New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-03
MISS BARTON AT ANDERSON
WILLIE.

| We have been favored with the perusal OF
private note from Miss Clara Barton, an
nouncing the safe arrival of herself and bel
party at Augusta, Ga, July 81, on their way to
Andersonville. 1t is stated by telegraph that
they have since reached the latter place. When
the expedition was at Savannah it was feared
that in consequence of the difficulty OF trans
portation, its object might be abandoned Tor the
present, but the devoted energy of Miss Barton
and the jealous cooperation of the Government
have carried it through, and tho graves at An
Jacksonville are to be identified and tablet
placed over each.
The enterprise is one of the most singular OF
the war. 1t is by no means the first with wmcn
Miss Clara Barton has been connected. Dur
ing the last four years she has labored untlringly
in the hospital and on the battle-felds, and was
led by her wide acquaintance among the
wounded soldiers to organize system OF cor
respondenoe to ascertain the facts regarding
missing men in the United States army. The
scheme was ingenious and effective, and has
relieved thousands Of anxious inquirers who had
no other means of knowing whether friends
were living or dead, sick or well, prisoners or
not prisoners. 1t happened that one Dorcnce
Atwater, q prisoner at Andersonville for the
whole eleven months Of its prison.existence,
saw Miss Bartons list OF missing
men. He had been paroled and detailed
by wx the captain of the prison, as q clerk
to record the deaths of the prisoners, and to
make monthly and quarterly reports to the
Rebel Surgeon.General. Of these records and
reports Atwater kept duplicates, and contrived
q plan by which he was able to mark on his
copies the grave of each soldier whose death
was registered. Comparing his records with
Miss Bartons lists he found many OF the names
the same. He visited her, and she was able to
notify the Secretary of War that Atwater had
in his possession complete rolls Of the deaths
at Andersonville and the location Of the graves
She at the same time urged upon MIR. Stanton
that tho graves should be every one identi-
fed and marked-nO other conservation
could they need-and that an expedition
be sent forthwith to Andersonville TO accomplish
the work. The Secretary asscnted with enthu-
siasm, urging Miss Barton to accompany the
mission. She consented, caused thirteen thou.
sand memorial tablets of wood to be prepared,
and spite of all difficulties has reached the
ground, and is engaged in the task of identify
ing the graves and putting the true inscription
over EACH The spirit that inspires her and the
consolation which many thousands will draw
from the result of her labors are suggested by o
sentence which she will excuse US Tor copying
from her letter:
"Kit once shall be my privilege to gaze over that
crowded field Of hidden graves where sleep the 1900
dead Of my countrys loved and lost and witness the
fast fading mounds giving place to the letfered tabet
which shall tell something Of the tale the prison sealed
lips beneath could utter and feel that the haowed
earth which covers these remains may yet receive
mothers tear or a sisters kiss 1t will be one Of the
happiest and saddest hours of my whole ife."
1t is more than private gratitude that is due
to such q work so executed. The martyrs of
Andersonyille are the children Of the Republic,
who, for the Republics sake, and by the dcvilish
malice Of her enemies endured such deaths Of
agony as no battlefield ever witnessed. And
while no toll nor sacrifice in their honor is too
great, what Miss Clara Barton has done for
them will link her name with theirs forever.