Crawford - Albert - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Albert Crawford died from blood poisoning last Thursday evening at 5:30 o’clock at his home on South Green Street after an illness of less than three weeks. For the past week he had been confined to his bed and suffered terribly, the trouble it is thought having originated from the dye in a pair of black hose.

The funeral occurred from the home Saturday afternoon at two o’clock, short services being conducted by Rev. C. H. Wilson, pastor of Center Presbyterian Church. McPherson Post No. 7, of which Mr. Crawford was a member, had charge of the services at the grave. Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery.  Albert Crawford was born in this city July 21, 1844, and has lived here all his life. He was married October 8, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth White, who survives him, there being no children. Mr. Crawford is the last of his family.

When but seventeen years of age Mr. Crawford enlisted as a member of the 18th Indiana battery of Wilder’s famous brigade and served for three years, having a fine military record. He loved his old army comrades like brothers and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to meet them and talk over their army life and experiences. During the last two days of his life, in his delirium he lived over and talked of many of his old battles. By reason of his long residence in this city he had made many friends and acquaintances who sympathize deeply with the bereaved widow in her hour of affliction. His kind heart and gentle ways made him the idol of all children with whom he came in contact and they all lovingly called him “Uncle Albert.”

During his last illness the little ones came frequently to the door to ask after “Uncle Albert” and bring him flowers. Mr. Crawford had been in failing health for about two years and was conscious that there was no hope for his recovery several days before his death, his only regret being that he would have to leave the woman who had made his home a pleasant and hallowed spot.

A member of the eighteenth battery said Friday in speaking of Mr. Crawford’s military career: “Albert Crawford was a faithful, sturdy soldier. He enlisted in the service of his country on the 12th day of July, 1862, and was mustered into the 18th Indiana battery, commanded by the late Col. Eli Lilly, of Indianapolis. This batter was attached to Gen. Wilder’s famous ‘Lightning Brigade,’ and participated in the numerous and telling battles that fell to the lot of that celebrated command, and adding to its efficient and opportune services no little luster to its famous record of forty five battles.

Albert Crawford served the entire three years of his service in active duty with the battery, never absent from his post of duty at any time for sickness or any other cause. He stood all the hardships of those trying times without complaint and was always ready for duty when called on. His death is deplorably mourned by his surviving comrades of the old 18th Battery, and at a meeting of the few remaining survivors held only Thursday at the Denison Hotel in Indianapolis, the utmost regret was expressed by the members gathered together, at the news of his fatal and painful sickness, and all his comrades singly and together expressed themselves feelingly of the faithful and cheerful comrade he had been through all those long years of trials and sufferings. Mr. Crawford was present at all of the forty five battles that the battery went through and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis July 2nd, 1865.” = s