Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1899 — REST IN ARLINGTON. [ARTICLE]

REST IN ARLINGTON.

DEAD HEROES OF THE SPANISH WAR ARE BURIED. Solemn Ceremony at Washington la Unprecedented la the World’s History—Salutes Are Fired and Taps Are Sounded Over Graves of the Soldiers. An event unprecedented in the world’s history occurred at WasMngton Thursday, when 350 dead soldiers whose remains had been brought from Cuba and Porto Rico were interred at the national cemetery at Arlington. Va. The day was a solemn holiday, by proclamation of the President.- Flags were at b::l£ mast and department buildings are*-.- -.used. A great cortege, comprising all the military and naval forces stationed in the vicinity, escorted the remains to the beautiful resting place across the Potomac, where thousands of heroes of the civil war lie in weil-cared-for graves. Other nations have paid tribute to their fallen heroes, but none before so tenderly expressed its esteem of those who died. It is the first in history that private soldiers who were killed on foreign soil were brought back to their native land for interment. The transport Crook left this country two months ago with a small army of undertakers and grave diggers. The bodies of men who died, either in action or from disease, at San Juan, Guantanamo, Santiago and other points in Cuba and at Ponce, San Juan, Coamo, Guanica and other Porto Rican points, were disinterred and brought to New York. The sMp reached the metropolis last week. A large number of bodies were claimed by relatives and forwarded to them, but about 350 were sent to Washington tar interment in the national cemetery. Of the bodies that were buried nearly one-half are claimed, but laid to rest in Arlington at the wishes of relatives. To these the special privilege of a position within the lines was granted. Many others "beyond these lines looked on with moistened eyes upon the row of caskets. They knew not but what some Aative or faipnd whose death had been reported but whose body had not been identified slumbered there among the “unclaimed” dead. Full military honors were paid the dead soldiers. The military committal service was conducted by Post Chaplain Freeland of Fort Monroe, according to the ritual of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the Rev. Father Joseph F. McGee ot St. Patrick’s Church read the Catholic service over the Catholic dead. The customary volleys wete fired, taps were sounded, and then each flag-draped casket was lowered into the earth. There were no addresses, and the entire service consumed but a short time. The military escort comprised all of the artillery troops at the Washington barracks, one troop of cavalry from Fort Meyer, a battalion of marines from the navy yard and marine barracks, and the entire national guard of the District of Columbia. Besides the public, that showed sympathy and patriotism, the relatives who shed their tears above the bodies of loved ones, there were in attendance the President of the United States and most of the members of Ms cabinet, army and navy officers of the highest rank, whose presence indicated the official honor and respect in wMch those are ever held who die for their country’s sake. In Ms proclamation, President MciKnley said: “Those who died in another land left in many homes the undying memories that attend the heroic dead of all ages. It was fitting that with the advent of peace, won by their sacrifice, their bodies should be gathered with tender care and restored to home and kindred. This has been done with the dead of Cuba and Porto Rico. Those of the Philippines still rest where they fell, watched over by their surviving comrades and crowned with the love of a grateful nation. “The remains of many brought to our shores have been delivered to their families for private burial. But for others of the brave officers and men who perished there has been reserved interment in ground sacred to soldiers and sailors amid the tributes of military honor and national mourning they have so well deserved.”