The Funeral and Burial of Abraham Lincoln

 

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. His death plunged the nation into profound grief, coming just days after the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, signaling the end of the Civil War. Lincoln's state funeral became an unprecedented spectacle of national mourning, spanning three weeks and involving elaborate ceremonies, public viewings, and a historic funeral train journey. This event not only honored the fallen leader but also unified a divided country in shared sorrow, with millions participating in the rituals. The proceedings began in the capital and culminated in his burial in Springfield, Illinois, his hometown.

Immediately after the assassination, Lincoln's body was transported to the White House by an honor guard on April 15. There, it was embalmed—a relatively new practice at the time—to preserve it for the extended mourning period. The East Room was transformed into a somber chapel, draped in black crepe with mirrors and chandeliers covered in mourning fabric. On April 18, the public was allowed to view the open coffin from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by a private viewing for dignitaries until 7:30 p.m. Thousands filed past, many weeping openly at the sight of their beloved president, his face showing the toll of years of wartime leadership.

The formal funeral service in the White House occurred on April 19, attended by approximately 600 invited guests, including cabinet members, military leaders, and foreign diplomats. The East Room overflowed with mourners, some spilling into the adjacent Green Room. Notably absent was Mary Todd Lincoln, the president's widow, who was too overcome with grief to attend. General Ulysses S. Grant sat alone at the head of the catafalque, his uniform a stark contrast to the black-draped surroundings, and was seen wiping away tears. President Andrew Johnson stood with the Cabinet. The Rev. Dr. Phineas D. Gurley, pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, delivered a poignant sermon, likening Lincoln to Moses leading his people to the Promised Land but not entering it himself. Hymns and prayers filled the air, emphasizing themes of sacrifice and redemption. After the service, guests exited in orderly lines to the north driveway, where they awaited the procession.

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The World's Last Combat Veteran of World War I

 

Claude Choules, the last surviving World War I combat veteran, witnessed the historic scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet in Scapa Flow, Scotland, in 1919. As a young Royal Navy sailor, he observed the dramatic event when German officers sank their own ships. Over 50 vessels, including battleships and cruisers, were deliberately sunk.

Claude Choules served with the Royal Navy from 1915 until 1926. After having emigrated to Australia he served with the Royal Australian Navy, from 1926 until 1956.  Claude Choules died on MAY 5, 2011 at the age of 110 years and 63 days.

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The Custer Statues

 

In Monroe, Michigan, the George Armstrong Custer Equestrian Monument, sculpted by Edward Clark Potter, was unveiled in 1910. In New Rumley, Ohio, Custer’s birthplace, an 8.5-foot bronze statue by Erwin Frey stands at a roadside park, marking his 1839 birth. Both memorials celebrate Custer’s military legacy but spark debate due to his controversial role in the Indian Wars.  In 1879 a statue of Custer was erected at West Point. Custer’s widow, Elizabeth “Libbie” Custer wrote, “The statue could not be worse than it is.”  She lobbied ceaselessly to have the statue removed.  It was removed and scrapped in 1884.

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Last American World War I Veteran

 

Frank Buckles, born February 1, 1901, in Missouri, was the last surviving American World War I veteran, passing away on February 27, 2011, at age 110. Enlisting in the U.S. Army at 16 by lying about his age, he served as an ambulance driver in France. Later, during World War II, he endured three years as a civilian prisoner in the Philippines. Buckles advocated for a national World War I memorial in Washington, D.C., until his final years. His remarkable life symbolized the enduring legacy of the "doughboys."

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