Custer's Funeral

[BrokenSword]

Diane-

Television was probably the difference. JFK's was the first state funeral since FDR's as I recall. In this country anyway.

I do remember seeing an engraving (not a photo exactly) of Lincoln's casket being carried into the vault in Illinois. I believe it was one that had been published in the newspapers of that time.

M

[gocav76]

I can think of two. Robert E Lee, and Jefferson Davis. nutrias.org/~nopl/photos/jeffd/jeffd.htm

[crzhrs]

I do remember seeing a photo on TV of Lincoln in his casket. For the life of me I can remember where.

It was mostly from the torso up.

Where, oh where did I see it?

[rch]

There was at least one photo taken of Lincoln in his coffin. There was a general and an admiral at his head and foot. The photo was suppressed by Sec of War Stanton and remained suppressed for many years.

rch

[gocav76]

Here is the story ( photo included) on the Lincoln funeral photo. www.trinity.edu/jdunn/lincolnfind.htm

[BrokenSword]

Discovering and selling death photos of Lincoln was a regular cottage industry. All were fakes. The one and only authentic such photo is the one in gocav76's link. Here's one a little larger.

www.themortician.20m.com/photo.html

It's on a bizzare little website - down in the bottom third of the page.
I think, Diane had in mind graveside photos at the burials rather than processions and laying in state images.

M

[Diane Merkel]

You are correct, Broken One, but I find everything posted really interesting. All of them are new to me.

Off topic but perhaps of interest to some: I went by Jefferson Davis' home in Biloxi in November. It was severely damaged by Katrina and apparently has a long way to go before it will be open again.

[gocav76]

Diane, You may find this interesting-what became of Lincolns funeral train car. members.aol.com/RVSNorton1/Lincoln51.html And here is one most of us remember RFK funeral train. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG4vJxi9Kis

[Diane Merkel]

Thanks for both. . . sigh . . . .

[crzhrs]

That's the one! Nice find . . .

[tatanka]

I would hazard a guess that Custers' last words were ; "Where the heck did all those Indians come from?" !!!!!!

[Dark Cloud]

The Mayor of Atlanta and the Governor of Georgia attended Benteen's original Atlanta funeral, along with the head of the Coca-Cola plant and other community leaders. By the childish standards of conz' valuation of people, that's not bad, and probably few if any were required to attend Benteen's funeral, but did anyway.

Tasteful, though. Comparing funerals. Class, all the way.

[conz]

And your perspective is fine, but from the standpoint of a military officer, how many officers took part in, and even attended, Benteen's funeral says more about Benteen's reputation amongst his peers than any single piece of evidence.

Military men couldn't care less how many politicians or heads of industry attended their funeral. It is much more important to them how many of their Soldiers and fellow officers did...

Actions speak much louder than words, eh?

Clair

[elisabeth]

I think I've read that these dignitaries didn't merely attend the funeral -- they acted as pallbearers. If correct, that says quite a lot.

Without seeing contemporary newspaper accounts, I don't think we can be sure no military men did attend. But we might also ask ourselves whether any would have been invited. If I were Kate Benteen, I don't think I'd have been feeling especially kindly towards the institution that had first cost the lives of all but one of my children, then ruined my husband's health and sent him to an early grave. In the first flush of grief, I wouldn't have rushed to invite army people, even if any were free to come.

No doubt the re-interment at Arlington drew a full complement of military folk. Perhaps the Washington papers, or the A&NJ, would have an account of who was there?

[Dark Cloud]

What percentage of men in those years hadn't served, and in actual combat? Or are you saying that only perpetual military men - the sort who need to be told what to think and do - are worthy enough to count?

Are you saying a guy born in an officer's family, legacy admitted into West Point, performing a career of exceptional mediocrity, who never saw combat or sought it, who is out at earliest possible retirement, and who dies of obesity related failures and is buried surrounded by others no more exceptional than himself, is superior to national valuation than Benteen? And that those who served in prolonged combat but exited ASAP after the civil war and went on to success in other, more competitive lives aren't bauble enough at his funeral?