Savannah, Georgia - History (part 12 of 16)

On the 19th of August, 1846, the justices of the inferior court informed the mayor and aldermen of Savannah that the new jail was finished, and that the cost had exceeded the estimate, leaving the court without means to finish paying for the same, and requesting that an ordinance may be passed or such other measures adopted as will carry into effect the resolutions of council of the 29th of August, 1839, by which the four lots occupied by the old jail, and the materials of the building, were assigned to the use of the justices of the inferior court "to aid them by the proceeds of their srde in the construction of the new building."

On the 29th of the same month the Justices informed the City Council that they "are now prepared to deliver into your charge the new County Jail of which the laws of the State Constitute you Commissioners." gree than that of any other person, and whose death was anounced at an hour not looked for. The board of mayor and aldermen, at a meeting held on the 26th of June, 1S45, informed of his decease, eulogized him in a set of resolutions in which he was declared to have been "the most extraordinary man of the age, the patriot in whom was more of the Roman, more of that spirit which in the love of country forgets self more than in any other man of the era which he signaled." It was resolved that every alderman should wear crape for sixty days, "as a feeble testimony of grief," and the citizens were requested to do the same; the council chamber was draped in mourning during all that time-, and the people were urged to suspend all business on the day of his funeral, the 4th of July, and the board attended in a body to listen to the eulogy delivered in the Independent Presbyterian church by the Hon. Matthew Hall Mc- Allister. The day was made one of public mourning in which the civil and military organizations all participated. The procession, led by Francis Matthew Stone, was composed of the United States troops, the volunteer companies of the city, with Colonel White in command, the committee of arrangements, the reverend clergy, the judges and officers of the superior court, the justices and officers of the inferior court and the court of ordinary, the judge and officers of the Court of Common Pleas and Oyer and Terminer, the mayor and aldermen, all city officers, justices of the peace, foreign consuls and officers, the collector of the port and his officers, officers and soldiers of the Revolution, officers of the revenue marine, officers of the militia, the Union Society, St. Andrew's Society, the German Friendly Society, the Georgia Historical Society, the Catholic Temperance Society, the Mechanics' Temperance Society, the Agricultural Society, Georgia Chapter No. 3 and Masonic Lodges of Savannah, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the United Ancient Order of Druids, the teachei's of public schools and their pupils, teachers of Sabbath-schools and their pupils, the pilots of the port of Savannah, the captains and officers of the vessels in the harbor, and marines.

Chapter Xxix

We now reach the period in the city's history when again the citizen soldiery, by a willingness to serve their country showed their patriotism and courage to such full measure that the government was forced to accept the offer of only a select few who offered to fight the battles of their country.

It is a pleasing fact that, instead of a formal declaration of war with Mexico, congress, on notice from President Polk that the blood of certain citizens of the United States had been actually shed on territory belonging to our government by Mexican soldiers, asserted that war was in progress by the overt acts of the government of Mexico. Then that body appropriated the sum of $10,000,000 and authorized the call for fifty thousand volunteers.

To that call three hundred thousand men responded, and Savannah was not behind in that important matter. Indeed virtually all of the infantry companies expressed a desire to take part in the fighting, but, as only one regiment was required from the state of Georgia, so consequently the city was not called on to furnish more than one company, and the choice of that one was decided by lot. The lot fell to the Irish Jasper Greens, composed of Irishmen who had been commanded by Capt. Henry R. Jackson, and who, in addition to the love they bore their brave leader, were eager to take a part in the just quarrel of their adopted country with an enemy so arrogant and unjust in the position taken in that war.

Captain Jackson was appointed colonel of the regiment, and the Jasper Greens went to Mexico with the brave John McMahon as their commander. The names of those truly courageous men deserve a place on a special roll of honor, and Savannah may well be proud to have them so well preserved in all the accounts of her history that they shall never in any age be forgotten. Besides Captain McMahon, they are as follows :

The city council was generous in aiding in the equipment of the company, and the citizens also subscribed to the fund raised for that purpose. Further than that, council took steps to look after the families of such members of the Greens as might be in need during the absence of their heads.

Leaving Savannah about the end of May, 1846, the company spent more than a year in active service in Mexico. Colonel Jackson and three members reached the city on their return. June 5, 1847, and two days after Lieut. D. O'Connor and live others greeted their friends on the streets. Expecting their arrival shortly, the Georgian, on Tuesday, the 1st, said "We shall * * * soon see Jackson with Corlette and the Greens, and, as some public demonstration should be got up in Savannah on the return of those who have done honorable service, we suggest two modes of honoring them: One. a civil and military picnic at the Pine Grove, south of the city; another, an excursion to Fort Pulaski and a picnic there, where the waters of Georgia blend with those of the ocean, typifying the mingling of those ties which associate in the same ranks for the Nation's service the native and the adopted citizen." The. suggestion was not heeded, and there was no public demonstration. That paper, on the 16th of June, gave a complete list, compiled by Lieut. D. O'Connor, of all "deaths and discharges which occurred in this company from the time of their departure from Savannah for the seat of war to their return to New Orleans."

Wounded at the battle of Molino del Rev. on the 8th of September, 1847, Col. James S. McIntosh, a citizen of Savannah, died in October. 1847. His. remains were brought here on the 18th of March in the next year, and a public funeral was held that day which is thus described in the Georgian of the 20th:

"Our fellow-citizens generally on Saturday forsook their usual avocations to mingle around the bier of the veteran soldier, the gallant leader of the Third Infantry, and acting Brigadier-General in more than one well-fought battle on the plains of Mexico. The music of the military at an early hour of the forenoon summoned the members of the respective Volunteer Corps attached to the First Regiment, and their full ranks attested the admiration of the Citizen Soldier for the character jf the warrior who now rested from his labor.

"The National Banner was displayed at half-mast at the Garrison and on the Chatham Light Artillery Armory, and all the shipping in port displayed their colors also at half-mast. The following Corps formed as a battalion on the Bay: The Georgia Hussars, Captain Bailey: the Chatham Light Artillery, Captain Stephens, the Republican Blues. Captain Anderson; the Savannah Volunteer Guards. Captain Richardsone; the Irish Jasper Greens, Captain M 'Mahon: the German Volunteers, Captain Stegin; the Phoenix Riflemen, Lieutenant Palin.

"Under t he command of Colonel Knapp the battalion proceeded to the residence of Major William J. McIntosh, where the mortal remains of his gallant brother reposed. The veteran lay in a leaden coffin, inclosed in one of mahogany, with the following inscription: Colonel Jas. S. McIntosh, Fifth Regiment United States Infantry, died first October. 1847, of wounds received in the battle of El Molino del Rev. Mexico, eighth September, 1847. The American flag was thrown as a pall over the coffin, and the sword with the dress of the deceased, (pierced by eight bullet holes) which was worn by him at the fatal battle of El Molino del Rev, rested upon the coffin. Reverend Rufus White of St. John's Church, assisted by Edward Neufville, I). D., officiated at the house, and read the funeral service of the Episcopal Church. Escort, Clergy - Pall Bearers, W. B. Bulloch, Judge J. M. Wayne, Major Wade. U. S. A., Lieutenant Colonel Law, Colonei Williams, Colonel J. W. Jackson, Captain Stephens, Major Tallott, U. S. A., Family, Colonel John G. Park, and Major M: I). II usen, the Commander on the part of the State in charge of the body from Mexico. Officers of the Army and Navy, Brigadier-General White and Staff, Committee from the Floyd Rifles and Macon Volunteers under Capt. Comer; officers of the First Regiment; Grand Marshal not on duty; Mayor and Aldermen; Citizens.

"On entering the old cemetery, the services at t lie grave were performed by Reverend Rufus White. After which the coffin was deposited in the vault which contains the remains of one whom in life we cherished as a gallant citizen, ready at any moment to lay down his life for his country."

The trouble with the Seminole Indians in Florida began in 1836 and continued for several years. With true military zeal and patriotism the Savannah volunteer companies offered their services, and, as in the case with the Mexican war one company was chosen from the city, and it was the Republican Blues. Their record was all that could be expected of men whose devotion to their country could not be questioned and Savannah's honor was fully sustained by their conduct throughout the whole period of their enlistment.

Cemeteries And Memorials

Dry Culture as Health Precaution - New Laurel Grove Cemetery - Closing the Old Colonial Cemetery - Question of First Jewish Burial Place - Laurel Grove Cemetery Dedicated - The Pulaski Monument - Monument Delivered to Commissioners - The Nathanael Greene Monument - Locating the Remains of Nathanael Greene.

In considering the matter of dry culture contracts made bv the city with owners of lands suitable for the cultivation of rice, we purposely omitted to mention the fact that much difficulty was encountered with the estate of Joseph Stiles, owner of Springfield Plantation, adjacent to and lying southwest of the city. The omission was in order that the whole subject might be presented to the reader in connection with the establishing of a new cemetery when it became absolutely necessary. So much trouble arose from misunderstandings between the parties and opposition on the part of the owners to the making of such contract that the city finally purchased the tract in order to get control of the same, and it proved to be a beneficial transaction which led to the opening of the way to the laying out of a new burial-ground. After many suggestions as to the need of it, the board of health, on the 17th of June, 1849, took measures in the right direction and declared that it was a public necessity.

The Lrst move by council in the matter was made on the 29th of October, 1850, when an ordinance was passed in relation to dry culture from which we quote: "Whereas, the City of Savannah has recently become the purchaser in fee simple of that tract of land called Springfield, lying on the southwestern border of the City, which purchase was made for the sole purpose of reducing to and keeping in a state of dry culture the said tract of land which is low and swampy and has been in its wet state the cause of disease to the people of Savannah; and whereas, it is the duty of the City Council to remove the said cause of disease, and to place the said tract of land in a dry and healthful state; and whereas, the Legislature of the State have conferred upon the city government ample power for the discharge of that duty; and whereas, it is essential to the dryness of the said lands and to the protection of the health of the citizens that the said tract of land should be perfectly drained in the natural course of the water to t lie extent of its drainage capacity and that the How of the water through the said drains should not be impeded:

"Be it ordained, &c., That it shall not be lawful for any person or body corporate by any embankment, dam, or works to be erected, or which may have been heretofore erected across the natural channels of drainage of the said Springfield tract or any other tract. or in any other manner to impede the how of water from the said tract through the drains which have been or may be constructed for the purpose of draining the said tract of land or through the natural channels and outlets thereof to the Savannah river. And it shall lie the duty of all persons or bodies corporate who may have lawfully acquired a right of way over said tract, or may have constructed embankments or dams across the said tract, to cause sufficient culverts to be built under the same, so that the drainage of said lands shall not be impeded," etc.

Further suggestions having been made, from time to time, in relation to want of a new place of burial, council adopted an ordinance on the 3d of June, 1853. declaring that "So much of the Springfield Plantation as is herein set forth and described be, and the same is hereby set apart and dedicated as a public Cemetery forever, to be known by the name of Laurel Grove Cemetery - that is to say - The parcel of land beginning at the northern fence recently built, running across the land purchased from the heirs of Joseph Stiles - between the lands of Dr. Bulloch on the east and the dam of the old rice field on the west, and running southwardly between the said lands of Dr. Bulloch and land of the heirs of Morel on the east and said dam on the west, to the corner of the hank on land of the heirs of Morel on the eastern side - then from said corner westwardly to within sixty feet of the fence now running from a point near said corner in a south-west wardlv direction, and thence by said fence and a line in the direction thereof on the western side to the southern line of the said lands purchased from the heirs of Joseph Stiles. And that the space of sixty feet next to said fence and a line in the direction thereof, from said corner to the southern line of said purchase, shall be a public highway or street forever, and be called by the name of Ivolloek street.

"2. A pillar of granite shall be placed at each of the corners of said land so set apart and dedicated, and a map of the land so set apart and dedicated shall be made by the City Surveyor, and be recorded on the County Record, in order that the true location of the said Cemetery may be known and perpetuated.

"3. The plan of the interior of said Cemetery, made by James O. Morse, and now in the office of the Clerk of Council, be and the same is hereby declared to be the true plan thereof, and that .ill the ways, passages, a'enues, and corners thereon delineated snail forever be kept free and unobstructed for the use of those who may at any time hereafter become owners of lots in said Cemetery, and for the public, subject, however, at all times, to such rules and regulations as may from time to time be made by Council for the government of same."

The ordinance from which the foregoing is taken is a long one. and contains all the regulations concerning the keeping, burials, lots. etc. As bearing on the importance of the subject, we further quote as follows :

"And whereas, the crowded stale of the old Cemeteries renders it absolutely necessary that interments therein should close at as early a day as possible; and whereas it is the duty of Council to encourage the voluntary removal of remains now within the old Cemeteries: either of the present Cemeteries after his Honor the Mayor shall, under the direction of Council, give public notice in all the City Gazettes that Laurel Grove Cemetery is prepared to receive all remains of deceased persons.

"There shall be laid out in the south-western portion of the lands before set apart for the Cemetery fifteen acres of ground which shall be used alone for the interment of the remains of deceased persons of color, under such regulations as Council may from time to time prescribe.

"From and after the day of publication of preparation of said Laurel Grove Cemetery shall lx* made by t lie Mayor as above provided for, it shall not be lawful to inter any dead body in any other place within the corporate limits of the City of Savannah than in the said Laurel Grove Cemetery, and in the present Hebrew Cemetery, and any person who shall so inter, or cause to be interred, or he in any manner concerned in interring any dead body within the corporate limits, save in Laurel Grove Cemetery and said Hebrew Cemetery, shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars, to be recovered on information before the Mayor of said City."

In explanation of the permission given in the above recited ordinance for burials in the Hebrew cemetery, statement is here made that by ordinance of August 17, 1839, "The Hebrew Burial Grounds shall be considered and deemed public Cemeteries of the City of Savannah."

"Mayor's Office, Savannah. May 9. 1853. - Whereas, Council at a regular meeting, held on the 27th of January, 1853, passed a resolution requiring me to issue my proclamation 'Closing the Old Cemetery for the purpose of interment after the first of July next:'

"Therefore, I do hereby proclaim, that after the first day of July next, the Old or Brick Cemetery will be closed for the purpose of interment.

Mr. Thomas Gamble, in his "History of the City Government" states that "one-fifth of the Cemetery was offered to the Catholic Church for a burying ground at one-fifth of the total expense. Bishop Gartland declined to purchase the section proffered unless it was unfettered by restriction and placed solely under the control of the Church. He offered to purchase fifteen or twenty acres outside of the Cemetery enclosure for a private Cemetery, but nothing resulted. In June, 1853, the section south of Pine, Locust and Jessamine avenues was set apart for the Catholics. Mr. Prendergast in the meantime had given Bishop Gartland fifteen acres of land on the White Bluff road for a Cemetery, and as Council declined to confer special privileges in Laurel Grove, the second offer was likewise declined."

The following is taken from an act of the general assembly of Georgia approved February 18, 1854: "Whereas, a piece of ground, consisting of five acres, more or less, situated and lying in Chatham County, on the Thunderbolt and Causton's Bluff roads, in the vicinity of Savannah, immediately adjoining the two mile stone on the Causton Bluff road, has been purchased and set apart for the purposes of a cemetery for the deceased members of the Roman Catholic Congregation worshiping in the City of Savannah; and whereas, it is meet and proper that places set apart for the burial of the dead should be protected from all undue interferences :

"It shall not be lawful to open any private or public road through the Cemetery aforesaid, any laws heretofore passed to the contrary notwithstanding.

injure or destroy any of the fencing, or injure or deface any of the monuments in the said Cemetery, such person so offending shall he guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction be punished by tine or imprisonment, at the discretion of the Court."

A more thorough investigation of the question of the first Jewish burial place, treated of in the earlier portion of this book, throws a clearer light on it, as follows: When the Georgia commons house of assembly met on the lfith of December, 1762, that body received a petition from sundry inhabitants and free-holders of Savannah, professing the Jewish religion, "setting forth that from the first of families settling in this province a cemetery of burial place hath been and allowed to and made use of by them for the interment of their dead, but the same never having been ascertained in its extent no inclosure thereof could be made, and further setting forth that the petitioners are informed a bill is now pending in this House for the enlarging and inclosing cemeteries or burial grounds, and are very willing and desirous at their own cost and expense to inclose a portion of ground for the solemn purpose aforesaid; and therefore praying this House to take the premises into consideration and allot by law a certain stated quantity of ground (including the spot where they have constantly deposited their dead) to he inclosed and appropriated for the use and service aforesaid." It was "ordered that the petition do lie on the table," and it was not brought up again at that session.

Again, at a session of the same body, on the 14th of March, 1770. another petition was read, said petition then being from certain other inhabitants of Savannah objecting to the granting of the petition of certain Jews "for a lot or burial place opposite the lot of David Truan." That petition was laid on the table to be examined by all parties interested; but the next day, the 15th, another petition was received, setting forth that "as the place had been many years since allotted for a burial ground for the Jewish people and in which many have been interred, and it being a reasonable request, petitioners ask that it be confirmed to the holders." No action seems to have been taken on the subject.

But the matter did not end there. During the next month of that same year 1770. namely, on the 6th of April, the upper house of assembly received "a memorial of sundry freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Savannah setting forth that the memorialists were informed that a petition had been received by the Commons House of Assembly from the few inhabitants of Jewish religion praying for a certain spot of ground on the Common to be aliened and conveyed to them for burial purposes which they alleged, tho' it did not appear on any record, was formerly allotted to them by General Oglethorpe for the purpose aforesaid," and, in objecting to the granting of that memorial of the Jewish citizens, t he new petitioners asked to he heard by the upper house, when it was "ordered that the memorial lie on the table to be perused by the members of this House." The minutes show that on the 9th. three days afterwards, the bill granting the request of the Jewish petitioners was

The city council, through the committee of that body on health and cemetery for the years 1851-1852, arranged for suitable ceremonies in connection with the dedication of Laurel Grove cemetery, and the Hon. Robert Alii ledge Charlton was invited to prepare a poem while the Hon. Henry R. Jackson was asked to deliver the public address. Both of those gentlemen consented, and the day appointed was the 10th of November, 1852. The services began with prayer by the Rev. Willard Preston, D. D., pastor of the Independent Presbyterian church. The prayer was followed by the reading of the poem which is too long for repetition here, but we cannot refrain from quoting the closing lines:

Mr. Jackson's address followed the poem, and we make room for only one short passage: "Behold a new city which we now consecrate to the dead! Behold its walls, its gates, and its streets! At present it lies without a population! But soon your gates shall be thrown open again and again to admit the mourning procession. These streets shall be pressed by the funeral hearse; and the dull sound shall be heard of the covering elav, as earth receives her frail children back to her bosom. Soon from other cemeteries will be brought the remains of the beloved dead, to be consigned to this safer, more desirable and more permanent place of burial; and the hearts of this community will soon he bound by a thousand tender ties to the earth upon which we stand and over which we gaze. Soon upon these vales and trees a holy calm will descend; the morning and the evening sun will shine upon them with a softer ray, and the breeze play around them and among them, with a sadder, sweeter music. As, with solemn step and hushed voices, we tread along these paths, the dead will rise before us, will walk with us and speak to us again: these beautiful grounds will soon have become a sacred city of the dead.

"And do they not deserve it at our hands? Even in a small community like our own, what do we not owe to the dead? and to those, too, who have fallen within the memory of the youngest of us all ? To them are we indebted for many of the comforts of life. To them do we owe the initiatory steps in those works of improvement which have made our city what it is, and opened before us a brilliant future of indefinite expansion. But, above all. to them are we indebted for examples of goodness, purity and worth which have given character to our community, and should be held up. as guiding stars, to the young. The character of her distinguished citizens is a precious treasure as well to a city as a state. They should be guarded with a never sleeping eye. They should be kept constantly fresh and bright in the hearts of the young. They should he transmitted, as a precious legacy, from generation to generation. In honoring them we honor ourselves. .

"And an honor always accorded to the illustrious dead has been a distinguished sepulture. Many of the noblest works of art. which have come down to us from ancient times were monuments erected in honor of the distinguished dead. And what is not Westminster Abbey - 'that vast assemblage of sepulchres' - where sleep the great and good of past generations - statesmen, warriors, philanthropists, poets, and orators - what is it not to England, her story, her genius and her fame. Our city may never have produced heretofore, may never hereafter produce, such eminent individual renown as lias shed a peculiar halo about the greater cities of ancient or of modern times. Vet has she already given birth, and with the blessing of heaven, she will continue to give birth, to men of distinguished talent, of eminent worth and honorable fame; men whose monuments would impart an interest to any cemetery, and whose examples might be proudly held up to any community!

At the conclusion of the address the Rev. Dr. Lovick Pierce, of tin1 Methodist Episcopal church, offered a prayer which concluded the service.

We have in another place recorded the facts connected with the laying of corner stones of monuments intended to be erected in memory of Greene and Pulaski, and the finishing of the one in Johnson square which was known as the Greene and Pulaski monument until the time when arrangements were made for the building of the second one. when the former became the Greene monument and the latter the Pulaski monument.

On the ll.th of October. 1853, the corner stone of the Pulaski monument was laid, with interesting ceremonies, in Monterey square, in accordance with the plans of the commissioners appointed to raise the means for that purpose. A plan for that -monument, submitted by Mr. Robert E. Launitz, of New York, was selected by the commissioners in the month of May. 1852. The height was to be fifty-five feet, the material to be Italian marble, and the cost $17,000. The monument was to be ready for erection by the first of July, 1854. This is its description as stated by its designer:

"In designing this monument , I have had particular regard to purity of style, richness of effect, and strength and durability in material and execution, while I have not lost sight of the main object, which is to design a Mon mm nt for Pulaski.

"It is perceived, at the first glance, that the monument is intended for a soldier who is losing his life, fighting. 5Vouncled he falls from his horse while still grasping his sword. The date of the event is recorded above the subject, the arms of Poland and Georgia, surrounded by branches of laurel, ornament the cornice on two sides or fronts. They stand united together, while the eagle, emblem of Liberty, Independence and Courage, rests on both, bidding proud defence; the eagle being the symbolic bird both of Poland and America, the allegory needs no further explanation. The inverted cannons on the corners of the die are emblematic of military loss and mourning, while they give to the mourner a strong military character. To facilitate the execution of the shaft, which it would be impossible to execute in one piece, I have divided the same into several parts, separated by bands, so as to remove the unsightliness of the horizontal joints on a plain surface. The bands are alternately ornamented with stars, emblems of the States and Territories, now and in embryo, who enjoy, and will enjoy, the fruits of the valor and patriotism of the heroes of the Revolution. The garlands on the alternate bands above the stars denote that they (the States) are green and flourishing. The shaft is surmounted by a highly elaborate Corinthian top, which adds richness, loftiness, and grandeur to the structure. The monument is surmounted by a statue of Liberty, embracing with her left arm the banner of the stars and stripes, while in her right hand is extended the Laurel Wreath. The love of liberty brought Pulaski to America ; for love of liberty he fought, and for liberty he lost his life. Thus, I thought that Liberty should crown his monument, and share with him the homage of the free."

As Pulaski died on the 11th of October, 1779, it will be seen that the corner-stone of the monument was laid on the seventy-fourth anniversary of that event, and. in their report, the commissioners stated that the corner-stone originally laid by Lafayette, and which had been again removed from its place in Johnson square, together with another of equal size united to.it by copper bands, and containing tin1 records of the present day, which the commissioners desired to deposit beneath the monument, was laid on its final resting-place. The following record, written on parchment and placed in a copper tube, was enclosed in the stone: "Pulaski Monument, Savannah, Georgia, Chatham County, United States of America: 11th October, 1853.

"This parchment is to record the laying of the corner-stone of a Monument in the center of Monterey Square, at the junction of Bull and Wayne Streets, City of Savannah, to the memory of Brigadier General Kasimir Pulaski, who fell mortally wounded by a swivel shot, while on a charge at the head of a body of Cavalry, before the British lines, at the Siege of Savannah, on the ninth day of October, seventeen hundred and seventy-nine. Kasimir Pulaski, a Polish nobleman, was born in Mazovia, in Poland, in the year Seventeen Hundred and Fortyeight. arrived in the United States in the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy-seven (1777) and volunteered his services to the American Government, in the great and glorious cause of Liberty and resistance to British Tyranny - received a commission from the Government as Brigadier General of Cavalry, on the 15th day of September, 1777, and fought gallantly in the battles of this country, at Brandywine, Germantown, Charleston and Savannah. Aged thirty-one- years.

o'clock, P. M., upon the appointed day, the Independent Volunteer Battalion of Savannah, consisting of the Chatham Artillery, with a battery of six guns, under Capt. Gallie ; the Phoenix Riflemen, under Capt. Mills; the Republican Blues, under Lieut. Davis, commanding; the Savannah Volunteer Guards under Capt. Screven : the German Volunteers, under Capt. Stegen ; the Irish Jasper Greens, under Capt. Devanny ; and the De Kalb Riflemen, under Capt. Ganahl; together with the Georgia Hussars, on the right, under Capt. Lamar, the whole under the command of Lieut. Col. Alexander R. Lawton, poured in Liberty street, and marched to the ground, taking position in Bull street, with the right resting in (Madison Square, and their left extending to Monterey Square. In this position they received, with the customary military salute, the civic procession, marshaled by Commissioner Win. P. Bowen, comprised of the Chaplain and Orator of the day, escorted by Commissioner Richard D. Arnold, the Mayor and Aldermen of Savannah, then (Masonic Lodges and their officers of the First Brigade and First Squadron of Cavalry, with their staffs. The procession having passed into the square, occupied the seats which had been provided on a platform erected above the foundation of the monument. The immense concourse of spectators, of whom a large number were ladies, filled the entire square and open space in the vicinity, as well as the windows and piazzas of the surrounding dwellings. The military, after the entrance of the procession, took a new position, forming on three sides of the square, where they remained during the performance of the ceremonies.

"These arrangements having been completed, the assemblage was called to order by Commissioner Wm. P. Bowen, after which the Reverend Aaron J. Kara [Pastor of the Lutheran Church], Chaplain of the day, addressed the Throne of Grace in an impressive and appropriate prayer.

"Henry Williams, Esq., who had been invited by the Commissioners to deliver an address on the occasion, then arose and enchained the attention of the entire assemblage, perhaps the largest ever congregated m Savannah in the * * * graphic and eloquent tribute to the memory of Pulaski.

"Upon the conclusion of the address, Commissioner Bowen exhibited a list of the * * * articles which had been placed within the cornerstone. * * *

"The members of the Masonic Fraternity then rising from their seats, assembled around the base of the monument, when, conducted by the Acting Grand Master Richard R. Cuvier, the solemn forms of their ceremonial were observed, and the corner-stone duly deposited by their hands in the place prepared for its reception. A benediction was then pronounced by Rev. T. L. Hutchings.

"The Chatham Artillery, who had previously taken an independent position, then fired a National Salute, which concluded the most brilliant and imposing civic and military pageant ever witnessed in Savannah.

"In the evening of the same day the. Commissioners entertained, at the Exchange, a number of invited guests, consisting of the Commissioned Officers of the Military, and others who had taken part in the ceremonies of the occasion."

The contract with Mr. Launitz called for the delivery of the monument by the second day of July, 1854; but it was net until early in November that he began the work on the foundation which, it appears had to be changed somewhat, and consequently the corner-stone had to be moved so that it rests "on the foundation in the northeast corner, enclosed by the plinth at that corner."

It took him until the 22d of December to conclude the work which embraced also the placing of the railing enclosing the monument, and the next day he announced its completion to the commissioners, tendering the monument "for your inspection and acceptance." Promptly came their response on the 26th in which they said: "We * * * accept it, and while congratulating you upon its completion in accordance with your design and contract, we most heartily tender to you our very sincere thanks for this specimen of monumental architecture, alike creditable to yourself and ornamental to our City."

On the 5th of January, 1855, the commissioners announced to the mayor and aldermen of the city the fact of the completion, and closed their communication in these words: "They now desire a tender of that structure to the Municipal authorities as part and parcel of the publicproperty of the City, and invite your attendance in Monterev Square on Monday, the 8th January, at 12 o'clock, M., for its reception." They also wrote to each teacher in the city inviting every one of them "and the male department of your school" to he present at that time "to oarticipate in the ceremonies in honor of the Pulaski [Monument."

The ceremonies at that time were thus described by the Morning News of the next day: "The final act of the Commissioners of the Pulaski [Monument was consummated yesterday in the delivery of that chaste and elegant structure the object of their labors and their pride, in all its beauty and perfectness, into the custody of its future guardians, the Mayor and Aldermen of Savannah. The presentation was made at the base of the monument by Dr. R. D. Arnold. Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, in the presence of the Judges of the Supreme Court, a detachment of military under Capt. \Y. II. C. .Mills, a number of other distinguished persons, and a large concourse of citizens. The address of Dr. Arnold was an impromptu effort, that duty having heen previously assigned to Col. Wml P. Bowen who was taken ill in the morning, and found it impossible to leave his bed at the appointed hour - but, like other impromptu efforts of that popular orator, was most happily conceived and eloquently expressed.

"After a short and appropriate reply by the Hon. Edw. C. Anderson, [Mayor of the City accepting the trust and pledging himself and his associates to protect and preserve it. the Connniss'oners with their invited guests adjourned to the Pulaski House, where a sumptuous collation had been prepared. Here a few hours were spent in discussing the comestibles provided, and in short, happy addresses and appropriate sentiments, delivered by Dr. Arnold, the Chairman. Mr. Robertson, the Treasurer, the Hon. John E. Ward, Judge Howard, Father O'Neill, Messrs. Alexander, Bryan, and others, of Savannah: and by Col. Hull, of Athens, Hon. Andrew J. Miller, of Augusta, and other distinguished guests.

"A novel and most happy idea was the collation prepared in the Square, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, for the pupils of the various schools of the City. Nearly five hundred covers were laid, and a perfect mountain of sweetmeats, cakes, fruit, and all those things most likely to tempt the appetite of the juveniles. These (ample as was the provision) were soon annihilated, and the 'Boys of Savannah' gathered around the stand to listen to the words to be addressed to them by Dr. Arnold. At this time Col. Bowen stood at the side of the orator, but was loo ill to address his little friends.

"It was a beautiful sight to see the neatly dressed scholars, with their white satin badges and silk banners of various designs, marching with their several teachers at their head around the Square, into the places assigned them by the order of the ceremonies. This was altogether a most happy idea, and the scene was one which will be long and fondly remembered in maturer years by the little participants, in the happiness which the Commissioners must have felt as they imparted it to ail who approached them on this memorable occasion." first monument, of which we are now to speak, was erected as the Greene and Pulaski monument. The time being near when its placing in position was an assured fact, the Georgian of March 28, 1829, published this statement: "The public will no doubt be gratified to learn that the memorial in honor of these distinguished patriots of the revolution, so long in contemplation but which appears never to have been forgotten by the committee entrusted with its erection, may soon be expected to be commenced. We understand that the committee, in preference to dividing their resources between two monuments, distant from each other, and of inferior beauty and dimensions, have determined to erect one, dedicated to both the illustrious individuals intended to be commemorated; and we are gratified to state our belief that it will prove when completed a splendid monument to our city, creditable to the State by whom a large portion of the funds for its erection has been furnished and honorable to the public spirited citizens who by their personal exertions and their subscriptions have been engaged in thus, in some measure, liquidating the large debt of gratitude we owe two of the most distinguished among the founders of our liberties.

"The monument will be ei'ected in Johnson's Square, on the spot LaFayette laid the corner stone for that of Greene during his visit to- this City. The form of the obelisk has been chosen, the plan of which was furnished by the celebrated architect of Pennsylvania, Mr. Strickland - the material of the obelisk will be white marble from the quarry known in New York as 'Kane's Quarry,' being the same as that of which the front of the City Hall, at New York, is built, and will be furnished by Messrs. Matterson and Smith of New York. The foundation of the monument will be sunk eight feet, sixteen feet square at bottom, and ten feet by twelve at the top - the outside of the base to be composed of four large granite stones, of which material also the steps surrounding the pedestal will be erected. The altitude of the whole will be fifty feet.

"The contract for the erection we understand has been taken by Mr. Scudder. It will be immediately commenced, and we are assured that it will be completed by the next anniversary of our independence."

The prediction as to the time of its completion was not verified, and the next information given on the subject was by the same paper, on the 3d of October following, when it was announced that "we feel gratified in being enabled to assure our readers, upon the very best authority, that the materials for this structure will be ready for shipment at New York on the loth of the present month."

We next hear of this matter on the 17th of November, when the Georgian again said: "About twenty-four tons of the material intended for this structure arrived here from New York by the Statira ; another portion will come by the Tybee, which is hourly expected, and the balance by another vessel that was to have sailed with despatch." This was soon followed with the announcement, ten days later, that "The monument to the memory of Greene and Pulaski is now in such a state of forwardness as to render it very certain that it will shorRy be completed. .Most of the pieces of which it is to be composed, and which are cut ready for putting up, have arrived from New York, and will no doubt be immediately erected. It will be a great ornament to the City, and we hope early measures will be taken for enclosing the square. The following are the dimensions of the monument as given by the artist in the New York ('mirin': - Its height is fifty feet, resting on a base twenty feet by eleven. The pedestal is 8 ft. 5 in. by 4 ft. 8 in. rising 13 feet, and surrounded by a cornice of one foot. From the pedestal a needle rises 26 feet which is 5 ft. 4 in. by 3 ft. at base, and 4 ft. by 2 ft. 3 in. at apex. The material is marble, and the needle is composed of only seven pieces, each of which weighs more than eight thousand pounds ! "

The following is here quoted merely to show how and when the corner stones for two monuments laid by La Fayette in 182.) were removed. The Georgian, reviewing Le Vasseur's Yols. "La Fayette in America," said, in its issue of Thursday, December 3. 1821*: "As tin* corner stones of the Greene and Pulaski monuments were wsterday removed, in the presence of the Committee, from the spots in which they had been laid by General La Fayette, to the foundation of the 1:10ml-

We get this excellent description of the Greene monument from the Georgian of Saturday, February 6, 1830. being the last notice concerning its erection, and saying nothing as to any suggestion of its formal dedication: "The Greene and Pulaski monument is at last completed.

It is a simple obelisk of white marble, of the following dimensions. The base is 20 feet bv 11. The pedestal 8 feet 5 inches by 4 feet 8 %, rising 13 feet and surrounded by a cornice of one foot. The needle is 5 feet 4 inches at the base and 4 feet by 2 feet 3 at the apex rising 36 feet. The pedestal is formed of 12 pieces, each 1 foot 7 inches in height, and the needle of seven pieces each 5 feet 1 % in height, and weighing together 56,000 pounds. The altitude of the whole 50 feet.

'"We have expressed no opinion of the structure during its progress, although we have heard a thousand. Vet, among those who, in its unfinished state, condemned it, likening it to everything ludicrous, we believe there are few who have not, since its completion, modified their opinions. At any rate, those in whose laste and judgment we rely have pronounced it a beautiful and appropriate structure. That it might have been more extensive in its dimensions and imposing in its appearance none will deny; but because all the ideas of ardent imaginations have not been realized, it is not reasonable or just to condemn all that has been effected with limited means. In short, it is good as far as it goes, and that is as far as the means for its erection would permit. We do not pretend to judge scientifically of the work, and as a matter of taste on the part of others we do not feel disposed to dispute what it is admitted is not to be disputed. Were we to urge an objection, and we mention it willi perfect reference to those better informed, it would be to the extent of ground covered by the base, by which the height of the whole is diminished to the eye. We however feel no disposition to carp at the design or execution of the monument - on the contrary we think that the highest praise is due to the successful exertions of the committee. To our untutored eye it appears to lit* a beautiful ornament to the city, honorable to those by whose subscriptions it has been erected, and such we have no doubt will be the judgment of every unbiased individual who shall examine it. A railing to preserve it from the mischievous assaults of boys and negroes is required immediately; and the enclosure and improvement of the Square we trust will be commenced at an early day."

In the course of this record we have outlined the facts connected with the burial of General Nathanael Greene and the belief that any effort, after the search in 181!) and 1820, to locate the spot where his body was interred would prove fruitless. There were many who. when the matter was discussed, expressed the opinion that his burial place would never be known, while a few thought it possible that the mystery would some day be solved. There were reasons for believing that the searches said to have been made were not very thorough, and, on a revival of the discussion on the 28th of January, in the year 1901, the matter was brought to the attention of the Rhode Island State Society of the Cincinnati of which he was the first president, and that society then adopted the following resolutions.

" Whereas, after diligent inquiry, it is believed that full investigation has never yet been made to ascertain definitely where the remains of Major-General Nathanael Greene, President of the Rhode Island Society of Cincinnati were finally deposited after his decease at Mulberry Grove, near Savannah, Georgia, in 1780; and

" Whereas , it is believed that a thorough search of- the four' old burial vaults in the old cemetery now forming a part of Colonial Park in Savannah, Georgia, will determine whether the remains are deposited in one of the said vaults, as believed by persons well informed in matters of local history, or at a certain place in the said old graveyard, as insisted by a venerable citizen of the State of Georgia, who has for seventy years been a member of the Chatham Artillery Company which acted as escort at Major-General Greene's funeral, such insistence being based on statements made to him by former members of said artillery organization who had assisted at said funeral; and

"Whereas, it is particularly appropriate that the Society of Cincinnati in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations should do whatever may be necessary towards ascertaining t lie burial place of its first president, the great patriot and soldier who, next to Washington, aided so potentially in securing the independence of the United States:

" Resolved , that the following committee be appointed and respectfully asked to accept said appointment, to do all that is needful to carry out the intent of the above resolution to wit :

"William Harden, Esq., Secretary of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of Georgia and Librarian of the Georgia Historical Society."

The members of the committee named in iho resolutions all consented to serve, and, on tin* first of March Colonel Gardiner reached Savannah and consulted them before entering upon the search which began after the receipt of the following communication from tin mayor of the city whose consent to the search had been solicited.

"Savannah. Oa., March 1. 1901. - Messrs. William Harden, Alfred Hearing Harden and Walter G. Charlton, City - Gentlemen: Replying to your communication of this date, requesting permission to open and examine certain vaults in the Colonial Park, for which no living representatives of former owners can be found, permission is herewith given, subject to the consent of the Park and Tree Commission, to open the said three vaults, provided no representatives of the owners can be found in the city or state, and that the vaults be restored after the examination to their former condition.

The attention of the committee was specially directed to four "vaults in a row, located at a right angle to Oglethorpe. avenue," formerly South Broad street. The one nearest the street was first opened', and was found to he that of Col. Richard Wylly, deputy quartermaster-general of the Continental Army in the Revolution, whose coffin was found with the plate on it. For some reason, not stated, the second vault, next to that of the Wyllys, was supposed to he that of the Jones family of which Capt. Noble Jones "the trusted lieutenant of Oglethorpe whose watchful eye and brave sword were ever instant for the protection of the infant-colony against the encroachments of the jealous Spaniards and the incursions of the restless Indians" was the first to set foot on Georgia soil. This vault was not examined in regular order, as the permission of owner, Air. Wymberlev Jones De Renne, had not then been obtained. Surprise was expressed when the third was opened and found entirely empty. The committee did not then know that they had really struck the Jones vault from which all remains had, years before, been removed by Mr. George Wymberlev Jones De Renne and placed in Bonaventure cemetery. After examining the fourth which was discovered to belong to the Thiot family 1 the committee then gave its final attention to the second vault in line which was opened at the front, to permit workmen to enter, and a smaller opening was made through the rear brick wall to permit entrance of light and air. In the center of the vault were found probably a cart load of broken bricks, which had first to be removed." It was on the 4th of March that it was opened and the first thing to be found after the removal of the broken bricks was a coffin, well preserved, bearing a silver plate with the name of Robert Scott, and the date of his death, June 5, 1845, and it may be here stated That this discovery, a surprise to all present, led to the verification of the theory advanced at an early date in the investigation of the subject, that the family of General Greene, supposing that with the granting of the Mulberry Grove plantation title lo the Graham vault in the old cemetery was also vested in the grantee, General Greene, buried him there.

After the finding of the Scott coffin the search revealed a mass of rotten wood and human bones mixed with the sand in the bottom cf the vault among which was found a piece of metal badly corroded but resembling a coffin plate. Despite the corrosion the article evidently bore an inscription in which many persons to whom it was shown were sure they could distinguish the figures "1786," from which, it was at once inferred by Colonel Gardiner, as he mentioned to an employee of the Park and Tree Commission, "that the coffin-plate of General Greene had been found." That man was Air. Edward M. Keenan who. in his affidavit relating these facts made this statement: "That in the per- formance of my labors for said committee I entered said vault in the Colonial Park in said city of Savannah on said 4th day of March, and that in order to examine the remains and debris in said vault 1 was sent to the city green-house at No. 608 Barnard stieet, near the corner of Huntingdon and Barnard streets for a sieve. Upon my return I was informed by Colonel Gardiner that the coffin-plate of General Greene had been found. 1 again entered the vault and after picking out the largest of the bones among the remains from which the plate had been taken the dirt and mold was sifted and among the particles remaining in the sieve I found three metal buttons which were corroded; and when rubbing off some of the green substance on one of said buttons 1 distinguished the faint outlines of an eagle, that among the bones removed were the rotted fragments of as many as three silk gloves the fingers of which were partially gone but the portions covering the palms of the hands were in a lair state of preservation and were sufficiently firm as to be shaken to remove the dust and mould with which they were covered; that among the remains from which the coffin-plate of General Greene was found there appeared to be the bones of two persons, one much younger than the other, which facts 1 believe from the size of the bones."

Mr. Chas. C. Gattman, another employee assisting in the opening of the vault, made an affidavit as to his connection with the investigation in which he stated "I further depose and say that alongside of the remains among which I found said piece of metal on which the figures 1786 appeared there was the remains of another human skeleton which I believe to be those of a male person of the age of nineteen or thereabouts." To account for the bones of the second person it is onlv necessary to state that the eldest child of General Nathanael Greene, named George Washington Greene, was drowned in the Savannah river on the 28th of March, 1793, and his body was buried beside that of his father; and his age was eighteen years. The skull of the older person crumbled into dust soon after its discovery, but not before measurements of it were taken from which no doidff remained that it was that of General Greene. In the report of the committee of the general assembly of Rhode Island completely covering the subject it is said that '"measurements of the skidl * * * corresponded to the details in Sully 's original portrait of Major-General Nathanael Greene, and the statements made by the late Hon. Nathanael Greene and other members of the Greene family."

The remains were placed in two boxes and were deposited in the safe deposit vault of the Southern Bank of the State of Georgia to await the public re-interment of them at a later date. The coffin-plate was delivered to Gen. L. P. DiCesnola, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, who had it properly cleaned, when the lettering on it appeared distinctly in these words

_ The attention of the general assembly of Rhode Island was called to the fact that the remains of General Greene had been found, and that body adopted measures to have those remains suitably re-interred. It was desired that they he carried to Rhode Island and placed under a monument in the city of Providence erected in memory of that distinguished character. The legislature "Resolved that two members of the senate and three members of the house of representatives be and they hereby are appointed a joint special committee to inquire into and ascertain the desirability of securing within the state of Rhode Island a permanent resting place for the remains of Gen. Nathanael Greene." Messrs. Horace F. Horton and James E. Bannigan were appointed from the senate and Messrs. Frank T. Easton, J. Stacy Brown, and Harry II. Shepard from the house, but by a subsequent resolution Francis W. Greene, of the house, was added to the committee, and Mr. Edward Field was made secretary. The last named was very active in the matter of the final disposition of the remains, and a better appointment could not have been made. The action of the Rhode Lsland legislature will be best understood by the reader when the following paper adopted at the January session, 1902, is considered :

"Whereas, The people of Rhode Island have learned, with profound satisfaction, that the remains of Major-General Nathanael Greene, who died at his plantation, at Mulberry Grove, in the State of Georgia, on the 19th of June, 1786, have recently been discovered in a vault in Colonial Park, formerly one of the ancient cemeteries in the City of Savannah, Georgia ;

"And Whereas, the people of Rhode Island, recognizing the eminent services which Nathanael Greene gave to the cause of liberty during the struggle for American independence, desire to show its appreciation of his great genius as a military commander and his sterling worth as a citizen, and to pay its tribute to the memory of so distinguished a son of Rhode Island when those remains are finally committed to earth.

"Be it therefore Resolved , That the joint special committee of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island, appointed to take into consideration the permanent location of the remains of General Nathanael Greene within the State, be and is hereby authorized to take such action as may be necessary to ascertain the wishes of the descendants of General Greene as to the place of final interment of those honored remains, and in the event that the descendants of General Greene desire to have his remains buried within this State, said committee is hereby directed to report the fact to the General Assembly forthwith, in order that suitable provision may be made for the ceremonies therefor and for an appropriate memorial to mark the place of such interment; but in the event that the descendants of General Greene desire to have his remains finally buried elsewhere than within this State, then said committee is hereby authorized to make such arrangements as may be suitable and proper in order that the State of Rhode Island may be represented at such interment and may do full honor to the memory of its distinguished son. . /

" Resolved , That the sum of two thousand dollars be and the same hereby is appropriated to defray the expenses of said committee, including the making of said inquiries of the descendants of General Greene, and provisions for the representation of the State at his burial, in case such burial shall he without the State; and the State Auditor is hereby directed to draw his orders from time to time upon the General Treasurer for so much of said sum as may be necessary, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, upon the receipt of proper vouchers approved by the Governor."

A letter of inquiry was sent to each of the descendants of the General, twenty-three in all, to which eighteen replied. With three exceptions they expressed the hope that the re-interment be in Savannah. An "Association of Patriotic Societies" was formed in that city, to take charge of the re-interment, pledged to raise the funds for that purpose, and the 14th of November, 1902, was appointed as the time. The governor of Rhode Island and the committee from the legislature of that state were invited to be present, as were also descendants of General Greene. By agreement, a reception for Gov. Charles Dean Kimball was held during the session of the United States courts in the Government building at half past ten o'clock, on the morning of the 14th, when the Hon. Emory Speer, judge of the district court delivered an address of welcome, and Governor Kimball responded. In the afternoon the ceremonies connected with the re-interment were observed, and the report of the Rhode Island legislative committee thus mentioned the matter :

"These ceremonies were of a most dignified and imposing kind. A proclamation of the acting Mayor had made the day practically a holiday; all the public offices were closed, and many of the merchants and tradesmen laid aside their business to unite in paying their tribute of respect to the memory of the distinguished son of Rhode Island, the great commander in the struggle for American Independence, and the sterling citizen of Georgia. People from without the" city joined with those of Savannah to take part in this patriotic demonstration. Your committee took part in these proceedings, and a full account of the expenses will be found in the historical account heretofore referred to and made a part of this report and annexed hereto.

"The City of Savannah is to he congratulated on the success of this great patriotic ceremony. It was formal, dignified, patriotic; and, in its perfect systematic arrangement of details, showed the high qualities of the military genius under whose direction the whole affair was planned and so successfully carried out.

"The remains were placed in a casket made of Georgia curly pine which was borne to its final resting place on "a caisson by a detail from the Chatham Artillery. * * * This same military organization had borne a conspicuous part in the funeral obsequies of General Greene in 1786, this being one of the first duties the artillery company was called upon to perform after its organization, the year of his death."

In connection with the ceremony the Savannah Chapter D. A. R. presented a bronze wreath, which was made secure to the monument under the portrait tablet on the south side, to commemorate the removal

When the remains of General Greene were discovered those in charge of the search were of the opinion that the place where they reposed was the Jones or DeRenne vault. Such was never the opinion of the present writer who at once set to work to prove that they had been placed in the Graham-Mossman vault where they had always rested and from which they were now taken. That opinion was proved to be correct, and the proof of it was absolutely established. Col. Asa Bird Gardiner, in his address in representatives' chamber, state house, Newport, Rhode Island. July 4. 1901, on the "Discovery of the Remains of Major-General Nathanael Greene First President of the Rhode Island Cincinnati'' said: "The representatives of the Graham-Mossman family always insisted that the remains had never been disturbed, but were still in their tomb. To the Hon. William Harden, who is Librarian of the Georgia Historical Society and Secretary of the Sons of the Revolution in that State, we are indebted for most painstaking record investigation and elucidation of this interesting subject." He then gave in full all the facts collected in proof of the statement, and stated his conclusion thus: "Accordingly the Hon. William Harden made careful search through probate and other court records, cemetery records and inscriptions, and newspapers of the day, with the indisputable results hereinbefore recited as to the Graham-Mossman family." Air. Thomas Gamble, Jr., in his "History of the City Government of Savannah," gives a concise account of this subject, in these words: "Mr. William Ha rden, Librarian of the Georgia Historical Society, who had made researches for some years with a view of securing clews that would lead to the discovery of the resting-place of General Greene, continued his investigations, and on March 12 (1901) announced that he had become satisfied that the vault in which the remains were found was not that of the Jones family, but the one belonging to the Mossmans to whom the vault had been restored and who had not. as tradition had it, removed the body of General Greene. Where placed in 1786 there the body. Mr. Harden declared, had remained undisturbed until 1901.

"In the vault, just before the discovery of what is supposed to be the Greene Coffin-plate, a coffin-plate was found bearing the name Robert Scott. This Scott, it appears, married Miss Margaret Oliver, the niece of James Mossman. On his death, in 1845, Scott was buried in the Mossman vault. Philip Young, nephew of James Mossman, died in June, 1819, and as at the time there was an epidemic of yellow-fever in Charleston, with Savannah in an extremely sickly state. Mr. Harden's conclusion is that the aldermanic committee did not open this vault owing to his body having been recently placed therein." It is well to state here, in further elucidation of this incident, that Elizabeth Mossman, wife of James Mossman. was the sister of John Graham, lieutenantgovernor of Georgia, owner of the vault and of the Mulberry Grove plantation confiscated and given to General Greene.

Chapter Xxxi

Pioneer Theatrical Performance (1783) - First Regular Theatre Opened - Theatre Described - Old and Present Theatre Similar - jMacready's Impressions- - Savannah and Ogeechee Canal - First Telegraphic Dispatches - Public Water Supply - First Survey for Water Works - Construction Engineers Appointed - Description of Works (1854) - System in Use from 1854 to 1892 - Present Artesian Well System - Lighting of the Streets - Mayors and Aldermen, 1835-1850 - Probably First Newspaper Extra.

At this point we take up the subject of the drama in Savannah, and what is now related is substantially the account furnished by this writer to the Morning Xews some years ago.

It seems to be pretty well settled that the first theatrical performances in this country were given in New York about the year 1733, but the actors were probably not professionals. Investigation has satisfactorily proved that the first theatrical troupe to visit the colonies was that of the brothers William and Lewis Hallam. and the date of the first performance is variously recorded as having been in Philadelphia, in 1749; in New York, February 26, 1750; in New York, September 17, 1753. It is probable, however that the first date is correct, as there is authority for the statement that a theatrical company of "certain persons who had lately taken upon themselves to act plays" figured in the police records of Philadelphia, and went to New York in 1750, playing in a wooden building in Nassau street hastily converted into a theatre which would seat three hundred people.

There is no evidence at hand to show that theatrical performances were given by any regular dramatic troupe before the year 1783, when this advertisement appeared in the Georgia Gazette:

"At the Filature, on Thursday, the 9th day of October next, will be performed, for the benefit of the poor, by a set of gentlemen, the tragedy called 'The Fair Penitent,' to which will be added an entertainment, '.Miss in Her Teens; or. The Medley of Lovers.' The door will be opened at half past five o'clock, and the play to begin precisely at seven. Tickets to be had of Captain Fields and Mr. Polack. Pit 4s. 8d. Gallery 3s. 'id. Xo money will be received at the door, and no geutlemen will be admitted behind the scenes on any pretence.

That the company was a regular dramatic troupe cannot be doubted as it was under the management ot' Messrs. Gordon and Kidd, who came to Georgia, as stated, to ''settle in the way of their profession," and met with encouragement. They were assisted in the performance by their wives and some '"gentlemen who acted for their amusement." Gordon opened a dancing school in the city, and the theatrical entertainments were kept up during the years 1783, 1784 and 1785. Until the present theatre was built the Filature, erected in colonial days for the making of silk, was used as a play-house.

The earliest notice of a purpose to erect a theatre in Savannah is of a gathering of citizens at the Exchange, Friday, March 16, 1810, who organized an association called "Friends to the Drama." Thomas Mendenhall was called to the chair, and John G. Cowling was made secretary. Messrs. William B. Bulloch, Thomas Young. William Gaston and Henry Hall were made a committee to obtain subscriptions for erecting a theatre, and the price of shares in the stock was fixed at $100 each, one-fourth to be paid at the time of subscribing. Mr. Mendenhall was appointed treasurer. They met the second time one week thereafter, and received the report of the committee, after which they adjourned for another week; meeting again on the 30th of March, the committee was increased by adding Messrs. Hugh McCall, T. V. Gray and James Bilbo, and it was resolved "that it is expedient to petition the City Council for the grant of a lot in an eligible part of the City for the purpose of erecting a theatre," for which purpose it was deemed necessary to draft a memorial and Messrs. Benjamin Maurice, Thomas Telfair, John G. Cowling and John J. Evans were appointed a committee to prepare the same. All efforts in this direction proved fruitless, and on the 12th of July it was shown that not more than three or four thousand dollars had been raised, when the following announcement was made :

"Those who have subscribed and paid their first installment are requested to call on Thomas Mendenhall. Esq., Treasurer, and receive the amount of the same, as the object of the institution has not been sufficiently supported."

Again, in 1816. another attempt was made to accomplish the purpose, this time successful, and a joint stock company was organized with subscriptions to the stock sufficient to build, and the stockholders, through Messrs. James Morrison and James Marshall, petitioned council, on the 16th day of July, for a grant of two lots on which to erect the theatre. The effort was encouraged, and on the 28th of February, 1818, a deed was signed by Mayor James M. Wayne, and Aldermen John Tanner, Ilazen Kimball. Joseph Habersham, Frederick Densler, William Davies, Paul P. Thomasson and G. W. Owens, a majority of the board, conveying to James Bilbo, James Morrison, Alexander Telfair, Jonathan

Battelle and "William Gaston, trustees of the Savannah theatre, and their successors, the two lots twenty-nine and thirty, Brown ward, which had already, by resolution, been given for that purpose. No delay was made, and, under a Air. Jay. the construction of the theatre began at once.

The building was completed before the end of the year 1818, and was opened for the first time on Friday, the 4th ot' December, with the following programme.

"The manager has the pleasure of respectfully informing the public that the New Theatre will open on Friday, December 4th, 1818, with Cherry's Comedy of 'The Soldier's Daughter.'

"Tickets and places for the boxes to be had at the box office at the Theatre on days of performance from 10 to 2 o'clock, and from 3 till -) ; and on non-play days from 10 till 2 o'clock.

"The Public is respectfully informed that Air. Hilson is engaged for a few nights, and will make his lirst appearance on Saturday evening, in the characters of Robert Tylee and Nipperkin. "

A description of the new building was fortunately given in the Georgian, a few days later, so that from it we may get a good idea of how Savannah's first theatre looked.

"To the Editor of the Georgian:' Having, in common with many citizens of Savannah, enjoyed the pleasure afforded by your Theatre, I have thought it a fair tribute due from a stranger and visitor to offer to the public through the medium of your paper a description of the building as it has struck me, and to add a few remarks of my own. The Savannah Theatre belongs to the German order of architecture, and though not so capacious as some houses of the same description in the Northern cities, yet it may vie with and even excel most of them in taste and elegance. It has been built by private contributions, and too much cannot be said in commendation of the zeal of the stockholders.

"The plan of the interior of the building is semi-circular, following the choice of the ancient German and Roman theatres in this particular, being not only better adapted to the climate, but also best calculated for seeing and hearing, than the elliptical form used in modern theatres; and a moment's reflection on the radii drawn from the center of the stage to the different seats will convince one of the soundness of the choice of the architect. Air. Jay, who has displayed great taste in the outfit. The house is capable of containing 1.000 spectators, and from the easy access and egress by numerous spacious entrances is perfectly safe to the visitors in case of fire, the breadth of the lobbies affording instant relief to a crowd. The pit, arranged in the usual manner, is approached by a distinct entrance. There are two rows of boxes, supported by sixteen cast-iron columns, fluted, with gilt capitals and backs, uniting an air of great lightness with strength. The panels of the lower tier of boxes arc adorned by golden eagles, with a wreath of green foliage, relieved on a white ground. Between each box is a pilaster panel, laid on crimson, and enriched with a Grecian scroll. The second tier is ornamented by the following basso-relievos, painted by Air. Etty, of London.

"No. 3. 'The bright morning star, day's harbinger, comes dancing from the east, and leads tin* flowery May, who from her green lap throws tlu> yellow cowslip and the primrose pale.'

"The upper circle is alternately relieved by a lyre and a wreath, the first in green and the second in gold, on white panels. The decorations are very well thrown out by the back ground of the boxes being crimson, at once rich and chaste. The second circle is open to the lobbies which will contain a number of spectators and afford a free circulation of air through the house. The space is relieved by a drapery of crimson, in very happy contrast with the white ceiling of the boxes.

"The proscenium of the stage is formed by an elliptical arch, supported on four pilasters. The stage doors and boxes panelled, and with golden mouldings. The arch is decorated with green and gold on a white ground. The seats in the boxes are covered with crimson cloth - those in the pit are green - and an orange cushion is carried round the circle. The ornaments are generally symbolical of the amusement of the place, and shortly a fine allegorical painting, getting up by Mr. Etty, will supplant the present ornament of the ceiling. It is understood that the present lamps are only temporary ; the house is to be lighted by some fine chandeliers and fixed stage lights. There are a large lobby and rooms for refreshments in the front of the building. For the sake of sound, the partitions and ceiling are all hollow. The painting over the stage is in imitation of basso-relievo, by Air. Reinagle L'Auegro, is represented by a female figure floating on clouds, in one hand she holds a triangle, the emblem of pleasure; in the other a lily, the emblem of innocence. The cornucopias shedding an abundance indicate the sufficiency of the drama for every pleasure consistent with civilized life. The scenery in not yet finished, but, under such an artist, will certainly be fine. The drop curtain was executed some years ago by Air. Calton. of New York. On the right in the background is the portico of a temple, from tlie steps of which Columbia, in her starry mantle, attended by two of the muses, Terpsichore and Euterpe, advance to meet Genius who introduces into our AVestern hemisphere the British drama.

"Thalia and Alelpomene, the muses of Comedy and Tragedy, advance arm in arm with Shakespeare, followed by Ben Jonson, Cibber, and other dramatic writers. At the foot of the steps of the portico, on the right foreground, is seated Eroto. and farther up Polyhymnia. Clio, Calliope and Urania. On the left foreground is Jack Falstaff in full costume. In the background Alacbeth, in scarlet tartans, dimmed by a murky cloud, holds communion with the weird sisters, whose horrid forms are partly hid by the darkness that enshrouds them. This is a very feeble description of the Theatre, which really deserves the efforts of an abler pen.

first used on Monday, the 28th of November, of that year. It was very much admired and served its purpose for many years, having finally to be removed because it was literally worn out and became too shabby to be seen.

The theatre is externally very little altered, since it was first- erected, the walls being almost as they were originally built. The building has several times been renovated, and, after the fire of September 21, 1906, when it was, with the exception of the outer walls, almost totally destroyed, it was completely remodeled.

Many of the most celebrated actors of the world have appeared on the stage of the Savannah theatre, and it would be interesting to have the opinion of all of them as to the impressions received by them, when acting, of the edifice which was so favorably commented on by the writer just quoted ; but we have not found the recorded impressions of any except "William C. Macready, who acted three nights in January, 1844. We quote from his journal: "Savannah, January 22. - Rested. Acted Hamlet pretty well; these are not theatres for Shakespeare's plays! Walked home in darkness, not visible; quite a journey of difficulty through deep sand, and threading a way through posts, etc. Costas came and spoke to me. .

"24th. - My spirits were very much depressed. I was not quite well, and suffering' from the exertion and the temperature of last night. Spoke with Mr. Ryder. The treasurer called and paid me. The day was wretched; a deluge was descending the entire morning; dciisissimus imber! I could not go out ; looked at the papers, and began a letter, which occupied me all day. to niv dear Lydia Bueknill.

"Walked down to the bluff and saw the places of business, etc., admired the novel appearance of the street, upon the face of the bluff, planted as it is with trees and looking over an extent of low land, river, and sea." He concluded his account of his visit to the city by telling of the horror produced in his mind by learning that a duel was to be fought that day at twelve o'clock by two members of the Savannah bar and after saying he had received an invitation from a stranger to join him in a glass of wine, ending with these words on being pressed to visit a reading-room: 'Just come in and see the reading-room: it s the best room in all the south; come, it's just here. ' 1 complied with the importunity of my new acquaintance, who informed me all about himself, but my stomach felt sick with horror at the cold-blooded preparation for murder with which lie acquainted me."

In 1848, Joseph Bancroft in his "Census of the City of Savannah," said at that time of the Savannah and Ogeechee Canal Company that its capital was $160,000, in shares of 850 each, and that its directors were George AY. Anderson, Amos Scudder, and Af. Alarsh. Continuing, he gave this information: "This Company was formerly the Savannah, Ogeechee, and Altainaha Canal Company - capital 8199,225. It expended $246,693 on the work and suffered it to go down. In January, 1846, the present Company purchased the concern, and have since that time put the canal in thorough repair, built a new lock near the City in Stiles' field, and one near the Ogeechee river, and constructed a waterway at the Little Ogeechee to vent off the surplus water. Amount of expenditures of the new Company on the work, about $16,000.

"The locks are all of brick 110 feet long. 18 feet wide, except the lock at the Savannah River, which is 30 feet wide, and will admit a vessel of 10 feet water - the Canal from the lock to the Rail Road bridge is 160 feet wide, and with a little deepening a vessel drawing 10 feet water can pass up to the Rail Road bridge. It is estimated that at least 20,000 to 25,000 cords of wood and 10,000,000 feet' of lumber will annually pass down the Canal, besides rice, bricks, and various other articles. The present Company have reduced the tolls, and they design to make it the interest of the public to use the Canal. The charter is a very liberal one, being perpetual and free from taxes and the expense of keeping up bridges over the Canal."*

The Georgian of Tuesday, March 21, 1848, said: "All the wires of the telegraph between the City and Augusta have been laid, and there will be communication tomorrow."

On Thursday, the 23d, this brief statement is all that was written concerning what was undoubtedly the first telegraphic despatch received in Savannah :

"'From our Charleston Correspondent - Steamer Northerner arrived at New York. Steamer Earitou burnt oft' Bedlow's Island - passengers saved. X. York

"Charleston, March 23. - 'Cotton. - The sales today are 5S0 bales at 6% @ 7% - decline % to % below yesterday. Arrived, bark Harriet and Martha from Matanzas. ' "

From the time the c-ity was founded until the year 1854, the people were supplied with water by means of wells, and for fire protection, cisterns were built in the squares into which water was pumped from the wrells and thence drawn by suction to be thrown on the burning buildings. From time to time new wells had to be sunk, and in 1830 twelve large cisterns were constructed. The time came when a better method had to be adopted, but it was slow in coming. Waterworks were needed, and inquiries were made concerning the cost of providing the same. On the 21st of February, Mr. George M. Towers made a proposition to give the people all the water needed for all purposes from the river, but it was found to be a more expensive business than the city could afford, and no contract was made with him. Another proposition for the same purpose was made in 1825, by a Mr. Campbell, and Dr. W. C. Daniell, the mayor, was authorized to have a conference with him which, however, produced no result. The same mayor was, in 1826. instructed to advertise for bids to supply the city with water sufficient for domestic and fire purposes, which action brought the proposal of a plan from Mr. John Martineau by which it was expected that a supply could be had at a cost to the city of $50,000, after which the annual cost for maintaining the plant would be $8,000. but even that was deemed too expensive. It seems that the time had not come for the consummation of that most important matter, and not until 1850 was any progress made in the right direction, at which time the legislature of Georgia passed measures under which the city received power to promise the requisite funds. Accordingly, on the 6th of June Dr. C. P. Richardsone and Mr. Hiram Roberts addressed a communication to council on the subject, and, in September, an appropriation of $300 was made to pay the expenses of an agent to investigate the waterworks system of other cities.

A survey was made by Mr. J. O. Morse who reported to council on the 13th of February, 1851. his views on the subject of waterworks, in which he advocated the use of the Savannah river water, considered pure enough lor the purpose, and he made this statement: "The purity of the water is owing to the fact that the river rises in a region of primitive formation, the turbidness due to the mere mechanical admixture of clay taken up by the river in its course through the low country. This clay is very speedily given up in the form of sediment when once the water is allowed to remain for a short time unagitated. Earthy particles are readily precipitated in two days, leaving the water clearer than that of the C't'oton or the Schuylkill. A gallon, 44.08 grains, in a normal state contains 7.6 grains of solid matter, the greater part of which is alumina or clay, a minute trace of carbonate of lime and magnesia constituting the remainder. Of the solid matter 60 per cent, is held in suspension in an insoluble form, leaving but three grains of soluble matter in the clarified water after three days repose."

Then a public meeting of citizens was called, and the people settled on the wise conclusion that it was time that Savannah had a system of waterworks, and Mr. Morse was paid for the preliminary survey for which he charged the moderate sum of $300. So entirely in earnest were those who had reached the point of enthusiasm necessary to produce results that a large committee was appointed to thoroughly go over the proposals and make choice of the plan. The names of the men composing that committee are worthy of presentation and all honor is due to Messrs. Cosmo P. Richardsone. James Seymour Williams, Edward Clifford Anderson, Robert Lachlison. Hiram Roberts. Charles AVilson, at that time private citizens, and aldermen Robert D. Walker, John F. Posey, James Proctor Screven, Thomas M. Turner, Robert II. Griffin and Thomas Purse. Those men are all dead, but they were publicspirited men, and they knew what was for the good of their home city. The 4th of December, 1851. found them ready to report, and they recommended the plan of Worthington, Baker and Morse as altogether the best for a city such as Savannah was at that time

The committee of council on waterworks was authorized, at a meeting on the 26th of February, 1852, to employ an engineer fully competent to superintend the building of the works, and secured the services of Air. A. W. Craven, chief of the Croton Waterworks of New York, as supervising engineer. At the same time negotiations were entered upon for the purchase ot a proper site for the plant, and land west of the canal belonging to Mr. A. A. Smets, Air. Amos Seudder and Air. Robert Lachlison was bought for $22,000, and the contracts were made. Dr. Richard D. Arnold was at that time mayor, and he and Alderman James P. Screven went to New York and. by authority, closed the contract with Alessrs. Worthington & Alorse. For that work the city issued bonds, known as Waterworks Bonds, to pay for the site. The distributing reservoir was built in Franklin square where it remained until 1900, some years after the change in the water system was made by which the tower became a useless structure. That tower was for a long time one of the city's landmarks, and a description of it and an account of its use in connection with the distribution of water by the old system may at this point lie in order. We are indebted to White's Historical Collection of Georgia for the following:

"The Savannah Water-Works, now [1854] in process of construction, were commenced in the winter of 1852-3. and are to he completed in 1854. A brief description of this important public work will perhaps be deemed interesting.

"The supply is obtained from the Savannah River, the water of which, though turbid in its appearance, (rendered so by the minute particles of clay held by it in suspension.) is nevertheless of remarkable purity inasmuch as it contains no soluble impurities, the sources of the river being in regions of a primitive formation.

"The water is taken from the river above the city, and received into a reservoir located on the low lands west of the Ogeechee Canal. In order to free the water from the earthy matter it holds in suspension, this reservoir is divided into four compartments, rendered distinct from each other by partitions forced with masonry. Into any or all of these compartments, or basins, the water is admitted by means of iron gateways; the contents of one basin, therefore can be used while the process of sedimentation is going on undisturbed in the others. Each one of these basins is made to communicate, by means of culverts of masonry and iron gate-ways, with a chamber, or 'pump-well,' of masonry, situated underneath a building which contains the boilers and engines of the pumping apparatus, by means of which the water is forced into the city.

"The plateau upon which the city of Savannah is built has an altitude of about forty feet above the river. Upon this elevation is built the Distributing Reservoir, having a height of about eighty feet above the general grade of the streets. This structure * * * consists of a circular tower of substantial masonry, upon which is placed the reservoir of iron. From this reservoir, having an elevation sufficient for all purposes, the water is distributed throughout the city in the usual manner, by means of cast-iron pipes, furnished with all necessary lire hydrants, stop-gates, etc.

"The whole height to which the water is raised by the pumping engines is one hundred and twenty feet; the distance from the receiving to the distributing reservoir is somewhat more than half a mile.

"Most of the cities of the United States that are supplied with water under pressure sufficient to carry it to all parts of the buildings, are so situated as to have in their vicinity ground of sufficient elevation to command their town, and on which the reservoir is built. The city of Savannah having no such advantages, it became necessary in the design for these works to devise some means whereby an ample supply of water might be delivered into the town with height, or 'head.' sufficient to give the necessary pressure in the pipes of distribution, without incurring the enormous expense of erecting an artificial elevation of large area on which to build the usual plan of reservoir containing many days' supply. The plan adopted to effect the object required is this: Upon a tower of masonry, a tank, or reservoir, is erected, of a capacity to hold the quantity of water required for the night supply; while the pumping apparatus is so arranged as to place beyond all contingency of failure

"The pumping apparatus consists of three direct-action, condensing pumping engines, each one independent of t lie other, and each capable of delivering into the reservoir one million gallons in twelve hours. 'These are supplied by two steam boilers, each in like manner independent of the other. From these engines, situated, as before mentioned, at the lower or receiving reservoir, two distinct lines of forcing pipes, or 'mains,' are laid to the upper or distributing. reservoir, and from thence the water is conveyed, under the pressure due to the height of this reservoir, throughout the streets of the city.

"By the arrangement it will be seen that not only is the apparatus amply able to meet the demands that the town makes upon it. but that it is sufficiently large to respond to the increased wants due to an increase of population."

The time set for the completion of the system was March 1, 1854. With changes and expenditures for new engines and machinery from time to time, that system continued in operation until 1892 when the present system by which water is supplied from artesian wells was adopted.

The first suggestion of wells for the water supply of the city was made by Mayor John F. Wheaton, in 1879, and their use has given entire satisfaction. The water from these wells is pure and wholesome ; but it is questionable whether with the rapid growth of the city the supply can be kept up. It is not at all improbable that at some time in the future the river will again be called on to supply the city with water. If so, it is to be hoped that a method of filtering at a reasonable cost may be discovered by which the river water will be as pure and useful in all respects at that obtained from the wells.