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disappointment, so many males were moving in the line of march, and there did not appear to be any one willing to make room for them.
They, however, moved on the sidewalk, parallel with those in the street.
On every corner hundreds were standing, and as they saw the opportunity would take their places in the procession.
The route of the
cortege was up Centre Street, then along Market Street to the depot of the Galveston & Houston Railroad.
The halt.
When the procession reached Tremont Street, it halted, and the ladies had a place assigned them directly behind the legislative committee, who were following the hearse.
It requires no little effort to walk in the middle of our sandy streets.
On plodded our fair and noble women, slowly but happily, never seeming to have a care about the fierce, cold wind blowing at the time, or the sand through which they were wading ankle-deep.
Never before did
Galveston witness such a scene.
Ladies and children, who would not have dared to venture out in the cold on any other occasion, turned out
en masse to pay respect and do homage to the illustrious dead.
And it was a befitting tribute to departed worth.
Disheartened, crushed, oppressed, as we are, and as we felt on this particular occasion, such a sight served to encourage every one, inasmuch as it plainly declared that, while laws and the bayonet might restrict a demonstration that would have been, these forces were utterly powerless (as they always will be) to restrain the natural feelings of the human heart, and a proper display of self-respect, always admissible on such occasions, and which will continue to be seen, in proportion to the opposition made against the wishes and rights of the people enacted by a detested military despotism.
Scenes at the depot.
When the head of the column reached the depot, the rear of it was just turning Centre Street, and the whole width of the street, for that distance, was packed with the seething mass of human beings.
We could not form an estimate of the number of persons engaged in this ovation, but we are sure we are not exaggerating when we declare that thousands participated in the sad funeral rites.
The cars and engine were beautifully draped in mourning, and, as soon as the pall-bearers had placed the remains in the car, the ladies filed to the left and occupied the platform, while many passed into the car to catch a last glimpse of the remains of him who had
nobly fought, sadly bled, gloriously and
gladly died, for a
cause dear to
him and
us. A car had been prepared especially for the ladies, and many of them accompanied the remains to
Houston, also a number of prominent citizens not composing the committees.
The whistle blew, and off started the train with its precious dust, while every head was uncovered.
So ended the honors paid by the people of
Galveston to the remains of
General Albert Sidney Johnston.
A deep sense of both humiliation and indignation was aroused by
General Griffin's arbitrary action.
Insults cannot be offered with impunity to a free people.
The excitement increased; and when the remains of
General Johnston arrived at
Houston, another city where he was well known and much beloved, bitter wrath was mingled with the
