New-York tribune., 1899-12-29
MAINE VICTIMS BURIED.
THE LAND THEY DIED FOR RECEIVES
THEIR BODIES.
WITH SAD AND SOLEMN RITES THE NATION
LAYS THEM TO REST IN AR
IINGTON CEMETERY


Washington. Dec 2S-On the windswept
heights Of Arlington National Cemetery the
Maine dead, brought from Havana by the
battleship Texas today were laid In their maj
resting place with simple religious services and
the Impressive honors OF war, In the presence
Of the President. members of the Cabinet. OFF,
GERS OF the Army and Navy, and other repre-
sentatives of the Government Cabinet officer
surveying the flag draped collins before the
ceremonies began. said: the lives OF these
men cost Spain her colonies"
But there was no note Of triumph In the scene
to-day. with a touch Of sadness and solemn
gravity the Nation performed It's duty to the
dead and gave its defenders q Christian burial
at home in soil hallowed by patriotic dead. a
soft mantle OF snow covered the earth mufiling
the beat Of the horses hoofs. the sound OF the
slow turning carriage wheels and the tramp or
soldiers and sailors as they approached the
burial place.
THE BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD"
The site is a commanding one. In front Is
the broad bosom Of the Ice fettered Potomac;
beyond the shaft Of the Washington Monu-
nent. the dome Of the Capitol and the roofs Of
the city; to the right the choked embrasures
Of old Fort Mcpherson, and between the
left is the stately mansion OF Lee. and to the
rear through the vista OF snow laden pines and
ccdars. the silent army of the patriotic dead
of the Civil War sleep rank upon rank.
The collins buried to-day were ranged In rows.
over each was spread an American ensign, on
which lay n wreath Of galax leaves. Around the
inclosure, shoulder TO shoulder, the yellow Of
their coat Innings forming a band OF color were
drawn up the cavalry from Fort Myer; to the
right battalion OF marines from the Navy
Yard. with their spiked helmets and their scarlet
capes turned back; to the left detachment OF
tackles" from the Texas In navy blue; in the
flag dra ped stand in the rear were the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet. Admiral Dewey. Major
General Miles and group Of officers OF the
Army and Navy in their showy dress uniforms,
while all around pressed the throng OF people
who had bravcd the snow and biting cold to
pay their last tribute TO the dead. Among these
were many relatives and friends OF those who
were lost In the disaster.
There was tender appropriateness In the 1act
that Captain Sigsbee. who was In command or
the Maine when she was blown up. had charge
of the ceremonies in honor OF his men, and That
Father Chadwick who chaplain or the
Maine was there to perform the last rites
Three others who lived through thai awful night
IN Havana HarbOr were AT the side OF the graves
of their comrades-L Lieutenant Commander
Wainwright who was executive officer OF the
Maine. and who sunk the Pluton and the Furor
at Santiago. Lieutenant F. c. Bowers, who was
assistant engineer Of the Maine. and Jeremiah
shea a fireman the ship. who was blown out
~ the stoke hole through the debris. escaping
unlnjurcd almost miraculously.
IN THEIR LAST RESTING PLACE.
Slowly and soomEly the full Marine Band
broke the deep hush peallng forth the sad,
sweet strains of the drge Safe in the Arms
u Jesus" and there were twitchlng lips and
wet eyes az Chaplain Clark. OF the Naval Acad-
cmy at Annapolis. came forward and took his
place under canvas covered shelter IN the
open space in front Of the dead.
The Protestant services We're held first ana
were simple Chaplain Clark read the burial
service ~ the Episcopal Church and then gave
way 10 Father Chidwick. who was assisted by
Fathers Holland and Brown and two purple
robed acolytes. with head barred 10 the wintry
blast the Names chaplain read memorial
service according to the rites OF the Cathonc
Church consigned the dead to the earth,
blessed the ground. repeated the Lords Prayer.
and closed with fervent appeal FOR the repose
OF the souls OF the departed. detachment or
marines under command Of Captain Harmony,
then marched to the right Of the graves and
fired three volleys and in the deep stiffness that
followed the crash the clear. silvery notes OF II
bugle rang out the soldiers and sailors last
good night.
With the sounding OF taps" the ceremonies
ended The President and his party and the
other guests. the military and the spectators
then withdrew Before leaving the cemetery
CAPTAIN Sigsbee introduced jeremiah shea TO
the President When asked for nm explanation
of his escape by the President, Shea replied. as
he did to n similar inquiry from Father enid
wick at the time Of the disaster: Il don't know
how got through | was blown out. ! guess
| must have been an armor piercing projectile"
.