"The bright day opened on a city of mourners. People gathered on the streets, waiting for the hour for the funeral. Business was unthought of, even the latest news by telegraph, exciting as it was, and calculated to stir the pulse with triumphant joy, failed to engross the attention. Men spoke of the dead heroes, of their first departure for the war, of their terrible battles and bloody sacrifices; and of that last fearful struggle on the hill at Ringgold, where the gallant leaders laid down their lives for their country, amid their dead and wounded comrades.
"From every flag-staff the national colors hung at half-mast, and signs of mourning were everywhere visible. As the hour set for the commencement of the solemn exercises drew near, business was entirely suspended throughout the city. The stores were closed, the Federal, State, and city offices shut their doors, and a Sabbath-like stillness reigned over the city. Soon came the tramp of armed men, the mournful wail of bugles, and the funeral roll of the drums, as the troops moved up to take part in the funeral procession.
"The bodies had remained in the Council Hall over-night, guarded by the old comrades of the gallant dead. The families and relatives were in the mayor's office, waiting for the hour of moving the procession. At half past ten o'clock the bodies were removed from the Council Hall and placed in hearses which were draped with the national colors, looped up with mourning emblems.
"The pall-bearers were as follows: For Colonel Creighton—Colonel Senter, Colonel Whittlesey, Major Mygatt, Lieutenant-Colonel Asper, Major Seymour, Captain McIlrath, Captain Ransom, Captain Stratton. For Lieutenant-Colonel Crane—Lieutenant-Colonel Goddard, Lieutenant-Colonel Sterling, Major Palmer, Captain Drummond, Captain Douglass, Captain Wilson, Captain Standart, Captain Hill.
"The burial-cases were the best that money could buy. On one was the following inscription:
Col. W. R. Creighton,
7th O. V. I,
In his 27th year.
Killed at the Battle of Ringgold,
Nov. 27th, 1863.
"On the other was the inscription:
Lieut.-Col. O. J. Crane,
Fell at the Battle of Ringgold,
Nov. 27th, 1863.
"On each coffin was laid a handsome wreath of immortelles, with the sword of the dead officer.
"The Twenty-ninth Volunteer Militia were drawn up in line each side of the way between the Council Hall and the Stone Church, and the mournful cortege passed through the lane so formed, Leland's Band playing a dirge. The hearse was followed by the mourners in carriages—Governor Brough, Surgeon McClurg, of the United States Military Hospital, the City Council, and City and County Officers, all wearing crape badges.