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THE MILITARY FUNERAL

The ceremonial elements of our military funerals are rooted in longtime usage. Taps, the funeral volley over the grave, the use of the national colors as a pall-all these have been an integral part of funeral honors to American military dead since the infancy of the Republic.

Military funerals are divided into three general classifications. These are (1) the funeral with chapel service, followed by the march to the grave or place of local disposition with the prescribed escort; (2) the funeral without chapel service, with the funeral procession forming at the entrance to the cemetery; and (3) the funeral consisting of graveside services only.

In a full military funeral, following the services at the chapel, a procession consisting of a band, an escort appropriate to the rank and grade of the deceased (including firing party and bugler), the colors, the clergy, a hearse or caisson to carry the casket, six military pallbearers, and honorary pallbearers is formed. If the deceased has served in the past as a mounted officer or enlisted man, a caparisoned horse may be led in the procession. For carrying the casket it is more common to use a hearse, but the old custom of using a horse-drawn caisson is still followed on occasion. The procession moves to the

grave site, where the casket is carried from the hearse or caisson to the grave by the military pallbearers.

The services of an Army chaplain are provided unless the family of the deceased requests some other clergyman to officiate. In this, as in all other aspects of the military funeral, the desires of the family are given the fullest possible consideration.

When a firing party is included in the ceremonies, the commander brings the escort to attention at the completion of the graveside service. He then commands: ESCORT LESS FIRING PARTY, PRESENT ARMS; FIRING PARTY, FIRE THREE VOLLEYS. The firing party fires three volleys of blank cartridges, assumes the position of ready, and remains in this position until the conclusion of Taps. At the command ARMS, the bugler takes position at the head of the grave, and sounds Taps immediately following the last volley.

At the conclusion of Taps, the flag is folded and given to the next of kin of the deceased. Thereby is symbolized the fact that the deceased served in the Armed Forces of the United States, and that his country, in conducting his ceremonial interment, has given its final and solemn recognition of the obligation which it owes to a faithful servant.

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22 September
11 October
28 October
16 November

20 November
12 December

26 December

1777

3 January

5 January

14 June 27 June

First Continental Congress meets at Philadelphia. Adjourns 26 October.
Battles of Lexington and Concord, opening shots of American Revo-
lution.
The Second Continental Congress assembles at Philadelphia.
Ticonderoga Campaign.2

Crown Point, New York, captured from British.

Birth date of United States Army. Continental Congress votes to
raise ten companies of riflemen in Continental service, and appoints
committee to prepare regulations for the Army.

Continental Congress appoints George Washington Commander-in-
Chief of Continental Army.

Adjutant General's Corps established.

Finance Corps established.

Quartermaster Corps established.

Battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill.

-17 March, 1776, Boston Campaign.

Washington assumes command of army besieging Boston.

Army Medical Service established.

Judge Advocate General's Corps established.

Chaplains Corps established.

U.S. Navy established.

American forces under Brig. Gen. Richard Montgomery capture
British fort at St. Johns, southeast of Montreal, after siege.

Force under Col. Benedict Arnold arrives on St. Lawrence opposite
Quebec after epic march through Maine wilderness.

U.S. Marine Corps established.

Montreal surrenders to General Montgomery.

Quebec Campaign.

Final reorganization of American forces at Boston as Continental
Army. Men enlisted for one year's service.

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Oldest present-day Regular Army unit authorized. 1st Field Artillery
Battalion, 5th Artillery, constituted as Alexander Hamilton's "Pro-
vincial Company of Artillery of the Colony of New York.'
Washington occupies Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston.
British evacuate Boston.

Continental Congress establishes Board of War and Ordnance, com-
posed of five members of Congress. First step in evolution of War
Department.

British attack on Charleston, South Carolina, repulsed.
Declaration of Independence adopted.

Continental Congress appoints Commissioner of Artillery Stores
(later styled Commissioner General of Military Stores), predecessor
of Ordnance Corps.

Long Island Campaign.

British occupy New York City; Washington retreats to Harlem Heights. Congress completes "The Articles of War," with the injunction that they be read every two months at the head of each company, troop, and regiment.

Battle of Harlem Heights.

Captain Nathan Hale captured by the British and later hanged as a spy.
Naval Battle of Lake Champlain.

Battle of White Plains.

Fort Washington, New York, surrenders to British.

Gen. Nathanael Greene surrenders Fort Lee to British.

Birth date of Armor: one regiment of cavalry authorized by Continental Congress.

Washington crosses the Delaware and defeats Hessians in surprise attack at Trenton.

Princeton Campaign.

Kegs of powder floated on Delaware River to destroy British fleet;
first recorded use of "mines" in American military history.
Congress adopts American flag with thirteen stars and thirteen stripes.
Fort Ticonderoga falls to British under Burgoyne.

1 For descriptions of the wars, campaigns, and battles named in this chapter, see chapters 26, 27, and 29. 2 The official name of a military campaign, in Army usage, includes the name of the war, thus: "Ticonderoga Campaign, Revolutionary War." In this chapter the name of the war is omitted unless necessary for clarity.

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-17 October, Saratoga Campaign.

Battle of Oriskany.

Battle of Bennington.

Brandywine Campaign.

Battle of Freeman's Farm.

British forces, led by Howe, occupy Philadelphia unopposed.
Germantown Campaign.

Battle of Bemis Heights.

Burgoyne surrenders to Gates at Saratoga.

Office of Inspector General established.

Winter quarters of Continental troops established at Valley Forge.
France signs treaties of commerce and alliance with United States.
Baron von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge and begins the task of
organizing, disciplining, and training Washington's army.

Congress rejects British peace offer. Americans will be satisfied only
with full independence.

British evacuate Philadelphia.

Monmouth campaign.

-11 November, Indian massacres in northern Pennsylvania and Southern New York require army expeditions, under the command of Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, to protect the settlers.

Lt. Col. George Rogers Clark begins successful campaign to take what is now Kentucky, Illinois, and parts of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio from the British.

France declares war against Great Britain.

Franco-American attack on Newport, Rhode Island, fails.

Tories and Indians massacre settlers of Cherry Valley, New York.
British take Savannah.

British capture Augusta, Georgia.

Spain declares war against Great Britain.

American light infantry under Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne storms fort at Stony Point on Hudson in silent bayonet attack.

The Bonhomme Richard, commanded by Captain John Paul Jones, defeats the British Serapis.

Franco-American assault on defenses of Savannah, Georgia, fails.
Washington's army starts move into winter quarters at Morristown,
where it is to undergo worst suffering of war.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln surrenders entire force to British at
Charleston, South Carolina.

Battle of Camden.

Major Andre, a British agent, is captured and reveals plot of Maj.
Gen. Benedict Arnold to surrender West Point. Arnold escapes, but
Andre is hanged as a spy on 2 October.

Congress reduces authorized strength of Continental Army to 58
regiments.

Battle of King's Mountain.

Six regiments of Pennsylvania line mutiny. No one is brought to trial for the outbreak.

Benedict Arnold with British troops plunders and burns Richmond (Va.).

Battle of Cowpens.

Mutiny of New Jersey troops ended by execution of two leaders.
Articles of Confederation become effective.

Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

Battle of Hobkirk's Hill.

Washington begins movement of French and American forces south
from New York to Virginia.

French fleet under de Grasse defeats British fleet and bottles up
Cornwallis in Yorktown.

Battle of Eutaw Springs.

-19 October, Yorktown Campaign. Cornwallis surrenders on 19 October. Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln appointed Secretary of War. This office replaces Board of War and Ordnance and constitutes second step in evolution of War Department.

Savannah, Georgia, evacuated by British.

The Badge of Military Merit (Purple Heart) established by General
Washington.

Charleston, South Carolina, evacuated by British.

General armistice is effective between Great Britain and the United
States, France, and Spain.

Great Britain and United States sign definitive Treaty of Peace at
Paris, the final step in the granting of American independence.
Congress orders Army disbanded.

Washington bids farewell to his officers at Fraunces' Tavern, New York.
Washington resigns commission as Commander-in-Chief before meet-
ing of Congress at Annapolis.

Congress again directs disbandment of Army, stating "standing Armies in time of Peace are inconsistent with the principles of republican government," but retains a caretaking establishment of 80 artillerymen.

Congress authorizes the raising of 700 untrained militia to garrison the western posts.

Congress authorizes the raising of a body of 700 noncommissioned officers and privates for a term of three years to be organized into one regiment of 8 companies of infantry and 2 companies of artillery. Regiment remains as 3d Infantry Regiment, oldest in Regular Army. -February, 1787, "Shays' Rebellion."

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New Federal Government becomes operative under the Constitution. Congress establishes the Department of War, whose principal officer is the Secretary of War.

Henry Knox appointed first Secretary of War under the Constitution. An Act of Congress, to recognize and adapt to the Constitution the establishment of troops raised under Congressional resolution, provides for: (1) oath of allegiance, (2) authority of the President to call forth a militia, and (3) troops to be governed by Articles of War. -August 1795, Miami Campaign, Indian Wars.

First general organization of the Army under the Constitution provides for one regiment of infantry, with three battalions of four companies each; one battalion of artillery with four companies; and a total strength of 1,283. A three-year term of enlistment is authorized U.S. Coast Guard established.

Harmar expedition against Miami Indians defeated.

St. Clair expedition against Miami Indians defeated.

U.S. Army converted into a legion of 4 sublegions, each containing 8 companies of infantry, 4 companies of rifles, 1 company of artillery. and 1 company of cavalry.

Congress passes universal militia law making every male citizen between 18 and 45 liable for military service.

Battle of Fallen Timbers.

-November, "Whiskey Insurrection."

Legion organization of Army abandoned; sublegions become regiments.

Navy Department established.

-30 September 1800, (Naval) War with France.

Eli Whitney announces his plan for manufacturing guns on a "new principle," that of standarized, interchangeable parts.

An Act of Congress provides for a better organization of infantry. artillery, and cavalry regiments and the formation of brigades and divisions.

-11 June 1805, War with Tripoli. Two batteries of U.S. Artillery
serve with the fleet.

Congress fixes military peacetime establishment of the United States
at two regiments of infantry and one regiment of artillery.
United States Military Academy established at West Point, N.Y.
France sells Louisiana to United States. Formally transferred on 20
December.

Lewis and Clark Expedition organized by the Army.
"Chesapeake and Leopard" affair.

Lt. Zebulon Pike and his company reach Rio Grande River during
exploration of Arkansas River and Red River regions.
-18 November, Tippecanoe Campaign.

Ordnance Corps established.

United States declares war on Great Britain.

-17 February 1815, Canada Campaign.

U. S. S. Constitution sinks British frigate Guerriere.

Battle of Queenstown.

Maj. Gen. Zebulon Pike killed in successful assault on Fort Toronto. York (now Toronto), capital of Upper Canada, occupied by Americans, looted and burned.

War Office prints Military Laws and Regulations for the Armies of the United States, forerunner of Army Regulations.

-9 August 1814, Creeks Campaign (first phase).

Naval Battle of Lake Erie.

Battle of the Thames River in Upper Canada.

Battle of Chrysler's Farm.

American forces burn Newark, Upper Canada. In retaliation the
British burn Buffalo on 29-31 December.

British take Fort Niagara.

Chippewa Campaign.

Lundy's Lane Campaign.

-29 August, Bladensburg Campaign. On 24 August British defeat Americans at Bladensburg, enter Washington, and burn Capitol, White House, and other public buildings.

British flotilla on Lake Champlain repulsed.

McHenry Campaign. British attack on Baltimore unsuccessful. "Star-Spangled Banner" written by Francis Scott Key following bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships.

-8 January 1815, New Orleans Campaign.

Treaty of Ghent brings War of 1812 to close on basis of status
quo ante bellum.

Congress fixes the military peacetime establishment of the United
States at 10,000 men.

-31 October 1818, Seminoles Campaign (first phase).
Office of Surgeon General established.

Congress fixes the military peacetime establishment of the Army
at four regiments of artillery and seven regiments of infantry.
Bureau of Indian Affairs established by Secretary of War.

Coast Artillery School established at Fortress Monroe, Virginia as "artillery school of instruction."

Maj. Gen. Alexander Macomb and other Army officers begin survey of land for Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Canal completed in 1850. Army engineers begin survey for Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, first track for passenger cars in the United States.

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1848

1853

1855

9-29 March
17 April

18-20 August
20 August

8 September

13 September

14 September
2 February

3 March

15 December
June

1857

1859

5 October 16 October

1860

1861

6 November 17 December

-30 September, Black Hawk Campaign.
Capt. Benjamin L. E. Bonneville, disguised as a fur trader, and 110
enlisted men of the 7th Infantry set out to study western Indians
in the Rockies. Remain several years and return with much valuable
information on the Nez Perce and Flathead Indians.

The United States Regiment of Dragoons, now the 1st Cavalry, the
oldest surviving cavalry unit in the Army, organized.

President Jackson orders Federal troops sent to quell riots of work-
men along Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. First use of Federal troops
in a labor conflict.

-14 August 1842, Seminoles Campaign (second phase).
-July 1837, Creeks Campaign (second phase).

Alamo garrison falls after thirteen-day siege by Mexicans under
Santa Anna; 187 Texans killed. On 21-22 April, Mexican forces are
defeated and Santa Anna captured at Battle of San Jacinto.

Army expedition under Lt. Charles Wilkes sets out for four years' exploration of Pacific and Antarctic Oceans.

Lt. John C. Fremont and expedition arrive at Walla Walla, Wash-
ington. Expedition explores the Platte River country and maps the
Oregon Trail.

Fremont's Army expedition begins attempt to cross the Sierras.
Congressional resolution providing for annexation of Texas signed
by President Tyler. As a result, Mexico breaks diplomatic relations
with the United States. Texas admitted to Union on 29 December.
U. S. Naval Academy opens at Annapolis, Maryland.

Mexican forces cross the Rio Grande above Matamoras and kill or
capture all members of a 60-man American cavalry patrol.
Palo Alto Campaign, Mexican War.

Resaca de la Palma Campaign.

United States declares that a state of war exists with Mexico.
Brig. Gen. Stephen W. Kearny enters Sante Fe unopposed.
Monterrey Campaign.

Buena Vista Campaign.
Vera Cruz Campaign.
Cerro Gordo Campaign.
Contreras Campaign.
Churubusco Campaign.
Molino del Rey Campaign.

Chapultepec Campaign.

Occupation of Mexico City begins.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo closes Mexican War. Mexico cedes Territories of New Mexico and Upper California to the United States upon payment of $15 million.

U. S. Army Engineers survey the most practicable and economical route for a railway from Mississippi River to Pacific Ocean. Engineers direct building of north and south wings of Capitol, and supervise initial construction of Washington Aqueduct.

Minie ball bullet adopted for Army rifle. Manufacture of smoothbore
muskets stopped.

Congress appropriates $30,000 for purchase of camels to be used by
Army in arid Southwest. Thirty-three camels are brought from
Egypt and prove satisfactory.

-May 1858, Seminoles Campaign (third phase).

Utah Expedition under command of Col. Albert S. Johnston leaves
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; arrives at Salt Lake City in June 1858.
Federal troops supervise balloting in Kansas which results in election
of a free-state legislature.

John Brown raids U. S. arsenal at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia.
Brown is captured by U. S. troops under Col. Robert E. Lee and
hanged on 2 December.

Abraham Lincoln elected sixteenth President of the United States.
South Carolina passes an ordinance of secession. Similar action is
taken by Mississippi on 9 January 1861; Florida on 10 January;
Alabama on 11 January; Georgia on 19 January; Louisiana on 26
January; and Texas on 1 February.

26-27 December Maj. Robert Anderson leaves Fort Moultrie and occupies Fort Sumter
in Charleston Harbor. Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney seized by
South Carolina State forces.

30 December
9 January

4 February

4 March

12 April
15 April

17 April

19 and 27
3 May

16 July

South Carolina troops seize U. S. arsenal at Charleston.

Star of the West is fired upon by Confederate batteries at
Charleston.

Seven seceding States meet at Montgomery, Alabama, and form a
provisional government, the Confederate States of America. Jefferson
Davis inaugurated as provisional president on 18 February.
Abraham Lincoln inaugurated.

-13 April, Sumter Campaign.

Lincoln calls for 75,000 militia for three months' service to suppress the rebellion.

Virginia secedes. Arkansas follows on 6 May, North Carolina on 20 May, and Tennessee on 8 June.

Lincoln declares blockade of entire Confederate coastline.

Lincoln calls for 40 regiments of volunteers for 3 years' service, and increases Regular Army.

-22 July, Bull Run (Manassas) Campaign.

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