Military Units at the Arsenal on July 7, 1865

[Susan Higginbotham]

(07-08-2014 05:55 PM)John E. Wrote:  Another person who served as one of Hartranft's aids/clerks (Alfred C. Gibson) claimed that Annie was in his room on the 3rd floor watching the execution.

Gibson also claimed:

1. He wrote the prisoners names on vials that HE placed in the pine boxes with the condemned. (Watts claimed to have done this as well and Capt. Rath backed him up on it).

2. Stood front and center just feet away from the gallows during the execution. (If so, how did he know Annie was in his room and fainted?)

3. Pitched quoits with the prisoners. (Maybe)

4. Wrote Hartranft's notes that were sent on to the War Department for Hancock's review. (Maybe)

5. Told Gen. Grant that he could not smoke his cigar in the penitentiary building. (Makes for a good story. Maybe it happened)

I personally don't believe a word he said, even though some of it may actually have happened. He seemed to be nothing but a braggart who served on the periphery and placed himself in the action for notoriety's sake. He certainly wasn't alone.

Thanks! I looked up his February13, 1927 interview with the Springfield (MA) Republican. He claims that Anna was taken to his room after bidding her mother farewell and lay sobbing on the bed, and that she could have seen the execution if she looked out the window. (He then claims that he later heard of her living on Cherry Street in Philadelphia.)

I like his story that O'Laughlin gave him his gold cufflinks before being sent to Florida.