The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-06-01
TOBEAUTIFY APRISON
ANDERsoNvILLE TO BE PUT IN
PERFECT REPAIR.
-rrovidenes Weir sim Run.-Msn and
Women Who do Honor TO the
Memory Of the brave Boys Who Died
There.

Memory of the Bravs Boys Who Died
There.
The romantic and historic side OF the
old Andersonyille prison. In which so
many brave union troops were con-
fined during the civil war. is being
rapidly restored and beautlfied through
the efforts % the Woman's Relief corps.
aided by the advisory board. compris-
ing a number OF the leading members
OF the Grand Army Of the Republic res
ident In Georgia. says the Boston Tran
script. The site Of Andersonville pris-
on occupies a lofty plateau lying be-
tween the more fertile regions Of
southwest Georgia and the pine barrens
OF the southern portion. constituting
the most desolaie features OF that por-
ton OF the south. A rough stockade OF
pitch-pine slabs surrounded the en-
campment and inside that palisade
was what had been marked as the
dead line. across which no man
might set his foot without meeting a
discharge from the rifles Of the con-
federate sentinels posted at convent
ent intervals. II has been left TO the
survivors and other patriotic citizens
10 attempt 20 upbulld monument
there that will last for all time as a
reminder Of what were the sunerings
Of the men imprisoned In Andersonyille
during the troublesome times Of the
war. Not far distant from the con
fines OF the old prison grounds is the
National cemetery. which Is under the
superintendency Of Col. Thomas
Frame. who has KEEP, the grounds
where the heroes OF the union lie bur
led. many Of them in unknown graves.
In a good state OF preservation, and
who Is now associated with Capt.
James p. Ayerill. department comman-
der OF the Grand Army Of the Republic
OF the department Of Georgia, and Maj.
W. W. De Haven Of Macon, Ga, as an
advisory board Of managers Of the An
dersonville prison property committee
OF the Woman's Relief corps OF the de-
partment. The beginning Of the i'm
proyements which are now In progress
was begun at the meeting OF the Grand
Army In 81. Paul. Mimi. In 1886. when
Capt. Averill recommended the pur-
chase Of an additional tract OF fourteen
and one-half acres. 80 as to take In
all the old forts attached 10 the prison
grounds. which had been left out when
the original lot was purchased by the
United States government Al the
meeting In Buffalo last September Il
was decided that the business Of look
ing after the grounds should be turned
over 10 the Women's Relief Corps and
the board above mentioned. with Mrs.
Elizabeth Williams OF Boston as chair
man. was appointed with the gentle
men mentioned as an advisory commit
tee 10 assist the ladies In the work. A
handsome wire fence has been erected
around the entire tract OF lightweight
and two-tenihs acres. included In the
/ grounds. and plans have been made for
the principal lodge. which will be occu-
I pied AZ caretaker by an old veteran Of
the union armies and a member OF the
Grand Army. The building will be a
two-story residence OF nine rooms. and
will be erected az a cost % $500. II
will be completed this spring and will
be sufficiently capacious 10 give accom-
modations to visitors. I; will De near
the northwest gate. which is construct
| ed az the entrance OF the beautiful
/ driveway between the National Gene
terry and the old prison grounds. and
the caretaker will be paid small sal
airy and given his quarters rent free Tor
! looking after the building and directnr
visitors 20 the principal points % .u.
terest within the prison grounds. AZ
| though the poor Captiycs dug up the
very roots Of the tall pines that sighed
and shiyerod above their environment.
during those terrible days and used
them for iirewood. the different wells
dug throughout the grounds are still
easily located. each by a little copse OF
shrubbery and underground left even
after the United States government had
cleared OF the grounds most o. the
underground and every one Of those
wells will be preserved by the board OF
managers. They are usually from ten
to twelve feet In depth and were dug iu
the hard soil Of that barren region dur.
ing the hot summer months for the
] - 81 NVa 81. a. H..
prisoners. In this connection Il is well
10 note that the famous Providence
Spring which was discovered by a
federal prisoner. who had been reduced
to the last extremity. while in search
Of water and which Is reputed 70 hav,
gushed up from the margin OF the little
uncertain stream trayersing the en-
campment, will be protected by an Gle.
CANT marble basin and an appropriate
monument placed above Il. When {,
was first discovered. being near N,
dead line" the prisoners hraved death
from the bullets Of the confederat,
guards for the sake OF cooling
draught from this grateful fountain
The tiny stream had been drunken dr.,
by the men IN their search for waite
and when the soldier reported that %,
had discovered a spring o. refroshln.
water there was q general rush 20 %,
spot and q rs said that the confederate
sentlnels thinking that the prisoner
medita,oG a bold attempt 30 escape
shot into 'he crowd and killed sevoea
Of the unfortunate men before the mis-
take was discovered.
tIat. ~ Que Color.