Evening star., 1902-05-09
ADMIRAL SAMPSON
Honors Paid the Late Naval
Commander.
AN IMPOSING FUNERAL
MILITARY AND NAVAL ESCORT
TO THE REMAINS.
Simple but Impressive Church Ser
vices-Interment at Arlington
National Cemetery.

With a pomp and circumstance equaling
If not exceeding, that of any naval funeral
conducted at the national capital in recent
years, the remains Of the late William
Thomas Sampson rear admiral in the Unit
ed States navy and commander-in-chicf Of
the United States naval forces on the
North Atlantic station during the war with
Spain, were today laid at rest in the Ma
tional cemetery at Arlington. Every de-
rartment of the national government was
representative executive by the President
and his cabinet and many prominent off,
cials 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, admiral Of the navy, lieutenant
general of the army, rear admirals and
major generals, and all through the grades
ed States Naval Academy at Annapolis.
Even the nations of the earth rendered
their tribute of respect to the memory of
the dead sailor through the presence in the
Church of the Covenant, where the services
were conducted, of the diplomatic body, ac-
companied in many cases by their ladies.
No similar gathering of people high in
rank and station in civil life has perhaps
been seen in Washington since the splendid
obsequies Of the lamented Maj. Gen. H. w.
Lawton who lay in state and was buried
from the same church. The obsequies in
the case of Admiral D. D. Porter, which
were held in this city many years ago, were
conducted on a most imposing scale and
We're marked by one of the grandest mill
tary demonstrations ever seen in this city
outside of those incident to the Inaugural
tion of a President. With possibly that ex-
ception the funeral Of Admiral Sampson
today was the most imposing naval funeral
ever held in the national capital.
Military and Naval Features.
The military and naval features of the
ceremonies were brilliant and impressive,
though the procession was not as numerous
as originally contemplated and the force
of sailors and soldiers ordered to attend
was reduced to the numbers prescribed in
the naval regulations. Still, for it's variety
and the bright uniforms, the funeral cor
before has the Naval Cadet Corps been
paraded in Washington, save upon the
occasion of an Inauguration of. a President
and the 247 cadets in line in their natty
blue uniforms formed an important part OF
the naval display.
All of the military and naval portion of
the program was confded to the execution
OF Rear Admiral Silas w. Terry, command
ant of the Washington navy yard, who was
assisted by Lieut.. Henry George, the ad-
1utant general. An hour before the time
set for the funeral services the escort be-
gan to gather in the vicinity Of the church.
ed by Captain Foote and drawn from Fort
Myer, was assembled in columns of pla-
toons on X street, the left resting on Con-
nect1cut avenue. Beyond that position the
naval cadets were in line on the right of
the marines, and still further on were sta
toned the bluejackets, who had been hur-
ried to the capital from Hampton Roads
where lay three Of the big battle ships of
cfal purpose Of doing honor to the memory
OF the former commander Of that squadron.
Escort of Body to Church.
Rear Admiral Terry. commanding the
escort, with his staff, Lieut.. w. s. Crosley
Of the navy, Capt. w. B. Lemly of the
marines and Lieut.. H. w. Parker, I'd Cav
airy, assembled at the church at 9:3O Soon
after the word of command rang out tha
cadets in their short blue jackets swung
into line, and, headed by the Naval Acad-
emy Band, marched slowly from the church
to the residence Of the dead admiral, 1913
New Hampshire avenue, a distance Of less
than half mile. ..-
There were gathered the members of the
afflicted household, a few Intimate friends,
the honorary pallbearers and the commit
tee of arrangements. The pallbearers were
all naval officers on the active list and in
cluded all the high ranking officers in this
vicinity. The list follows:
Admiral George Dewey, Rear Admiral G.
c. Remey, recently detached from COM
mand of the Asiatic station; Rear Admiral
John c. Watson, president of the naval ex-
amining board; Rear Admiral F. ]. Higgin-
son, commanding the North Atlantic sta
tion; Rear Admiral H. c. Taylor chief Of
the bureau Of navigation; Brig. Gen.
Charles Haywood, commandant of the ma
rlne corps; Capt. F. A. Cook, member Of the
naval retiring board; Capt. Charles E.
Clark. governor of the Naval Home, Phila-
delphia; Capt F. E. Chadwick, president Of
the Naval War College, Newport: Cant.
Bowman H: McCalla, commanding the
kearsarge; Capt. w. M. Folger, inspector
Of the third light house district, and Com
mander Richard Wainwright, superintend-
ent of the Naval Academy.
With as little delay as possible the re-
mains We're removed for the last time from
the family residence and upbourne on the
shoulders of eight stalwart sailors from the
United States ship Dolphin, the casket was
conveyed to the waiting hearse, and the
church. Upon reaching the church the bait
talon formed in line on the north and
silently saluted as the remains were car
ried into the church and placed upon the
bier In the chancel.
At the Church.
The sound Of the trumpet without her
aided the approach Of the funeral party
The loud command to the soldiery were
heard plainly in the church. The widow
and family of Admiral Sampson had taken
their places in one Of the front pews.
uedHWHlle III the DOQy OF the Cnurcn OF
the Covenant had gathered as many per-
sons as could be comfortably seated In the
large edifice. Notwithstanding the most
careful planning, the accommodations were
taxed to the utmost.
The first pew to the right of the central
aisle was assigned to President Roosevelt.
With the President were Secretary Cor
telyou, Colonel Bingham and Commander.
Cowles of the navy. The funeral assem-
blage arose as the President entered the
church and remained standing until the
distinguished party had taken their seats
President Roosevelt was dressed in a
black frock coat. He wore brown gloves
that fitted his hands perfectly. His hair
was combed fiercely back from his fore
head A solemn air pervaded his coun-
tenance. He bowed perfunctori!y to the
usher, who showed him his pew and then
cast his eyes toward the chancel. which
looked more like a flower garden than the
altar where the last words were to be
spoken over distinguished dead. .
A Distinguished Gathering.
Back of the President and his party sat