From the National Tribune, 5/2/1901

THE BELLE ISLE QUARTET.

During the Fall of 1863, when over 6,000 prisoners were confined at Belle Isle, four prisoners formed a chorus club and by their singing cheered up their sick and starving comrades. The four members were Edward Alton, 13th Conn.; H. Waltons and J. D. Johnston, 125th N. Y., and A. P. Watson, 67th Pa. Johnston and Waltons died of exposure and starvation in October, 1863. Alton, late Postmaster at Milford, Wyo., died Feb. 11. A. P. Watson, the only survivor of the famous quartet, lives at Indiana, Pa.

Go to top