Senator Douglas's Funeral

 

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Civil War Harper's Weekly, June 22, 1861

This Civil War newspaper features a cover illustration and story on William Russell, a war correspondent for the London Times. The paper also Covers Senator Douglas's Funeral, and has various scenes from the war.

(Scroll Down to See the entire page, Newspaper Thumbnails will take you to the page of interest)

 

William Russell

William Russell

Affairs in England

Affairs in England

Wheeling Convention

The Wheeling Convention

Senator Douglas

Senator Douglas Funeral

Cairo, Illinois

Cairo, Illinois

vigilantes

Vigilantes

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis Indiana

Fort Monroe

Fort Monroe

Pensacola

Pensacola, Florida

Acquia Creek

Battle of Acquia Creek

Scenes from Alexandria and Washington

The Sumter

Rebel Ship Sumter

Cartoons

Jefferson Davis Cartoons

 

 

 

 

JUNE 22, 1861.]

HARPER'S WEEKLY.

389

HON. ROSS WINANS, OF BALTIMORE.

REMEMBER
BUENA VISTA.

ON page 388 we publish a picture of a most striking scene, which occurred at Indianapolis, in the inclosure surrounding the State Capitol, a few days since. The artist from whose sketch our picture was made, Mr. James F. Gookins, of Company I, 11th Regiment Indiana Volunteers (Zouaves), writes us as follows concerning it:

The Regiment was presented by the ladies of Indiana with a splendid stand of colors, after receiving which the whole Regiment, kneeling, with uplifted right hands, took an oath before God that, with His help, they would not only avenge themselves of the insults cast at the flag of the nation, but furthermore of the contumely and wrong received by the Indiana troops at the hands of Jeff Davis during the war with Mexico. To keep this oath more continually before them they have adopted the motto " Remember Buena Vista!" as their war-cry.

ROSS WINANS.

WE publish herewith a portrait of Mr. Ross WINANS, of Baltimore, who was lately arrested on a charge of treason by the Federal troops. Mr. Winans is the head of the great Winans foundery and steamboat-building establishment, and is one of the leading citizens of Baltimore. He has been conspicuous in Europe as the contractor for many of the Russian railways; and made himself prominent in this country during the Crimean war by his expression of Russian sympathies. He is the inventor of the famous cigar-boat, which was illustrated in Harper's Weekly in 1858. Mr. Winans is charged with active sympathy with the rebels, though no distinct charge of treason was made against him when he was arrested, and he was consequently released.

"MAID OF THE MIST" SHOOTING THE
NIAGARA RAPIDS.

WE illustrate herewith, from a sketch kindly sent us from Niagara, the perilous adventure of the far-famed Maid of the Mist. The following letter accompanied the sketch :

SUSPENSION BRIDGE, NEW YORK, June 6, 1861.

I inclose a sketch of an exciting occurrence which took place here this afternoon. It had been rumored about for some days that the well-known little steamer the Maid of the Mist had been sold to a party in Montreal, and would proceed thither via the rapids and whirlpool. This was at first looked upon as a good joke, and many were ready to stake their fortunes—firstly, that she would never start ; and, secondly, that if she did, she would go to pieces before reaching the whirlpool.

However it leaked out that the attempt was to be made this afternoon, and a good number of the knowing ones were assembled on the bridge and in the vicinity.

Smoke and steam were seen rising, and this looked like earnest, although many still maintained that it was a hoax, and that it was only her first trial trip for the season. However about three o'clock the gallant little vessel shot off from her wharf, up the stream, and as suddenly headed round toward the rapids with a full head of steam on. As she neared them the excitement became intense, especially with those knowing their terrific speed and height. She met them bravely, and the first shock leveled her smoke-stack and shook every timber; but she soon righted, and sped on her way toward the whirlpool amidst the cheers of the crowd ; this danger she safely passed, shooting round the bend of the river out of sight.

In a wonderfully short space of time a telegraph was received saying that her brave crew had safely moored her at Queenston. Yours, B.

SENATOR DOUGLAS LYING IN STATE.

WE publish herewith a picture of THE LATE SENATOR DOUGLAS LYING IN STATE AT BRYAN HALL, CHICAGO, from a sketch

kindly sent us by A. L. Rawson, of Chicago. The following description of the scene is from the Chicago Tribune:

The appearance of the hall did great credit to the Committee. The principal feature was the erection of a large canopy heavily draped with black, relieved with a gilt border and surmounted on the centre peak, and at the four corners by gilt eagles. From the talons of the centre eagle the flag of the Union falls gracefully to the four columns supporting the canopy. At the foot of the coffin stands a broken column, emblematical of life cut off at the midst of promise and greatness ; at its head stands a vase of beautifully variegated flowers.

Upon the front of the gallery the portraits of the Presidents, by Healy, are festooned with black and white crape. The gallery itself is decorated with American flags. Around the middle of the stage are four large American flags

looped in festoons with crape, in the centre of which hangs a portrait of Judge Douglas, painted by Mealy, some fifteen years since. The front of the stage is beautifully ornamented with pots of living flowers from the Cemetery Nursery. The canopy occupies the centre of the hall. The pedestal for the reception of the coffin is dressed in black, ornamented with thirty-four stars, and placed under a canopy of black crape, trimmed with white and relieved with a gilt border, the whole surmounted by an eagle.

Beneath the canopy lay the honored remains, dressed in a full black suit. The entire lid of the burial case being removed, the whole figure was exposed. The hands were crossed upon the breast. The long and painful illness of the deceased had given only slight emaciation. The features were even a little fuller than in life, but their expression was perfectly natural.

The body was embalmed shortly after death by the injection into the arterial system of a strong solution of arsenic, arresting the changes of nature. It will remain unaltered during its exposure at Bryan Hall.

Of the late Senator Douglas's last moments a letter says: Soon after this, about five o'clock, he desired to have his position in bed changed, the blinds opened, and the windows raised. Mr. Rhodes lifted him to an easier posture, where he could look out upon the street, and drink in the fresh morning air. For a few moments he seemed to gain new life. Then he began to sink away ; his eyes partially closed, and in slow and measured cadences, with considerable pause between each accent, he uttered,

" Death !—Death !—Death."

After this he seemed to revive slightly, and Mr. Rhodes asked him whether be had any message to send to his mother, or sister Sarah, or his boys, Robby and Stevie,' to which he made no reply, evidently not understanding the question. Mrs. Douglas then placed her arm around his neck and said:

My dear, do you know Cousin Dan ?"

" Yes," he replied. Mrs. Douglas continued: "Your boys, Robby and Stevie, and your mother and sister Sarah—have you any message for then?"

The dying man replied : " Tell them to obey the laws and support the Constitution of the United States."

At about five o'clock Dr. Miller came into the room, and, noticing the open shutters and windows, inquired, "Why have you all these windows raised and so much light?" Mr. Douglas replied :

"So that we can have fresh air." At Mr. Douglas's request, Mr. Rhodes changed the dying man's position again in the bed for the last time. He now lay rather down in the middle of the bed, upon his left side, his head slightly bent forward and off the pillow. His wife sat beside him, holding his right hand in both of hers, and leaning tenderly over him, sobbing. Mr. Rhodes remarked to Mrs. Douglas :

"I am afraid he does not lie comfortable;" in reply to which Mr. Douglas said, "He is—very comfortable." These were his last intelligible words. From five o'clock he was speechless, but evidently retained his consciousness. When, a few moments before his death, his wife leaned lovingly over hint and sobbingly asked, " Husband, do you know me ? will you kiss me?" he raised his eyes and smiled, and though too weak to speak, the movements of the muscles of his mouth evidenced that he was making an almost dying struggle to comply with her request.

THE " MAID OF THE MIST" SHOOTING THE RAPIDS BELOW NIAGARA FALLS.

THE LATE SENATOR DOUGLAS LYING IN STATE AT BRYAN HALL, CHICAGO.—[FROM A SKETCH BY A. L. RAWSON, OF CHICAGO.]

Ross Winans
Niagara Falls
Senator Douglas funeral

 

 

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