The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-15

nv the men in their search for water,
and when the soldier reported that he hat
discovered q spring OF refreshing water,
there was general rush to the spot, and
1t is said that the Confederate sentinels
thinking that the prisoners meditated q
hold attempt at escape, shot into the
crowd and Killed several of the unfortu
nate men before the mistake was dis
covered.
Al any rate providence Spring. has
zone down in history, and 1t Is still pro-
tected by rude wooden covering which
will be replaced by marble basin and
monument so soon as funds sufficient
have been raised for that purpose. Just
at present the board of managers has but
$500 on hand to carry out the work Of i'm
provemenu, aud, after taking out the $500
necessary to pay for the wire fence which
has just been completed, and the $l700 to
pay for the house of the caretaker, and
something for his salary, there will be
little left of the cash on hand to carry
out the plans of the projectors.
Captain Averill and his associates feel
very little doubt, however, as to being
able to raise tho funds necessary to carry
ON the Improvements and Identification
of the grounds from year to year until
this Is made one of the handsomest and
most touching memorials of the Civil
war and an object of surprising interest
to all members of the Grand Army and
their descendants.
Through the generosity of certain Bos-
ton ladies, the old "West Gates" erected
on Boston Common shortly after the close
of the war, and which cost $4,000, have
been donated to the board, and will be
removed to Andersonville early in the
summer, and erected near the entrance
from the western side of the prison
grounds, where the big road constructed
by the government runs, connecting the
railroad station with the National Gene
terry.
Those gates are of ornamental iron
work, ana will furnish an additional or
nament to the various improvements
around the grounds. The main entrance
will be at the northwest corner, near the
caretaker's residence, and at the princi-
pal entrance from the National Cemetery.
From thence driveway has been con-
structed, making the entire circuit of tho
grounds, and other driyeways will be
constructed later on, SO as to make of the
old Andersonville prison grounds one of
the most pleasant parks in all that section
of the country.
1he additional purchase includes all
the old forts, one of which was located
at each of the corners of the grounds, and
one on the southeast being the headquart-
esr OF Colonle Wurz, and point OF par
1AtOICou W GA FlcltOIS. LAO OllEA-
nal outlines of the old stockade will be
marked by q neat hedge of evergreens,
which will be outside the fence which
protects the property of the association
from trespass.
The annual meeting of the Department.
of Georgia. Grand Army of the Republic,
will be held March 2, at which time Cap
tain Averill department commander, will
make full report of the improvements
and of the prospects in view for future
beautihction and adornment.
It is a little remarkable that one of the
IN ost historic spots in the Union. and
such place of hallowed memories as An
dersonviIle prison, should have been left
so long neglected and uncared for, but it
will not be long before every spot made
sacred to the memory of millions of people
throughout the length and breadth of the
country will be transformed into one of
the most beautiful and interesting parks
in the Union, through the efforts of
those who have the work in charge, and
who are pushing it Though as rapidly as
lies in their power.