The Funeral of Rose Greenhow

[thea_447]

The Funeral of Mrs. Rose Greenhow

Rose O'Neal Greenhow Papers
News clipping, ca. October 1, 1864

News clipping (sourc
e unknown) obituary of Greenhow. Includes a description of her survivors, her funeral service, and the place where she is buried. (Alexander Robinson Boteler Papers, Special Collections Library, Duke University)

The Funeral of Mrs. Rose Greenhow -- The death by drowning of Mrs. Rose Greenhow, near Wilmington, North Carolina, last week, has been already noticed. She leaves one child, an interesting little daughter, who is in a convent school at Paris, where her mother left her upon her return to this country. Hundreds of ladies lined the wharf at Wilmington upon the approach of the steamer bearing Mrs. Greenhow's remains. The Soldiers' Aid Society took charge of the funeral which took place from the chapel of Hospital No. 4. A letter to the Sentinel, describing it, says:

"It was a solemn and imposing spectacle. The profusion of wax lights round the corpse, the quality of choice flowers, in crosses, garlands, and bouquets, scattered over it, the silent mourners, sable-robed at the head and foot; the tide of visitors, women and children, with streaming eyes, and soldiers, with bent heads and hushed steps, standing by, paying the last tribute of respect to the departed heroine. On the bier, draped with a magnificent Confederate flag, lay the body , so unchanged as to look like a calm sleeper, while above all rose the tall ebony crucifix -- emblem of the faith she embraced in happier hours, and which we humbly trust, was her consolation in passing through the dark waters of the river of death. She lay there until two o'clock of Sunday afternoon, when the body was removed to the Catholic Church of St. Thomas. Here the funeral oration was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Corcoran, which was a touching tribute to the heroism and patriotic devotion of the deceased, as well as a solemn warning, on the uncertainty of all human projects and ambition, even though of the most laudable character.

"The coffin, which was as richly decorated as the resources of the town admitted, and still covered with the Confederate flag, was borne to the Oakdale Cemetery, followed by an immense funeral cortege. A beautiful spot on a grassy slope , overshadowed by wavering trees and in sight of a tranquil lake, was chosen for her resting place. Rain fell in torrents during the day; but as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, the sun burst forth in the brightest majesty, and a rainbow of the most vivid color spanned the horizon. Let us accept the omen, not only for her, the quiet sleeper, who, after many storms and a tumultuous and checkered life, came to peace and rest at last, but also for our beloved country, over which we trust the rainbow of hope will ere long shine with brightest dyes.

"The pall bearers were Colonel Tansill, chief of staff to General Whiting; Major Vanderhorst, J.M. Seixas, Esq., Dr. de Prossett, Dr. Micks and Dr. Medway. General Whiting and Captain C. B. Poindexter, representing the two services, were prevented from acting as pallbearers, the former by reason of absence, the latter in consequence of illness."

Rose O'Neal Greenhow Papers, An On-line Archival Collection
(Alexander Robinson Boteler Papers, Special Collections Library, Duke University)
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/greenhow/1864-10-01-b/1864-10-01-b.html

Click here to see photo of the grave of Rose Greenhow in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilmington, NC

[FSPowers]

Excellent!