery and the
bands of the Second Illinois and Third Ne
braska regiments.
AS General Lee, on horseback, barred his
head near the graves. Commodore Crom-
well saluted saying: II am sorry you were
not here in time for the decoration"
General Lee replied: Il was notified to be
here at $3.50 p. m, and 1 was at the ceme-
terry gate at that hour. Now that arrive
1 find everything over"
Commodore Cromwell said: General, the
hour was 2:30 p. m. L sent you word two
days ago"
General Lee replied: II never received it.
| was told 3:30'
Commodore Cromwell politely expressed
his regret at the misunderstanding. The
Illinois band played America" and THE
Star-spangled Banner" the crowd uncover
ing and the soldiers presenting arms. This
ended the ceremony General Lee was de-
tanned fifteen minutes outside the cemetry,