Re-enactment pictures

[unionblue]

Friends,

Just got some updated pictures from 'The Repose of Lincoln' held at the Ohio Statehouse this April 29.

This event recreated the time when Lincoln's body was on its way back to Springfield and the when it was viewed in the Statehouse rotunda when in Columbus, Ohio.

The black coffin Lincoln was in was recreated here by a local casket company, complete with sterling silver handles, stars, etc.

The statue/monument in the background that is drapped in black is the Vicksburg Monument, that commerates Ohio troops in the taking of that city. The two flags shown is the US National flag and the Ohio State flag.

The drapping of the black cloth signifys the mourning for Lincoln as his body lies in state in the center of the rotunda.

I was fortunate enough to be part of the honor guard for this ceremony. The picture attached to this post shows the 1st Ohio Light Artillery honor guard, not my infantry honor guard, but it has a better view of the casket.

Unionblue

[unionblue]

Repose of Lincoln,

Part II.

This is a picture of the Infantry honor guard at the Repose of Lincoln event. I am to the right at parade rest, taking my turn at a 20 minute guard mount, waiting for the changing of the guard.

I must comment that this was a BIG deal for our reenacting honor guard. Brass was polished to a high shine, to include all brass buttons, shoes blackened, all leather polished along with the wearing of white gloves and blck cravat for me.

A very solemn changing of the guard took place every 20 minutes, with the NCO in charge of the guard relief halting the guard in front of the casket, presenting his sword in salute to it, and then the posting of the three guards. It was erie to hear the echo of footsteps on the marble floor and to do all the movements in complete silence, except for the low voiced commands of the NCO in charge.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[william42]

Neil, great photo. Very somber and respectful. Those items, photos, and what looks like documents on easels. Can you advise on what they are? The flag on the right- is it an Ohio flag or the one of the Confederate flags? Thank you.

Terry

[unionblue]

Repose of Lincoln,

Part III. Here you can see the crowd as they come to view the coffin and the Union guard. No one was permitted to speak to the guards on duty, but our officers and period-dressed tour guides were there to talk to the crowds.

We generated quite a bit of interest, as a large number of school kids came through from sixth grade up to high schoolers. Several handouts were available that gave details of the Repose of Lincoln in 1865 when it was held at the Statehouse in downtown Columbus.

Of course, a lot of kids and visitors had no idea that Lincoln had been to Columbus twice, once on his way to take office in Washington and once when he came back to be buried in Springfield.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[unionblue]

William,

Here is some of the information concerning the event.

The Obsequies of United States President Abraham Lincoln, April 29, 1865.


"It had been raining the night before, but the clouds finally broke as Lincoln's funeral train arrived in Columbus at 7:00a.m., Saturday, April 29. Military bands played solemn dirges as the coffin was transferred to the hearse. The procession, "the most imposing ever witnessed in our city," (Daily Journal, Columbus, May1, 1865) wound its way through the city, arriving at the west gate to the Statehouse grounds at 9:00a.m. Along the way, "houses, shops, stores, and other places of business, as well as, all public buildings were tastefully and solemnly decorated." "Every window, housetop, balcony, and every inch of the sidewalk on either side of High Street was densely crowded with mourners." (Lincoln in Ohio, 259-60.)

During the next seven hours, nearly 50,000 mourners paid their respect to the fallen President. The crowds entered the west gate and walked into the Statehouse four abreast. Two passed by on the left side of the coffin and existed the building by the north doors. The other two passed by on the right and exited the south doors. The newspapers of the day remarked on the reserved nature of the crowd. "Not an indecorous action, not a whispered word, not a frowning countenance marred the scene. The marked order, the seemliness of action, and the subdued demeanor of the multitude, composed of every class, age and color during the entire day, form a feature of this more than pageant that speaks louder than the most eloquent and pathetic words the people's love for Abraham Lincoln." (Daily Journal, Columbus, May 1, 1865).

The Rotunda was suitably decorated. Black cloth fell in heavy folds from the arches to the floor. In the niches the drapes were gathered midway and pulled back to the sides and "allowed to fall in full volume and closing at the bottom as at the top." (Ibid.) Within these niches were gathered the well-worn battle flags of Ohio's regiments. Powell's painting, Perry's Victory, which had been installed just a month earlier, was appropriately draped. Around the dome above the niches hung three rows of festoons with black and white pendants.

The opened coffin occupied the center of the room resting on a two foot high dais which again rested upon a five-stepped, carpeted, 21 and a half by 28 foot platform or catafalque. "At the foot of the coffin was an anchor composed of delicate white flowere and evergreen boughs, a wreath of the same was placed upon the breast of the dead and a cross at the head." The steps were covered with flowers and plants in vases such as white roses (signifying eternal love and silence), immortelles or dried flowers, and orange blossoms (signifying wisdom and purity). At the corners of the platform were large vases of flowers containing amaranth (signifying immortality) and justitia. Midway between them on either end of the platform were large vases containing the choicest flowers of the season. The dais was covered in black and festoon of white merino and tassels of white silk. Lincoln was emblazoned on the end of the dias facing the west entrance with silver letters.

The service began on the east terrace at 3:00p.m. The eulogy expressed the sentiments of the people praising the slain president and asserting the Nation needed no assistance from the rebels to reconstruct the Union. At 6:00p.m. the doors of the Statehouse were closed, the bugle sounded the assembly, and the procession reformed for the final escort to the depot. As the body was born from the Capitol, a national salute was fired. Soon thereafter the procession moved back up Hight Street. Lincoln's funeral train left Columbus for Indianapolis at 8:00p.m. Every morning from April 30 until May 4, when Lincoln was lain to rest in Springfield, local citizens placed fresh flowers around the dais where the President's coffin had rested, and thousands of men, women, and children visited and revisited the catafalque to relive and remember those moments when the President lay-in-state in the Ohio Statehouse. Today, we again remember that occassion."

Unionblue

[william42]

Neil, thank you for the above posts, especially "The Obsequies" portion. Very descriptive and detailed conveying a very solemn, respectful, dignified memoriam. The fact that the President's body was actually lying there in state must have been almost overwhelming to many of the people paying their respects. Very vivid description of this momentous, hallowed observance. Thank you.

Terry

[dadaken]

Those photos of "The Repose of Lincoln" with the color gaurd are incredible and most impressive. Again well done.

[johan_steele]

I envy you Neil, congrats on an increadible opportunity.

[jenna]

Very very impressive Neil. Good show! Tastefully done and very honerable.

Thanks so much for sharing such touching pictures and insight.
Jenna

[scone]

Very well done my Friend. And a honor it must have been. Ben more than hsappy to stand beside you in my Butternut uniforn..

Iin early June I will be in Ky at the Jefferson Davis Birthday celebration .

I am not much of a Lincoln Fan Nor am I a Davis fan . None the Less they were Americans. And have eared the right to e respected.

With That said, There is a enscription on the Battle of Narshville monument that reads..

"Oh Valorus Gray, In The Grave Of Your Fate,

Oh Glorious Blue , In The Long Dead Years,

You Were Sown In Sorrow and Harrowed the Hate

But Your Harvest Left Through The Land Has sped

From The Lips of God to The Heart of Man

Let the Past Be Past, Let the Dead be Dead

Now and Forever, American" [i]

Regards & God Bless
Steven