The 25th Infantry Band Timeline Project

The Honored Dead

THE HONORED DEAD.

Samuel G. Creedon, Second Lieutenant and a Model Officer, Loved by All.

The last sad rites over the remains of Second Lieutenant Samuel G. Creedom were held in the Post hall at Fort Missoula yesterday morning. It was an affecting scene, one long to be remembered. The dead lieutenant was quite a favorite, and when the casket containing all that remained mortal of the dead lieutenant was laid upon the bier in the little chapel, surrounded by a fond father, loving brother, officers, privates and associaes in life, the tribute to his memory was made lasting and complete.

Solemn high mass was conducted by Rev. Father Guidi, pastor of the St. Xavier's Catholic church, assisted by the academy choir, consisting of sisters and young ladies of the church. Father Guidi preached a beautiful and appropriate sermon, taking his text from the book of Kings: "The Child Samuel advanced and pleased both the Lord and men." After the mass and sermon, a quartette composed of Sergeant Green and Privates Butler, Carroll and Ferguson, sang "Nearer My God to Thee" in a manner that brought tears to more than one in the audience.

The hall was a profusion of potted plants, flowers and festoons placed in order by the ladies of the post and assisted by the boys in blue. The temporary altar was a model of beauty in honor of the dead soldier.

The following general order was issued to the regiment immediately after Lieutenant Creedon's death Sunday morning, Feb. 9, at 8:55 a. m.

Headquarters Twenty-fifth Infantry,
Fort Missoula, Mont.,
February 9th, 1896.

General Order No. 1.
It is the sorrowful duty of the Regimental Commander to announce the death of Second Lieutenant Samuel George Creedon, who died of typhoid fever at this Post at 8:55 o'clock this morning.

Lieutenant Creedon was born in Boston, Massachusetts, June 7th, 1872, graduated from the military academy June 12th, 1895, and joined this regiment September 30th, same year.

During his short service with the regiment he showed himself possessed of all the qualities of a manly, capable and efficient officer and a lovable comrade.

By his courteous and gentle bearing he gained to an unusual degree the warm affections of all with whom he was brought in contact.

The profound sympathy of the regiment is extended to his family in their bereavement.

As a mark of respect to the memory of Lieutenant Creedon, the officers of the regiment will wear the prescribed badge of mourning for thirty days.

By order of Colonel Burt.
W. J. Pardee,
First Lieut. and Adjt. 25th Infantry.

The remains lay in state all day yesterday in the Army Post hall, and were viewed by many warm friends who knew the young man in life. Expressions of sympathy were heard upon all sides. It was only last year that he completed his military course at West Point and began active duty in September at Fort Missoula. He was considered by all his associated as one of the most loving children of nature, just budding into manhood. The bloom of youth had not left his cheek, until stolen by King Death, when scarcely 24 years of the joys and sorrows of life were permitted to flit by.

Upon command of Colonel Burt, company H acting as escort and six officers acting as pall bearers and six honorary pall bearers, the funeral procession started promptly at 3:30 p. m. from the Post accompanied by all the soldiers and officers, excepting those on duty. About 850 men were in line without arms. The handsome casket was wrapped in Old Glory. As the funeral procession marched down Higgins avenue the line of march was thronged with sight-seers and friends of the deceased lieutenant. The soldierly bearing and military step of the soldiers, coupled with the sad and touching funeral dirge from the 25th Infantry band, caused many words of sympathy and feelings of sorrow to be exhibited by those along the line of march. Upon arriving at the depot the remains were turned over to the father and brother of the deceased, who arrived in time to be at the dying son and brother's bedside, and bid him a last and long farewell.

The remains were taken east on the evening train and will be laid in their final resting place at Boston, Mass.

Contents of this annotation: