Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-05
WITH MILITARY HONOR
Remains of Col. Petit Inferred
Today in Arlington.
SERVICES AT FAMILY HOME
Squadron of Troopers Serves as Es-
cort to Cemetery.
s. W. v. DEPARTMENT DETAIL
casket Wrapped in American Flag
and Borne on Caisson to Last
Resting Place.
SERVICES AT FAMILY HOME
s. W. v. DEPARTMENT DETAIL

With the impressive burial services ac-
corded to a soldier, the remains Of Col.
James S. Petit, late of the 9Th United
States Infantry, were laid to rest this
forenoon at Arlington following a funeral
service at the family residence, 1912 21st
street northwest. The officiating clergy
man was Rev. William Tayloe Snyder of
the Church of the Incarnation, who was
Col. Pettits room mate at West Point dur
ing their cadet days, and who spoke feel
ingly of the deceased as soldier and a
friend
At the conclusion of the solemn cere-
monies at the Petit home the casket con-
taining the remains were placed on an ar
tillery caisson drawn by six horses and
the cortege proceeded to Arlington by way
of the Aqueduct bridge. The casket was
wrapped in the American flag. Following
the caisson was a riderless horse. draped
In black and bearing the boots and mill
tary equipments Of the late officer. The
escort consisted of a squadron of troopers
OF the regular cavalry. The honorary pail
bearers occupied carriages and were: Gen.
John M Wilson, Gen. ]. Franklin Bell,
Gen. George B. Davis Gen. John s. John
stone. Col. William NJ. McComb and Mai.
Chauncey b. Baker.
Detail of Spanish War Veterans.
When the cortege reached Fort Myer the
line was Joined by detail of United Span
ish war veterans, principally members of
Col. Pettits old regiment, the 4th United
States Volunteer Infantry. The department
commander was represented by Department
Adjutant William Peacock. The detail in
Guided Capt Lee NJ. Lipscomb, Lieut.. VIM
H. Mellach, Capt Homer ]. Locking, Com
mander Daniel c. Eberly Of the 4th Inn
mune Camp, of which Col. Petit was an
active member; Past Assistant National
Adjutant John j. Duffy, Capt. George West
Byron. ]. C. O'Brien, John Grim, J. H.
O'Brien and others.
The 18th United States Cavalry Band
also Joined the procession at Fort Myer
with squadron of dismOunted troopers.
All the immediate members of the family
were at the grave except Mrs. Petit, who,
it was explained, was too i'll to attend.
Capt. Charles H. Muir of the general staff,
a personal friend of the deceased, was also
at the graveside. The casket was entirely
covered with floral tributes. One of these
was from the 4th Immune Camp of Spanish
War Veterans.
At the conclusion of the services at the
grave three volleys were fired over the
grave by the dismounted cavalrymen. and
the lone bugler stepped forward and sound
ed the plaintive notes of TAPS" good
night, lights out
The Cause of Death.
informed that the cause of the death of
Lieut.. COL Petit was chronic interstitial
nephritls, complicated with mtral and tri-
cuspid insufficiency.
The official record shows that Lieut. Col.
Petit was born in Ohio, August 4. 1856,
and entered the United States Military
Academy from that state July l. 1874; was
graduated and appointed second lieuten-
ant in the list Infantry June a. 1878 He
was promoted LIST lieutenant, captain and
major in that regiment reaching the lat
ter grade June IS, 1900 He was detailed
In the inspector generals department July
%. 1901; was promoted lieutenant colonel
of infantry August IL, 1903 and detailed
in the adjutant generals department Au-
gust n, 1903, in which he served until re-
lieved August 3. 1905 having served term
of four years in the two departments He
was assigned to the Sth Infantry August IL,
1905.
On the outbreak of the Spanish American
war Lieut.. Col. Petit declined an appoint
ment assistant adjutant general Of
volunteers, with the rank of major, and
organized and was appointed colonel of the
4th United States Volunteer Infantry,
known one of the "immunes." He was
mustered out with his regiment June 8,
1899, and on July 5, following. was appoint
ed colonel of the 31st Infantry, United
States Volunteers. organized for service
in the Philippine Islands. He was mustered
out with his regiment June Is. 1901.
1Td1Scu aAS SAdTdCIcT
A meeting of the 4th United States Vol
unteer Infantry Association was held yes
terday evening at the home of the pres
dent, Capt. w. H. Mellach, S11 list street
northwest. to take suitable action in regard
to the death of Col. James S. Petit This
regiment was organized and commanded
by Col Petit during the war with Spain,
and his popularity with the members was
attested by the kind words that were
spoken of the former commander by those
friends.
Resolutions were adopted following a pre-
amble, in which Col. Petit was referred to
as "a magnificent soldier, true husband
and an ideal father"
1t was resolved that the 4th United
States Volunteer Infantry Association ex-
tends to Mrs. Pettitt and to the children
and all the members of his family the sin
cerest. deepest and most heartfelt sym
pathy."
At called meeting of members of the
4th Immune Camp. No. 8, United Spanish
War Veterans, of which Col. Petit was
an active member, Commander Daniel c.
Eberly feelingly referred to the death of
their comrade. Resolutions were then
adopted reciting that 1.-The members of the
United Spanish War Veterans having
learned to love good soldier, so mag
nificent comrade and SO loyal a gentle
man as Col James S. Petit, desire to ex-
press to the widow and children and all
the members OF his family the deepest
sympathy.
The officers of the Department of the
District of Columbia. United Spanish War
Veterans, were called together at Costello's
Hall last night by Capt. ]. Walter Mitchell
department commander and a minute was
adopted expressing deep regret upon the
death of Col. Petit, "a distinguished Amer
lean soldier" and "a worthy and beloved
comrade," and extending the heartfelt SYM
pathy of the department officers to the
widow and children.