THE OBSEQUIES: Sombre Grandeur of the Funeral Pageant; Tremendous Crush and Pressure in the Streets (4/26/1865)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 4/26/1865

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The coffin in which was deposited the dead body of our deceased President was kept open from 12 o'clock Monday noon, until 12 o'clock Tuesday noon. From the earliest moment to the latest, every facility compatible with the narrow arrangements of the committees, was afforded the public for viewing the remains. The Guard of Honor, divided into twelve watches, did duty until the lid was fastened on the casket, relieving each other every two hours.

THE EIGHTH WATCH

took charge at 2 o'clock Tuesday morning, down to which time the TIMES account of yesterday was complete. This set of officials was as follows:

Col. Emmons Clark, Seventh National Guard, State New-York.

Lieut.-Col. George F. Haws, Seventh National Guard State New-York.

Major James B. Young, Seventh National Guard, State New-York.

Paymaster R. Parks, United States Navy.

Paymaster C.H. Eldridge, United States Navy.

These gentlemen stood patiently and quietly until 4 o'clock in the morning. Doubtless they had anticipated a season of reflection rather than action; they knew that at such hours honest men were asleep and that rogues were watched by the police. For once they were mistaken. The crowds that filed through the Hall exceeded those which but two hours before preceded them. A glance from the balcony toward Chatham-street revealed not only abroad line of pilgrims wending slowly their way to the bier of the martyr, but far beyond stood dense masses of immovable people, with out one apparent thought, one determination; turning to the west end of the Park a still greater force of men and women, and not a few children, who, provided by the courtesy of the members of the committee, had passed the sentinels and now stood silent and glum in vain expectancy of success. But these vast hosts were only the exponents

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TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: civilwar

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 25, 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4313177/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Obsequies: Sombre Grandeur of the Funeral Pageant – 2-4
The Great Tragedy: The Search for Booth – 5
The Capture of Atzeroth: Full Particulars of the Arrest – 5-6
Grant at Raleigh: He Arrives There on Monday Morning – 6-7
The War in the Southwest: Rebel Reports of Gen. Wilson’s Operations – 7
From the Pacific Coast: Extension of the Telegraph to New-Westminster, in British Columbia – 7
News from Washington – 7
The Seward Family: Secretary Seward so Much Improved as to Attend to Official Business – 8
From Richmond: Regulations in Regard to the Entertainment of Rebel Officers – 8
Singular Story about Booth – 8
Editorial: Respect to be Commanded from the South – 8-9
Editorial: The Last Tribute of the Metropolis to the Dead President – 9
The War from an English Standpoint – 9
The Status of Lee’s Paroled Officers and of Rebel Civil Officers – 9
The Procession – 9
Amusements this Evening – 9

[TalBlack]

Most of the reporting I’ve come across on this seems to strain to describe the hugeness of the public grief response. Which of course makes me doubt…

[TalBlack]

Oooops wrong dead guy!!!