Tuesday, June 3, 2003, will mark the birthday of American Icon and Hero, Jefferson Davis.  I recently wrote about this great man's legacy and now I will tell you of a special train which carried this American President to his last resting place in Richmond, Virginia.

Jefferson Davis died at the home of a friend in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 6, 1889, and was laid to rest, temporarily, in a tomb in New Orleans Metarie Cemetery.  The decision was made by his widow Varina to move him to a final resting place in Hollywood cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

Arrangements were made for a special train and a military escort on May 29, 1893.  At midnight, the funeral procession started on the 1,200-mile journey with the mortal remains of the "Father of the Confederacy" to its last resting place.  The funeral car in which the body of Davis would make entire trip was a rebuilt observation car with a catafalque erected in the center.

Stops were made along the route where thousands gathered to pay silent and affectionate tribute to this great man.

At Montgomery, the casket was removed from the funeral car and carried to the capitol through the portico where Jefferson Davis had taken the oath of office as President of the Confederate States of America.

In Atlanta, the train was met by a caisson drawn by six white horses and his casket was taken to the capitol building through silent and reverent crowd lined-streets.

In Raleigh, the body lay in state at the capitol building for two-hours, as in the other two capitol cities, in order that the people may pay tribute.

In Danville, Virginia, the train was met by a large throng that gathered around the funeral car and sang "Nearer My God To Thee", while the church bells tolled.

On arriving in Richmond on Wednesday morning, May 31, the body lay in state in the Virginia capitol until final rites in the Hollywood cemetery in the afternoon.  With Mrs. Jefferson Davis were her two daughters Winnie and Margaret (Mrs. J. Addison Hayes) and Mr. Hayes.

Six state governors acted as pall bearers.  Thousands attended the service in Hollywood cemetery including former Confederate military leaders and privates, where with the Presidential twenty-one gun salute, the beloved leader was laid to rest.

The article above is from the book the history of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (1894-1955).