Colonel Dencale marched with the military. The procession moved out of the gate at the left wing of the house, and proceeded round in front of the lawn, and down to the vault on the right wing of the house—the procession as follows:
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FACSIMILE OF A PAGE FROM THE DIARY OF TOBIAS LEAR.
The troops, horse and foot; music playing a solemn dirge; the clergy, viz., the Reverends Mr. Davis, Mr. Muir, Mr. Moffatt, Mr. Addison.
The General's horse with his saddle, holster, pistols, etc., led by his two grooms, Cyrus and Wilson, in black.
The body borne by the Free Masons and officers.
Principal mourners, viz., Mr. Stuart and Mr. Law, Misses Nancy and Sally Stuart, Miss Fairfax, Miss Dennison, Mr. Law, Mr. Peter, Mr. Lear, Dr. Craik, Lord Fairfax, Ferdo Fairfax.
Lodge No. 23, Corporation of Alexandria, all other persons, preceded by Mr. Anderson and the overseers.
When the body arrived at the vault the Rev. Mr. Davis read the service and pronounce a short extempore speech; the Masons performed their ceremonies, and the body was deposited in the vault.
After the ceremony the company returned to the house, where they took some refreshment and retired in good order. The remains of the provisions were distributed among the blacks.
Mr. Peter, Dr. Craik, and Dr. Thornton tarried here all night.
When the ceremony was over I retired to my room (leaving to Mr. Law and Mr. Diggs the care of the company), to give a loose to those feelings which I had been able to keep under control while I found it necessary for me to give a personal attention to the preparations for interring the body of my deceased friend. What those feelings were is not to be told, if it were even possible to describe them. . .
Wednesday, December 25, 1799.
This day sent to Alexandria for the plumber to come down and close the leaden coffin containing the General's body, as Judge Washington had arrived and did not incline to see the remains. The plumbers came; I went with them to the tomb. I took a last look—a last farewell of that face, which still appeared unaltered. I attended the closing of the coffin, and beheld for the last time that face which I shall see no more here, but which I hope to meet in heaven.
