Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-10

a regiment of cavalry waited sabers
at present" and the black draped
gun caisson with its six black horses
to carry the casket to the capitol.
The troopers formed in line facing
toward the ship as she swung broad
side to her place and the gangway
was lifted to her quarterback. To
their right mounted band stilled it's
restless horses.
On the ship, the trim lines Of her
marine guard stood at attention.
.. Rear Admiral Lloyd II. Chandler, to
whom had fallen the duty of escort
ing this dead private soldier over
the Atlantic from France, was garb
cd in the full, formal naval dress, as
were officers of his staff.
Just as the ships bell changed out
the quick. double strokes of EIGHT
bells"-the sailors four o'clock-and
the hour set for arrival, the bugleS
sounded again and the crew lined the
rails far above the dock. Thesmarine
guard filed down the gangway to
face the troopers across the dock,
the ships band came down and form
ed beyond the marines. On deck at
the gangway hear. four side boys
took their place on each side facing
toward each other and the boat
swain waiting behind them to pipe a
dead comrade over the side with
honors accorded only to full admirals
of the fleet.
Many Officials Present
Cars bearing Secretaries Weeks
and DENLY, Assistant Secretary
Wainwright, General Pershing. Ma
jOr General Harbord. Admiral
Coontz and Major General Lejeune.
the marine commandment. and their
aides rolled up. with Secretary
Weeks on the right next to the
gangway and Secretary DENLY next
then Gen. Pershing and Admiral
Coontz, these highest officers Of the
army and navy formed in line facing
down the open space between the
troops and marines.
On deck the bugles called atten-
ton. A group of petty officers step
ped forward to raise the casket. A
forward gun crashed to the first
drumming roll of the minute guns of
sorrow. The Olympia's band sounded
the opening chords of Chopin's Fune-
raj march and to the slow half step
and carried high on the shoulder of
his navy and marine corps comrades,
the Unknown was tenderly lifted
down the steep pitch to the dock.
Admiral Chandler and his aides
came behind, cooked hats off in the
cold rain and held across their
breasts. Below the cabinet members
also stood bareheaded in the rain the
army and navy officers at salute.
Seas Last Tribute
Just as the casket passed out
through the rails. oversize to the
plank the bo'sun's pipe sounded the
notes broke against the background
Of the dirge and as the sound of the
pipe died away. the gun forward
doomed again the passing Of another
minute.
Step by step the bearers labored
down the plank, sanded TO the cob
bled dock below. Again the pipe
walled as they stepped ashore. The
Unknown was again on American soil.
''ApNiN tiS dlJtt CdSktl IIlON-
ed down between the line Of troops
and marines and under the eyes of
the blue Jackets standing rigidly at
the ships rails high above AS they
came abreast of the ships band. the
dirge was stilled, a marine bugler
sounded four fiourishes of salute to a
general officer. Then the stirring,
lifting strains Of the Star Spangled
Banner rang out to the gray sky
Again the slow march to the wait
ing gun carriage was taken up; again
the wall of the funeral march, cut
through with the crash of the gun
above, sounded The casson waited
in space between the second and
third SquadrOns of the full strength of
the third cavalry from Fort Myer and
beside 1t stood the eight body bearers
Of the army. headed by Sergeant
Woodfill, hero of heroes among Amer
leans who fought in France.
Withered Blooms From France
The soldiers took over the burden
at the gun carriage and then could be
seen withered handful Of flowers.
the only decoration on the flag wrap
ped casket. They were the blooms
with which this casket was chosen
from others in France before the long
journey home began. Through it all
they had lain there above the breast
OF the dead, yellowing with each
passing day. They will go with the
Unknown to his last sleep in the stone
crypt at Arlington.
AS the casket was strapped in
place, an order rang out and the
cavalry band swung off to the left
playing Onward Christian Soldiers
Behind them, sabers, cap brims and
sodden colors dripping with rain,
came the troopers, four abreast.
troop after troop. Then the caisson,
the following squadron, Secretary
Weeks and DENLY riding together in
a closed car. Gen. Pershing and Ad-
miral Coontz and behind these the
other officers and officials.
Many Brave Cold
The horses swung away at a slow
trot, ahead of the winding road to
the old gate way was lined on either
side with marines at present arms
and behind them, row after row,
were packed the thousands Of just
plain American citizens who had
braved cold and rain for hours to
stand bareheaded as the body of this
honored fellow-countryman was car
ried by.
Out through the gateway, the cor
tege clattered to find other crowds
lining the way under the daylight of