From an email dated 19 Apl 2004
By Smith Callaway Banks (used with permission)
Hello Family and Friends,
My son, John and his wife, (private), and sons, (private), 7 & (private), 9 years and I went to Charleston on Friday. We attended the Hunley Funeral on Saturday. Friday night many of the re-enactors were in downtown Charleston. Many were dressed as soldiers and civilians with their ladies and children who were all dressed as in 1860.
On Saturday we knew that we would never get to see anything if we went downtown near the Battery where the procession was gathering so we went directly to Magnolia Cemetery. We arrived before 9:30 AM and were astounded that there were miles and miles of cars parked along the roads leading up to the cemetery. Parking lots near-by were full and closed. We were fortunate to get a good place in a handicap parking lot where I wouldn't have to walk so far to the golf carts that would take us "ole crips" to the cemetery gate. My crew brought portable chairs for us and a cooler of refreshments and goodies for our long wait. We were amazed at the crowds waiting to get into the cemetery when it opened at 10:00. We staked out a good place beside the narrow road about 100 yards inside the gate. We were in the shade of an ancient oak. We would be able to see the entire procession as it passed on it's way to the funeral site and then to the grave site. It was something to watch the re-enactors and their dressed-up families as well as the general public as they passed by us on their way to find good vantage points. There were thousands like us in the cemetery. Then a somber bell began to toll. It was about 12:05 when the dirge bell began. That's when the procession began to come through the cemetery gates. The escorts on horses came first. Follow by marchers. Then the eight caissons each with the remains of a Hunley crewman. These were pulled by a matched team of many horses. Each caisson was followed by a riderless horse with boots turned backwards in the stirrups. Each caisson was accompanied by pall bearers for that crewman. I recognized Steve Burke from Millen in this group. Eddie Cockman from Bulloch County in our SCV was in one of the escort companies. After each caisson were widows dressed completely in black with large veils draped over their hats and faces. All were gloved and many carrying black parasols. A ninth caisson carried the a large wreath for each crewman's coffin.
Wow! This was an emotional time for me as well as for many thousands! I had to bite my tongue to hold myself together!! Two of my Confederate ancestor granddaddies lost their lives in the WAR as well as about a dozen ancestor uncles. Most were buried in unmarked graves. I had deep feelings in that I kind of felt that I was also laying my own folks to rest! To say the least, writing this stills stirs up deep emotions for me!!!!!
After the remains passed, then the many thousands of re-enactors, their widows, ladies, children's and other marchers passed by. I tried to recognize other friends who I knew were there. This procession lasted for more than two hours. About 2:30, the last of the procession came in along with many of the bystanders who had been lining the Charleston streets.
I do believe that is the largest crowd of people I have ever seen!! We did not stay for the funeral ceremony because we were too far away to hear any of it. And there were just too many people there, too. We saw every kind of Confederate uniform. This was from the finest tailor-made to homespun-looking butternut-dyed outfits. Rules for the marchers were strictly emphasized that only correct uniforms could be worn. Nothing synthetic! There were Confederate sailors and marines and their officers in the cortège. There were a few Yankees, too. Many Masons, maybe 100, wearing their medals and aprons. There was a Masonic service for one of the crewmen after the regular service. The ceremonies were to end with a 52 cannon salute. One of the cannons that was fired had been used at the Battle of Shiloh. (This was the same battle where Dixon, the Hunley's captain was wounded.)
We left early. My walking is so limited! I got myself to the cemetery gate and was fortunate to catch a golf cart headed to the handicap parking lot. They put me out about 50 feet from our car. Our road was blocked off heading back to Charleston so we continued on down the street. We were still amazed as we passed by several miles of the more parked cars of folks at the funeral.
The procession was a four and a half miles march from the Battery to the cemetery. The TV station last night estimated the procession as having 9,000 participants. I was told by marchers that the streets were lined with thousands all the way to the cemetery. Somebody said there were 50,000 folks in all. It was mind-boggling!!!
The emergency medical folks were there and we saw many passed out from exhaustion.
That night in downtown Charleston, I talked with folks who had marched and then had to walk back to town --- 9 miles total! And they were still on their feet as I sat chatting with them. We talked to folks from all over the country as well as Canada. I chatted with folks dressed as 1860 citizens who were from Mass. and others from Pennsylvania and Missouri.
This is an experience that I shall remember the rest of my life. I believe John and his family will remember this also.
I am so glad that I was able to attend. I hope I have not bored you with my observances.
Deo Vindice!
Smith
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More on the riderless horse tradition
(compiled by Smith Banks)
http://www.funeralmuseum.org/faq.shtm#horse:
Q: What is the origin of the riderless horse and empty boots in a military
funeral?
A: When a Roman soldier died, his horse was led behind his coffin
in the funeral procession. Once the marchers reached the cemetery, the
soldier would be buried and his horse would be killed and buried with him
not only as a tribute but also as a way of equipping him to ride into battle
in the afterlife. The belief was that a horse trained for battle by its
rider could not have two masters, and as a result, the horse was retired.
The addition of the boots appears to be of later origin. The belief is that
the empty boots signify that their owner is gone and that with boots in the
stirrups, no one else can ride the horse. The riderless horse in today's
procession is simply a ceremonial reflection of an ancient military
tradition. No animals are harmed.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/06-04/06-09-04/a02wn304.htm
Perhaps the most indelible image of a presidential state funeral is the
procession of six horses pulling the black artillery caisson that bears the
flag-draped casket. Only the three horses on the left are mounted, a
tradition dating to when one artillery horse in every pair carried
provisions instead of a rider.
Behind the caisson is another riderless horse, with an empty saddle and the
rider's boots reversed in the stirrups, symbolizing a warrior who will ride
no more. The caisson and caparisoned horse are central in the Wednesday
evening procession to the Capitol. The caparisoned horse for Reagan's
procession is Sgt. York, a solid black standardbred retired from the
racetrack.
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=1921603
3) In the mid to late 1800s a funeral procession of a mounted officer or
enlisted man was accompanied by a riderless horse in mourning caparison
followed by a hearse. It was also a custom to have the boots of the deceased
thrown over the saddle with heels to the front signifying that his march was
ended.
(Information gathered from the Manual for Drill and Ceremonies, FM 22-5)
http://www.usa.or.th/news/wf/epf315.htm
