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A Slain President is Honored – Lincoln in Springfield
PRESIDENT JOHNSON CLOSES THE GOVERNMENT
Lincoln’s Funeral Train
The body of Abraham Lincoln, slain president of the United States reached Springfield, Illinois by train. On 04 MAY, 1865 he was laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery. This was after the 1,500-mile trip passing through 180 cities along the way that began on 21 APR 1865 in Washington, DC.
President Andrew Johnson issued an order to close down the United States government to honor the slain president.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT CLOSES –
MINUTE GUNS ORDERED
The War Department also issued an order to close on that day. Also, at Washington Arsenal, minute guns would be fired from noon until sunset to honor the slain president.
These orders appeared in the 04 MAY 1865 issue of the Washington Star newspaper. The excerpt is below:
Honors to the Memory of the Late President
OFFICIAL
Executive Mansion
Washington, May 4, 1965
This being the day of the funeral of the late President Abraham Lincoln, at Springfield, Illinois, the Executive Office and the various departments will be closed at 12 n to-day.
Andrew Johnson
President United States
——
War Department
Washington City, May 4, 1865
Ordered, 1. That the War Department and Bureaus and Offices connected with it be closed at 12 o’clock meridian, and remain closed during the day, in respect to the memory of our late beloved President, Abraham Lincoln, over whose mortal remains funeral services are to be performed this day, at his former residence in Springfield, Illinois.
2. That minute guns be fired every half hour at the Washington Arsenal, commencing at 12 o’clock, and continuing until sundown, and closing with a national salute.
By order of the Secretary of War.
Jas. A. Hardie, Brevet Brig. Gen’l and Inspector General, U.S.A.
——–
The Navy Department issues the following order to the commanders of the various Navy Yards by telegraph:
Navy Department, Washington, May 4, 1865
Have guns fired every half hour with a national salute in honor of the late President, whose funeral is now taking place at Springfield, Ill.
Gideon Weller,
Secretary of the Navy
1865 MAY 04 – Minute Guns fired at Washington Arsenal
honoring slain President Abraham Lincoln
Washington Star
National Salute Fired
The 21-gun salute was adopted as the standard salute for royalty in 1808. The United States fired a “national salute,” on special occasions and during times of mourning, of one gun for each state in the union until 1841, when the salute was standardized at 21 guns.
OVER 200 HISTORICAL IMAGES, MAPS & ILLUSTRATIONS
The book, Images of America – Fort Lesley J. McNair contains over two hundred historical photographs, images, and illustrations. They chronicle the two hundred plus years of history among the acres of this US Army Post.
The book “Images of America – Fort Lesley J McNair” is “a walk down memory lane” as one reader called it after he turned the last page. Go beyond the website and read more of the history with your own copy – BUY THE BOOK offers the opportunity to get either a personalized & autographed copy from the author or purchase the book from one of the major resellers.
Images of America – Fort Lesley J. McNair
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