During the whole of Tuesday, April 18, the remains of the deceased President lay in state in the East Room of the White House, and were visited by many thousands, representing all classes of the population, while many thousands more were turned away, unable to obtain admission. The scene inside the White House was deeply impressive. The room was heavily draped in mourning, and upon a catafalque, in the centre of the room, lay the coffin containing the remains. The coffin was covered with black cloth, heavily fringed with silver, with four silver medallions on each side, in which were set the handles. The upper third of the coffin, line with rich white satin, was thrown back so as to reveal the head and bust. A guard of honor, composed of Major-General Hitchcock, Brigadier-General Eaton, and a number of other officers, of all grades, representing all branches of the military and naval service, all in full dress, were on duty in the room. Upon approaching the catafalque, the mourners separated, proceeding singly on either side of the raised platform, which constituted the based of the catafalque, passing from the foot to the head of the coffin, and each lingering for only a second to look, for a last time, on those loved features. Many wept audibly, and much genuine emotion was exhibited. Indeed, one of the most marked features of the day was the universality of the mourning. On all sides and in all directions, were the unmistakable signs of heavy hearts, borne down with sorrow, and carrying a heavy load of grief.
On the morning of Wednesday, April 19, the funeral services were held at the White House. About six hundred persons were admitted to the room, where the body lay as heretofore described, the head resting towards the north. From the entrance door at the northwest end of the room were placed the pall-bearers; next, the representatives of the Army; then the Judiciary; at the corner, the Assistant Secretaries of the Departments. First, on the eastern line, the governors of the States; next, the Diplomatic Corps; then, the ladies of the Cabinet Ministers; next, the Judges of the Supreme Court; next, in the center, and in front of the catafalque, stood the new President, Andrew Johnson, and behind him the Cabinet Ministers. The members of the Senate joined their left, the House came next, while the remainder of the space was occupied by various other delegations. In the centre were seated the officiating clergy and mourners, consisting of the late President’s two sons, his private Secretaries, and the members of his household. At twelve o’clock the services commenced, by the reading of a portion of the Scriptures, by Rev. Dr. Hall, Episcopalian, after which prayer was offered by the Rev. Bishop Simpson, of the Methodist church. The Rev. Dr. Gurley, Presbyterian, then delivered an eloquent and impressive address, after which a closing prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Gray, Baptist. The remains were then removed to the hearse, which stood in front of the Executive Mansion, and at two o’clock the procession was formed.
First in order of procession was a detachment of colored troops; then followed white regiments of infantry and bodies of artillery and cavalry; navy, marine, and army officers on foot; the pall-bearers in carriages next; the hearse, drawn by six white horses, the coffin prominent to every beholder. Then followed the President and Cabinet, the diplomatic Corps, Members of Congress, Governors of States, the delegations from the various States, fire companies, civic associations, the clerks of the various departments, and others, followed by many carriages, all closing up with a large number of colored men. This was the longest funeral procession that ever took place in Washington. One hour and a half was occupied in passing a given point. It was in the highest degree imposing, and many thousands of hearts throbbed in unison with the solemn dirges, as the procession slowly moved upon its way. Upon the arrival of the precession at the east front of the Capitol, the coffin was borne to the centre of the rotunda. President Johnson stood at the foot of the coffin, surrounded by a throng of Senators and high military officers, and others. Dr. Gurley, standing a the head of the coffin, uttered a few brief and most impressive remarks, chiefly in solemn words of Scripture, consigning the ashes, once animated by the soul of ABRAHAM LINCOLN, to their original dust. Thus ended the solemn services of the day.
Transcribed from,
The Obsequies of Abraham Lincoln, in the City of New York, Under the Auspices of the Common Council, 1866.
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