The procession moved to the booming of
minute guns, and the tolling of all the bells in Washington,
Georgetown and Alexandria; while, to associate the pomp of the
day with the greatest work of Lincoln's life, a detachment of
colored troops marched at the head of the line.
When it was announced that he was to be buried at Springfield
every town and city on the way begged that the train might halt
within its limits, to give its people opportunity of showing
their grief and reverence. It was finally arranged that the
funeral cortege should follow substantially the same route over
which Lincoln had come in 1861 to take possession of the office
to which he added a new dignity and value for all time. On April
21, accompanied by a guard of honor, and in a train decked with
somber trappings, the journey was begun. At Baltimore, through
which, four years before, it was a question whether the
President-elect could pass with safety to his life, the coffin
was taken with reverent care to the great dome of the Exchange,
where, surrounded with evergreens and lilies, it lay for several
hours, the people passing by in mournful throngs. The same
demonstration was repeated, gaining constantly in depth of
feeling and solemn splendor of display in every city through
which the procession passed. In New York came General Scott, pale
and feeble, but resolute, to pay his tribute of respect to his
departed friend and commander.
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