Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-11-08
With MILITARY HONORS.
FUNERAL OF MIDSHIpNAN j.
R. BRANCH TODAY
Interment Is Made In The Naval
Cemetery, Just Across
From The Naval
Academy.
SOUTHERN BOY LAID All REST
WITH ALL DUE HONOR.
Parents And Relatives Of The De-
ceased From Virginia At
tend 0bsequies.

With full honors and all the impress
siveness of n military funeral. Midship-
man James II. Eranoh was buried in
the beautiful Naval Academy cemetery
overlooking the grey waters of th
Severn and the new parade ground
| the institution this afternoon Tho
funeral was largely attended and
marked by peculiarly strong note of
sadness, which even the leaden No
vember skies seemed TO reflect as tho
grey clouds hung low over tho solemn
scene.
Iu the carriages carrying the be-.
reRved family and their friends were
number of Richmond people, drawn
here from the Old Dominion capital
where the family formerly lived, the
father having been a prominent citi-
zen. popular in social, military. musi-
cal and dramatic circles. The impres-
sive burial service, read by Chaplain
II. II. CLARK, was held in the old mr.
mory, which was filed with tho
brigade of Midshipmen and others, i'm
cluding the officers and their families.
Following this the black flag -draped
oasket was placed in the waiting
hearse. and to the solemn strains OF
the funeral march the way to the
sailor boys last resting place started
Beside the hearse, with uncovered
heads walked six of the dead Midship-
mans classmates as pallbearers They
we're Midshipmen ii. b. MoKittriok,
J. II. Hydrick, q. Humphrey, O. p.
Page, O. Il. Pugh and II. w. Pritohard
The brigade of over $50 Midshipmen
in their full dress uniforms, followed
behind.
The officers of the brigade and Lieu
ten ant Commander j. A. Hoogewerd,
who commanded the cortege, wore
crepe sword knots and crepe about
their left sleeves. The march was
down the road beside the senwall,
over tlie College creek bridge and into
the final cradle of so many OF the
American Navy, including Midship-
men Neumann and Ward, who lost
their lives in the Missouri explosion
last year. Arriving at the cemetery
the brigade of Midshipmen was form
cd in hollow square about the open
grave, to which young Branoh's body
was committed.
A firing squad of MidshipmeD, stand.
ing at the side of the grave, loaded
and discharged the last three charges
over the casket, and as the smoke
cleared away the marine bugler in
full dress uniform took his position at
the head of the leaf lined resting
place. AS the Iattling echoes of the
yolley were taken up and died away
through the hills across the river, the
beautiful, solemnly, peaceful taps
poured forth and fioated to the heav-
ems, while the echoinR hills and
waters seemed loath to drop the last
sad note. which rang on in dales and
hollows and finally went floating away
in whisper.
The Midshipmen were then ordered
back to the armory, where the side
arms and guns were slowed away.
Mr.. and Mrs. Branch, the parents. Ie-
turned to CRrvel Hall with their
friends aud relatives and will leave
tomorrow morning for their home in
New York. The arrangements.for tho
funeral were completed and the order
read out to the Midshipmen Before
stating the arrangements the order
says: ut is with deep regret that the
superintendent announces TO the Off
GERS of the station and the brigade of
Midshipmen the death of Midshin.
man j. Il. Branch, Jr., second class,
ct 10 a. m. Tuesday. November Z.
Following the funeral the first steps
are now in the investigation Of the
death OF Branch. Midshipmen A. ".
Fitch, of the first class and Midship-
men Leigh Noyes both cadets lieu
tonants acted as referee and timo
keeper in the fight and it is thought
that the matter will go harder with
them than with Merriwether, who is
still IN the hospital