About this Item
Broadside, text in three columns, mourning borders. Early manuscript note signed by Harriet Louise Greene in the upper margin "I was present at the funeral & saw the remains". 10-3/4 x 7-3/4 inches. President Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865. His body lay in state in the White House on April 18 and a ceremonial funeral service took place in Washington, D.C. around noon on April 19. Two days later, President Lincoln's casket was loaded on a funeral train headed for Springfield, Illinois, stopping at Baltimore, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Michigan City, and Chicago before arriving in Lincoln's adopted hometown early on the morning of May 3. Immediately upon arrival in Springfield, Lincoln's coffin was transferred by hearse to Representatives' Hall inside the Illinois Old State Capitol. For the next twenty-four hours about 75,000 mourners were allowed to pass by the open coffin of the slain president to pay last respects. According to the present broadside, President Lincoln's funeral procession left the Old State Capitol "on Thursday, the 4th Inst., at 10 o'clock a.m., precisely." The funeral party of over 10,000 people then turned right on 7th Street to pass by the Lincoln family home, and then right up Cook Street to proceed past the Governor's Mansion before heading north to Oak Ridge Cemetery. Surrounded by a heavy black band, it lists all the persons and units involved, their place in the procession, and rules for the day. The entire procession was divided into eight divisions, with Gen. Joseph Hooker acting as Marshal in Chief. The first three divisions were the military escort, representing all the elements of the Army and Navy. After them came the attending clergy and Lincoln's attending physicians. Next was the casket itself, the only wheeled vehicle in the procession, with the pall bearers to each side, followed by Lincoln's horse with reversed boots, and then the immediate family. Next came government officials, ambassadors, and state officials, followed by delegations from Springfield and other Illinois towns. Next were representatives of various organizations, delegations from colleges, lawyers, doctors, and the press. After this came Masons, Odd Fellows, and firemen. The final division was designated "Citizens at large. Colored Persons." Directions were given for the locations of each group forming up. Only marshals were allowed to be on horseback; all others walked. Bands were under the direction of the Committee on Music. Other particular directions complete the document. This broadside must have been widely distributed to assist the mourners, but like all such ephemeral pieces, few copies have survived. OCLC locates only six; at Indiana University, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Library, the Boston Athenaeum, the Chapin Library at Williams College, the John Hay Library at Brown University, and a copy, formerly in the James S. Copley Library. There is also a copy at the Library of Congress.Two variants are recorded (the other with a variant headline omitting "Order of" from title), as well as a proof (without the letters FUN of Funeral in the title). Paper-backed at an early date, with early newspaper clippings mounted on verso Broadside, text in three columns, mourning borders. Early manuscript note signed by Harriet Louise Greene in the upper margin "I was present at the funeral & saw the remains". 10-3/4 x 7-3/4 inches.
Seller Inventory # 353589
Contact seller
Report this item
