USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > The story of Camp Chase; a history of the prison and its cemetery, together with other cemeteries where Confederate prisoners are buried, etc > Part 8
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I would not change the well-defined accent of the Northern people, nor lose the soft, musical sound of the Southerner's voice. Each section represents a member of the family, but each has its
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individuality. They argue and quarrel, and have been known to fight ; but when one of our ships sank in a treacherous harbor, an electric spark flashed over all the land-one message, one signal, and that was "Union." The speed, the strength, the soul of that response blazed upon the world warning for all the future and settled forever any doubt that the scattered sons have come together.
Forty years ago the Southern States, by common impulse, with- .drew unto themselves apart. They believed that right and honor compelled them to do so. They upheld that opinion as long as their means and resources permitted; but when the Confederate soldiers laid down their arms and returned home to begin life anew, they did so with the firm resolve to support the standard they had fought and which was their own again.
They were not understood, however, and were compelled to bear and suffer in silence for many years; but, thank God! we stand to-day with our brothers of the other section, on equal grounds for a common cause in freedom's name.
I believe I speak for the whole South when I say: "My head and my heart for my country-one people, one language, one flag." All nations may well envy the patriotic spirit, boundless as the air and resistless as the bounding oceans, which fills every home in the South. And every Southern home takes pride in the fact that this spirit is the spirit of the land.
In an emergency never prophesied nor anticipated the United States was called on to lend a hand for humanity. We undertook to relieve the oppressed and to punish the oppressor, and the South was not backward in rallying to the call. Her sons sup- ported the starry ensign with all their might, bravely and glo- riously, and the stars shone together as they ever will, lending liberty new beauty, giving brotherhood a new name and govern- ment a new lesson.
Martyrdom was the crown the angels placed upon Mckinley's brow, a sign high in the heavens that bids our manhood break the bonds of self and hasten the radiance of a world redeemed. It is beside his grave as well as the burial place of these, my breth- ren, that I stand to-day and repeat again the lesson of our poet, Father Ryan, gathered from the war-bruised flowers of faith :
Give me the land of the wreck and the tomb ; There is grandeur in graves, there is glory in gloom. For out of the gloom future brightness is born, As, after the night, comes the sunrise of morn.
And the graves of the dead, with the grass overgrown, May yet form the footstool of Liberty's throne ; And each single wreck in the warpath of night Shall yet be a rock in the temple of Right. 1
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We have taught it to our children. Your children, strewing their wreaths above the heroes to-day, are planting the same seed of everlasting loyalty to principle. It was for principle, not for dissension nor for conquest, that these men gave their lives. It was this complete renunciation for country's sake that McKin- ley is pointed to as worthy our veneration and as insuring the nation's indissolubility.
Capt. Marcus B. Toney, of Nashville, Tenn., delivered an ad- dress replete with patriotic sentiment and abounding fraternity. The speech is not in print or obtainable, or it should appear with the other notable addresses of that occasion. The same is true of the speech of General Arnold, of Kentucky, who spoke tender- ly and beautifully, as befitted the occasion.
A detail from the Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, fired the soldiers' salute; the Ladies of the Union Veteran Legion and the G. A. R. accompanied the Daughters of the Confederacy and assisted in the pleasing and merciful duty of strewing the flowers. Presently Bugler McCandlish sounded taps, and the drum rolled. The drum corps was of old soldiers under the direction of Gus Johns, of the One Hundredth Pennsylvania. So ended that day, the memory of which lives and is as though it were yester- day. One can well believe it will not be forgotten even in that endless to-morrow that lies beyond life's sundown.
An interesting letter and newspaper clipping were received from Clarksville, Tex., from M. L. Sims, First Lieutenant of Company D, Forrest's Original Battalion of Cavalry, in which he expresses. the highest appreciation of what has been achieved for the Camp Chase Confederate dead. He had arranged with Miss Mary Logan, of Louisville, Ky., to procure the flowers in that city and express them in time for the dedicatory ceremonies.
The flowers were sent as a tribute to all Confederate soldiers buried there, but especially to be placed at the graves of two faithful and unfortunate colored men-Haywood and Walters- if their graves could be identified.
The following clipping from the Dallas New's will be interest- ing reading to all Confederates :
The only company from Texas in Forrest's Original Battalion was captured at the battle of Fort Donelson in February, 1862. The noncommissioned officers and men were sent to Camp Doug- las, near Chicago, and the commissioned officers were sent to Camp Chase. These officers were L. L. Bailey, R. G. Lane, and
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M. L .. Sims. With them were two negroes-Haywood Goodloe and Walter Haywood was the servant of John J. Goodloe, and Walter the servant of Sergt. John L. Jamison.
Lieutenant Sims states: "After the surrender I advised these negroes and Ben, my servant, that we were prisoners; that we no longer had the right to control them and could not protect them, and that they might make their escape either then or in the near future. Ben took my advice and succeeded in reaching his home. Haywood and Walter seemed terrorized by the situa- tion and remained with us. At St. Louis I again tried to get them to work their way home. They refused to do so and went with us to Camp Chase and were treated as other prisoners. In a few days they both died with pneumonia and were buried in the same cemetery in which the Confederate officers were buried. I went to the graves with the funeral party and chaplain and made a statement as to who they were and how they came to be there, a record of which was made, I think, by the Federal chaplain. Burial services were held and a headboard with the name placed by a Federal officer at each grave. When these men took sick they were placed in the prison hospital; were given clean clothing, good beds, and received the same medical attention and nursing that the Confederate officers received. Lieut. (Dr.) R. G. Lane gave each of them his special attention, and Lieutenant Bailey and myself assisted in nursing them until they died.
On June 25 a letter was received from Miss Mary Logan, of Louisville, explaining that she had sent the flowers.
Among the many noble Southern women who have labored unceasingly for the Confederates the name of Mrs. N. V. Ran- dolph, President Richmond Chapter, U. D. C., is prominent. To this daughter of Virginia the author is indebted for many encour- aging and helpful words. Mrs. Randolph was invited to attend the unveiling service, but could not be present. She wrote from Virginia Beach, saying :
I am sure every Southerner, especially the women who have struggled so long to keep green the graves of their dead, will bless you for your beautiful tribute to our prison dead. The Chapter will take official action as soon as I return. You must feel proud that you have trampled prejudice under your feet; and no one knows better than I what you have had to contend with, and how bravely you have stood up for the Confederate prison dead.
After Capt. Marcus B. Toney returned to Nashville he wrote :
Dear Colonel: I want to express to you and to the G. A. R. boys my appreciation of the hearty reception given me. To say I enjoyed my visit would be putting it mildly. I was delighted.
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While General Gordon was deeply interested in the work at Camp Chase, all correspondence upon the subject was conducted by Adjutant General and Chief of Staff Gen. George Moorman.
The letter received from him just after the ceremonies, and per- haps one of the last written to the author before he died, is repro- duced, with tender recollections of the friendly associations through the years of work in caring for the graves at Camp Chase. He wrote :
I received a letter from General Gordon saying he was disap- pointed about perfecting some matters at the last moment so that he could go to Columbus, and very much regretted that he was unable to attend.
I was very sorry I could not be present, as I was myself one of the Camp Chase prisoners, and was paroled awhile in the city of Columbus, and afterwards sent to Johnson's Island. I knew Governor Todd well, and reported to him every day while I was on parole in Columbus. During that time I boarded at Mr. Harper's, just back of the Governor's mansion. He had two daughters, whom I remember well-Misses Hattie and Mary.
I was paroled by order of Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, for having given water to a wounded Federal soldier on the battlefield at Fort Donelson.
I could have given you some reminiscences of Columbus at that time which would have been good reading for the present gen- eration, and particularly so, as I was one of the leaders in dec- orating the Federal graves at Chalmette sixteen or seventeen years ago. The matter of decorating the graves of the opposing army is not new to me.
The decoration of the graves of Northern soldiers was first done by our Confederate Veterans in New Orleans. With every good wish, your friend and comrade.
Not only is the illustrious soldier, so long the Commander in Chief of the Confederate Veterans, gone to the bivouac eternal, but his chief of staff also. On account of our relations, his en- thusiastic helpfulness, his great ability, and splendid patriotism, the writer unites with the soldiers of the South in paying tribute to Gen. John B. Gordon, and withholds not his hand from writing of General Moorman. As one of you, men of the South, this friend who signed himself comrade shall not soon be forgotten.
General Moorman's letter was answered by the writer as fol- lc ws :
The exercises were perfectly satisfactory. All regret the ab- sence of General Gordon and yourself. All pronounce the arch
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very fine and the statue as perfect as they ever saw. Two gentle- men from Mississippi, members of a committee looking for a statue for their home country, declared it to be nearly perfect.
I think I have done my work, and will now turn the matter over to the Confederate Camp and the U. D. C. Chapter. . The cem- etery is in good condition, and there is an appropriation, recently made by the government, to rebuild the stone wall. The cem- etery will be in such condition, when repaired, that it will be an honor to the present generation ; and I think now is the proper time for me to withdraw and leave it in the hands of the local Camp and Chapter.
The Southern poet, Robert Loveman, has written :
"Wrath is a wrinkled hag, hell-born ; Her heart is hate, her soul is scorn. Blinded with blood, she cannot see To do a deed of charity.
Love is a maiden, young and fair ; She kissed the brow of dumb despair, Till comfort came. O, Love is she Whose other name is Charity !"
In that stormy long ago we were "blinded with blood," but to- day we can see once more "to do a deed of charity."
As we linger at the graves of those we love, loath to leave them in their loneliness, so we leave this portion of our subject with regret.
It has been a labor of love, but it has been misunderstood, even in the South, in some instances. At home and abroad men have wondered at the purpose back of it all.
It was unforeseen that the impulsive and warm-hearted people of the South would feel so deeply upon the subject. If criticised at home, the words of appreciation from unknown friends have more than repaid. The prayers of one widow, sorrowing yet in her Southern home, are more than recompense for the time and money spent. When alone oftentimes in the little cemetery to see if all is well, there is a feeling of comfort and content which forces the thought that unseen sentinels are whispering, "All is well : all is well !"
"We put fresh flowers on forgotten graves, We, who once wore the Union blue ;
O'er their low tents the old flag waves- O'er these men of the South, so true. Oft were our blooms bedewed with tears ; Unnoted they slept through all the years, Until at last the lone, dank banks Were garlanded by old-time "Yanks."
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CHAPTER VIII.
ODDS AND ENDS.
Planting Trees at Camp Chase Cemetery-An Incident of Concord, N. C .- Confederate Dead at Gallipolis-Official Correspondence Concern- ing the Cemetery-A Few of the Many Friendly Letters-The Return of a Confederate Flag-A Speech That Caused Comment-Insinuating Postal Cards-The Visit of Editor Cunningham-Visiting Camp Chase Cemetery in Winter.
MENTION is made in the Introduction relative to the idea of planting trees in the cemetery at Camp Chase, and that these trees should come from the Southern States. This suggestion was made to Gen. George Moorman, General Gordon's chief of staff, who issued a circular letter which was sent to each Camp of Confederate Veterans. The trees came; some were in good con- dition, while others were doubtless improperly removed from the native earth, so that they died soon after being replanted. Even if many of the trees died, however, the idea of having Southern trees to shade the graves of the men who died for the South was well worth trying.
There being a Camp of Confederate Veterans in Columbus at this time, the work of planting them in the cemetery was turned over to them.
Many beautiful and tender letters were received in this connec- tion, worthy of a place in this book. That the reader may enjoy the sentiments expressed, some of them are here quoted.
Supt. C. S. Douglas, of the Gallatin (Tenn.) Public Schools, wrote :
In the Nashville American of February 27 Maj. G. B. Guild, U. S. A., who is now located in Columbus, graphically describes his visit to the Confederate Cemetery near Columbus. To you he ascribes all praise and much honor for the care and protection of the graves of the Confederate soldiers who lie slumbering in your midst. This letter was read at our last meeting of Cheatham Bivouac, and so magical was its effect, so grateful did the old comrades feel toward you, and so ready were they to assure you of their appreciation of your magnanimity that your humble servant was commissioned to write you our sincerest thanks.
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Your name is written on the register of our bivouac, your nobleness of heart will be embalmed in our souls, and of your character we would write in living letters, "How true, how beau- tiful !"
Gen. J. J. Dickison, Florida Division, U. C. V., Ocala, writes of flowers sent, and adds :
May God bless you and yours ! is not only the beautiful prayer in our division, but every one's heart in the Southland rings out a benediction for you.
R. B. Coleman, Major General Indian Territory Division, U. C. V., wrote from McAlester, Ind. T .:
Your name shall be a household word for all Southerners as a token of the service you have rendered the North as well as the South in caring for the Confederate graves at Camp Chase. Nothing could please me more than to shake the hand of one who is free from malice toward the men who fought for the right as their consciences understood it.
From Greenville, S. C., James A. Hoyt wrote :
The ten trees which we send you for Camp Chase have been taken from the grounds here by an ex-Confederate private, who with his own hands wished to render homage to the memory of his fallen comrades. With kindly regards and appreciation of your fraternal solicitude for our dead soldiers' graves, etc.
A letter from Asheville, N. C., says about the trees :
With a hope that may live and grow to be an honor to the Tar Heel State, from which they are sent, and to the generous project- ors of the plan of maintaining the hallowed ground into which they are to be planted, I am, yours most sincerely,
JAMES M. RAY,
Brig. Gen. Comdg. Fourth Brigade, N. C. Div., U. C. V. From Richmond, Va .:
I deeply appreciate the sentiments expressed by you in your re- quest for trees from this State. R. E. Lee Camp No. I of the ' Confederate Veterans of Richmond, Va., has received from the city of Richmond fifteen trees, which have been shipped to your address.
THOMAS A. BRANDER, For R. E. Lee Camp No. I.
From Booneville, Mo .:
Let me assure you, my dear sir, that you have the sincere thanks of every ex-Confederate Missourian for your noble work in caring for the graves of the ex-Confederates buried at Camp Chase.
ROBERT MCCULLOCH,
Major General Missouri Division, U. C. V.
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From Dallas, Tex .:
The trees went forward yesterday. The express company for- warded them free of charge. BEN M. MELTON, For Camp Stirling Price of the U. C. V.
From Bluefield, W. Va .:
' I sent you by express twenty white pine trees for the Confed- erate Cemetery at Camp Chase. Best wishes for your success and long life. DAVID E. JOHNSTON.
Some sending trees did not describe them, but as they grow many who visit Camp Chase can do so.
On another occasion trees and shrubbery from the nursery were purchased by business friends in Columbus. On all occa- sions, when permitted, Mr. R. M. Rownd, postmaster at Columbus, and who was a member of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, gave money to assist in paying the expenses of the memorial services, and others offered to help; but in most cases financial aid, except that received from the South, was declined.
From Washington, D. C .:
Thank you for your noble and generous interest and zeal in the care of the graves of the Southern dead at Camp Chase. THOS. W. HUNGERFORD,
Very truly,
Chairman Ex. Com. Camp 171 of the U. C. V. From Lexington, Ky .:
Your generous care of our dead heroes will give you a warm place in the hearts of all of our Confederate Veterans. Frater- JOHN H. CARTER,
nally,
Adjutant General Kentucky Division, U. C. V.
A little story that is known to but a few at present is considered of sufficient interest to be told here. It gives an insight into the character of one mentioned here and demonstrates the good work done long ago.
In 1865, during the time that Lee and Johnston's heroic but defeated legions were going home as best they could, a young cavalryman sought credit in the village store at Concord, N. C. The proprietor looked at the young man sharply, saying : "I have many requests from your people for credit."
"I'm honest, sir, and I'll pay you," said the young man.
"They all say so," answered the storekeeper.
It looked as if the incident was closed, but the cavalryman.
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after a pause, said : "You may not believe it, but I'll pay you every cent if you let me have the things I want. I have no money nearer than Ohio, and unless you trust me I must do without."
"How much do you want?"
"I do not know how long we will stay here; it may amount to $20."
"What is your name?"
"Robert M. Rownd, of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, sir."
"I'll trust you."
The regiment left Concord before being paid off, going to Lex- ington, some thirty miles distant. Pay day came at last, and Rownd went to Concord with the money to pay his debt. A friendship was born that day that meant something to the store- keeper in after years.
The North Carolinian and the Ohio soldier corresponded with each other at long intervals. Finally the Concord merchant moved to Richmond, Va., and engaged in a manufacturing busi- ness. During the dark financial days in 1893 the manufacturer found himself in great need of money to tide through a crisis. He found that if he could weather the gale at that particular time he would be in easy circumstances; and if not, he would be a bankrupt.
With gentlemanly delicacy he spoke of the past and of his present situation. "I need very much more than twenty dollars," he wrote; "but if you could see your way clear to lend me the amount, I can say as you did, I am honest and will pay you every cent."
It does not matter about the amount-it is told in four figures anyway-but a New York draft went to Richmond by return mail.
Learning from one who had been in the Gallipolis (Ohio) Cem- etery that there were some of General Morgan's men buried there, a letter was written to a gentleman, J. M. Alexander, of that city, about the matter, to which he replied :
I have spent a good part of the day investigating the matter. I have known for years that three Confederates lie in the Pine Street Cemetery, but the old record before me fails to make any mention regarding them. I find that one hundred and fifty-eight Union soldiers have been buried in this cemeter". ac- cording to this record, yet one-half of those are marked "Un-
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krown" and only three of them have the year in which they were buried; so it is no wonder the Confederate graves have been neg- lected. Yet it is understood that three Confederates were buried in the southwest corner of the cemetery. Two of them, I find, died from wounds in the general hospital at this place, and it must have been in 1861. I am sorry there are no means of further identifica- tion. When we consider that so very many of the Union dead are marked "Unknown," we cannot wonder that, as the Confeder- ates were strangers, no record was made.
At the last decoration, on May 30, I was in charge. After all the Union graves had been strewn with flowers, I marched the column to the place desigated as Confederate graves and had them covered with flowers, and, standing in the drizzling rain, made a talk of several minutes-not because they had been Con- federate soldiers, but because they were patriots and brave men. None but brave Americans could have fought and held out against such odds as did the Confederate army. I believe the feeling of the old soldiers of the Union army is of the kindest toward the Con- federates.
Should you want to send markers for these three graves at any time, I will see them put in place.
We find by reference to some. old files that it was in 1886 that an effort was made to have Camp Chase Cemetery receive some care and attention. The correspondence was as follows :
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, STATE OF OHIO, COLUMBUS, June 2, 1886.
To His Excellency, J. B. Foraker, Governor.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report concern- ing the condition of the Confederate Cemetery at Camp Chase, near Columbus.
As requested by you, I have made a careful examination of all the records accessible pertaining to this burial place.
The cemetery contains the remains of the Confederate soldiers who died while prisoners of war at Camp Chase, during the years of 1863, 1864. and 1865. About twenty-one hundred interments were made during that period. A few bodies were removed im- mediately after the war by friends to Southern burial grounds. A complete list of the names of the dead, with the numbers of the graves to correspond to the plat of the cemetery, together with said plat, are found among the records in this office.
The ground which comprises the cemetery was deeded to the United States Government by the executors of John G. Holloway, April 23, 1879, and the deed for the same is recorded in Volume
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141, page 528, Records of Deeds of Franklin County, Ohio, and contains two and one-half acres.
On May 15, 1886, I wrote the Quartermaster General, United States Army, concerning the condition of the cemetery, and sub- mit herewith copy of my letter and his reply :
"ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, STATE OF OHIO, COLUMBUS, OHIO, May 15, 1886.
"To the Quartermaster General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
"SIR: There is located near Columbus an old Confederate burial ground, in which were buried those who died while in prison at Camp Chase. These grounds have been neglected for years. The fences are all down; the headboards have been dis- placed.
"The ground is owned and controlled by the United States Gov- ernment. I write this communication to inquire if there is not some provision by which the ground can be restored to proper condition.
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant, "H. A. AXLINE, Adjutant General." "WAR DEPARTMENT, QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S OFFICE, "WASHINGTON, D. C., May 20, 1886.
"Gen. H. A. Axline, Adjutant General, Columbus, Ohio.
"GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, calling attention to the condition of the Confederate Cemetery at Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio, and asking if provision cannot be made for the improvement or res- toration of these grounds, etc.
"In reply, I beg to say that there is no appropriation that can legally be applied to the care and maintenance of this cemetery, and the Department has, therefore, no means with which to make the improvements suggested.
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