The Portland daily press., 1899-12-29
Simple But Touching Ceremonies Of
lnterment.
Capt. Sigsbee in Charge
of Ceremonies.
Site Of Burial Place Command
ing One.

ashington, December ss.-Upou the
windy heights. Of Arlington cemetery the
Maine dead brought from Havana BY the
bsttisship Texas today were laid away In
their final resting place with simple re-
nsious ssrvioss and the impressive honors
Of war In the presence Of the President,
memb bers of his cabinet officers Of the
army and navy, and other representatives
of the governments. A cabiust officer,
surveying the flag -draped ooffius before
the ceremonies began, ssid: "The lives
Of those men cost Spain her colonies"
but there was no note Of triumph In the
final scene today. With q touch OF sad
ness and solemn gravity the nation per-
formed Ids duty to the dead, and gave Its
defenders Christian burial at home. In
soil hallowed by patriotic dead.
A sofs mantle of snow covered the
earth, mufiline the beat OF the horses
hoofs, the slow turning carriage whssls
and the tramp Of soldiers and sailors as
they approached the burial place.
The site Is n commanding one. In front
the broad bosom OF the ice-fettered
Posomso; beyond, the shaft Of Washing
ton. the dome Of the capitol and che
sprawling oity, to the right the choked
smbrasures of old Fort Mcpherson ard
between the graves OF the heroic dead Of
Santiago, to the left, the stately mansion
Of Lee and to the rear through the vistas
OF snow laden pines and oedars the silent
army of the patriotic dead of the civil
wa, sleeping rank upon rank in their
last bivouac.
Over each caskst was spread an
American ensign apon which lay a
wreath OF galax leaves. Around the en-
closure. shoulder to shoulder, the y elbow
OF their osat Innings forming band of
color, were drawn up the cavalry Of Fort
Myers; TO the right was battalion of
marines from the navy yard with their
spiked Aelmets and scarlet capss turned
back; to the left detachment of Jackies
from the Texas in navy blue: In the flag
draped stand In the rear. the President
and his cabinet, Admiral Dewey. MAJOR
Gen. Miles anu u distinguished group OF
ofiicsrs of the army and navy In their
snowy dress uniforms; while all around
pressed the throng OF people who had
braved the snow and biting cold TO pay
their last tribute to the dead.
Among these were many relatives and
disaster. There was q tender appropri-
ateness in the fact that Captain Sigsbee.
who was In command OF the Maine when
she was blown up, had charge of the
ceremonies In honor Of his men and that
Father Chadwick, who was chaplain OF
the Maine, was there to perform the last
rites. Three others who lived through
that awful night in Havana harbor, were
at the side of the graves Of their COM
rades, Lieut.. Commander Wainwright,
who Was executive officer of the Maine
and who sank the Pluton and Eurors at
Santiago; Lieut.. f. q. Bowers. who was
assistant engineer of the Maine; and Jere-
miah Shea. fireman on the Maine. who
was blown out Of the stoke hole of the
ship through the debris, escaping unin-
jured most miraculously.
Slowly, solemnly, the full marine band
broke the deep hush, pealing forth the
sad sweet strains of the dirge "Safs In
the Arms of Jesus" and there were
twitohing OF lips and wet eyes as Chap
lain Clark, of the Naval Academy at
Annapolis, came forward and took his
place under canvas covered shelter in
the open space in front of the dead.
The Protestant services were held first
and were very simple. Chaplain Clark
read the burial service of the Episcopal
church and then gave way TO Father
Child wick, who was assisted by Reys
Holland and Brown and two purple
robbed aoalytss. With head barred to the
wintry blast. the Names chaplain read a
mem orial service according to the rites
OF the Catholic church, consigned the
dead. blessed the ground, repeated the
Lords prayer and concluded with q re.-
vent appeal for the reposs OF the souls of
the departed. A detachment of marines
In command of Captain Harmony then
marched to the right Of the graves and
tired three volleys over tho dead and ia
the uaan stillnesa that f0llnWad the crash
the clear, silvery nots of bugIs rang out
tie spiders aud sailors last good night.
With the sounding Of "Taps'' the cers-
monies ended. Inc President and his
party and the other disting uished guests,
the IL Hilary and the crowds then with
drew.
Before leaving, Captain sigsbse intro
duosd Jeremiah Shea TO the President
When askad for an explanation of the
mystery of his eacaps by The President