Williamson - Randolph Foster
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 6 Dec 1901 p 1
Darlington, Ind Dec 4 – Last Sunday was the
58th birthday of Foster Williamson, and as a testimonial of their
affectionate regard, a number of his old comrades, neighbors and friends
planned and executed a surprise dinner for him.
We found him on a farm south of town surrounded by wife and an interesting
family of b oys and girls. Jim Stewart had been delegated to entice him away
from home in the morning. Jim performed his part so that to Foss the surprise
was complete, and he grasped the hand of each guest with tears trickling down
his cheeks. The day was spent in a social way by conversation and vocal music.
The Stewarts were there. The dinner occupied some three hours and was a real
surprise dinner. After dinner on behalf of the company, SS Martin in a
rip-roaring speech of fully a minute presented Mr. Williamson a beautiful
rocker. He arose to replay and between his sobs made the most effective speech
we ever listened to in these words “God bless you all.” All realized that it came from the heart and
all were amply paid for attending. The soldiers were represented by EP
McClasky, BF Gilliland, Joseph Corns, WH Custer, John Finney, AW Mote, WR
Lynch, EH Russell and SS Martin. Accompanying these were Jim Accompanying these
were Jim and Mort Stewart, Albert Mullen, John Trumble, John Hays, LW Peterson,
RC Harper, Robert Reynolds, AH Pickett and Curt McCalip of Crawfordsville. Many
of these had their wives and families, which by a singular coincidence made the
number equal the age of Mr. Williamson. The
lengthening of the shadows reminded all that one of the most beautiful of
winter days was drawing to a close and we must part. Goodbyes were given and we were gone.
Randolph Foster Williamson was born in Ohio
Dec 1, 1843, coming to this county when yet a boy Our first knowledge of him
was when he was learning to plow corn under the tutelage of John Peterson on
Potato Creek, with one horse and a single shovel plow. He continued to work
among the farmers of this neighborhood until the breaking out of the war in
1861. On the 18th of September of that year he was mustered as
corporal of Co I, 10th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving
with his command in its various marches and engagements, arriving at
Chickamaugua on the 19th of October, 1863 where for two days he took
an active part in the historic battle and was captured during the fight on the
20th. After laying in several
minor camps for prisoners he was safely landed in Andersonville where, with
thousands of others, he starved, sickened and almost died. Yet but a boy he
suffered the pangs of hunger. Naked he stood the heat of the torrid sun; daily
he watched the dead corded up and hauled off.
Emaciated, haggard and weary, for 18 long months he waited, watched and
prayed, his mind and heart far to the north with the old 10th
Indiana. Time and again did he try to escape, diggint tunnel after tunnel – his
only reward was punishment. Discouraged, with no hopes of relief, the
confederacy offered him the only alternative he had ever received that of
taking the oath. Foss reasoned that the confederacy was all wrong and would
soon be wiped out of existence, their oath not binding and thereby no sin and
an outlet to him for his long cherished hopes for a chance to run the
gauntlet. He accepted and in three days
was on the run with the guards and bloodhounds after him. A stripling of a boy,. Naked hungry and weak,
rushing through sloughs, wading and swimming streams, blundering, scratching
and bleeding through heavy forests of timber, every white man an armed foe, yet with all this and more, he bid the southern
Confederacy adieu. After weary months of
this by the help of God and the ever ready darkey, he was mustered out some
time after his regiment at Indianapolis on the 1st day of September
1865 a little less than 22 years of age. Today he is an old man at 58 – the
effects of this – yet that one act of his is effecting his escape has so far
deprived him of his just dues – a pension. We, his comrades, with no suffering
as soldiers compared to his, yet receive our quarterly bounty, we honor and
appreciate his services as a soldier and his motive, coupled with eternal grit,
in gaining his command and home, sweet home.