The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-22
70 WEST LAKE ST.,

and am truly glad to hear from you again after many
years Il 1 often think of the old times and
wonder what has become of Hart, of Indiana Revere,
of Boston, and Wallace, of New York, and others.
often think of my fight with Higginbotham at the
mess table over the question of its being the duty of
the quarermasters department to feed prisoners OF
war; and of your many fights with him all the way
down to Seebrook's warehouse. Turkeys etc. Do you
remember all that2 and the presentation to Eli OF
sword and sash? Oh, what fun would like
to have copy of your tribute to General Grants
memory, as have never it. Please send me one
and let me hear from you whenever convenient.
Yours truly GEORGE II. FITZwILSON.
Fitzwilson was quartermaster in the Con-
federate service. Theirdutes were such that he
and Captain Warner were thrown much to-
gether, and they often meet and talk over old
times
The Hart mentioned was Lit. Isaac W. Hart,
of Indiana, who, Notwithstanding the gloomy
surroundings of the prison, seemed to be inn
bued with the constant desire to make all the
fun out of the situation he could. He was
stant]v telling stories and singing songs. Some
times near the hour of midnight the men would
call on him for song He would likely be in
bed asleep, but he would rise and stand breech-
esless In his cot. and sing the following song,
which he composed himself:
Come fellow prisoners let's Join in a song
Our stay IN the prison won't be long.
Chorus--Roll on roll on, sweet months roll on,
And let the poor prisoner go home go home.
Our friends at home have made demand
10 have returned this patriot band
Chorus.
The public press they are bound to obey,
For from the people they receive their pay.
Chorus.
Congressman Ely is first on the list
He Ii soon be there our friends to assist.
Chorus
And give to his mind its widest range
10 spread himself on the theme of exchange.
Chorus
This is the way long have sought
And mourned because found it not.
Chorus.
IF you get there before do
Look out for me- for I'm coming too
Chorus.
For now that the thing has got start,
They have concluded to send old Hart.
Chorus.
Hart, while at Libby, acted as the correspond
emit, or rather wrote letters to the Washington
Star, through which he made many appeals to
the North to alleviate the sufferings of Union
prisoners. He was quartermaster of the TWEEN
tieth Indiana. The gentlemen from New York
and Massachusetts were Lieut.. 6. w. Wallace,
Company B. Forty New York. and Major
Paul j. Revere, Twentieth Massachusetts The
sword presentation to Congressman Alfred Ely,
who. as non-combatant, had been captured at
Dull lCun was most laughaOle occurrence. he
was president of the Richmond Prison Associa-
ton, and a bevy of the members got together and
concocted scheme to present the high dignitary
with sword The sword was made of wood
and the sash was piece oe hemp rope frayed
out at each end. This sword was made by Lieu
tenant Wallace, above mentioned. The presen-
tation made the old Legion warehouse ring with
mrth The speech was made by Capt. Thomas
Cox, Company j, First Kentucky, in las Ely
himself afterward said) "a speech of com
mingled eloquence and waggery." 1--WE are salts
fed" he said, that it will ever be used in time
of peace, in defence of this glorious Union
You will perceive, sir, from the peculiar shape
of this beautiful blade that it is we'll adapted to
fighting from behind a tree, which all know
was your favorite position. Of the hempen sash,
he spoke of its being substantial if not elegant.
1t typified the, taste of the sunny South. He be-
lieved him to be man of destiny and quoted:
For It's whether you believe it or not
Who is born to be hanged will never be shot
Mr.. Ely accepted the sword in a speech couched
in grave and dignifed terms, but eminenty be-
fitting the occasion.
The tribute to General Grants memory" re-
ferred to in Mr.. Fitzwilson's letter, was some
kind words, spoken of the General on the day of
his death, by Captain Warner 1t was tele-
graphed from here, and the Associated Press sent
it broadcast over The country.
That dispatch was the means of revealing to
uncle Jack the whereabouts of sister who had
gone to Africa as missionary and whom he had
not seen for quarter of a century. 1t also
caused him to receive letters from all over the
country from his old friends and many Union
prisoners whom he had befriended while they
were in his charge. GRAFT.
CENTRALIA, H., Nov. 90