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Friday, April 29, 2011

Funeral of Capt. Slaymaker

As we mentioned yesterday, the body of the lamented Capt. Slaymaker arrived on the train from the East on Wednesday evening.  It was conveyed to the residence of Mr. H. Y. Slaymaker, where it was visited yesterday by friends and citizens.  The remains were incased in an elegant metallic coffin.  The plate bore the inscription:

CAPT. J. S. SLAYMAKER
Company C,
SECOND IOWA REGIMENT,
Killed while gallantly leading his Company in the
charge on the fortifications at the
siege of Fort Donelson,
FEB. 15, 1862.

At 2 o’clock the remains arrived at St. Luke’s Church, and were brought in and deposited in front of the chancel.  A company of the 16th regiment, under Captain Smith, numbering one hundred men, formed the escort.

The beautiful burial service of the Episcopal church was then read, Rev. Mr. Powers officiating, assisted by Bishop Lee and Rev. Mr. Judd.  Mr. Powers made a few feeling and impressive remarks on the character and virtues of the dead, speaking of him as a friend, a parishioner, a Christian, and a patriot.  After the exercises at the church were concluded, the body was reconveyed to the hearse, the funeral procession formed, and the remains taken to its resting place, Oakdale Cemetery, where another brave soldier sleeps his last sleep, and where, it is hoped, all our lost heroes may be gathered together.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 1

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