Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-24
SIGSBEE TOLD OF TRIP
STORY OF THE MISSION TO BRING
JONES BODY HERE.

In double column in Annapolis roads are
anchored the fleet of four battleships and
four cruisers. formed in columns of twos
with the cruisers on the inshore and the
battleships outside. With bows pointed up
the bay. they rode unmoved by the gentle
swell that was reminder Of yesterdays
gale.
The line OF cruisers was headed by the
Brooklyn, and the battieships by the Ala
bama. Back OF the Brooklyn swung the
Galveston, Tacoma and Chattanooga. and
back of the Alabama the Illinois, Iassa-
chusetts and Iowa.
A reporter of the Baltimore American
was accorded an interview with Admiral
Sigsbee on board the Brooklyn yesterday.
This Is a busy day said the admiral.
In twenty minutes must be uniformed TO
pay series OF official calls, and | can give
you just fifteen minutes. Have a seat, Our
experience in France was one never to be
forgotten by the officers and under
my command. We reached Cherbourg June
30. On the next evening, with escort of
ten officers, L went to Paris. The escort
consisted of Captain John Nj. Hawley.
commander of the Brooklyn, chief OF staff;
Commander Reginald F.. Nicholson, com
mander of the Tacoma; Commander W. CT.
Cutler, commander of the Galveston; Com
mander Alexander Sharp. commander OF
the Chattanooga. and the officers of the
ueet Sta1I ali or the naSSnlp bToORlyH,
Guiding Pay Inspector Samuel l.. Heap,
Surgeon John NJ. Steele, Lieutenant Com
mander T. c. Powers Lieutenant Cas-. us
B. Barnes, Lieutenant Edward McCauley.
jr. flag lieutenant, and Chaplain c. Liv-
ingston Bayard.
Transferring the Body.
Il remained Paris with my escort until
July I. At 800 am. July 500 officers
and men of the feet left Cherbourg under
arms to take part in the ceremonies at
tendant on the transfer OF the remains OF
John Paul Jones. The Americans reached
Paris at IL 40 that morning The men
were quartered and had meals at the Eco,e
Mlitaire, the officers taking their meals at
the Cercle Militaire At the Ecole Mill
taire special arrangements had been MADE
for the reception Of the men, and a num-
Der OF special tents were pitched Tor the
comfort of the men.
AT $50 that afternoon the officers ana
men. in company with French Infantry,
artillery and cavalry. organized for parade
The ceremonies consisted of the transfer
of the remains at the Holy Trinity Ameri-
can Church By General Porter to Special
Ambassador LOOMS. and by Special Am
bassador LOOMS to Admiral Sigsbee. all
of whom made short and appropriate adj
dresses. Then followed the parade through
Paris. There were present members of
the diplomatic corps, cabinet ministers,
special officer to represent the President OF
France. officers of the military, naval and
civil service of France and many dis;in-
guished people.
Then followed the parade through the
streets of Paris. There were carriages.
and the remains rested on a highly orna-
mented artillery caisson. In the Esplanade
des Invalides a special pavilion was erected
and the caSket was placed on highly or
namented bier.
I'm this pavilion all those who had fig
ured prominently at the church took up
stations and the sailors and soldiers passed
the pavilion in procession, the officers sa-
luting the casket as they passed. 1t made
a magnificent spectacle and ended the pa
rade. The casket was then taken under
escort to the train and placed under guard
at $50. The sailors returned TO the Ecolc
Militaire for dinner, and at 9:10 that night
left Paris for Cherbourg with the casket.
They had thus been eighteen hours from
Cherbourg, of course, without sleep.
With my escort l remained at Par,s an
other day The parade and ceremonies
were not given precisely n mourning air,
but were emblenatic of victory although
the church was draped in mourning, as
was the pavilion, and the officers wore
mourning insignia. During the various
phases of the ceremonies the French bands
played American national airs and the
American bands reciprocated with the ma
tional air of France. AT the church the
choir boys made up an impressive feature
OF the ceremony. Mr.. LOOMS and myself
participated in all the events al Paris and
the officers in my escort in most of them.
Many Courtesies Shown.
There were receptions by President Lou
bet. Prime Minister Rouvier and Minister
of Marine Thompson. We were also re-
ceived by officials of the municipality OF
Paris. by the project of the Seine, the pre-
feet of police at the Hotel de Vile. where
were entertained at luncheons. Gen.
Porter. MIR. Loomis, my officers and myself
were entertained at luncheon. At most OF
the receptions ladies attended. and at all
of them were distinguished people and the
affairs were magnificent. Before leaving
President I.oubet decorated with the
cross of a commander of the Legion of
Honor. He also decorated the four COM
manding officers of my squadron and Lieut.
Commander George, commander of the