The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-10
MILITARY AND CHURCH POMP
NAVAL CADETS, BLUE JACKETS AND
SOLDIERS AT THE CAPITAL.
otabI Gathering of Church Digni-
ibbOn of the Mass.

AOI1IANd lO-Ns May S-Nllu a pump
and circumstance exceeding that of any
naval funeral in this country in recent
years. at least, the remains Of the late
William Thomas Sampson. rear admiral in
the United States navy. and commander-in-
chief of the United States naval forces
on the North Atlantic station during the
war with Spain, were to-day laid at rest.
Every department of the national govern
ment was representative executive by
the President and his Cabinet and many
prominent officials of the civil service: the
legislative by senators and representatives,
the judiciary by the United States Supreme
Court. and the military and naval services
by officers OF all ranks. The diplomatic
body, accompanied in many cases by their
ladies. attended the church services. The
military and naval features of the cere-
monies were brilliant and impressive. They
were conducted under direction of Rear
Admiral Terry, commandant of the Wash
ington navy yard, assisted by Lieut.. Henry
George. the adjutant general. The funeral
escort gathered early. 1t was composed of
a light battery of United States Artillery,
commanded by Captain Foote and drawn
from Fort Myer: the naval cadets from
Annapolis, 247 strong, a corps that never
has paraded in Washington before save in
several occasions when a President was TO
be inaugurated; a battalion Of blue Jackets
from the North Atlantic squadron, of which
Admiral Sampson formerly was COM
mander.
Rear Admiral Terry, commanding the
escort. with his staff, assembled at the
church at $3.50. The command was given
and the cadets swung into line and
headed by the Naval Academy Band,
marched slowly from the church to the res
idence of the dead admiral on New Hamp-
shire avenue, about a half-mile away. Here
the honorary pallbearers were gathered.
headed by Admiral Dewey. The remains.
borne on the shoulders of eight stalwa
sailors from the United States steamer
Dolphin, were placed in the waiting hearse
and escorted to the church. Here the bat
TALON formed in line on the north and
silently saluted as the remains were car
ried into the church and placed on the
bier in the chancel.
As many people as the large edifice pos
body of the church. A prominent figure
in the pews directly in the rear of the
diplomatic body was Lieutenant General
Miles. There were also Major General Cor
bin and the bureau chiefs of the War De-
partment. A notable figure was General
Longstreet, of the Confederate army. The
funeral was exceedingly simple, but deeply
impressive. There were no SignS of mourn
ing about the church, but two score mag
nihcent floral emblems made up of the
rarest roses. lilies and orchid, laced with
purple ribbon, the gifts of the President.
the Loyal Legion, the Ordnance Bureau,
the navy yard workers and the many so.
cieties and personal friends Of the deceased
admiral, banked the space across the rear
of the chancel.
The President arrived at the church al
most simultaneously with the head of the
funeral escort. He was accompanied by
Secretary Cortelyou and Captain Cowles,
his brother-in-law. The Supreme Court had
meanwhile been seated, and within a few
moments the soft playing OF music by the
the church., gave notice of the appearance
of the funeral party. Advancing slowly
to the words of a psalm delivered by DR..
Teunis Hamlin, the officiating pastor of
the Church of the Covenant. the party
turned into the main aisle. Behind the
c~lergymen walked Amiral Remey, Ad-
miral Watson and Admiral Walker and
many other notable naval chiefs. The war
captains were in full uniform and wore
black sword knots of crepe. AS the cas-
ket, which was closely covered witt the
blue field of the American flag and banked
with crimson roses, was gently lowered
upon the bier from the shoulders of the
blue,jackets the male quartet sang Lead
the family Of the deceased, save Mrs.
Sampson, who was too ill to attend. were
seated. Then followed the service, very
Slmple-ln TACT, very Hlllt iHOIc imam the
| funeral ritual of the Presbyterian Church.
As the benediction was delivered the
body bearers took up their burden, and,
followed by the family Of the deceased.
the President of the United States and his
Cabinet. the members of the diplomatic
body and many other notable perSonages,
the remains were carried out of the church
and placed in a hearse. A bugle note gave
the signal for the march and soon the
entire long funeral procession was on it's
way TO Arlington. The route lay through
the western section of the city and historic
Georgetown. whence after crossing the
aqueduct bridge II went by way Of Fort
Myer TO the cemetery. The weather was
exceptionally fine and crowds of people APP
p~roximating between 10000 and $50
thronged the streets and the country roads
and gathered about the grounds at Airing
ton. They were respectful and reverential
in their demeanor and appeared 10 have
been animated by one common impulse
distinguished dead. rather than by idle
curiosity. AS the aqueduct bridge
was crossed the guns of the Presidents
yacht Sylph doomed out a funeral salute
OF minute guns. The burial ceremonies
were simple. being confined 10 a prayer for
the dead, the reading of a psalm and music.
At their conclusion the saluting battery of
the Fourth Artillery. stationed outside the
gates. doomed out three salvos. This sa-
musketry. AS the remains were lowered
into the grave the Marine Band played
the beautiful hymn, Safe in the Arms Of
Jesus" and then followed the sounding
Of taps by a bugler stationed at the
head OF the open grave, marking the last
earthly ceremony over the dead officer.
The President and his Cabinet did not go