A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Section 1 (of 3) of Volume 10.
History
A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Section 1 (of 3) of Volume 10.
Presidents -- United States; United States -- History -- Sources; United States -- Politics and government
The impressive terms in which this great national calamity is announced
by the President could receive no new force from anything that might be
added. The voice of praise would in vain endeavor to exalt a character
unrivaled on the lists of true glory. Words would in vain attempt to
give utterance to that profound and reverential grief which will
penetrate every American bosom and engage the sympathy of an admiring
world. If the sad privilege of preeminence in sorrow may justly be
claimed by the companions in arms of our lamented Chief, their
affections will spontaneously perform the dear though painful duty.
'Tis only for me to mingle my tears with those of my fellow-soldiers,
cherishing with them the precious recollection that while others are
paying a merited tribute to "The Man of the Age" we in particular,
allied as we were to him by a closer tie, are called to mourn the
irreparable loss of a kind and venerated patron and father!
In obedience to the directions of the President, the following funeral
honors will be paid at the several stations of the Army:
At daybreak sixteen guns will be fired in quick succession and one gun
at a distance of each half hour till sunset.
During the procession of the troops to the place representing that of
the interment and until the conclusion of the ceremonial minute guns
will be fired.
The bier will be received by the troops formed in line presenting their
arms and the officers, drums, and colors saluting. After this the
procession will begin, the troops marching by platoons in inverted order
and with arms reversed to the place of interment, the drums muffled and
the music playing a dead march.
The bier, carried by four sergeants and attended by six pallbearers,
where there is cavalry will be preceded by the cavalry and will be
followed by the troops on foot. Where there is no cavalry, a detachment
of infantry will precede the bier, which itself will in every case be
preceded by such of the clergy as may be present. The officers of the
general staff will immediately succeed the bier.
Where a numerous body of citizens shall be united with the military in
the procession, the whole of the troops will precede the bier, which
will then be followed by the citizens.
When arrived near the place of interment, the procession will halt, the
troops in front of the bier will form in line, and, opening their ranks,
will face inwards, to admit the passage of the bier, which will then
pass through the ranks, the troops leaning on their arms, reversed,
while the bier passes. When the bier shall have passed, the troops will
resume their position in line, and, reversing their arms, will remain
leaning upon them until the ceremonial shall be closed.
The music will now perform a solemn air, after which the introductory
part of this order shall be read.
At the end of this a detachment of infantry, appointed for the purpose,
will advance and fire three volleys over the bier.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account