Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-11-02
Headquarters 317th Labor Battalion,
Q. Nj. Corps, U. S. A., A. Il. T.,
Via New York. i

New Albany, Ind.
Dear Madam: No doubt you have
received from tho War Department
! news OF the death Of your son, Henry
w. Richardson, who died at sea July
10, 1918. from an attack of acut q
Pneumonia.
| am writing to you at this time
in reference to your bereavement for
the reason that l want to say words
OF comfort to you in regard to your
boy, and for the reason that his
comrades have in mind a method by
which his untimely passing and your
supreme sacrifice may be common
Grated and made part of the history
OF your home town.
The life of Henry Richardson,
while he was in tho military service
OF his country was one that might be
emulated by any soldier of the war.
He was clever, energetic, obedient,
and conscientious in his work as a
soldier His character as a whole
man was mover more clearly deter
mined than when the certain an
proach Of the cud was revealed to
him and he viewed 1t with tho same
unselflsh concern as any other event
Of q great war.
Mentally conscious to the very end
he displayed that true Spartan spirit
Of a man who COOS to meet his Maker
unashamed Of the life left behind
and unafraid of the great unknown
to be encountered beyond this vale
Of tears.
AS we know Henry Richardson in
the 317th Labor Battalion, he was
a soldier Of whom his comrades were
proud and a man Of whom his race
may we'll be proud. He enjoyed the
confidence and respect of officers and
men alike, and no event of this great
war will be more keenly regretted
by them than his untimely passing.
| wish to explain why he was
buried at sea, and his remains not
sent home to you. We were en-
barkcd on chartered transport not
equipped with tho necessary equip
ment and material to take the body
to Il seaport for burial. and tho
burial at sea was the only solution
OF the problem. 1t is by no means
an ignominious burial and is the
ideal Of many brave hearts who have
sailed tho seas for centuries and
carried liberty and freedom to the
four corners Of tho earth.
The service was attended by all on
board. His favorite songs were sung
and Mt $3.50 p. NJ, July 10, 1918,
all that was mortal Of this good
soldier and brave man was committed
to the deep and his spirit went back
to COD, who gave It.
Now, tho soldiers Of this battalion
wish TO erect II monument to their
comradc in his home town and I am
writing to you to ask where you
would like to have IL erected. If YOU
have family plat in the cemetery,
would suggest that as Il good place.
1t will be n marble monument with
suitable Inscriptions. If You have
no such family plat, I would suggest
that You acquire one. | link the
comrades will attend I" tho cost if
You have not th" means and wish
them to do So.
am writing to Major IIuedke Of
lac First Provisional Infantry Regi
mont Of Camp Zachary Taylor, Ken
lucky, who was the former command
ing officer OF Henry Richardson,
asking him to take up the matter of
having this monument erected, let
ting the contract, etc. / am asking
him to como to sec you, or to send
scme ono to see you on this subject.
When they call, you will be able
to tell them where you would like
to have such monument as we have
proposed to provide, erected. If you
have any choice as to who shall BIO
given the contract, you may express
your choice to them.
There arc several things in con
nection with this matter that Will be
explained to you from time to time.
wish to inquire If you have heard
from tho Bureau Of War
Risk Insurance. , Henry Richardson
carried insurance for $4,000 with
you as the beneficiary. This policy
will be paid to you in monthly install
mcutS Of $3.50 covering a period
OF twenty years. He had pay due
for ono month and ten days which
should be paid to you by tho Quar-
termnster General Of the Army. If
you have not heard from these mat
tors, ask Major Luedke 20 write a
letter about them for you.
When the war is over and we all
come homo. I hope to come back to
Louisville, Kentucky to muster out
this battalion. / hope to have this
in place by that time in
order that tho comrades OF your son
may visit the spot selected by you
and pay homage to his memory.
also hope to meet you at that time,
and will take personal interest in
that may be done to remove
the sting OF the loss that you have
experienced.
Very respectfully,
CAPT. CHARLES C. CHURCH,
317th Labor Bait, @. M. c., U. S. A.
A. Il. T., France.
The following is the inscription
suggested for the monument:
Directed in Memory of Henry w.
Richardson, Company A, 317th Labor
Battalion, Quartormaster Corps,
United States Army. Died and Bur
led at Sea, EN- Route to France; July
10, 1918. Age so years.
'This monument was erected by
his comrades as memorial to the
passing Of good soldier and good