Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-04-24
EX-rRIsOyERs OF WAR.
Address Delivered nt Andcrsonyllle
by r. J. Harris.


The proceedings OF the Ex.Prisoners Of War
Excursion 10 the South two months ngo was
published In the Columbus Sunday Herald. We
give space below for the nddrcss OF r. J. Harris,
delivered at Andersonyllle while on the way to
New Orleans That Is we'll wortjy of p csc,ving.
II gives statistics conc"iUing the National Gem.
eriios and their silent Inhabitants that We have
not seen before
One OF the principal features OF our excursion
was to visit AndcSonvillc, and after decorating
the graves, Judge Jas. w. O'Ncal of Lebanon
Ohio, and President OF the Ohio association OF
En- Prisoners Of War. was expected to deliver an
Grafton, suitable to the occasion, but just upon
leaving Columbus, n dispatch was received stat.
Ing his inability to accompany us. Finally.
without preparation, J. T. Harris was persuaded
to deliver brief grafton, which was done ut the
base Of the flag staff in the centre of the Nation.
al cemetery where i3,7Ol Union Ex.Prisoners
are buried.
The services was ns follows: Reading Of a
chapter and prayer by the Rev. J. X. Rusk, OF
wayesburg, Stark county, Ohio, after which J.
T. Harris President Of the Franklin County
tohio) Association, delivered the following ad-
dress:
COMRADES, LADIES AND GENTLEMES-we now
y
ers, by any means but city containing the re.
mains of dear friends and comrades, who
shoulder to shoulder with us, assisted in main
tanning the bcsicountry that the sun has ever
shown upon, not only.with the sabre and musk
ct on the field Of battle, but at last to give their
lives for sacrifice on their country's alter to die
here from filth and starvation that their country
might live. Thirty-three thousand human be-
ings were confined at one time within the en-
closure that once encircled that place, without
shelter, but little food, and that OF most in.
fcrior quality, many times suncooked without
| fuel or utensils to cook 1t with, infested with
vermin, diseased. Naked dirty, without soap or
| rags to wipe our filthy bodies, and above all to
| be compelled to drink from that stream polluted
| with the filth and excrement from a camp Of
three thousand rebel soldiers above us. Great
| God, and In a civilized country. Yes, and for
the fruits of that harvest I37Ol of the noblest
| boys who ever wore the blue, now lie sleeping
| in this cemetery where good and generous
Government will watch over them and keep the
grass ever green over their graves until the last
| trumpet shall sound, when they will meet with
us In that last grand muster at the judgement
bar OF God, when the deeds done In the body
shall answer for the punishment of the soul
Here, friends and comrades lie the dust of many
| iuthcis' soHs WliO ltlt noincs
and dear ones, to battle for countrys cause,
and no doubt, many mother, sister or daugh-
ter, at that time received the parting kiss moist
ened with their tears and with their eyes uplift-
ed toward heaven, between their parting sobs,
prayed, "My boy, hope you will return in
safety" but alas, not so with many of them, for
here alone lie over 5000 who failed to return
and receive that long looked for reception on n
return to home. Over 400 of these little white
stones indicate that they are occupied with
dead unknown"
| They sleep in secret, but their sod
| Unkown to man, is marked by God
How many an aching heart of mothers. sisters
or daughters, have pulsatcd with open eyes
when they should have been hushed in the
slumbering peace and quiet of the night, think
ing, oh, where is ne! Shall he never return ?
Yes, my friends, 1t is hard to think OF being
buried here away from home, friends and dear
ones; but had 1t been my fate and had had an
opportunity to make dying request, it would
have been, Don't forget to secure my name
properly that my number may appear on that
little white stone and not be marked "un
known" The United States government has
shown her patriotism by the proper care of hel
dead. She has to-day the care and control OF 81
National cemeteries for the dead of the Union
,
Virginia. containing 1851 dead Fredercks
burg, Va, 1890; Salisbury, 12li2; Beaufort
10000; Marietta Ca, 10000; New Orleans, l., go
vicksburg, 17,Ol2 Chattanooga, 1884; Nash.
vile, 1880, Memphis, 1883; Jefferson Barracks
Mo-, S,60l; Richmond, Va, 6,a72, of which 5,45t
are marked unknown, and were mostly prison
ers Of war. And last but by no means least, |.
; the one that now surrounds us, called Ander
, sonville, with l37Ol graves, and yet this is moi
all OF the dark side of n war picture 3l6 233 mer
: lost their lives in the late war on the Unioi
| side, and about as many more perhaps on tn,
Confederate side, making a number 632, 40
men who lost their lives from sickness or bulle
, during the late war in this country. My friends
while We look around us and gaze upon thes
graves filled with the remains of our dear ones
{ we must not forget that 1t was caused by q wa
. of our own flesh and blood, and we should there
l.. fore drop tear OF true sympathy for those VIII,
O lost their lives in the armies that opposed us
even though we may have felt or even know
/ that they were engaged in wrong cause Tn
. true American soldier must feel that an appea
n to the sword was taken to settle sectional dis
putes and difficulties. 1t is now over, with ter
rible sacrifice on both sides, now let every maj
e do his duty, and with his country's welfare a
:. heart, accept the situation and bend all his en-
ergies toward true reconciliation OF the Who'll
people of this country. Let us know no Nortl
and South, no East and West, but let us kno,
every man who obeys the laws OF the country t
, be free American citizen and let each an
i, every one OF us render our little assistance t
= promote the best interests of this Government
: and encourage industry and prosperity through
D out the entire land.
J., Fifty-six of my regiment lie buried here, an
one Of the ambitions of my life has at last beel
/. realized, viz: To look upon their graves, dro
n silent tear and bid them farewell until W
l shall meet as hope, In that haven of rest
= heaven, where the scourge of war and death |
4 unknown, but where all will be peace harmon
and pleasure.
Weep not for those whose lovely path
We all one day must tread,
For one by one our names Will be
Enrolled among the Dead.
Weep not for those whose task Is DONE
Whose earthly mission DER,
Whose barque of life Is safely launched
On Heavens eternal Shore
Weep not for those whose lonely tomb,
a Bright angels guard with pride,
And even now suppress the wish
! Oh, would they had not died.
There is one sacred spot upon the earth wher
the FOOTBALLS of our march are unheeded, on
trumpets quicken no pulse and incite no fea
the rustling of our banners, the CLEAN of on
swords or the click Of our bayonets awaken nj
emotion. 1t is the silent city of the dead wher,
we now stand Awe rests upon every heart ant
the stern warriors eyes are bedewed with feel
ings which never shame his manhood.
1t needs no assault, no belleaguering host /,
, enter Its walks. We fear no surprise and lister
, to no battle shout. No sentinels challeng,
, greets the ear or awakens the stiffness of tn,
night from yonder stockade "Twclve o'clocl
: and all Is we'll" Hithcr must we all come a
; last and the stoutest heart and manifest form
that surrounds me will then be led captive; no
to prison pen Of the south, but to their lttl,
prison cell beneath the sod, their bodies to re
turn to dust and their spirit to the God who
gaveit.
Sleep on, comrades sleep on, and may the sac
rihces you have made In your country's cause
be registered by the Recording Angel In Heay
en-, so that an ever just but merciful God ma,