Anderson Zouaves Research

The Funeral of Cols. Riker and Miller [11 June 1862]













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Yesterday, Col. J. Lafayette Riker and Col. James Miller, both of whom fell at the battle of Fair Oaks, were buried. During the day, both lay in state in the Governor’s Room, City Hall. At 2 o’clock the doors were closed, and none but relatives and military men were admitted. Soon after 3 o’clock, the mournful procession was formed, and passed out of the west gate at the Park in the following order:

Capt. Otto’s Troop of Cavalry.

Two Companies (infantry) of the Fifty-fifth Regiment, (Guard Lafayette,) and one Company of Cavalry, (dismounted,) under command of Capt. Goulet.

Carriages containing Col. Riker’s daughter and other relatives.

Pall-bearers in carriages.

Col. Riker’s Hearse, Drawn by six black horses, covered with palls marked A.Z:, and led by four Anderson Zouaves.

Harlem Chasseurs, Capt. Griffin, acting as Guard of Honor.

Three Officers of the Anderson Zouaves.

Col. Riker’s horse, led by his orderly, and covered with a pall.

Carriages containing members of the Everett House Committee, and of the Central Committee of New-York National Union Clubs.

Pall-bearers, in carriages, and wearing white scarfs.

Col. Miller’s Hearse, Drawn by six gray horses, covered with American flags.

Co. H, Twelfth Regiment, N.Y.S.M., Capt. Mc Cormick, in hollow square, acting as guard of honor.

Col. Miller’s horse, (a bay,) led by his servant and covered with a pall and an American flag.

Carriages containing relatives and Committee of citizens from Easton, Penn.

Members of the Common Council in carriages.

Maj-Gen. Sandford and Staff Officers of the First Division N.Y.S.M.

Officers of Volunteer Regiments.

Chief-Engineer Decker and other Officers of the Fire Department.

Superintendent of Police, Kennedy and Inspector Carpenter, on foot.

Three Hundred Policemen, in charge of Drill-Inspector Turnbull. 

            On leaving the Park, the procession moved up Chatham-street, and the Bowery, to Bond-street; thence to Broadway; down Broadway to Greenwood Cemetery, where the remains were interred. At the grave a volley was fired over the departed heroes.