Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1891 — HIS LAST MARCH OVER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HIS LAST MARCH OVER.

BURIAL OF GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN. <> An Proceaalonjßiwul lijlte Warrior to His Last Camping Ground—One Hundred Thousand People Do Homage U> His Memory. x-av Mtn low; low, ’FeatA the ejovhr Ogthe snow; ■Wllab.tares, hg? He can not-ten® vr—“MHtypthninder of cannon; the pomp of w»i usd in* the presence of the civil and Military dignitarfef Of the land, the Sherman funeral traiol, St." hundred thousand persdqs gazing on the Bpeaticl’e in solemnity and silence. Perhap thempstJmpres^ye.feature of the grand' display was of the remfiant 'td the/ battle-scarred legions who in their prime and vigor “inarched to Vie sea.” To-day they are old and gray, but the old spirit prevailed. Some walked a9MeeecVßs' the day they,deft Atlanta, many were stooped by the weight of years, others hobbled- .on crutches or limped painfully, along-behind the bier of their beloved comm adder. The old guard mourned but never faltered. Other ;j trains hid krtived loaded to their utmost capacity, and about the Union Depot there waa a great crush.

while between that point and Washington avenue the sidewalks were utterly inadequate to accommodate the crowd, which spread into the streets and left only sufficient room for the movements of the troops. The gathering was, however, Very dissimilar to those on the festive occasions. Nearly all present wore badges commemorative of the dead hero, a deep stillness prevailed and all were impressed with the solemnity of the occasion. The division upon which most interest centered was the first, composed of the famous Seventh Cavalry, under Colonel Forsythe, and the artillery and infantry of the regular army. The flutter of the gay red and white swallow-tailed guidons and the flash of the swords and yellow capes of the troopers as they wheeled into Pine street-in double columns of companies,every horse keeping alignment and proper distance, would have called forth thundering applause on an occasion less solemn. But the crowd never for an instant forgot the occasion that had caused it to gather. The grim cannon, with their large, fine horses and their perfectly equipped artillerymen, excited scarcely less interest than the cavalry. The recent Indian troubles in the Northwest had sharpened public interest, and the troops who had seen service shone resplendent in the eyes of the spectators. The bugle corps of the Seventh Cavalry led the procession, being preceded by a platoon of police, who cleared the way. General Merritt, grand marshal of the procession, and his aides, some twenty officers of the regular army, rode at the head of Custer’s cavalry. . They wore side arms, heavily bound in black. The thinned ranks of companies B and K of the cavalry showed the havoc at Wounded Knee, but the six troops showed 400 men in line. The artillery and infantry passed quickly in view, and then came the caisson on which rested the body of General Sherman. The second division, though lees martial in appearance, presented a picture

no less impressive. The , .Loyal legion was in the van, fol I owed by the Society of , the Army, of the Tennessee. 'The third division consisted of Grand Army posts, Sons of Veterans and allied orders. The old warriors turned out strong, fully 3,000 being in line, They came from 1111-

nols, lowa, Kansas and over half from Missouri. Behind the Grand Army was a small body of men that attracted universal attion. In the center was a banner with the words: “Southern Historical Society.” It-was. Society of St. Louis. The members, prominent citizens of that city, marched with bowed heads behind the. man who, of all others, did most to overthrow the cause for which they fought and lost. The fourth division was under command of Governor Francis and was made up entirely of militia. .<1 The imposing cortege reached the cemetery. The bottom of the newly dug grave was covered with evergreen and mosses. The American flags lined the sides —flags that had a history. The floral offerings were most magnificent They came from all parts of the country. The soldiers formed in line east of the grave, while the family and friends of the General immediately surrounded it The eight sergeants transferred the casket from the caisson to the bank of the grave. In the shelter of an adjacent tomb Father >■ Sherman, the dead soldier’s favorite son, hurriedly donned his priestly vestments and prayer book Ip hand, returned to the head of the grave. When the bearers placed the casket on the supports above the grave the buglds blew a call and the band played the first few bars of Pleyel’s Hymn. As the sound

died away Father Sherman removed his hat, and, opening his prayer book, began the impressive prayers for the repose of the soul of the deMd. When the service began the battalion of infantry stood at present arms facing the little group about the grave. In the midst of the services a hoarse, low voice gave the command “Carry arms—order arms” in quick succession, and the sharp click of the musket .barrel and the ring of the butt as it struck the ground gave singu l larly impressive accentuation to the

solemn words of the young priest. Father Sherman concluded with the invocation: “May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Ho.y Ghost. Amen!” Then, in quick succession, three volleys rang out over the grave and echoed from the surrounding hills. Three salvos from the, artillery, which was stationed outside the cemetery, followed,

and the f uneral ceremonies of the last of the great Union ca'ptains was over. An Atchison man is soon to marry the woman who stood sponsor for him when he was baptized as a baby.

MAJOR GENERAL SHERMAN IN 1865.

FROM THE CAISSON TO THE GRAVE.

THE SHERMAN FAMILY LOT IN CALVARY CEMETERY.