Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Vol. VIII.: James A. Garfield | Page 9

Army, in whose service he bore
so distinguished a part during the War of the Rebellion. In him the
Army has lost a beloved Commander in Chief, friend, and former
comrade.
Proper honors will be paid to the memory of the late Chief Magistrate
of the nation at headquarters of each military department and division
and at each military station.
The General of the Army will give the necessary instructions for
carrying this order into effect.
ROBT. T. LINCOLN, Secretary of War.
II. On the day after the receipt of this order at the headquarters of
military commands in the field, and at each military station, and at the
Military Academy at West Point, the troops and cadets will be paraded
at 10 o'clock a.m. and the order read to them, after which all labor for
the day will cease.

At dawn of day thirteen guns will be fired at each military post, and
afterwards at intervals of thirty minutes between the rising and setting
sun a single gun, and at the close of the day a national salute of
thirty-eight guns.
The national flag will be displayed at half-staff at the headquarters of
the several military divisions and departments and at all military
stations until the remains of the late Chief Magistrate are consigned to
their final resting place at Cleveland, Ohio, at 2 p.m. on the 26th
instant.
The officers of the Army of the United States will wear the badge of
mourning on the left arm and on their swords and the colors of the
regiments will be draped in mourning for the period of six months.
III. The following officers of the Army will, with a like number of
officers of the Navy selected for the purpose, compose the guard of
honor and accompany the remains of their late Commander in Chief
from the national capital to Cleveland, Ohio, and continue with them
until they are consigned to their final resting place: The General of the
Army, Major-General Winfield S. Hancock, Quartermaster-General
M.C. Meigs, Adjutant-General R.C. Drum, Inspector-General D.B.
Sacket.
By command of General Sherman: R.C. DRUM, _Adjutant-General_.
[From official records, War Department.]
General Orders, No. 72.
Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General's Office, _Washington,
September 20, 1881._
The following order has been received from the War Department:
The Secretary of War announces to the Army that upon the death of
James A. Garfield, President of the United States, Chester A. Arthur,
Vice-President, on the 20th day of September, 1881, at his residence in
the city of New York, took the oath of office as President of the United
States, to which office he succeeded by virtue of the Constitution.
President Arthur has entered upon the discharge of his official duties.
ROBT. T. LINCOLN, _Secretary of War._ By command of General
Sherman: R.C. DRUM, _Adjutant-General_.
ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE NAVY.
[From official records, Navy Department.]
General Order.

Navy Department, _Washington, September 20, 1881._
The officers and men of the Navy and of the Marine Corps of the
United States are hereby notified that President Garfield died at Long
Branch on the 19th instant at 10 o'clock and 40 minutes p.m. Under the
Constitution and laws of the Government Chester A. Arthur, then
Vice-President, duly took the oath as President of the United States,
and has entered upon the duties of that office. As President and
Commander in Chief of the Navy of the United States he will be
obeyed and respected by all persons connected with this Department. It
is becoming that at a time when the heart of the nation is heavy with
grief a proper expression should be given to the respect and affection so
sincerely and universally entertained for the memory of the wise,
patriotic, and noble Chief Magistrate who has departed this life under
circumstances so distressing. To this end the officers of the Navy will
see to it that all honors and ceremonies befitting the occasion are
observed by their respective commands in accordance with the
regulations of the service.
The offices of the Department will remain closed for all business
during the time the remains of the President shall lie in state at the
Capitol.
WILLIAM H. HUNT, _Secretary of the Navy._
[From official records, Navy Department.]
Special Order.
Navy Department, _Washington, September 23, 1881._
Struck down by the hand of a cowardly assassin, in the day of his vigor
and usefulness, on the eve of departure from the capital in search of
much-needed rest from the toils and cares of office, our Chief
Magistrate, President, and Commander in Chief, James A. Garfield,
after bearing with heroic fortitude untold suffering, succumbed to the
dread summons and yielded up his life at Elberon, N.J., on the evening
of the 19th instant. The nation mourns its loss. The funeral services will
take place at Cleveland, Ohio,