Among them was a little boy (name forgotten by me) whose father raised him on his shoulder that he might see, over the heads of the crowd in front, what there was of the ceremony. The published account (after this child had grown to old age and died) was, in effect, that the lid of the leaden casket (the General's) was opened for a few moments before being placed in the sarcophagus, and (so it appeared to the child) Washington's body was seen floating in alcohol and his cheek just touching the glass. That was the impression made upon the mind of the child (who was some distance back from the scene of action) but it was evidently retained throughout his life. I cannot accept that published account as correct because of many traditions handed down to me by descendants of other eyewitnesses. The most reliable authority, I have had many occasions to quote, was an old man (William Burgess, a stonemason of Alexandria) whom I employed at Mt. Vernon from 1885 until he died, 1893. Burgess was an apprentice bricklayer and helped build the "New Tomb," and was present when the remains of General Washington, and others, were moved (April 19, 1831*) from the "Old Tomb" to the new. Only a few members of the Washington family were present then and this eighteenyear-old lad (Burgess) was with them when they determined to open the leaden casket to assure themselves of the identity of what it enclosed. They all expressed astonishment, when the face of the General was revealed, to observe how little his facial expression (judging from portraits) had changed, * Washington's body was moved twice, that is, on April 19, 1831, from the old to the new tomb, on which occasion old-then youngBurgess was present as described; and in 1837, when the transferral from the "inner vault" to the marble sarcophagus (since in view from the tomb front) was accomplished.-H. H. D. in the thirty odd years since death. But the sealed leaden casket had been the reason of preservation of form. Burgess's oft repeated testimony was to the effect that after the face had been exposed for a few minutes there was an appreciable change noticed by all, a falling in of the features quickly occurred. If there had been alcohol used this wouldn't have occurred. No alcohol was subsequently put in the casket, I know! You can rely upon Burgess's account to be correct. Yours, HARRISON H. DODGE, Supt. |