The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-17
rRom ANDEnsoNrILLE PRISON.
The viii Of One Of tho Union Soldiers who
Were starved 90 Death.

An old torn will ON one sheet OF large
old fashioned letter paper was lately received In
the surrogates office. one entire corner Is gone,
aud the sheet Is broken at every crease and
mended by paper pasted on TO unite the several
parts. The edges are ragged, like those Of on
old book. Wafer, wax, and pieces OF postage
stamp remain here and there, where the worn
document has been mended and mendcd again.
The ink IL soaked and eDread, and two large
white spots mark where the writing WAS nearly
craced by water This paper Ia a relic Of the
war, and has survived prisons, and transfers by
dinlcult Journeys in tho pocket Of a soldier;
and after eleven years makes a sister the helr OF
diving captlves back pay.
Peter Toner dictated his will In Andersonvlllo
prison. He died a few days afterwnrd, on the
evening of sunday, May 10, 1894, ~ drppsical
starvation. Three wan soldiers signed their
names as witnesses. One. Jeremiah OMahony,
who wrote the Will, was eviedntly man Of
some education; ne 9'ner two "itnesse, were were
who was kindly IN antoned In the will did not
live to inherit the item mentioned as his due.
but made his will also. aud died on July -
about two months after Peter. Fatigal Gallaher.
the third witness, signed his y, and ho died u
month before Blrke-all OF starvation.
Michael DOugherty, who offered the will for
probate, now OF BRISTOL Bucks Co, Pennsylva-
MIA, brought It away, and II came near being de-
stroyed as be crossed the Jackson river, Missis
sippl, with i've hundred other men IN water up
to their waists. on their way to Vickshurg for
exchange In April, 1865. They all we're Penpsyl-
yauia volunteers. Another old comrade and fel-
low prisoner was found on staten lslanu. Walter
Webb, who. having been sworn as n witness.
testified to the gcnuineness Of the signatures Of
the deceased men.
The will remains still in Michael Dougherty's
possession, uncalled for, hequeathing all that
imprisoned soldier had TO his nearest relative,
Bernard McEytt. who. when Burke was cap
tured, lived IN The Commercial Hotel, Now YORK
city.
The petition Of Catharine McDevltt. formerly
Toner. -huws that sne is an exerutfix accord
Ing to tho tenor or the last will OF Peter Toner.
The only next OF KIN are the petitioner. his
sister, his mother, and brother, IN l. ttterkenny.
county Dunagal, Ireland, and half sister, Han
nah Gallagher, In loyoke. Mass. Tho property
L. entirely personal. consisting OF 800 United
states bounty, $lvO equalization bounty, ten
mouths' pay at {l6 a month, perhaps three
the time he lived In prison. compensation for
ratiuns, and about years clothing.
The text OF the will Is IA fOllOws:
Thus l. to certify that l. Peter Toner OF Compsny
Nineteth Regiment PennsyNania Volunteer VINO WAS
captured Oct. Al ia CLipeprr count Vs.. and now he
in hospt at this camp aud mos expected 10 survive
scr CathArne rouer to have whole control Of
money eft behind IN Phadelpha. | authorize her TO
collect hack pay with the regular anount OF r.on
money due fFofu the ucNernulrnt aud all the emo
umeute that the vcrumtnt ~ IN, United States CIV
to soldier to Nhlcn am duly entitled. beng Sept
pri ~ WI and receiving no from the Govern
ment since the n of September 1858.
further Nisn to say 60 y9g dcar sister catherine
pany and siment Who ms acted friend to me du
lng my captNiiy - which oec hin ana do hin any
sc9sr se9 N9s ToSa G',9w Won
metne' ~ "iNs' i'r io1, vow
aud . no brother Andrew stci
| Dear .l.icr wish Won 10 consult my uncle Descandei
IN reicrrntf q" "cln nm q Is moAc, from the Govern
mrnt ilo n VII asst al ADVISE ~ ia t!' sn'
all OH mass ~. lErLE lVNER