Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-08-05

The deep trench in which the bod.
les were placed in two rows, feet to
feet, is sixty feet long and fourteen
feet wide. 1t was finished but a few
minutes before the arrival of the first
load of bodies. Around 1t were drawn
up in long lines the artillery company
from the fort-seventy-five men
strong-on the west the naval re-
serves, bearing armfuls of flowers, on
the north; the Bennington's survivors
on the east. and the Universal Broth.
erhood on the west. Just outside the
ing grounds gathered the public in
solid masses on all sides. This was
the setting for most impressive
spectacle-the eliminating scene of
San Diego's week of sorrow.
Collins Lifted by Shipmatea
Without moments delay the work
OF lifting the collins from the wagons
and ranging them in the trench was
carried on. Shipmates from the Ben.
nington performed this sad duty.
Squads of six came forward from their
ranks in rapid succession, lifting the
caskets gently. entered the trench at
the head and deposited the bodies as
directed by Lieutenant Tobin, who
checked them and saw that the board
placed at the head of each was prop
erly marked and numbered. In Just
one hour and fifteen minutes the last
body had been deposited in the
trench. The work of caring for tho
unfortunate men, which began last
Thursday morning, was completed.
1t only remained for the represent.
atives OF the church to pronounce fin
al blessings of the dead. Rev. j. A. NJ.
Richey, rector of st. Paul's, read the
Episcopal burial service, the twenty.
first Psalm and repeated the Lords
Prayer. He closed his impressive du.
ty by casting handful of earth upon
the collins. The venerable Father A.
ID. Ubach of the Catholic church, at.
tended by two censor boys, then step.
ped forward. In resonant voice he
read the service to the dead, blessing
them with water and incense.
Young's Touching Farewell.
Believing all was over, many turned
to go. There was yet to come how.
ever, the most impressive incident OF
the scene. Commander Young of the
Bennington stepped out from the
group Of officers at the head of the
trench, and. raising his hand, COM
manded instant attention. In a deep,
gruff voice the voice of typical
sailor-he said
Captain Scott, commander of Fort
Rosecrans, and his successors:
commit to your tender care the bodies
of our unfortunate shipmates and
patriot dead. May their graves never
be forgotten by the hand of affection.
May there rise above this, their last
resting place, marble slabs to mark
the place as sacred to the Nations
care, and may the morning sun ever
kiss the green sod above their dust,
emblematic OF our love and affection"
az accent the sacred trust of the
honored dead" replied Captain Scott
Inere was many a furtive tear
W uoHtu rum hioiStchcu eye Ny thia
simple but impressive scene.
Attention" came the command in
sharp tones from the big sergeant in
command of the artillery company.
There was a rapid, concerted move.
ment along the double file of soldiers
| 1t the head Of the grave. Another
command and every gun was pointed
over the long rows cf Baskets. In
quick succession three sharp yolleys
crashed noisily.
Out OF the ranks stepped bugler,
and with impressive deliberation the
solemn, quaverlng notes Of the last
bugle call over the dead sounded far
out below over the bay, waking the
] echoes far down among the rugged
rocks below. The crowd turned and
walked away. The Naval Reserve
boys cast their flowers upon the COT
| fins. ..|
Thus they buried the Bennington's
dead.