Evening star., 1930-06-22

lay close beside him on the snow 1t was
picked up by a drummer-boy but immedatel
afterward was given up to James Thompson,
Overseer of Public Works and Assistant En-
glneer during the siege, who had been intrusted
oy Gen. Carleton with the interment of the
body. Through the courtesy of the British
general, Montgomery buried within the
walls OF Quebec, with the honors of war"
MRS. HUNT also tells us in an interesting
way of the transferring of the remains
from Quebec to New York, when the passing
OF the body down the Hudson, forty-three years
after the death of Montgomery, was witnessed
by his aged widow.
Gov. Clinton" according to her state
ment, had directed the adjutant general, with
Col Van Rensselaer, and a detachment OF
Cavalry to accompany the remains to New
York. They left Whitehall on the I'd of July,
arriving at Albany on the 4th.
Great preparations had been made to re-
ceive the remains with all possible splendor
ana eclat The procession moved through all
the principal streets of Albany escorted by the
military under arms, joined by an immense
concourse of citizens The remains laid
IN state in the Capitol. In every village on
the route similar honors had been paid to the
memory of the gallant Montgomery.
The skeleton had been placed in a magnifi-
cent coffin, which had been sent by the Gov
ernor. On the 9th of July, at O'Clock in
the morning, procession, perhaps still larger
than the first, accompanied the coffin to the
steamer Richmond, board which it was put,
with a large military escort
The boat hoated down for several miles
under the discharge of minute guns from both
shores. 1t was astonishing to observe the
strong Sympathies which were everywhere
evoked by the arrival of these sacred remains
The degree of enthusiasm that prevailed and
the patriotic feeling that evnced itself reflected
credit upon the State of New York, and not a
voice was heard in disapproval of the tributes
of respect thus paid to the memory of this hero
of the Revolution
Gov Clinton had informed Mrs Mont
gomery that the body of the general would
pass down the Hudson; by the aid of a glass
she could see the boat pass Montgomery Place
her estate near Barrytown. I give her own
quaint and touching terms she describes the
mournful pageant in letter to her niece.
AT length she wrote they came by, with
all that remained of beloved husband, who
left me in the bloom of manhood, a perfect
being. Alasl how did he return However
gratifying TO my heart, yet to my feelings every
pang felt was renewed. The pomp with which
1t was conducted added to my woe; when the
steamboat passed with slow and solemn move
ment, stopping before my house the troops
under arms. the Dead March from the muffied
drum, the mournful music the splendid coffin
canopied with Grape and crowned by plumes
you may conceive my anguish I cannot de-
scribe it.
left alone upon the porch when the Richmond
went by Forty-three years had elapsed since
she parted with her husband at Saratoga
Emotions too agitating for her advanced years
overcame her at this trying moment She
tainted, and was found in an inSensible condi-
ton after the boat had passed on its vay
Yet the first wish of her heart was realized
after years of deferred hope and she wrote to
her brother in New Orleans I am satisfied
What more could I wish than the high honor
hOE kSnnN,
poor soldier?'"
SPEAkING of Montgomery, Ramsey, in his
History Of the American Revolution saws.
Few men have ever fallen in battle so much
regretted by both sides as Gen MONTGOMERY
His many amiable qualities had procured him
an uncommon share Of private affection and
his great abilities equal proportion Of public
esteem.
Being sincere lover OF liberty he had
engaged in the American cause from principle
and quilted the enjoyment of an easy fortune
and the highest domestic felicity to take an
active share in the fatigues and dangers of a
war instituted for the defense of the COM
munity Of which he an adopted member
HIS WeH-known character was almost EQUALLY
esteemed by the friends and foes of the side
which he espoused. In America he was cele-
brated as a martyr to the liberties of man
kind; in Great Britain. as a misguided good
man. sacrificing what he supposed to he the
rights of his country
His name was mentioned in Parliament with
singular respect Some of the most powerful
speakers in that assembly displayed their elo-
quence in sounding his praise and lamenting
his fate. Those in particular who had been
his fellow soldiers in the previous war ex-
patiated on his many virtues The minister
himself acknowledged his worth while he
reprobated the cause for which he fell He
concluded an involuntary panegyric by saying
Curses on his virtues they have undone his
country"
For AZ years the body of Richard Mont
gOmery remained in its original burial place
but In 1918, it was returned by a grateful peo-
pie 30 his beloved country and to the city Of
New York, where 1t was reinterred ON JuIv a