Grant General Grant's Pallbearers

[John Hartwell]

The descriptions I have read of the August 1885 funeral of General Grant, all list his pallbearers as Generals William Tecumseh Sherman, Philip Sheridan, Simon Bolivar Buckner and Joseph Johnston; two Federals and two ex-confederates. But, normally there are at least six, often eight or even ten pallbearers. Who were the others? Were these four merely "Honorary pallbearers," who walked alongside the men with the actual job of carrying the casket? This was often done in military funerals, the actual pallbearers usually being enlisted men.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

Hi @John Hartwell

@lelliott19 started a marvellous thread with a stylized image of the pall bearers at Grant's funeral.

@GrantCottage1885 made a wonderful contribution naming the other pall bearers and providing images as well.

Here is the thread:

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/no...-their-sympathy-by-the-death-of-grant.153646/

It fills out quite a bit of information around the funeral, including the fact that Julia chose the pall bearers even though she would not be in attendance at his funeral.