The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-18
FOUND HIS SON IN A TOMB.
A FATHER IDENTIFIES WILLIAM
BATES As HIS PRoDIGAL.

His Real Name William BnI<er-Ind
Enlisted at savannah, and Died In
Camp at knoxViIIe-His Father "a
New Yorker. Traces Him and FL
RaIIy Finds Him In His GrRve-The
soldier Man of Education and
WeaIth-His Body ENhumed After
seven Days and Taken TO New
YOrk-COI. LawtOn's Tribute TO the
Dead SON.
Knoxville, Tenn, Sept. IA scene
which challenged the descriptive powers
OF a writer was enacted in the national
cemetery in this city yesterday morning.
The dead body of a soldier, which had
lain under the beautiful sod of this East
Tennessee cline for seven days, was ex-
humed 1t was recognized to be the son
of a father who has for many long months
been searching for his prodigal.
The dead soldier was William Baker,
alias Bates. a member of a company of
the First Georgia Regiment, from Savan-
nah. Bates, as the young man was known
in his regiment and on its rosters, died in
the division hospital seven days ago. He
that his home was not known.
The father OF the young man arrived
here yesterday, and, after a conference
with officers of the First Georgia repaired
10 the cemetery where the body was ex-
humed. Mr. Baker was suspicious that
his son had been identified with the First
Georgia Regiment, but his suspicious We're
not verified until the lid was removed
from the casket Then the lamentations
of the aged father proved conclusively
that the remains contained in the casket
were those of his loved one.
The father was given as much encour-
agement and comfort as could be offered
by sympathizing friends under such a cir
cumstance. The story which was subse-
nuently told by him was of a nature cal
culated to cement this sympathy to stil
greater extent. Also to cause every ac-
ton possible on the part of the officers
and men by which they might relieve tile
distress of the semi-distracted father
More than a year ago young Bates. In
the prime of life, endowed with the bright
est prospects, possessor of a magnificent
education. left a palatial home i'm a su-
burb of New York city. His whereabouts
were unknown for many months when
in Savannah. He believed the young man
had gone South, and it was with a de-
sress of ecstacy that he finally heard from
him. But the communication with the
young man was short lived, for the father
soon lost trace of him. The next heard
of the young man, by his parents, was
the announcement from him that he would
join the volunteer army. The fact that
he was in Savannah, and that the First
Georgia went from that section, was the
Foundation of a theory upon which Mr..
Baker started his search for his son.
Recently he located the First Georgia
Regiment camp, and resolved to come to
Knoxville to look for his son. The press
reports a week ago told of the death Of
William Bates. The father was fearful
that this might be William Baker, and
his visit here to-day revealed that he was
Iightfully confident in this anticipation.
Mr.. Baker stated that he has never
been able TO conceive why his son should
have left his home for he was happy, and
had never evidenced any spirits to globe
trot" Such seemed his intention in his
latter days. His statement that the young
man was industrious and accomplished,
as well as being an ideal specimen of man
hood. was vouched for by Col. Lawton and
many other men of the regiment Col
Lawton unhesitatingly stated that the
young man was an ideal soldier, in point
of physical ability, as well as intelligence
and other qualifications He said Baker
was without doubt one of the most eff
Gent men in the line of the First Georgia.
He measured six feet two inches in his
stocking feet, and weighed 100 pounds
when examined for admission into the GER
vice.
The last illness of young Baker was at
tended with little moment. He lived and
died, among his comrades, a Bohemian in
many respects and if he had home it
was never known TO any one with whom
he was associated. His was, however, a
brilliant life hidden under a bushel."
The remains having been exhumed and
recognized by the father, they were ship
ped to New York last night where they
viii be given burial in the fashion beft-
ting one whose home influence was that
characteristic of all wealth can purchase