The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-07-25
THE DEAD OF THE
llLFATED GUNB0AT
BENNINGTON
Continued From Page one.)

lery garrison was lined up to act as
escort to the dead. In line in front of
them was the mere handful of survi-
vors OF the disaster, some of them
bandaged from head to foot and suf-
fering agony, but anxious to do their
rart to honor their departed comrades.
Slowly all moved from the wharf to
the side of the 70-foot trench which
had been dug to receive the bodies of
the dead. At the head of the process
sion came Commander Lucien Young,
sctompar led by Father Anthony Ubach
and Rev. ]. A. Richey, the ministers
who wee to offer their prayers for
the dead. The survivors of the Ben
nington took up their places at the
ncrth side of the enclosure; at the
east were the naval reserves, and at
the end the artillery men drew up in
line with their pieces at a present. So
soon as the military were in position
the bodies were brought in laden on
the pagcns. To each coffin had been
detailed eight men, and they were
Quickly lifted to the ground and low
cred slowly into the trench. The first
coffin was lowered at exactly 8 o'clock,
and 1t was exactly 55 minutes after
ward when all had been placed in the
.Trourd.
The priest and the minister then ad-
vdnced slowly and stood for the space
of fiv" inutes in silent prayer. I'ne
scene was indescribably solemn. Men
ard women were weeping sofetly, while
row and then half-choked sob was
audible. The silence was broken by
the voice Of DR.. Richey, who began the
solemn and beautiful Episcopal service
for the dead AS he began: Il am the
resurrection and the life," the tension
seemed to become greater and the 81
lence became almost oppressive. Al
though the minister spoke in an ordi-
nary tone Of voice, every word Of the
service was audible to every one in the
little cemetery.
His part was soon over, and then
Father Ubach prayed and blessed the
dead
Then came the most affecting scene
of the day. Commander Lucien Young
stepped to the front and in his big bluff
voice cracked as he called out, Cap
tain Scott"
Capt. Scott of the artillery, the COM
mander at Fort Rosecrans, stepped out
and saluted the big Kentuckian, who
then raised his head and in a voice
boarse with sorrow made the following
charge and laid lasting obligation on
the men who shall hereafter command
at Fort Rosecrans:
Captain Scott and your successors
at Fort Rosecrans, commit to your
tender care the unfortunate bodies Of
our shipmates and patriot dead. May
their graves never be forgotten and
may marble memorial! slabs rise on
this, their last dusty dwelling place,
and greet the morning sun. May the
setting sun shed its last rays OF light
over their graves as a symbol OF the
love their shipmates bear them. Deal
gently with our heroes. charge you
this in the name Of the Bennington's
dead"
Captaih Scott raised MS gloved hand
again.
Commander Young, l accept as a
sacred trust the bodies of your dead"
He then fell back.
At the command three volleys raised
the echo among the sage clad hills,
and before the last report had ceased
tc ring a bugler stood out OF the line
and taps" the final benediction to
the nations dead. swelIed. rose, and
swelled again. Twas lights out" for
AZ poor boys who enlisted TO serve their
country on sea, and not a man drew
breath while the bugIe was speaking.
Clear as bell rang the top note and
the last ones OF the eloquent tribute
that an artist can put into brass bu-
sic sounded the stldiers' goodbye to q