Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 August 1885 — U. S. GRANT. [ARTICLE]

U. S. GRANT.

"The Remains of the Old Commander Leave Mount MacGregor Amid the Roar of Guns. A Last Feeling Tribute from Dr. Newman, the Dead Hero’s Favorite Pastor. Every Town and Hamlet Along the Route Wearing the Habiliments of Woe. Maj. Gen. W. S. Hancock arrived at Mount MacGregor on Tuesday morning, the 4th Inst., and at once assumed charge of the remains of the nation’s dead hero. At ten o’clock a. m. of that day services were held at the cottage in the presence of over a thousand persons. The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Newman, and occupied about an hour and a half in delivery. The impressive funeral services, and the sad journey by rail to the New York capital, are thus described by the Associated Press agent:

On the mountain brow by the eastern lookout a gun boomed sullenly at 4 o clock this morning. The shock of the reverberations was yet on the heavy air when a second report shook the earth and startled the birds in the trees. The artillery men had begun firing thirteen guns to mark the sunrise of Gen. Grant’s last day upon the mountain. In quick succession and at short intervals the guns were fired. The soldiers re--ceived orders to break up camp, and in less than twenty minutes all the tents had disappeared from among the trees and were packed away in boxes ready for shipment. Down on the mountain side at 5:45 o’clock a bugle rang out on the still air. It was the assembly call for the trumpeters. Fifteen minutes later the buglers of the four companies of troops were sounding the reveille. The family at the cottage were astir as the morning touched 8 o’clock, and corr< spondents and guests were moving at the hotel. The mountain train at G o'clock had begun bringing up people, and every hour thereafter the little engine drew up at the depot, fne funeral car to carry the remains from the mountain to Saratoga came up early and lay waiting its burden. At 8:30 o’clock the doors of the Grant cottage had been thrown open, and a stream of visitors poured in steadily for over an hour. About 9 •o’clock the head of a long line of buggies, wagons, omnibuses, and various kinds of vehicles appeared, climbing up the steep incline near the eastern outlook, and soon the area in the vicinity of the cottage was thronged with horses and wagons and farmers with their

wives and families. At 9:30 o’clock a train of two cars brought Gen. Hancock a number of di-tinguished visitors. The two companies of regulars were drawn up to receive them. They proceeded from the station toihe cottage in the folio wing order: Gen. Hancock and Col. Jones; Admiral Rowan and Gen. Sherman; Senator Evarts and Gen. Rufus Ingalls; Senator Miller and Joseph W. Drexel; Gen. Hancock’s staff; MBs Drexel, her aunt, and cousin, dressed iu deep mourning. On the same train came the Loyal Legion, Past Assistant I'aymas er General Gilbert A. Robins ,n, Brevet Brig. Gen. Charles A. Carleton, Paymaster George De Forest Barton, Brevet Lieut. Col. Floyd Cl rkson. Brevet Lieut. Col. August McClaik, Capt. Edmund Blunt. At 10 o’clock services were held in the cottage in the presence of over a thousand persons. Cane chairs and rustic seats were provided for the ladies under ihe trees in the grove before the cottage. These who failed to secure leafy -shade used t heir umbrellas. The ceremonies opened with the reading of psalm No. 90, which was followed by an impressive prayer by the Rev. Fishop Harris. Tne hymn "My Faith Looks Up to Thee” was joined in by the whole assemblage present with fine effect. Dr. Newman then came forward and delivered a sermon on the subject of the dead General, the family sitting meantime about the remains in the parlor. Dr. Newman for the funeral sermon took for his text the passage from Matthew xxv. 21: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” He said: ■ Such, my brethren, is the eulogy that God shall pronounce upon human goodness and fidelity wherever found among the sons ot men. 'The accidental distinctions between prince and peasant, millionaire and pauper, commanding general and private soldier, are but as the dust in the balance in His estimation of personal worth: He regards not the person of any man; He looks upon the heart. If a renowned philosopher searched an ancient city for a man, God is ever in search for a character, which in His sight outweighs the transitory distinctions of earth and time, and out of which are the issues of life. Tell me not what a man possesses—the beauty ■of Absalom, the glory of Solomon, the wealth of Dives, the eloquence of Apollos, the learning of Paul, but rather tell me what he is, in his modes ot thought, in his emotional being, in the trend ot his passions, in the temper ot his mind, in the tenor of his life, out of which come •the totality ot his existence and the finality of his destiny. This is the man as he is, and by it let him be judged. In the intensity of this divine light let us to day recall the character ot the illustrious man whose death a nation so tenderly mourns.” In eulogizing Grant’s services in war and qpeace Dr. Newman said : “For his clear and certain imagination, the future loomed before him clothed with the -actuality of the present. Read his military orders, and they prophesy the history of the battles he fought. He foresaw the enemy’s plans as though he had assisted at their councils of war. He was oae of those extraordinary men who, by the supremacy of their wills, force all obstacles to do their bidding. By the promptitude of his action, he left no time for its contravention. Timos, places, and persons he comprehended with mathematical accuracy. Nothing escaped his penetration. Such was the perpetual calmness of his intellect that he could transact the most important affairs when the storm of battle was raging at its height. His soul was the home of hope, sustained and ■ cheered by the certainties ot his mind and the power of his faith. His was the mathematical .genius of a great general, rather than of a great soldier. By this endowment he proved .himself equal to the unexpected, and that with the ir. cision of a seer. ‘The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong,’ because -the unexpected happens to every man. The grandest campaigns are often defeats, the most brilliant plans are unconsummated, the most •wished-for opportunities are unrealized, because battled by the unexpected at the very mo i ent of expected fulfillment. But he appeared greatestinthe presence of the unforseen. ’Then came an inspiration as resistless as the march of a whirlwind, as when on the second night ot the battle of the Wilderness, when he changed the entire front of the line of battle, ;and quietly said, in response to a messenger; ‘lf Lee is in my rear, I am in his.’ ” When he rose to supreme command the nation demanded one dominant spirit, mighty to grasp, strong to execute, powerful to inspire. The country was one, the rebellion was one, and the armies of the Union should be one; and the general who could mold, control, Inspire an army a million strong and make them think, feel, and tight as one man was the desire of the republic. Such a one was he around whose bi.r a nation weeps to-day. To be everywhere present at once by his spirit and orders was in him a realized fact. His laconic order was: ‘All strike together.’ He imparted to all his own spirit and all things became possible to his faith. The nation felt her mighty change, and the rebellion went down beneath the power •of one master mind. He was the logician of war. He conquered hv logic, be reasoned out his victories. In all the annals of war there is no such splendid reasoning on the certaintv ot results, c thers have conquered bythjsuperl- > ority of material force, but he by the superiority of mind over mind. Alas! Alas! that he can no longer think for us. Doubtless he will be best known in coming ages as the foremost soldier of the republic. Unknown generations will read his battles with wonder and admiration. In every hamlet, in every metropolis, his martial form will be cast in brernze and sculptured in marble. Historians will vie with each other in paying homage to his genius; but the time will come when men everywhere will recognize the greatness and beneficence of his administration as Presi'dent of the United States.”

In speaking of his private character the preacher said: “And whether in camp or Cabinet, in private or public, at home or abroad, how pure and commendable his moral character! Life in the camp has proved ruinous to the morals of the greatest of warriors. The excitement of a life devoted to arms, the scenes of excess and plunder to which a soldier is exposed, the absence of the restraints of home and church, tend to the worst of passions and to the corruption of the best morals. But here in the presence of the dead, whose ears are forever deaf to our praise and censure, let it be our grateful duty that after five years in camp and field he returned to his home without a stain upon his character. His sense of just'ce was equaled only by his love of truth. He preferred honor to wealth and poverty to riches not his own. Gentle, true, and kind, gratitude wag one of the noblest emotions o: h.s soul. His words were wire few, buc pregnant with grateful recognition. To one who had been a friend in need he declared: ‘lam glad to say that while there is much unblushing wickedness in the world, yet there is a comprehensive grandeur of soul. In my case I have not found that republics are ungrateful, nor are the people.’ The reve.end gentleman then leferred to the dead hero’s tastes in the following terms: “He loved life and enjoyed it; he loved childten and caressed them; he loved his family and found ther in his chief delight. He had not taste for music, but he had melody in his heart. He despise 1 pretense and show, but admired the real and beantitul. He was not tond of books, yet by carefulness of observation, by thoroughness of renection, by attentiveness to the < onversation of the well-informed, by extensive travels in many lands, by the daily study of current events he was the most intelligent citizen in our republic. He was the most diligent newspaper-reader in the land. He was a living encyclopedia of facts, figures, and men." Dr. Newman then made a most touching reference to the home life of the General, depicting the great love borne by him to bis wife and children, which was exemplified by’ his desire that his wife should be buried with him. The minister then reviewed Grant's religious life, showing how he leaned on the Scriptures as a guide and ever-present help. The death-bed scene was reviewed minutely and the sermon closed as follows: “ 'Tis morning. The stars have melted into the coming light. The rosy-fingered morn lifts the drapery of the night. The distant m iuntains stand forth aglow. The soft, pure light of early dawn covers earth and sky. The dewdrop sparkles on the grass and in the daisy’s cup. The birds from their sylvan coverts carol the melody of a thousand songs. The world rejoices, and its many minstrels challenge tne harpers of the sky. In a humble cottage, prone upon his couch, lies ‘our old commander. ’ He is dying.

“ ’Tis morning, and in the light of that day thousands or earnest faces flash with renewed concern. From many a shaded lane and mountain slope, from many a farm-house and splendid mansion, eager eyes look toward the mount of suffering and breathe a prayer to God for the one we loved. Alas! He is dead. “ 'Tis morning. It is the promise of a brighter day. The trumpters of the skies are sounding tjie reveille. Their notes have reached the earth. Their notes have reached our General's ear. He has gone to join the triumphant host. ’Tis morning in heaven.” At the conclusion of the discourse the hymn “ Nearer, My God, to Thee ' was rendered very impressively by the al fresco congregation. The services ended with the benediction. U. S. Grant Post, 327, of Brooklyn, bore the remains from the cottage to the station shortly before one o’clock. The military were drawn up and a salute was paid the remains as they passed to the depot, and the throng stood with uncovered heads while the casket was borne to the car. The mountain train waited at the little rustic depot Seven cars were there. Next the engine the funeral-car, with open sides and solid, massive drapery, was placed. The transfer from.the cottage to the train was completed without difficulty, and the train started for Saratoga. Among those representing the military were the following: Gen. W. 8. Hancock, Gen. William T. Sherman, Gen. Rufus Ingalls, Gen. H. A. Perry, Col. Sutherland, Col. John P. Nichol-on. Lieut. Col. Finley Anderson, Capt. G. S. L. Ward, Caps. John H. Weeks, and Lieut. Eugene Grinin. The guard of honor, U. 8. Grant Po- t, Brooklyn, consisted of Col. William H. Barker, Maj. B. R. Corwin, Dr. George W. Brus, Reese B. Gwillim, J. P. Howalt, Commander John H. Johnson, Henry W. Knight, R. S. Mackellar, William McDonald, William J. McKelvey, George J. Collins, Noah Tibbitts, George B. Squires, and six men of the Legion of Honor. The general mourners were represented by William M. Evarts. Admiral Rowan, Warner Miller, Joseph W. Drexel, Potter Palmer, Gen. J. A. Cress well, and others. At 1 o clock the order to start was given. Engineer Martin shut all steam from the cylinders, and the train, standing as it did upon a gtade, slowly started by its own weight and impetus down the mountain. The bluffs and ridges on each side of the track were densely thronged with people. The grove south of the cottage, where the General’s little grandchildren played, was alive with spectators. Every rook every jutt.ng point, every vantage ground was occupied. But from all the throng standing uncovered in the afternoon sunlight no sound escaped. The mountain was hushed and still, except for the heavy bocmiug of guns thundering a grim farewell. It was a funeral oecasion- a death scene in sunshine. Slowly the little engine started, but quickly it felt the impetus of the descent. Out upon the first bluff of the mountain and clear of the forests crept the little engine, and the train trailed around the curve where, seven weeks before, Gen. Grant, alive, had turned to view the same sweep of valley and mountain, with Saratoga Lake glittering in the sunlight ten miles away. And to-day, as the train rounded this outlook, the General s sons gazed out upon the scene and mayhap thought of the other day as compared with this. Sweeping about curve after curve, to the right and left, the train passe 1 slowly down the mountain. On it rolled toward the plain, and away up on the mountain by the famous eastern lookout, yet now in full view, there was a puff of white smoke. In an instant the sound of a booming cannon echoed in the trees and rattled a vo ley of little echoes over and down across the plain. The artillerymen were yet bidding their farewell.

The descent to the littls village ot Wilton was safely accomplished, and on the platform a few hundred villagers silently saw the train pass through, and their heads were uncovered. The level plain was reached. Seven level miles lay between the train and Saratoga. The speed was a little increa-ed. Farmers and their families stood near and sat upon the farm fences to see the train that bore the dead General. Again the cannon on the mountain spoke out over the valley, but only the edge of its echo reached the moving tran. The spires of Saratoga were coming in view, and from that direction came the dull booming of the cannon planted half a mile out of the village beside the Mount MacGregor track. Soon this battery was reached, its brass guns saluting the train on its passage. The last curve was rounded, and the train straightened away parallel to the tracks of the Delaware <fc Hudson, on which, just north of the Mount MacGregor depot, the funeral train of the New York Central Road was waiting, while thousands of parsons were being held back by the military. The mountain train drew alongside of the other train and stopped. There were nine cars in the New York Central train. Next to the engine came the funeral car “Woodlawn.” The other cars were occupied as follows; Second car, clergy and Dr. Dougls; third, the sons and notable mourners: fourth, Gen Hancock and staff; firth, Gov. Hill and staff; sixth, the press; seventh and eighth, the military escort; ninth, the baggage. The remains were lifted in silence by the guard of honor to the car "Woodlawn,” which was draped with black and hung w th flags, and the funeral parties were transferred to their respective cars, which were all trimmed in plain black. The Brooklyn guard of honor and the six men of the Loyal Legion, with a detachment of regulars, entered the dead car; also two men of Wheeler Post, G. A. R. Soon after 2 o’clock Superin endent Voorhees bade Conductor Thornton give the signal to start, and the impressive and heavy train moved through the throngs and away from Saratoga. The clock-tower dial in Saratoga indicated 2:10 o’clock as the train passed through the suburbs. Twenty-five faiinutes later the train pulled slowly into Ballston. About the depot were throngs of men and women. The church bells were slowly tolling. and a field-piece near the depot saluted the train. High street was passed at 2:37 p. m.. and the cast line four minutes later. The train was quickening its speed. In the funeral car the U. S. Grant Post, who were with the remains, mounted guard at the casket. The remains rested upon a black dais, and the compartment In which they lay communicated with the main saloon

by folding doors, which were open. The doors at the sides of the funeral compartment were also open, and the afternoon sunlight shone upon the royal purple velvet and the silver mountings of the rasket. The first and each succeeding detail mounted on guard consisted of two men of the U. 8. Grant Post One stood with folded arms at the head of the casket and the other at the foot. The first guard was mounted as Ballston was being passed. Round Lake, the Rev. Dr. Newman’s summer home, was passed at 2:48 o clock. The depot, platform, fences and the fronts of the cottages in the grove were black with mournin’ drapery. The resident population of the resort.formed lines of uncovered heads on each sde of the tra ks, and .carts of mourning were fluttered by many ladies in the throng as the somber train moved by. The hamlet of Coons was left behind at 2:55 o’clock, and Mechanicsville was only five minutes ahead. The s.mnd of the village bells came faintly above the rumble of the train, and signals of grief were displayed. Waterford Junction was passed at 3:14, and between there and West Waterford, which was three minutes beyond, a train going in the opposite direction slowed and halted as the funeral train approached.

At Albany. Col. Grant, Jesse sndU. S. Grant, Jr., alighted first from the funeral tra n when it had stopped at the foot of Spencer street in Albany. Gov. Hill took the first upon his arm, Asst Adj.Gen. McEwen the second, and Col. Gillette the third. The Rev. Dr. Newman, Dr. Douglas and Gen. Sherman followed with Gen. Porter, and ths party was at ones escorted to carriages and driven to the Governor’s mansion. Before the remains were removed, Gov. HUI and the other officers returned to the train and there greeted Gen. Hancock and staff, who were at the moment alighting from the car they had occupied. The remains were placed within the mounted catafalque. Six black horses with black trappings were hitched to the funer .1 car, and at the head of each horse as leaders were members of G. A. R. posts 5 and 121. The crowd wa < dense. The remains having. been deposited on the funeral car it was drawn out into Spencer street, where it was flanked by Company A, Fifth Artillery, and Company E, Twelfth Infantry’. Grand Army men guarded the remains at posts of honor, and four men of the Tenth battalion were mounted at each corner of the catafalque. Gen. Hancock and staff filed out into Spencer street, where the General was mounted on a powerful black horse, splendidly caparisoned. The organizations to take part in the procession were waiting in various streets along the line of march, and assumed their assigned positions in the procession as the head moved on. There were 4,311 men in the procession. Many compares outside bf Albany and its vicinity were present and joined in the procession. The column moved through North Pearl street to State, to Eagle street, to Washington avenue, to Knox street, to State street, to the Capitol. There Gen. Hancock dismounted and retired, and the remains were deposited beneath the great catafalque in the Senate corridor. Before being so placed the body was conveyed to a private room in the Capitol where the undertakers and embalmers removed the lid of the caskrt to inspect the body and learn its condition after the journey from the mountain. They said they found the remains in excellent condition. The public was admitted, finally, about 5 o'clock, being permitted to walk two abreast on each side of the* casket, which lay on an inclined dais. Seven thousand lour hundred persons viewed the remains the first hour. The U. S. Grant Post of Brooklyn had 125 men waiting here, and a detail of six men on each side of the casket kept, the throng moving. The details for guard duty will be relieved by members of their respective organizations at intervals of three hours cacu until the remains are again moved. Company B, of the Fifth Battalion, under command of Captain Stackpole, was placed on duty in the corridor to stand guard until midnight, when it was relieved for six hours by Company D of the same battalion.