Last month, we shared the story of Simon Powell’s search for his fallen son’s body after the Civil War battle of Chickamauga. As the late Paul Harvey would say, here is “the rest of the story.”This columnist had the opportunity to read a letter by Simon Powell to his late son at a May 16, 1997, First Nighter’s production called “Your Most Respected Friend,” a true-story drama chronicling Henry County’s effort and contribution during the Civil War.

The event, coordinated by Dick Hakes, was held at the First Presbyterian Church in New Castle and featured readings from local residents bringing to life the voices of such people as Gen. William Grose, underground railroad participant Seth Hinshaw, early historian Elwood Pleas and Capt. David Chambers, grand patriarch of the family that would create and run this newspaper for decades.

Music of that time period complemented the readings. The Raintree Chorale performed such songs such as “Dixie Land,” “The Battle Cry of Freedom,” “Goober Peas” and “The Battle Hymn of Republic.”

In the Sept. 6 column, we shared the story of how the elder Powell turned grief over his son’s death into action, traveled to the Chickamauga battlefield and amazingly was able to find his son’s body in a mass grave. Powell’s son was one of 500 Henry County deaths suffered during the Civil War.

Here is the Simon Powell script read during the 1997 First Nighters production. It reveals a father’s love for his son and determination to give him a suitable final resting place.

“Never in my wildest imagining did I think it would come to this. That I, Simon Powell, merchant, farmer, successful in life, would be making this journey. After all, a father’s not supposed to outlive his children, is he? God give me strength to make it through this day.

“I was so proud of you; how you enlisted in the 36th after your brother came home from that early battle at Rich Mountain in West Virginia; the first Henry County boy wounded in this War of the Rebellion. Henry was hurt too badly to return, but you didn’t hesitate. Your mother Elizabeth was proud, too, but I know she had a mother’s qualms, especially for you, Orlistis; her youngest son – a man at 25 but still a boy to her – off to face the unknown terror of war. And the battles you fought: Perryville, Ky.; Corinth, Miss.; Shiloh, Stone’s River and Tullahoma in Tennessee. Places we’d never heard of before and now will never forget. And the final one – this place with an Indian name – Chickamauga. Even the Redmen called it a “river of death” – such pathetic irony!

“I thought Indiana winters were cold, but this damp Southern air chills my very soul. I pray the weather at least, was better for you last September here, at the place of your death. Your Captain wrote how valiant you were, but we knew that, your mother and I.

“Do you know what my son did? The crazy things boys will do! He had initials tattooed – yes, tattooed – in India ink on his arm! My father would have whooped me good if I had done such a thing! Another irony – that’s how we found you, son. When the Rebels laid you in this mass grave, a comrade’s body fell over that arm. Do you know, we could still read those initials O.W.P.

“Orlistus Powell – a name full of such promise – now just a memory.

“I’ve come to take you home now, son. To lay you to rest where you grew up. I know you’ll miss your comrades here, but we need you close to us. Your mother, especially. A man’s strong, after all, but women grieve differently, don’t they? You’ll be in that fine cemetery at South Mound. Remember that peaceful place not far from your own home? We used to go there for picnics. We’ll put up a fine POWELL marker there and all be together for our last, peaceful rest.

“Well, it’s time to board the train back home. I wish you were sitting here beside me. I wish I could have taken your place. I wish… But wishes are pointless, aren’t they? All we can do is what we have to do and live with our memories. You’ll live with us forever, son, but how we will miss you!”

Darrel Radford is a Courier-Times staff writer and board member for The Henry County Historical Society. More information and stories about Henry County’s efforts in the Civil War are available at the museum, which is open Wednesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Visit www.henrycountyhs.org for more information.