The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-17
AndersonviIIe Album.
A SEQUEL TO FRANK SMITHS MEMORIAL DAY

SEQUEL TO FRANK SMITH 9 MEMORIAL DAY
VISIT.
In response to the announcement in THE
TRIBUNE that Comrade Frank W. Smith would
Send the flag that was placed above some loved
one at Andersonville. where the graves were
decorated on Memorial Day, if the friend de-
sirlng It would send name and regiment, that
gentleman received hundreds of letters, which
he has preserved in an album for convenient
reference. We have just laid down the album,
not without the tears that came from an in
spection of every page. Many of the letters are
very touching, breathing spirit of undying
love and devotion, and tell of homes forever
blighted By the sorrows and sufferings of those
terrible days Of war and famine. A mention of
q few of these viii not be without interest to
the patriotic readers of THE TRIBUNE and
Comrade Smith assures us further that If any
desire special information concerning Ander-
sonville or their loved ones sleeping there, they
win address him at Toledo Ohio, when all
questions viii be answered as far as lies in his
power.
Here is letter in the album from Mrs. d. w.
Hammick, Cleveland, who reminds Comrade
Smith that it WIS he who received the dying
message of her brother, VIM. M. Parker, color
guard, Go. III, l24th Ohio, bringing it home IN
a letter, and adds:
His father Dr. NJ. c. Parker, and three sisters
are living, and would be glad to get even q few
His cruel death was a blow TO her FROM which she
never rallied.
Mrs. Geo. S. Couch, Lawrence, Mass, writes
as follows:
God bless you for such kindness. had brother
who died in Andersonville Prison in 1854. His
name was Thomas B. Davis. He belonged to Co.
IL. LIST Mass Cav. 1 shall be grateful for anything
you send from his grave? And will you do me the
kindness TO lay these little pansies and geranium
leaves on his grave? 1 only wish might do 1t
myself.
Mrs. Martha A. Burdick, Castolia, Ill, asks
for the flag from the grave of her brother, Geo.
Hadurn Irish Co. C, S5th N. Y, and says
May the Lord bless you for the kindness you
manifest. Andersonvillel Thenane alone breathes
volumes of horror and terrible recoilections. T.
W. Irisb an older brother, and S. q. Burdick, my
husband, We're prisoners there also but are still
living.
Comrade A. Burrell, Kirkwood, Ill, writes
for the flag from the grave of his wife's father,
]. e. Mitchell, Co. G, seth ILL.,, adding:
My wife never saw her father after he went in
the army. hay God reward you.
E. n. Demick, Minneapolis, Mimi, writes:
My brother lies among the dead and possibly
among the unknown. His name is Elijah *. Dem
lex. 18th y. Y. Heavy Art be was a mere boy,
only II. when he enlisted. He captured at
Petersburg and literally starved 20 death. as com
rades who Were there ali say. II you find his
grave and send tie flag shall be eternaiy obliged.
Comrade J. 3. Robinson, Redwood Falls,
Mimi, asks for the Tag from the grave of John
Buell., and says:
He was my terminate from the time we entered
the service until he was taken from the stockade
70 the hospital, where he died.
VIM. Terwilliger, Westville, Ind, wants the
flag from the grave of his brother, Jas. Terwil-
| Tiger, Co. K, I22d n. Y, and says:
have never heard from him since he got to An
dersonville and suppose he was buried there.
Comrade Robert K Reid, Waterbury, Conn,
writes for the flag from the grave of his son,
/ Robert K. Reid, Co. A, 9TH Conn. Comrade
Reid says:
He stood shoulder to shoulder with me in I6 en-
gagements and never finched- Send me the flag
I from my brave boys grave. Ten OF US were de-
tailed the fourth day at Drury's Bluff to check the
rebel battery while our regiment retired after
three hours and a half hard fighting. Five of
were killed and five captured our ammunition ex-
! hausted. BY and entered Andersonyie for
the second time. May 81, 1864. having been taken
| 10 Libby. Danvilie Andersonvile, Savannah stock
ade, Alillen, Savannah again, and then to Ander-
| sonville. Ne all in good health then. but my
brave boy was growing and neither food nor shell
ter TO sustain him. de died in my the 18th
| OF August. The number of his grave Is 1910.
Among kis last words were: Father, wish L
was in Waterbury; father if / have ever done any
| wrong TO you hope you will forgive me-" After
| moments pause he said "a feel all the blood
rushing 10 my head then closed his eyes and said,
| Il am done" and the brave boy WAS dead.
It IS gratifying to note that Comrade Smith
sent the devoted father not only the flag from
his soldier sons grave, bat rosebud and
leaves, piece Of the original stockade, da-
gram OF the headstoDe Of the grave, and copy
of the memorial poem. A Waterbury paper in
noting their receipt says:
The father remained In prison until November,
when he was sent to Mien, thence to Savannah
where he was exchanged. So emaciated was he
that when he reached Waterbury he weighed only
s. pounds despite The fact that ct Annapolis he had
| been cared for three weeks by the ladies OF the
| Sanitary Commission. He crutches when
| the train reached the depot Cornrade VIM. OAR
ling tenderiy lifted him in his 60 a sleigh in
| waiting, and which was driven by Daniel Chapman.
Ia IL any wonder that the relics yesterday received
| rom Andersonyille have q deep significance to
| Robert K Reid sr.?