Photo Gallery

Charles Henry Harsch

From one of his comrades who says: Private Harsch was killed the day after we took our objective -It was on or about May 29th. He was on outpost up in front, and was killed by a shell, I saw him when he fell, we went out to him and brought him back. He was a fine fellow; he came from NY, I think. He was an automatic rifleman. He stayed at his outpost while the Germans made 6 counter attacks against us, then was killed.

In these hours of great sorrow you must be comforted in the thought of your brother's bravery and courage, he has proved himself one of America's heroes. May the memory of his devotion to duty ever rest upon you as a benediction.

Please accept the sympathy of the Red Cross, and be assured that if any further word reaches us we shall write you again.

Very sincerely,

WR Castle, JI. D

Miss D. M. Harsch, 250 Holley Street, Brockport, NY

CPD-ELA

Upon the return of the body of our late comrade Charles Henry Harsch in 1921, who was killed in action in France, Brockport witnessed its greatest Military Funeral in respect to a local comrade. The Post members were present in a body 100 per cent. The Mayor and Trustees of the Village and all officials were in attendance while all business was suspended.

Charles Henry Harsch of 650 Holley Street, Brockport, 3. T., was born January 23, 1898 at Waterloo, NY. Enlisted in the U. S. Army at Brockport, NY, May 1, 1917 at the age of 19 years. He was sent to Columbus barracks and assigned to company K, 28th Infantry, 1st Division. Embarked overseas June 12, 1917. Promoted to first class Private January 2, 1918. In action at Cantigny, France - killed May 29, 1918.

Below is a true copy of the original letter from The American Red Cross, National Headquarters, Washington, DC, Bureau of Communication, signed by WR. Castle, JT., Director, informing Miss M. D. Harsch, his sister, of his death :

My dear Miss Harsch:

We have received through our Paris Office, some further information concerning the death of Pvt. Charles Harsch, Company K, 28th Infantry, American E F., your own brave brother.

Arthur Gordon Crisp

Arthur Gordon Crisp of Brockport, NY was born March 26, 1896 at Williston, England. Entered US Army at Rochester, NY, April 12, 1918 at the age of 22 years.  Assigned to 11th Company, 3rd Training Battalion, 153rd Depot Brigade. Transferred to C Company, 310th Infantry, trained at Camp Dix, NJ. Embarked overseas May 19, 1918. Killed in action by shrapnel at Thiaucourt, France September 20, 1918. Remains buried in France in the American Cemetery.

Below is a true copy sent to Mr. Crisp, his father, of Brockport from Dr. M. Potron, Mayor of Thiaucourt-Meurthe-et-Moselle, France:

Dr. M. Potron,

Knight of the Legion of Honor

Ex-Interne of the Hospitals

Senior Head of Department

Of Medical Faculty Laureate

Thiaucourt-Meurthe-et-Moselle

My dear sir:

Memorial Day was celebrated yesterday in a very solemn and pious fashion at the American Cemetery and at the Church of Thiaucourt. I took upon myself the duty of representing all your family at the foot of the tomb of Arthur Crisp, which I had been able to decorate a little.

All the graves had received a uniform decoration; a branch of palm and a starred flag. This is not supposed to undergo any modification and no other ornamentation was tolerated officially. However, the rigour of this ruling has been lessened somewhat and we were able to decorate some graves as you will see in the photographs which I will send you. (Historian's note. Photographs were not received) 

The cemetery is very well kept. A numerous personnel is employed there and they work continually. You can imagine the difference from last year. 

Many families were represented, a half company of Americans, a half company of the 20th Battalion of Infantry under the orders of a Brigadier General from Commercy. An American delegate, Mr. Connor, pastor, presided over the reunion.

There is no longer any question of opening the graves and sending back the bodies to America.

I will send you the pictures as soon as they are finished. I beg you to accept, my dear sir, my most cordial regards.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. M. Potron

I am including in addition the following 2 letters received by Mrs. Crisp, his mother:

Headquarters 303rd Sanitary Train

In the field of active service November 27, 1918

Mrs. Mary Crisp

Fayette Street

Brockport, NY

My dear Mrs. Crisp:

One of the hardest tasks that can come to anyone is before me. I must tell you of your son's death. On September 20 while at his post of duty, performing that duty without fear, with excellent efficiency, he was instantly killed. 

I know that no word of mine can make light of the burden that has come to your heart. Our Master who loved and cared for his mother, even in the hour of death knows your woe and feels your heartbreak. He knows that you have made the supreme sacrifice of life; that you have given your best for your country. To Him I command you.

Tenderly we laid your son in one of the sun kissed fields of France. Words are empty at such a time as this. We have lost a comrade, the nation a splendid soldier, the world one of nature's nobleman, but you have lost a comrade. In all sincerity and in deepest sympathy our hearts go out to you. 

Very truly yours,

EB Collin

Chaplain 303rd Sanitary Train

Knights of Columbus Overseas Service

On Active Service With American Expeditionary Forces

APO American Red Cross Military Hospital No. 1

January 20, 1919

Dear Madam:

I received your letter this morning asking regarding Arthur Crisp. He was killed by shell fire while we were in the support trenches near Thiaucourt and as near as I could find out was buried in a cemetery near Toul. He was struck in the shoulder and it probably went through his heart as he died within a very few minutes. 

Edward Frederick Seaman

Edward Frederick Seaman was born in Clarkson, NY, December 24, 1892. He entered the service at Rochester, NY at the age of 25 years. As a Private in the 10th Company, 3rd Training Battalion, 153rd Depot Brigade. Later transferred to Battery D, 308th Field Artillery. He left for Camp Dix at Wrightstown, NJ on April 6, 1918. He embarked for overseas May 27, 1918. Promoted to First Class Private on August 2, 1918. He was in action in the St. Mihiel near the village of Paye-on-Hay, France. It was there he met his death on the morning of the 14th of September, 1918 whilst acting as cannoner with one of the gun sections. He was killed as he was helping to move his gun forward by hand after all the horses had been killed. He was buried in a small cemetery not a hundred yards from where he fell. On December 15, 1918 a memorial service was held for him at the Hamlin, NY Baptist Church.

On June 9, 1921 his body was brought back to America on the USS Cambria and reinterred in the Lakeside Cemetery, Hamlin, NY.