The National tribune., 1886-09-23
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS a A.
A SOLDIER OFFoRT SUMTER
Gen. :. W. Crawford Makes an Eloquent Appeal 60
His Old Comrades.
[Charleslon Neles and Co,rier.l


Gen. S. w. Crawford, who came here from
Philadelphia on Sunday last has manifested
both in word and deed much sympathy for the
people OF this city. He said 10 a reporter yes
terday evening that his pleasant associations
with the place led 10 his visit here on Sunday
last, aud that he had seen on every side evil
dences Of the fact that Charleston needs all the
practical and substantial sympathy that may
be rendered lie has been through the whole
city, and from his personal observation says
that he has found no statement in regard TO
the ruin Of the city in the slightest degree cX-
aggerated. His first impressions on entering
the city from the north were that the city had
not suffered very materially but on reaching
the southern and eastern parts Of the city he
found that IL was city of ruins 1t was only
then, he said, that he began TO understand the
wholesale wreck and ruin which characterize
the present condition Of Charleston. He noticed
particularly the sanitary condition of the camps
and saw the danger that might possibly arise
from want of proper police sanitation. He ac-
cOmpanied the United States engineers in their
inspection of the city, and believes that the
real amount Of damage has as yet not been de-
termined. He estimates that the damage to
the brick houses is about % per cent while TO
the wooden buildings twill not be much over
per cent. Gen. Crawford is under the impression
that very large percentage Of the destruction
TO the brick buildings has been caused by
top-heavy style Of architecture and general
faulty construction. The result Of Gen Craw-
fords observations is summed up in the follow
ing letter to Gen. Fairchild:
CHARIEsToS. Sept. II, 1886.
Fx-Gov. LOCUS FAIRGHID, Commander in Chief
Grand Army Of the Republic.
DEAR SIR: Nothing could have been more oppor-
tune than your visit to this afflicted city. have
been here for several days, and my object la COM
ing was 10 ascertain by personal inspection the
immediate need OF the community and what
should be the immediate remedy The indumita-
BILE spirit Of this people has already shown itself
the activity Of the relief committees and they have
now reached "A point where the question of food
and shelter II entirely under their own control
But there is another condition of things pressing
upon thecommuniiy with such weight as 10 render
immediate relief not only advisable but imperative
There IL "A large class of people who by the caam-
| ity have been rendered houseess and homeless
and with no prospect Of any restoration without
/ efficient help. They are the small property own
ers, 10 whom their little dwellings their all and
upon whom the weight OF the shock has fallen with
it, principal force. Often encountered with merit
cages, these structures cannot be repaired without
| help. My knowledge OF and my association with
these people have given me abundant opportunity
/ 10 learn these facts, and have been greatly inn
pressed with the immediate necessity OF relief to
/ them. Funds must be raised by voluntary contri-
button 10 assist this class, aud thus by relieving
them "A class above them Is free 10 restore their
| own injured property, which they are able and
willing 10 do The great organization that you
\ represent could do nothing more ia accordance
with their principles aud practice than 10 assist I'm
/ this great Christian effort.
Very truly, yours, 5. w. CRAWFORD,
Brevet MRjor-Genera u. s A
i. S.-Let me say too that the contributions made
will be under the control of the Mayor assisted by
gentlemen whose names "A guarantee for their
appropriate issue. S.WC