e CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 073 426 763 DATE DUE MAR 15. ^oaa^ m 1 B iUMB WIffS. wmmS0^^ ^BM»5» GAYLORD PRINTED IN U.S.A. The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924073426763 In compliance with current copyright law, Cornell University Library produced this replacement volume on paper that meets the ANSI Standard Z39.48-1992 to replace the irreparably deteriorated original. 1996 r ** - • "V ' \ 'I S I • ill. - •*--_ •» IiTf' »*■■' t> O a o m E-i a S S 9 a a LIFE AJSD DEATH IN EEBEL PRISONS ■ , - GIVING A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE INHUJIAM AND BAEBARQUS TREATSIEST OF OCR BRAVE SOLDIERS BY EEBEL AUTHORITIES, iXFLICTISG TERRIBLE SUFFERING AND FRIGHT- :.FUL MORTALITY, PRINCIPALLY AT V ANDERSOIVVIllE, CA., AND FIORENCE, S. C, ; _- X '\'' . ^' . DESCRIBINQ PLANS OP ESCAPE, ARRIVAL OF '^PRISON'ERS, WITH NOJIEROnS AND :-''j VARrED" incidents: Aiji);:ANECIiOTES OF PRISOJf LIFE ^ -f^•^^S'5^■^''>W•^''T '■■■ -■■ ■ - • Sergtant-JLJor lOOi Begiment Connecticat Tolnntcers. PEEB:aEED from HIS daily JOURNAL. - - -S^'--^ ■■ -=; ^ ^^ WHICH IS ADDED ^V : AS FDLl'sKBTCHES of other PRJSONSrAS CAN BE GIVEN WITHOUT - REPETITION OP TUB ABOVE, BY PARTIES WHO HAVE* ' " _: -— BEEN CONFINED THEREIN. ■We speak that we do know, and testify tliat we have seen." « ILLtJSTKATED.— SOLD BY AGENTS ONLY. H A R T F O R DV; C O N N; L. STEBBINS 1865.' AvHDoT Enteied according to Act of Congress, in the jea 1865, by ' L. STEBBINS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Conrt of the United States, for the IMjtrict of Connecticut. f ^■^"'"' P'-^3'd ent White / jrary / Pnated by WUey, Wateiman, & EoLon, Hartftnd, Conn. WIDOWS, CHUDBEJf, FATHEBS, MOTHEnS, BnOTHEES ASD SISTIIBS, OP THE THOUSASDS OF BEATE MEN WHO HATE LEFT THEIE HOMES IN THE MORNING OF LIFE; SUNDEEED FAMILY AND SOCIAL TIES; ABANDONED CHEBISHED ENTEEPEISES AND BUSINESS SCHEMES, FOE THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING THIS LATTS OP FREEDOM INVIOLATE, ^ * AND IN THE FAITHrnii PERFORMANCE OF THEIE DUTT, HATE BEEN CAPTURED BY THE ENEMY, AND GONE DOWN TO UNTIMELY GRATES THEOUGH UNPARALLELED SUFFERINGS, IS THIS VOLUME MOST EESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. "thet sleep m secret, — ^but titeir sod - OSKKOWN TO MAN, IB MARKED BT- GOD ! '' the memory of the thousands of our brave soldiers who have sacrificed themselves upon the altar of their country, in de- * fence of her laws aqd institutions ; her liberties and rights. With the courage andardor of Patriots; with the enthusiasm of loyal subjects un- der a good Govern- ment; with the in- telligence and zeal of Union-loving citi- zens, and an unself- ish, devotion to the lofty principles of truth and justice, and an eye upon the basis of a lasting peace,they went forth pledging *' their lives and sacred honor." in maintenance of the glorious cause. Many • have languished and died in Prisons, and thus ileep the noblo youth of our country ; the pride of the land; the heroic soos of our wo rthy sires, and the honored brave of o u r Spartan-likemothers. They have fallen. Like autumn leaves at touch of frost, they have been swept to the earth, where they lie ill undistinguished piles The hearts of the people shall be their tombs, but marble and granite should be lifted high, as the testimonial of grateful mankind for the deeds they have done, and the radiant glory with which they have crowned the nation ANDERSONVILLE.MILLEN, CO LUMBIA, FLORENCE, TYLER SAIjISBURY.CAHAWBA, DAN VILLE.LIBBY, PEMBERTON CASTLE THUNDER BELLE ISLE PREFACE, No CHAPTER in the history of onr unhappy citII war, is so well calculated to enlist the sympathies of the people, as the one enumera- ting the sorrows of our brave soldiers who have been so unfortunate as to fall into the hands of the enemy, as prisoners of war. The multiplied woes of the battle-field ; the sufiFerings of the sick and wounded in Hospitals which our own Government has provided, are almost the enjoyments of Paradise, in comparison with the fearful and prolonged agonies of Prisoners in Rebel Stockades. Sad and mournful as it seems in the former case, there are mitiga- ting circumstances which tend to soothe the feelings as we contemplate them. Their sufferings are comparatively short, and during the season of their continuance they are surrounded by those who are assiduous in effort to proride comfort and relief. Agents of the various humane societies can reach them and do them good ; but in the latter case, they have passed the line which bars them from all these things. We are even forced to believe, by the treatment to which they have been subjected by their captors, that it was their deliberate intention to destroy them, and that too in the most aggravated manner. They have allowed them to become so reduced in clothing as to have scarcely rags for a covering ; they have condemned them to htmger and thirst, pain and weariness, affliction and misery in every conceivable form, so that the helpless beings have looked upon the approach of the King of Terrors as the arrival of a welcome messenger that had come to bring them a happy release. When we consider these things, and our interest in, and relation to the cause which led them to peril -their lives in this way, we can but feel that the public at lai^ have a deep concern in these recitals. In the preparation of the present volume, we have had an eye, not so much to a literary production, as to a simple, truthM story of prison Till PREFACE. life ; one whicli the survivors thereof should recognize as just, and the people of the country could accept as reliable and honest. ' It is no place for brilliant ii*tion and exciting romance. These have been scrupulously avoided, but nevertlicless, there are tilings wliich are as strange as the former and stirring as the latter. If there are things which seem incredible, it is to be borne in mind that hitherto we have had but sUght knowledge of wliat is meant to be a prisoner at tlie far South, and that these things come to us almost as new revelations. Not an incident has been given but what can be confinned on good authority; no coloring has been given to anything but what kno^vn facts would justify. Theauthor has gone fuUy into detail of every-day life at Anderson- ville, as here was the spot where the climax of rebel barbarity was reached. It was the original design to have adopted a similar plan wiih refer- ence to some other prominent Prisons, but on consultation with differ- ent parties who had been discharged from these various points, it was found to be substantially the same, and would theiyfore be only repe- tition. The short sketches which we give of these, -n-ill enable the public to foim a correct ideat)f the general system of treatment applied by the rebels to our soldiers who fall into tl::eir hands as prisoners. ' The spirited and striking illustrations which were obtained expressly for these pages; the plans of prisons, &c., &c., are executed in a cred- ible style, and form an attractive feature of the whole. As the author had only a short furlough of thirty days, it became necessary to obtain a person accustomed to such work to prepare the manuscript for the press, and attend to the reading of the proof. In changing the style of the journal to a running narrative, the langauge is often different from the origiifiil, but the facts are strictly observed. Publisher. CONTENTS. CHAPTER 1. Page. Situation of Plymouth, . .... 21 The Garrison ; Forts and Naval Fleet, ... 22 Sabbath Attack of the I'Zth of April, - - - 24 First appearance of Cavalry Piclcets in Town, - -- 25 The Federal Forces holding the Town ; Attack upon Fort Gray, 26 "Wives of Loyal North Carolinians sent to Koanoke Island, 27 Wounding of Captain Burke, - , - - - - 28 Effect of National Airs at the Breastworks, - - 29 Sinking the Southfield, - - - . - - 30 The Rebels charge upon Plymouth Redoubts, - - 32 Gen. Hoke demands surrender ; the Federal Officer refuses, and the capture of his men is .the result, - - 83 March to Secessia ; Camping-ground at Night, - - 35 Treatment of the 3oth N. C. Regiment, as Guards, - 36 Arrival at Williamstown, N. C. The Soldiers send letters North, 37 Entrance into the yard of a man who had taken the oath of alle- giance to Uncle Sam, ----- 38 Reflections the first Sabbath after the capture, - - 39 The ranks searched for Rebel Deserters, - - - 40 Yankee Trades? to satisfy hunger, - . - - 41 Prisoners sent to Goldsboro, N. C, - - - ' - 43 The remainder sent from Tarboro, ... 46 Miserable Fare at Wilmington, - - - - 48 Immense Fire kindled by a Soldier, - - - 49 CHAPTER n. The First of May in Charleston, - - - 60 Reception of the "Plymouth Pilgrims," - - ,- 51 ^he Georgia Central Railroad ; Arrival at Macon, - - 63 ■"The Regiment reach Andersonville ; manner in which they were classed and divided, ... - - 65 ^Fearful spa«tacl« ••! snteriog tha Prieaa, - - - . *• 12 OONTENM. Rations; efforts to procure shelter; Death's exchange, - 59 Warnings of the old Prisoners concerning the "Dead Line," 61 Gen. Cobb's Visit of Inspection ; Plan of Escape ; Blood-hounds put upon their track, - - - - - .64 Narrow escape from Death, - . - . gs - The Lawless Gang, called "Mosby's Raiders," in Prison, . 61 ~ The Lifeless Bodies of Ten Men lying at the Gate, - 69 ^ A Sick Man's Bath in the Prison Stream, - . - '?0 Demonstration at a Sham Fight, - . - . iji Treatment of Prisoners by Rebels and Federals contrasted, - IS The cruel suspicions forced upon men, ... 75 True spirit of the Union Soldiers, . - • , - 16 Hopes excited by the Promise of Exchange, - - 11 Account of the Battle between Grant and Lee, by the "Macon Telegraph," ..... ijg A Rebel Officer calling for a Sergeant who could write his name, 80 The Thirteen in a Hospital Tent, - - - . 81 Rebel Forces sent to Dalton to oppose Sherman, • - 83 Arrival of Prisoners ; slight attention to comfort, -' 85 CHAPTER in. ■ . The Rebels discover a Tunnel ; threats in consequence, - 87 A Secret Organization to devise new Plans of Escape, - 88 A Picnic among the "Johnnies," . - - - - 90 New Prisoners robbed by the Prison Marauders, - - 91 Richmond History, called " The Second Tear of the War," 92 The Messenger Rainbow, . . - - . 93 Sabbath in Rebel Prison, - - - - - 84 A Cripple shot for going inside the "Dead Line," . 95 Death again in the Tent of the Thirteen ; a Prayer Meeting, 96 Punishment for Violation of Orders, ... gg Captured Men from Resaca, - - , - - - loo Enlargement of the Prison Limits, ... 102 The Stockade undermined, ..... io3 Disclosure of the Plot to Capt. Wirtz, ... X04 Notice of Captain posted upon the Prison Gate, - . 105 The Men from Grant's Army robbed of Coats, Blankets, and Haversacks, - " . " . - - - 106 Energy of Character necessary for the Prisoner, - - 101 Rebel Effort and Yankee Ingenuity, .... X0» CONTENTS. 13 ^,,--JIanner of Distributing the Bations, - - - 110 Camp Raiders and Faise Promises, - . - . 113 The " Old Ihitchman," - - - - - 115 Entrance of some of tlie 1st Mass. Regiment into Prison, - 117 Tlie "Modus Operandi" of Tunneling, - - - 118 A severe Rain Storm, - - - - - " 122 Jeff. Davis asking for an Armistice, - - - 123 Visit to the Woods, - - ~ - - " - 126 Agitation of the Rebel Element, - - - - 128 Camp Sarroundinga, --"""" 1^1 The caving of a Tunnel after being sunk ninety feet, - 132 \ Hints concerning Retaliation, - - - - - 134 Measures to Retain Actirity of Mind, - - . - 135 ,-'Question raised by suffering from Cold and Exposure, - 138 CHAPTER IV, Prisoners from Butler's and Grant's Army, with the Dog "Trip," 139 A Tankee Traitor, - - - - - - 140 Confidential Talk with a Union Man, - - - 141 A Man buried alive ; two Men wounded ; Gen. Sturgis, - 143 Gold- News-from New Tork; Corporal B :, - - 144 Reward for Shooting a Soldier, - - - - 146 /^ How the Remedies for the Sick were obtained, - - 147 July 7th, the promised Day of _Exchange, - - - 149 Prisoners who had been Robbed, sent to Ge«. Winder for set- tlement, . - - - - - » ISO Going for Wood ; Story of the Lo.st Knife, - - - l-'52 An exciting Robbery ; one Man Killed, - - - 155 The Rebel Quartermaster and Limber Jim, - - r 156 "^ Completion of the Addition to the Stockade, - - J167 Night efforts of the Prisoners to obtain Fuel, • - 158 A School for Patience, . . . - • 159' ^ Discouragement leading to Insanity, - - - - 162 Prison Celebration of July 4th, ... - 163 Visit of the Catholic Priest, - - - - .163 Meeting by the Brook-side, .... 165 Death of J. Hoskins, - . , . - - . 166 Suffering for the want of Good Watei, - - - 168 Sentence of Death by Hanging ; Escape of one of the Victims ; His Re-capture, - - - - - l*?! 14 CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. Building a Mud Stove ; Capt. "Wirtz declaring a new Outbreak disclosed, ...... 177 Sudden Marshaling of tlie Rebel Forces, - - - 1Y8 Preaching by Elder Shephard, . - . . 180 Last Hours of D — , of the 16th Regiment, - - 181 Petition Of the Prisoners, urging the President and Govern- ors of States to procure release for. them, - - 182 Within and Without, ...--- 183 Men caught while at work in a Tunnel, - - - 185 Bartering a Gold Pen for Fpod, ' - - - - 187 A Vote upon the "Petition" called for, - ... 188 Early's Cavalry Prisoners, . - - - -189 White Flags, ----- - 190 ^ Attempt to entice Prisoners to make Shoes for the Confederate Government, - - - - - 191 Conversation with one of the Rebel Guard, - . - 192 Peculiarities of Southern Dialect, - - - - 193 Views of a Kentucky Surgeon upon Slavery, - - - 194 Service of a Confederate Chaplain, ... 195 Thunder Storms, - - - - - - 196 Victim of Insanity in the Prison Stream ; Various Forms of' Derangement, - - - - - - 197 A Living Man devoured by Maggots, - - - 193 Lines on a Blank Leaf of a Bible, - - - - 199 Sentiments of a " SeceSh " Young Lady as written to her Lover, 200 The Rebel Flag, - - - - - - 201 Lieut. Strains and his Party, - - - - 203 Organization of the Regimental Church, ... 204 Corporal Flower, of Hartford, Ct., - - . - 206 A PVisoner accidentally shot, ..... 208 A Terrific Rain Storm, ..... 209 Risking Life to obtMn Wood, .... 210 CHAPTER VL Confidence in the Government, - . . - 215 Human Nature as manifest in the Confederacy ; Taunts of a cer- tain Officer of the Day, .... 218 Intensity of Home Longings^ .... 220 Jimmy B , of Company A, - - ■ - - 221 CONTENTS. 15 Photographic Artists from Macon, .... 223 The appearance of Scurvy, .... 223 Joy at news of the arrival of Northern Letters, - .225 Effect of Peace Sensation Stories, - . - . 22V ~~- Sickness of Capt. Wirtz ; Character of his Successor, - 228 Visit of a Confederate Captain, - - . . 229 •~ Personal attack of Scurvy, ..... 231 New Regime instituted by Lieut. Davis, ... 232 Eebel Boastings of Prison Representatives, - . - 234 Queries upon conditions of Exchange, - - - ' 235 Eeturn of the Prison Commandant, ' - . - . 236 Kind Act of Gen. Winder, . - - , - - 238 Demise of Orderly Sergeant L , of Co. C, - - 239 Desire of the Prisoner to die at Home, - - , - 241 The Day of Deliverance hailed with Joy, - - - 240 The dying Message of Evans, - ... 242 Loyal North Carolinians, ..... 243 "Flanking out;" Orders to be ready for moving, - - 245 Sorrowful Thoughts induced by leaving, ... 246 CHAPTER Vn. Wide felt Interest in the Hospital, .... 247 Its situation at Andersonville, - - . . 24S Reluctance of the Men to enter so wretched a place, - - 249 The miserable condition of the Sick, - • . 251 A Sacrifice seemiagly useless, - - . . - 252 Loyal Men treated like Convicts, . - - - 254 Character of Physicians, - - - - - 2o6 -■ The Sick-call, - - - - - - . - 257 A Prisoner Shot while warming himself, ... 260 Cruel manifestation of selfishness, - - - - -261 Rations for the Sick, ...... 262 " Living Skeletons — variety of disease, ... 263 ~ Fearful working of Gangrene, .... 26S The Sick Men tormented with Vermin, ... 270 -■ Eebel Testimony respecting Hospital Treatment, - - 271 "Tenacity of Life, - - - - - - - 273 Incident in the life of D. S. Birdsell, - - - - 274 The Dead-House, - - - - - - 276 Marking and Numbering the Dead ; Manner of carrying them out, - • " .... 278 16 CONTENTS. Place of Burial, - - - - - - 279 Wact and Woe leaving Devotion to the Union Cause unim- paired, . - - - - . - 231 CHAPTER Vm. >— Departure from Prison, ..... 283 Delight at beholding the Green Earth again, - - 284 The Soldiers' Reception at Augusta ; Kindness of Mrs. O'Don- nell, - - - - - - - ■ 286 Interview with a Rebel Soldier, .... 287 Entrance into Charleston ; the Men told it was but a hurried removal, ...... 289 The Race Course appropriated as Camp Ground, - - 290 Disappointment of the Men ; A New Organization, - - 292 No escape from the " Dead Line," .... 294 Call of a Rebel Officer for Volunteers.to do Service for them, - 295 ^,-^Sisters of Charity, - - - - - - 296 ^^, My admission into the Hospital, - - - - 299 The reasonings of Faith to inspire' Courage, - - 300 Act that savored of Inhumanity to the Men, ... 302 i"j£ Scene in the Room for Amputation, ... 304 The Rebel Sutler and his Prices, .... 306 ,A Rebel Soldier's Disobedience of Orders, - - 307 Anecdote of the Young Surgeon, .... 308 Union Song, - - - - - -310 Shelling of the City by Union Soldiers, ... 311 i/ Appearance of the Yellow Fever ; Humorous Incident, - 312 Journey to Florence ; Story of the Man who feigned Death, - 314 The Darkie Woman and her Bread, - - ' - 315 CHAPTER IX. ^1 Night Entrance into Florence ; Emotions at sight of the Stock- ; ade, - - - - - - - 316 Oath of Allegiance to the Confederacy, - - - , 819 j Admission to the Florence Hospital through Dr. Strother, - 320 / Detailed as Hospital Steward ; Signing Parole of Honor, - 322 / Sentiments of Assistant Surgeon, Junius O'Brien, - . 323 Supplies from the Sanitary Commission, ... 323 Insufficiency of Medicines, - - - - - 324 Dr. Garrett and the Plantation Burials, ... . 325 \ CONTENTS. 17 The Doctor who vras an Original Signer of the Secession Act, S26 Exchange of Cotton for Potatoes, ... - 327 Excitement at the Presidential Election — Ballots and Beans, S29 ^^ Barbarous Punishment at Florence for attempting to Escape, 331 O'Brien's Instructions to the Prisoners, ... 335 Amusing Trade of a " Johnnie," - - - - 336 Employment of Slaves, ..... 337 ■ Reli^ous Element of the Negro, .... 333 Character of their Songs ; Eev. Mr. Gardner, of the 185th Ohio Regiment, a Victim of Death, - - - - ' 339 ^, Sad Reduction of Rations at the Hospital, - - 840 Cruelty of Lieut. Barrett, ..... 34X Thanksgiring Day as a Prisoner, - - - - 342 Signing the Parole, - - . ... 343 A Stolen Interriew of two Rebels. - . - 344 litroduction to Savannah ; A Wealthy Cotton Factor ; The Pie ■Woman, . . . . . . 347 Saying of Dr. Orme to Steward Reed, of the 12th N. T. Regi-" / ment, as he was leaving, .... 348 Whatwasfelt at Sight of the Old Flag, - - - 350 Receiving and Clothing Ship, . . . . .351 The Feeding Ship Crescent, ■ *■ - . . 352 Manifestations of Joy by the Released Prisoners, - - 353 Meeting with a Naval Vessel, .... 355 Weighing Anchor at Annapolis, . - - 356 CHAPTER X Situation of Libby ; its Name synonomous with Terror, - 358 Abusive Treatment, - ... . . 360 Men Shot for looking through the Window, ... 363 - Description by E. Kirke, . ' - . . - 364 Associations of Castle Thunder, - - - - 367 The distinction made by Southerners between Oentlemen and Common People, ..... 368 Glimpse at Belle Isle, ..... 369 Story of Howard Leedom, ..... 371 Men Frozen to Death, ..... 372 The Natural Consequences of War, - - - - 3*? 3 Briginal Design «f Salisbury Prison, - - - 378 18 CONTENTS. Testimony of Mr. Richardson, ----- 376 Description of it as viewed by Mr. Brown, - - - 382 Imperfect Idea of Soutlierii imprisonment, - - - 384 Ealeigli a comparatively Favored Place, . - - 38.5 Kind Attention of the Union Ladies, - - - - 386 ^^.T-r-Surroundings of Millen Prison, - - . . 389 Kumber confined there, - - , - - - 390 " The fearful Mortality of the Place, - - - 391 Kations — their quantity and quality ; Inducements to join the Confederacy, - - - - - - 392 Excitement at the Presidential Election, - - - 393 "^ Humanity of the Guards ; Barbarous Act of a Eebel Surgeon, 394 Eeason for a Hurried Removal, - . . 395 The Country's Sacrifice, 396 LIST OP ILLUSTRATIONS. Midnight Storm — Our Miserable Lodgings, - - - 1 Stockade at Andersonville, ----- 57 Blood Hounds Capturing Prisoners, - - - - 62 Mode of Dealing Out Kations, - - - - 111 Hanging Union Prisoners, - ... - 174 Break in the Stockade, - - - - -211 Plan of Hospital, Andersonville, - - - - 257 Interior View of Hospital, - - . . . 265 Plan of Stockade at Florence, - - - • -318 Hanging by the Thumbs, ..... 333 View of Libby Prison. . • • - -361 THE PRUfCIPAL REBEL PRISONS AND WHERE LOCATED. AndcrsonTillc, Sumpter Connty, Ga., known south as Camp Sumter. MiUcn, Buxke County, Ga., " " Camp Lawton. Columbia, Lexington County, S. C, " « Camp Sorghum, riorence, Darlington County, S. C. Tyler, Smith County, Texas, " " Camp Ford. Salisbury, Rowan County, N. C. ' Cahawba, Dallas County, Ala. Danville, Pottsylvania County, Va. Libby, Richmond, Va. Pemberton, Richmond, Va. Castle Thunder, Richmond, Va. Belle Isle, in James River, little below Richmond. . Macon and Savannah, Ga., Charleston and Blackstone, S. C, and Raleigh, N. C., have oeen prison posts, 1)111 ore now abandoned. In the absence of much data on the subject, we can not give any ac- curate account of the number of deaths in rebel prisons ; yet if we give the subject a thought and go into some calculations, we may form a more correct opinion than v,-e otherwise should. Mr. Richardson, correspondent of the Ntm York Tribune, says the deaths at Salisburj', N. C, were 13 per cent, per month. Mr, Kellogg says it was 12 per cent for the same time at Florence, S. C. The deaths were 13,000 at Anderson^ille. Tlie author says nearly one-half of his regiment cap- tured, died in about seven months. If we assume tliat the prisoners will average 20,000 from January 1st, 1862, to February 1st, 1865, and tlie deaths to be 10 per cent, per month, or 2,000, then multiply by 37 months, we have 74,000 deaths. "With such clothing, shelter, food, means of keeping clean and medical attendance as the laws of health absolutely require, would the deaths have been more than one- tenth the number? if not, ive have, on the above estimate, 66,600 vic- tims of inhuman treatment. Our estimate of the number of prisoners may be too large. Richmond papers assert that 150,000 have entered Libby Prison. The per centage of deaths may be too large; but al- lowing the estimates to bo nearly right, the rebels have killed about as many in prisons as on tho battle-field — whether designedly or not we leave the reader to judge. LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. CHAPTEE I. SITUATION OF PLYMOUTH. On the Roanoke river in North Carolina, about eight miles from the Sound, lies the town of Plymouth, a place once important on account of its highly advantageous position as a depot, through which might pass, in trans- portation, the products of the State. Tar, rosin and pitch, the prominent and well- known articles of manufacture in this land of Pines were brought from all parts of the inte- rior to this point as a place of shipment, and consequently it came to be more or less identi- fied with the interests of the southern people ; so that it was not strange they should make vigorous efforts to keep it in their possession, or failing in this for a time, would again renew 22 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. their attempts to wrest it from the hands of their antagonists. Eather than its resources should be employed in enriching those thej^ deemed their enemies, they sought its destruction ■ by fire. It was partly saved, howeves, and by the. force of cir- cumstances, afterward became appropriated as the most northern outpost of the U. S. forces in the State. Thus held, it was garrisoned by four regiments of infantry, one light battery, two companies of heavy artillery, and a few cavalry, all under command of Brig. Gen. H. W. Wessels, a noble officer and a brave man. Three forts — Gray, Williams and "Wessels — offered grateful protection to these men, while Compher and Coneby redoubts, and a line of connecting breast works, afforded strong groimd of hope that the position of an advancing foe might, at least, be rendered somewhat uncom- fortable by the peculiar greeting they might receive in consequence of these. Added to these, and designed to act in harmony with them was the naval fleet, consisting of the gunboats "Miami," "Southfield," " Ceres," " Whitehead," and "Bomb-shell," under command of Capt • LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 23 Flusser. So far as these were concerned, they certainly presented a formidable array of weap- ons with which to hurl missiles of deadUest intent against those who would murderously assaQ the devoted band of Unionists to whom was assigned the duty of keepiiig the place from invasion; but these, be they never so abundant, are fruitless, without the requisite hands to work them, as the sequel with its hopeless sorrows and regrets fully proved to us. But as famiharity with anythiag, even with danger, has a tendency to make that tolerable which was once highly forbidding, so while these things threw about us their friendly shadows, a feeling of comparative seciurity took possession of om" minds, and fancy rev- eled in safety; a state suggestive of that of the ancient worthies, who, in order to escape their persecutors, retired to the secret caves of the moimtains — the strength of the lulls their covert ; the voiceless woods their guard ; the deep-toned thunder their music; their rocky depths only illuminated as the kindly sun shed pitiful gleams by day, and the stars came out in solemn parade at night, to assure 24 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. them that the might of Truth should eventu- ally conquer their foes, and let the burdened free. But we were not suffered long to cherish the illusions of fancy, for we soon fomid our- selves in a condition J;o yield to the sudden impulse of stem necessity, and battle for that which was temporarily our kingdom and our crown. THE ATTACK. The morning of the 17th of April, 1864, dawned upon us in our warUke retreat in all the beauty and loveliness with which nature is wont to adorn herself at such a season of the year. It was the hallowed day of the seven; — a time when the mind of the soldier naturally reverts to other scenes and other days, when it soothes itself by the remem- brance of quiet services in home sanctuaries where no sights or sounds give evidence of war, except it be of that moral conflict which the individualii called upon to wage silently with the hosts unseen. Guard-mountmg was witnessed as usual, and at the roll-call sixteen hundred men were reported for duty. All LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 25 necessary positions being occupied, the rest were at liberty to follow their inclinations, and as mine sent out their sweet invitations to repair to the sacred temple, I obeyed, and listened to a sermon from the Eev. Mr. B '-, Chaplain of the 101st Pennsylvania Volun- teers, in the morning, and in the afternoon went to Grace Church, one 'of those places still left open to lure the feet of the Christian warrior, where he mjiy calmly consider the prospect of ultimate victory and success in the holiest warfare in which man can engage ; — a consideration always attended by that other thought, that second to this only is the national strife in which his whole energies are • enlisted, and Avhich he is, bound by every prin- ciple of honor and justice to maintain, until the coveted issue shall make it no longer a necessity. Just at the close of the services, and shortly before the hour for Dress Parade, while yet the impressions of the day w«e thick about us, the cavalry pickets came dashing into town, having been driven in by the rebels. Artil- lery and cayalry were immediately sent out 26 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. * to ascertain the strength of the enemy, but they soon returned, reporting a short engage- ment with a superior number, in which one of their men were killed, and a Lieutenant badly wounded. It soon became manifest that we were to be fearfully pressed, as three brigades of infantry were bearing down upon us, to- gether with a heavy siege train of artillery, manned by a revengeful foe who were eager to take possession of the town, and send us to homes they had provided in mercy not partic- ularly tender. "With us were the 85th N. T., commanded by Fardella, an Italian officer, the 101st P. v., together with the 103d of the same State, under Col. Lehman ; the 24th N. Y. Independent Battery, under the direction of Capt. Cady; two companies Mass. heavy artillery, Capt. Sampson, and a shght force of the 12th N. Y. cavalry. An attack was made upon Fort Gray, a mile or so above the town on the river, and as the shot and*shell came swiftly down to us upon their death-fraught errands, our quick- ened apprehensions were not slow in discover- ing the propriety of using aU available nieans ■ LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 27 for safety. One of the latter striking near the tent of Capt. Morse, reminded us of the thought, J,hat, especially in war. There is but a step 'tween life and death, One moment life's pulses play, the next, soul is gone with the breath. In anticipation of the battle the women and children of the town were placed on board the steamer "Massasoit," bound for Roanoke Island, among which were the wives of loyal North Carolinians; of men whose attachment to the Union cause could not be broken by threats ; whose devotion to the government whose fostering care they had long enjoyed, nothing could quench, a,nd there- fore they had enrolled themselves as among the truest soldiers of the Federal cause when the. crisis appeared, and there was no alterna- tive but to do or die ; — to be free or ruled Avith despotic power. To this place, whither these were sent as a place of refuge, Co. H of our own regiment, the 16th Ct., had gone in the morning, for the purpose of relieving some other troops, and were thus fortimate enough to escape the attack, the while, suppos- ing we were resting under the silent wing of 28 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. peace, Avhen war's chosen arrows were flying thick and fast about us. The morning following this first outbreak we were aroused from oin: slumbers before sunrise by the roar of cannon, and the dis- turbance occasioned ; the half-conscious state of the mental faculties which was speedily induced, made it seem that what was strug- gling for prominence was the idea that it was decided uicivility on the part of the "rebs" to prompt such early rising. But what was wanting in dimness of vision for a moment was soon made up in the keenness which we felt inclined to exercise in the smrey of things about us. Everything began to look jdark, and signs were fearfully ominous of what was approaching. About 7 o'clock, Capt. Burke came in from the skirmish line in front, wounded in the shoulder. Firing was heard at intervals through the day, but no general advance imtil nearly dark, when the enemy came pouring in from the woods in great numbers, and charged upon our line of skir- mishers with their characteristic yell. The few, of course having no chance before LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. ' 29 the many, they retu-ed -within the fortifica- tions, Avhen the exultant foe rapidly wheeled a battery into position, and under its destruc- tive influence our beautiful camp Avas soon completely riddled, and Fort Williams pretty eflfectually silenced. At this juncture, Lt. Col. Buniham ordered the Band to the breast-AVorks, and bade them strike up some national airs, and though they might not have been particularly edifying to the gray-robed legions "without, the spirit- *stirring strains were in no "wise lost upon the hearts of our oyra boys. Brave hearts became braver, and if the patriotism of any waxed cold, and the courage of anf faltered, they here grew warmer and stronger until pride of coimtry had touched the Avill, and an indom- itable principle had been kindled that virtu- ally declared the man a hero until death. It was with something . of this new-imparted energy that our scanty forces Avere able, by the rise of means still in their possession, to silence their opposers, and make it convenient for them to retreat ; but supposing they Avould speedily rally and come down upon us with 30 LIFE IN EEBEL PEIS0N3. new strength and ardor, Ave continued on the watch, relaxing not through the whole night. Snatching a few moments in the interval of quiet, I ran over to my tent,— a place, strange as it may seem, around which some fond asso- ciations clustered, and you, ye soldier-reader, can alone tell how sadly I felt when I saw rude marks that bore unequivocal testimony that it had been visited by one of those un- sought and tmwelcome bodies — a shell. Yes! in my absence it had found both ingress and egress^ but as there is never any thing so dark but what there is light not far of^ either behind or above it, so I consoled myself with the reflection that it had its Avay alone, and I was not there for its entertainment. Notwitlistanding the temporary success, the third day after the attack had things in a bad plight for us. The "rebs" had come into pos- session of Fort "Wessels, and their ironnjlad ram, the "Albemarle," had found its way down the river, passing our batteries without beino- molested, Slink the "Southfield" and driven off the rest of the navy. Every hour our pros- pect grew darker and pur hopes weaker, for LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 31 the men were completely exhausted by con- tinual duty through the day, and as constant watching by night. Our garrison was so small that all hands Avere required at the breast-worksj and even then, it was altogether insufficient for the work. Intense were our longings for reinforcements, but the threaten- ing "Albemarle" kept any from coming to our relief, and we began seriously to think of a march to Richmond, Va., and the registry of our names at her famous Libby Hotel. Not particularly inclined to take such a journey, we -resolved to wait uiitU there was no further hope, and at half past one we were furnished with intrenching tools and told to work for oiu' lives in building bombproofs, traverses, &c., and in a comparatively short time we were sheltered from the fire of the enemy, which Avas coming into our rear from their engine of death upon the river. Towards evening, having posted a line of pickets and reserve, I went over to my tent, hoping to gain a moment's slumber, but the increased cannonading having by no means a soothing effect, I returned again to the breast-Avorks, where many a weary, way- 32 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. worn comrade was to watch through the night, although " foVecZ jiafere" pleadmgly called for some '•^sioed restorer!' Long before daybreak the enemy, under cover of the cannon's roar, advanced up the Coliunbia road and with wild cheers and yells charged upon the two re- doubts Avhich formed our protection upon the east side of the town. After a short, hut bloody and decisive conflict they accomplished their object, and flushed with their success they came down through the camp of the 101st P. v., upon our regiment,' evidently thinking there could be no barrier to Avhat- ever they should attempt to do; but their bravery was met hy a corresponding principle oh the part of our boys, and they were re- pulsed with great loss to them, yet a slight advantage could do but little for us at this time, for the rebels had possession of Fort Wessels, the two redoubts on the Columbia road, and the entire river side of the village. From this position they were poiu-ing a terri- ble fire into our rear. Six very fine horses on a caisson near me were shot down in quick succession, and many of our men were sadly LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 33 Avoundecl, At this time tAvo or three officers came in, bearing a flag of truce, with a demand from Gen. Hoke for the surrender of the town and its garrison. After a short consultation the demand was refused by our General, and the fight went on, though with abated vigor on our part, as we were thoroughly exhausted b}- our previous labors. The refusal, however, soon brought them down in force upon lis, leaving no alternative but to surrender, although it was done with no Avillmg grace, yet it could but be attended with the con- sciousness that we had tried the virtue of re- sistance to the utmost THE CAPTDRE. We were at once marched out of toAvn to their reserve picket force, on the Washington road, where we remained for the night, being ' allowed to retain our blankets, overcoats, and indeed all that Ave had with us, excepting, of course, our arms .and equipments. I saw but one instance of robbery at the beginning, and that was by an officer, evidently in a state of intoxication. Riding up to one of our boys, he drew his sword and demanded his Avatch, 34 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISOXS. using threatening and insulting language, and declaring he would split open his head if he refused. Of course, there was no Avay hut to yield. Here we wrote hasty letters to our friends, Avhich we hoped by some good fortune to send to them, on the route, or at least at the end of our march, — \- ' ■ For none will e'er forget Ms friends, If his heart be true and tender ; Though adverse gales blow swift and long. Love's ties we'll still remember. On the morning of the 21st we awoke to new experiences. Instead of the calls to which we had been Avont to listen, and the labor we had been accustomed to perform, we were but passive beings, subject to the will of a conqueror. In the early part of the day, rations were issued to us for four days, consist- ing of twenty-five hard crackers, and about two pounds of I'aw salt pork each. They were from the provisions taken with the to^vn, and consequently were of good quality, although we did not particularly relish taking from their hands Avhat, a few, hours previously we had counted our OAvn, but we remembered that LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 35 prisoners, like ^'-heggars, mus'nt be choosers," and that there "vvas no way but to succumb as cheerfully as circumstances would allow. Our owTi regiment was over four hundred strong, and the whole number captured at the surren- render, 2,197, so that we were quite a com- pany, doomed to the miseries of rebeldom. About noon we took up our line of march for the interior of Secessia, and kept on imtil nine in the evening, making a distance of sev- enteen miles, having passed through the vil- lages of Foster's Mills and Jamesville, both of which were visited by our troops some time before tinder Maj. Gen. Foster, when he made his rade from Newbern to Whitehall and Kin- ston. Many white, ghost-like chimneys were still standing to mark the former abodes of the chivalry. At night our stopping place was in a corn-field by the road-side and our bed the places between the furrows, but lying on the cold, bare ground was no new experience for us, for we had often been dependent upon mother earth for a resting place, and the time and cir- cumstances had also been when we had been more willing to "wrap the drapery of her couch" 36 lilFE IN REBEL PRISONS. about US, and we could have lain down to "pleasant dreams." Now, with wet, cold feet, gained by fording many a creek through the day, our situation was not very enviable, and it is not strange if visions of downy beds came floating over the minds of some on that event- ful night. The '3 5th N. C. constituted our guard, and we can say of them what can not be said of all the Southern troops, that they were a gentle- manly set of fellows, and treated the Northern soldier with some consideration. To have seen us through the day one would have sup- posed that we Avere the captors and they the prisoners, for as we were "■inarching along" we sung that song which usually foils Avith such strange significance on the ears of sensa- tjve Southerners — "John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave," &c., Crowds of women and children lined the roadside, apparently eager to get even a glimpse of the '-Yankees," of whom they had heard such fearful things, but we marked what seemed to us a look of surprise, as they sur- veyed what was unquestionably a set of de- cent, respectable looking fellows. LIFE IN KE»EL PIUSONS. 6i The next day we marched, -with very little rest, until half past one, Avhen we arrived at Williamston, N. C. Here Ave Avere conducted to a large pine groA^e by the road-side, and alloAved to rest quite a httle -time. As before, a large concourse of Avomen and children gathered to Avitiiess the strange sight, and in vicAV of it find myself recording a paragraph like this — " Wonder Avhat they think of us ! I don't care Avhat the ugly looking ones think, especially those A\'ho chcAv snuff, but I do hope the good lookmg ones don't hate us." The Adllage post-master came aboiit among us, promising to mail letters. for us, so we soon loaded him doAvn Avith short letters, containing tidings of our fate to the dear ones at home, Avhich Ave ardently hoped might reach them to relicA'e them of anxiety, or, at least, of sus- pense, and dispel the uncertainty Avhich would otherwise exist to torture them. After our short but grateful rest, we started again';, marching until sunset, Avhen we halted and went into camp in a grass field, and as we filed in, each man helped himself to a rail, so that the entire fence was soon appropriated o8 LIFE IN REBEL PRISOXS. as fuel for our evening fires. Our gitards made no objection to it, but on the whole seemed to think it quite a good joke on our part. "Water was plenty by the road-side, and after makmg some ^' crust coffee^' and eating some hard-tack and raw pork, we spread our blankets upon the ground and slept peacefully and well, fearing no very ill treatment from men who had showed so much consideration as to pitch a tent for the accommodation of one poor sick sufferer. After this night, our early morning ablutions were performed at a little broffk, this followed by a scanty breakfast, and we fell in with the already mov- ing column, feeling in excellent condition, physically, at least. At nine o'clock we reached Hamilton, and were introduced into the jaxdi of a man who had once taken the oath of allegiance to Uncle Sam,-but who was now very glad of the opportunity to bake poor corn-bread, or "pone," as the southerners say, and sell it to us for $5.00 a loaf At this place we' bade adieu to our N. C. guards, with some regret, for they had treated us well, and we had yet to learn the spirit of those who were to take their places. LIFE IN REBEL PRISOXS. 39 Nevertheless, our little squad of Co. A boys was bound to make the best of it, and select: • ing a pleasant spot, we put our things upon the ground in the order in which we expected to sleep, and then resorted to various expedi- ents for amusement. There was "right smart of trading" went on between our boys and the Johmiies, some of the trades causing con- siderable merriment. The 24th was the Sabbath, and what strange vicissitudes one short week had wrought for us. In not many things could we say it was a blessed contrast. Then we were free, now we were prisoners ; — then we had plenty of food and comfortable shelter, now we had neither, or at least but little to satisfy our hunger. My friend, Sam B , and myself, managed to make out Avhat we called a break- fast, with the few scraps that we had left of our four days' rations, but the change Avas per- haps quite as keenly felt in the blighting of hopes as in anything. Plymouth was lost. We had hoped to save it for the Union side, but it was gone, and mourning was liseless. It only remained for us to travel on imtil our 40 LIFE IN REBEL TEISONS. foes -were satisfied. Not even the hours of holy tmie could be our ovaij but on, and still on, was the watchword. During the forepart of the day the people of the surrounding country gathered about us, it bemg their day for visiting and recreation. About noon Ave were to start for Tarboro, a distance of twenty- two miles, but a little before the time came some of the officers and men formed a group and sang "Home, sweet home," "Sweet hour of Praj^er," and many other beautiful hymns, richly suggestive of homes on earth, and home in heaven. Our captors evidently thought it a strange and novel scene. After forming our line in the road, ready for marching, the ranks were searched for de- serters from the rebel army, a number of Avhom were detected and taken away. They had entered our service a long time before and were captm-ed with us. We never knew their fate, but suppose them to have been shot. After this inspection we pursued the way our guards Avere treading, making twelve miles before nightfall, in season to seek the hospi- tality of pine woods near by. It rained some, LIFE IN EEBEL PRISOXS. 41 but making a sort of tent of our blankets^ -we concluded to let heaven and earth take care of us as best they could. An easy march of ten miles brought us, on the morrow's noon, to the place of our imme- diate destination. The camp assigned us here was by a "river-side, near the bridge. We were comited as we proceeded to pass through an immense crowd, of both sexes and all classes, who seemed to have congregated for no other purpose but to examine and criticise us, ^oor unfortunates. Our boj^s were nearly starved, and before rations could be procured they bartered away clothing, gold rings and pens, in short, what- ever they had, for a bit of something to eat. Five dollars in Confederate money would buy a piece of com bread, baked with little or no salt, of the size of a man's hand, and for a small piece of pie I gave the last "greenback" dollar I" had in the world. The citizens were perfect extortioners. and robbers, but most of them so ignorant they could easily be im- imposed upon, and in consequence, our boys played some very sharp tricks upon them. 42 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. Sometime before the capture of Plymouth, our forces made a raid into Elizabeth Cit}'-, -and some of the men breaking into the Far- mers' Bank at that place, appropriated to themselves a large number of unsigned certifi- cates of deposit. These were made to serve us a good turn in our extremity. They were now filled out with any names that came con- venient, and passed with the greatest readi- ness as good, sound money. One man had a watch cham, made of brass, made in imitation of Uncle Sam's gold dollars, linked together, and after a brightening pro- cess, to make it resemble as nearly as possible the valuable coin, it brought in the fortunate possessor a small fortune in' Confederate money. The distribution of rations soon claimed our attention to the exclusion of everything else, as the "in?ier man" was sadly in need of refreshment. These consisted of a cup of meal, the same quantity of black peas, and a small piece of bacon for each man. Kettles and wood were supplied to us, and making lively use of these. LIFE IN REBEL PRISOXS. 43 we soon liad soraetiiing to eat once more, after which we retired to rest as haj)py as men could be in such* a condition. '• True happiness" says Addison, "is of a retired nature," and so far we might have real- ized the idea of the rnan of letters, but we felt not quite like sajdng " Celestial happiness," for many felt their repose would be slightly more " divine" could they pillow their heads upon other than Confederate soil. Two-thirds of the prisoners were sent to Goldsborough, N. C, the next day, on their way, as it was said, to Charleston. Each man's name, rank and regiment, was taken as he filed out of the guarded enclosure, consequently they made slow progress in the Avork, and our regiment, from its position, could not come in with those who Avere to leave that day. Em- ployment diverts the mind, so we betook our- selves to the cooking of our rations, which were more justly distributed than on the day before, and also to make preparation, as best we could, for the satisfaction of hunger while on the journey we supposed would be taken on the morrow. 44 LIFE IN REBEL PEISOXS. How far back in the past then seemed our day of New England comforts, but the present claimed our energies, and ^yq thought our- selves in a fair way to become somewhat skilled in the art of making corn-dodgers, espe- cially if we should abide long in Southern soci- ety. Trading was brisk as ever through that day, although at one time the Confederate soldiers were forbidden by their officers from taking way more " greenbacks," as there Avas a law making it a crime for a Southerner to pos- sess or attempt to pass them; but in spite of the order they were still glad to take them when they could do it without fear of detec- tion. We were told by the men in authority that we -^^-ould probably leave at noon, but noon came, and the shades of evening gathered about us also, without any signs of leaving, so that there remained nothing for lis but to compose ourselves to the idea of staying another night upon our miserable camping ground. To add to our disconrfort, the bacon dispensed was not of the sweetest variety, but we were 2Jfisoners, and must not be expected to grumble at any bad treatment, but we LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 45 knew memory Avould be faithful to her trust in its remembrance, . 7 COOK-HOOSE FOE Bacok, Beass. 15. 8 & 9. Exteaxces. 16- 10 & 11. OuiER Stockades. EAETmroEK Fortifications. Loc.tTIOS OF HO-SPITAL. Place where the Suroeoxs pri- scribed foe the sick axb acuit- ted to the hospital. KoAD TO Captain's Office. LuiE OF Old Siockaik. 58 LIFE IN REBEL PKISONS. been, used by the prisoners as a sink, and excrement covered the ground, the scent aris- ing from which was suffocating. The ground allotted to our ninety was near the edge of this plague-spot, and how we were to live through the warm summer Aveather in the midst of such fearful surroundings, was more than we cared to think of just then. Along the edge of the swamp, from one side of the camp to the other, ran a little shal- low brook, three or four feet wide, and this, with a few small springs, were to furnish our water for the season. Whatever we may have thought of the dangers of the past; of the imcertainties which encircled us prior to our captivity, when Ave Avere exposed to the assaults of the enemy, Ave noAV felt that almost infinitely better Avould it be, to ' ' Dwell in the midst of alarms. Than reigu in such a horrible place. ' No shelter was proAdded for us by the rebel authorities, and Ave therefore Avent to work to provide for ourselves. ElcA'en of us combined to form a "family." For the small sixm of two dollars in greenbacks we purchased eight LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. . 59 small saplings about eiglit or nine feet long ; these we bent and made fast in the ground, and covering them Avith our blankets, made a tent with an oval roof) about thirteen feet long. "We needed the blankets for our pro- tection from the cold at night, but of the two, we concluded it to be quite as essential to our comfort to shut out the rain. In the after- noon we drew rations, each man getting a pint and a half of coarse corn meal, about two ounces of bacon, a little salt, and also a little soap. We baked a cake of the meal for oxvc supper, and bemg very weary we laid our- selves doAvn upon the cold ground to sleep. It was very cold, and our hard couch, without any covering to wrap about us, made it com- fortless indeed. There were ten deaths on our side of the camp that night. The old prisoners called it " heing exchcmged" and truly it was a blessed transformation to those who went from such a miserable existence on earth, to a>glorious one above. We could not Aveep for such, but only rejoice that their cares and toils were ended. GO LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. We could not T\-ondGr that they should feel in their last hours that — "It is not death to die — To leave this T\eaiy road, And, 'mid the biotlierhood on high, To be at home with God. It is not death to close The eye long dimmed by tears, And wake, in glorious repose. To spend eternal yeai-s. It is not death to bear The wrench that sets us free From dungeon chain, to breathe the air Of boundless liberty." Faith alone could rise above the feelings Avhich shrink from death and burial in such a place, and in such circumstances, but faith opens wide the "golden gates" of the Celestial City, and through them the redeemed soul may pass to the abodes of purity, itself bright and shining, whatever might have been the condition of its clayey tenement below. A decent grave and a friendly burial ^vould be a great merc^'.^but careless hands and unfeeling hearts hasten the soldier to his last home; but tlieir dust shall not escape the Father's care, and future re-animation shall testify to the power and constancy of the heavenly Watcher. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 61 After being there a short time, tlie balance of the Pljanouth pilgrims came in, including the remainder of our regiment. We were in better spii-its than the day before, having had time to accustom ourselves to things a little, so that when they filed in through the misery, we even laughed at theu' disconsolate lookmsc liices, forgetting we, too, looked equally dole- ful on the preceding daj''. What can not soldiers make up their mmds to endure ? We found upon inquiry, the name of the prison was Camp Sumter, and that ten thousand prisoners were then confined within its boundaries. We were particularly cau- tioned by those who had been there some time, to beware of the "dead line" about which we had heard upon the night of our arrival, and then believed to be untrue. We found it to be no fiction, however. All around the inside of the stockade, and about a rod distant from it, Avas a slender railing, and the least trespass over or imder this, whether ignorantly done or not, met with instant death from the vigilant sentinel who was eager for an opportunity tQ shoqt pne pf th^" damned Yankee^y 62 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. About this time Maj. Gen. Howell Cobb, commander of tbe Georgia State mUitia, made us a visit of inspection, and the ladies in the • vicinity gave a pic-nic to the rebel soldiers in honor of the occasion. What his august presence would have to do with our welfare was a matter of conjecture. We heard float- ing rumors of an exchange of prisoners, but dared not hope for their truth. There were men who had been prisoners through the previous winter, upon Belle Island, in the Danville prisons, and other places, ragged, some of them nearly naked, worn down by long suffering to mere skeletons; who ought to be exchanged, if only for humanity's siik.e. "Why does'nt the government:: do it?"- we asked, but we could not answer. '-:S-- ; r A PLAN FOR ESCAPE was natural enough for men in such condi- tion. On the night of the fifth some of them "tunnelled out" hoping to be so fortunate as to pass once and forever from such fearful bond- age, but the blood hounds were soon put upon their track, the usual method of our chivalrous enemies in finding and re-capturing runaways. ~- «- / 7 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 65 Their yelping could be plainly heard in camp, a sound fitted to intensify our sympathy for the poor objects of their search. In conse- quence of the absence of these prisoners the rest of the camp were kept in ranks for a long while after roll-call ; probably while the rebel officers were seeking to acquaint themselves with the manner in which they had made their escape, and who they were. I had always supposed it to be the privilege of a prisoner of war to make his escape if he could, but there it was considered a crime, and a man was tracked like a felon or an out- law who should dare make the attempt. Talk no longer about "mudsills" and "greasy mechanics F — public opinion at the North Avould not tolerate the barbarity which finds ready applause at the South. Either the race of F. F. V.'s must have become sadly degen- erated, or they were always inferior to the people of the North. To insure correctness in the roll-call, the guards of the stockade were instructed to fire upon any men who should attempt to cross the .brook from one side of the prison to the GO LIFE IN KEEEL PKI£0X3. other. Thinking it would be no violation of orders to step to the side of the brook, to Avash my hands, I did so, when snap went the cap on the gnn of one of the guard near me. Oh looking np I found he had intended to shoot me, but his gun had missed fire — thanks to a good promdence. Thinking '^dis- cretion the better'" part of valor," I hastily retreated from harm's way, imagining it lest to obser\'^e the rules tolerably in letter \£ not in spirit Three rebel officers of rank. Surgeons, it was supposed, rode into camp in the forenoon, and after inquiring into our causes of coin- plaint, made us many fau' promises of improve- ment in the prison, but we doubted at the time if they would ever be fulfilled. The rations which followed were a little more varied, having in addition to com meal and b.acon, molasses and rice, Avith a little salt, but exceedingly small quantities of anything. It was difficult to obtain wood enough to cook even Avhat little we did have. At this time we began to find lice upon our clothing, although we had been in prison but LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 67 two or three days^ and it was of no use to attempt to rid ourselves of them for they were everywhere, even crawhng upon the ground where Ave slept. We thought of our friends at home, and wondered how they Avould feel if they knew Ave were in such condition. To add to our sorrow and indignation, Ave foiuid a large gang of desperadoes among our oAvn men in camp, whom we called "Moshy's Haiders," and who lived by robbing and beat- ing, sometimes almost murdering their com- rades in misfortune. They attempted to carry out their plans in a thieving raid upon us, probably meeting Avith a strong temptation m the looks of our overcoats and blankets, but we Avere out in a tAvinkhng, prepared for our defense, and they, seeing an overpoAvering force, beat a hasty retreat. We Avould fain believe that siich men are an exception among Federal soldiers, but it may be yve can not tell how harsh treatment, and long con- tinued neglect and abuse, would degrade man- hood in any case. We, as a regiment, pre- sented a united front, and Avere therefore too strong for them. It required no little vigi- 68 liFE IN REBEL PRISONS. laince and sacrifice to adapt ourselves to all these circumstances of our prison life. "Man" is said to be "a creature of adajjtation" but let him be placed withm the stockade of a Georgia prison, subject to the will of arbitrary rebels, and he will be puzzled to make himself a very graceful representative of the truth. Much can be done, however, and these things I resolved to make rules for personal oiserv- anee, at least. Feeling that cleanliness was an indispensable condition of healthy I deter- mined to keep clean at all hazards, and there- fore I would repair to the brook at early dawn, before it had been disturbed by others Avith like intent, and there wash my clothing as well as I could. "God willing," I would say to myself, "the 'rebs' shall never have the satisfaction of carrying my body out upon a stretcher." "I will live to spite them." A few days after we had been in camp, I visited the boys of the 16th on the other side of the camp, and found them well and pretty cheerful, considering their situation. Towards evening of the day. Corporal F and myself waited up by the large prison LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 69 gate, and there lay ten dead men ready to be carried out for burial. They were to be taken just as they were, placed in an army wagon, one upon the other, until it was filled, and driven off to the place of burial, like so many animals, without coffin, or even- a winding sheet. Then they were to be placed side by side in long, shallow trenches, a few boards placed over them, a covering of earth thrown in, and the burial of the patriot was ended. We could but sigh for these thus passing to their graves, "unwept, nnlamented and unhonored," but, "was it sof" Surely a nation's pit}'^, and a nation's gratitude must be stirred at sight of ihese coimtless sacrifices upon her altars. Then, too, as the intelligence should find its way back to many a home in northern vale or hill-side ; to the hamlets on western prairies, or those among the rug- ged slopes of the East, there would be loving hearts that would mourn, and many tears would be shed in memory of the sUent sleepers in southern graves, and for the future they must be like those who seek in vain to — "Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow," 70 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. As we stood there in presence of the uncov- ered dead, the consciousness of our situation led us to feel, — " We arc fellows still, Serving alike in sorrow. Leaked is our Bark, And we, poor mates, stand on the dying deck Hearing the surges threat:" The weather was very warm, and at even- ing many of the poor sick men repaired to the brook to bathe. One poor fellow who was reduced to a mere skeleton, found himself too weak to drag himself from the water, and was obliged to receive help from a comrade. Upon passmg from our tent the next mornmg, I discovered a dead body lying near, and look- ing more closely saw it to be this same poor fellow who, the evening before, had sought the invigorating influence of a bath for his weary frame. He has met the grim sentry. Death, passed over the dark waters, and /jope would picture him as among the glad immortals. At the gate were twenty others, most of them ifrom the poor fellows who had been prisoners a number of months on Belle Island, in the Libby and Pemberton at Eichmond, and also at Danville. With them, also, the LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 71 warfare was accomplished ; the race run, and in some instances, at least, Ave trust a welcome victory gained. The regiments of rebel soldiers stationed in the vicinity seemed entirely unmoved by the sight of so much suffering, and the knowledge of such inhmnan treatment of thousands of poor fellows in their midst, only served to kindle their exultation and make them show it out in Avildesfc demonstration. Before we had been many days in captivity, they held a SHAM FIGHT, which drew admiring crowds of people from all the siuTOunding country to see how the thing was done. The so-called ladies of the South are exceedingly bitter in their opposi- tion to the North, and follow their "liege lords" in the exhibition of it, and therefore on all such occasions thej^ are present to do what lies in their power to keep the zeal and enthusiasm of their soldiers up to the fighting standard. When we first heard the firing we thought the "Yankees" had surely coriie, and the hearts of our poor men bounded with joy at the very thought of deliverance, but they 72 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS.. sunk proportionately wlien the truth of the case was made known to them. Our unaghia- tions pictured something other than make believe struggles and we hoped before the summer was over there would be realities that Avould tell with some favor upon our destiny ; that, at least, we Avould catch the echo of some sounds of different spirit and intent from those our heartless foes poured into our ears during that, to them, hilarioies season. After their sport was over in that line, many of the women came down to our prison, crowding around the gate, amusing themselves by throwing in bread, and witnessing the eager- ness with which our half star\'^ed men would scramble to get it, for at this time life was sustained only by a miserable pittance of poTjr corn bread, and a small bit of boiled bacon. Had they been like some of the sym- pathising women of the North of whom we had heard, the sight of so many paUid faces and wretched forms, would have stirred their pity, and called forth some effort to relieve a little of the suffering, though it Avere among those who had held arms against them. In LIFE Uf REBEL PRISONS. 73 how many cases had loj'^al ladies gone forth, themselves reared in luxury and unused to hardships, and -with their own hands minis- tered to the wants of the sick and wounded, not overlooking even the rebel sufferer in their Christ-like mission. We could Tsut think of the humane treat- ment our foes had received in the Federal dominions, and contrast it- with our forlorn condition. They, with the best of clothing, abundant rations, comfortable lodgings, and the kindest hospital treatment, while we had scarcely covering for our nakedness, food insufficient to satisfy even the cravings of himger, no bed but the ground, and a condition of things in the hospital that induced speedy dissolution, and withal we were compelled to endure the sneers, taunts, and abuse of men and women alike. Not that we in our misery- would have retahated, for we felt that it was the Bible way of doing things ; that we were thus exemphfying the spirit of the gospel, in heaping "coals of fire" upon the heads of our enemies, and besides, we had not been with- out evidence of its beneficent results in our 74 LIFE IN BEEEL rRISOXS. own experience. The men Avho had attended lis a portion of the way, a North Carolina regiment, had, at a previous date, been pris- oners of war upon our side, and in remem- brance of the Idndness tiiey received were more favorable to us than they other^vise would have been. We reflected, also, that the time would come when the ^^ cruel war" would be over, and it Avoidd be better to have an honorable record upon the pages of history, than to have the disgrace of the world upon us, for such "inhu- manity to man," as made our "countless thou- sands movirn." Amid all our thoughts and imaginations, nothing seemed so strange to us as the apathy of the Federal government, and of the northern people towards us ; that they were doing nothing to release us from the inconceivable wretchedness in which we were jjlaced. There we were, thousands of human beingF, who had cheerfully volunteered for the service of the country, ready to sacrifice everything in honorable defense of her laws and institutions, crowded into an enclosure with no room for exercise, scarcely enouo-h LIFE IN KEBEL PKISONS. 75 to move "without jostling against each other, the very air filled with fetid odors, which of itself was sufficient to plant the seeds of death in every system. Revolting as the scenes vv ere, which constantly met our eyes, we could have borne it all; we could have met sickness, hunger and exposure, and the thousand prison iUs which beset us, with brave hearts, but for the cruel suspicion which tormented us, and which w?cS "assiduously fanned by the rebel authorities," that we were abandoned by our govemm.ent and our friends ; those whom we had so faithfully sought to serve, and but for whom we would then have been in our homes of cheer and comfort at the North. Many- yea. I himdreds, who would have experienced every form of hardship imcomplamingly, "sank away and died, heart-broken, under this mel- ancholy delusion, while a few, whose ties to the Union were new and slight, sought to avenge their supposed wrongs by taking service in the rebel ranks." We had no means of ascertaining the falsity of any of these things, shut out as we were from all communication except that from 76 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. rebel authority, and that was not calculated generally, to soothe our fears or quiet our suspicions. This much, however, we have to say to the credit of our brave boys, that in a vast majority of cases, no combination of suffering makes them a whit less firm in their allegiance to the Union cause, or prompts a desire for peace, except on a true and lasting basis. They do not wish to see the old Union as it was, with the dark stain of slavery upon it ; to have it remain, a perpetual element of discord at home, and a just cause for reproach abroad, but they do wish for the use of prompt and energetic measures to hasten the day that shall bring a desirable end. They do not ask to be free from aU participation in the strife, but they do long to walk forth from their cankerous dens, even though it be to meet the sulphurous smoke of the cannon, in the fiercely contested battle, for there, at least, would be glorious action, and per chance a lull that might give a grateful moment under the shadow of some tree, the mossy seat rendered specially inviting by the remembrance of the place where not a foot of earth could be LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 77 found but Avas infested with a'eejjing things that made it well nigh intolerable. When we had been captives of little more than a week standing, the rebel sergeant, Carmichael, who counted our squad every morning, told me, after roll-call in the morning, that the exchange officer, Major Tinner, was in Andersonville, and the Avork of exchanging prisoners would begin as soon as the action on the Eapidan was over. Allowing the state- ment to have an exhilarating influence upon my own spirit, I went up to the hospital to do what I could by way of comforting the poor sick men there. I read to them and tried to cheer them by telling them of what I had heard of the prospect before us, but the poor fellows had been deceived too many times to dare build a hope upon such a rumor. Little did we then knoAV how many would pay the last debt of nature, and leave their Avasted bodies in Georgia soU, before such a result would be accomphshed. Happily for us, then, we could not read the "Book of Fate" or turn the leaves of wonder-working Providence for the utter blasting of our hopes 78 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. would have been too mucli for us, and many would have died in despair. The pious heart could only remember that it was to " Judge not the Lord by feeble sense. But trust him for his grace," and also comfort itself -with that other assur- ance, that " Behind a frowning providence. He hides a smiling face." The pohcy of the Confederate authorities respecting us seemed to be, to unfit as many as possible for future service, and to secure the object more. speedUy, they cut down the rations to half the usual quantity, so that the old prisoners who had been in the notorious JLibby, at Richmond, declared it was even worse than at that place. Had it been by reason of scarcity; — ^had we known their sup- plies were unequal to our need, we should have felt differently — we could have submitted to the inexorable necessity, but we had reason to think otherwise. About "this time a copy of the "Macon Telegraph" was brought into camp, giving an LIFE m EEBEL PRISONS. 79 account of the commencement of the great battle between GRAKT AND LEE. It was represented as the "bloodiest battle of the bloodj war," but not boastmg much of their success, Ave concluded the "Stars and JSirijies" were triumphant, and "God grant it," was the fervent prayer that went up from many a heart. Of one thing we were certain, if our General was defeated we knew our enemies would not be slow in acquainting us with the fact. In the numbers that immedi- ately followed, the telegraphic neAvs was cut out, a circumstance that looked rather omin- ous, and quite inclined us to the belief that Grant had pretty thoroughly routed Lee. Feeling Avell over the reports, a croAvd of boys of the 16 th collected and showed their enthu- siasm by singing "America," "Star SjJangled Banner" "Red, White and Blue" at the top of their voices, probably much to the disgust of our guards on the stockade, though possi- bly not, for many of them were so ignorant it was doubtful if they knew one song from another. Their general lack of inteUi^ence 80 LIFE IN REBKL PRISONS. was illustrated in a little incident Avhicli occun-ed when we first entered the prison. A rebel officer, with all the dignity of his jDosition, while surveying the newly arrived, remarked to them, "if there is a sergeant among you that can write his name, he may step forth," — as if it was a matter of doubt whether his northern guests had even such an advantage as this in their training. A smile might have been observed on the faces of the entire crowd, not one of whom, boastmg New England origin but could wield the pen with more or less grace. Southern statistics could show no fact that would coincide with this. The very constitution of things in their society rendered the whole system of educa- tion defective. Following closely upon our jubilant concert, and as if to dampen the ardor of our patri- otism, an item of news was brought in by the rebels, more in accordance with their wishes. They maintained that Gen. Steele, commander of our forces in Arkansas, had been captxured, with his whole army, consisting of upwards of nine thousand men. We could only hope it LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 81 was untrue, for Ave Avere still keenly sensitive to our nation's honor. Let things be as they might outside ; let them be shrouded in uncer- tainty and doubt, of one thing we Avere pain- fully conscious, that a great congregation was fast going to the silent dead from cur midst. Visiting the hospital one morning I found that from thirteen in one tent, three had died Avithin a feAV hours, and the rest looked as if their days Avere fast being numbered. Shortly after, another breathed his last, but from what I saw of him I think he was ready for the call of his Master and considering om- situation we almost felt inclined to say Avith more than ordinary emphasis, "Hoav blest the righteous when he dies." Strange as it may seem, these ever recur- ring death-scenes had no humanizing effect upon some of our OAvn men. The gang of gamblers and desperadoes AA'ho, Avere a pest to the camp, and with Avhom life and property AA^ere not safe, were e\'er ready to incite Avhomsoever they could to join in a lawless mob, although the solemnities of life's closing day were thick about them. They CA'en had 82 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. a fight when this last mentioned man was dying. Who would not rather make his exit from earth under different circumstances? Who would not choose that the lamp of life should go out among friends at home, — gently — ^free from such distracting influences ? But there was manifestly no help for it. The Con- federate authorities seemed to have no care of Avhat passed inside, provided we . were imsuccessfal in making our escape from thence. We were left entirely free to frame our oAvn laws, and carry them into execution if we could. The morning of the 11th found us exposed to a pitiless storm, the first rainy day Ave had in camp. Much to our gratification, however, Ave found our OAvn little tent, made of Avoolen blankets, to shed the rain very Avell, but Avhat they Avould become by the continued action of sun and rain was a question that deeply concerned us. According to frequent rumors Ave might soon be in the land of plenty, and moreover of humanity, but herein AA^as our trouble, there Avere too many stories afloat to have a good foundation. One day mio-ht be LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. 83 cheered hy strong assurances of immediate exchange, and the next sink us correspond- ingly low in despair. For some reason decep- tion seemed the pecuhar dehght of ovr ene- mies. Whether they did it to gratify an insatiable thirst for revenge in themselves, or to keep us more reconciled, more willing and patient to abide our time, was something we could not determine. The feelings occasioned by our disappointment can be better imagined than described, but imagination even in her most extravagant flights, can but poorly pic- ture the horrors of tliis prison life. Our con- stant experience was "Hope deferred" that "maketh the heart sick." Ahnost every new arrangement that was made seemed to make it the worse for us, or, at least, left us nothing but to fear a stUl more rigorous discipline, if it were possible. At this junctiu'e of affairs, when Gen. John- ston was being badly pressed by Sherman's army, it became necessary for the rebels to send every available man to the front, conse- quently' the soldiers who had been our guard were ordered to Dalton to aid in repelling 84 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. hinij and their places were filled by some of the Georgia militia. The former looked upon these latter with supreme contempt, and applied to them the name of "new issues," but we thought not cf anything, or cared, except the possible change it might work in our treatment, although we expected not much in our favor by this movement. From this time onward, for a whUe, we had some commmiication with the outside world, through the ARRIVAL OF PRISONERS, who were coming into camp in greater or less numbers almost every day. A squad of eighteen or twenty came in on the afternoon of the twelfth, all of them from Sherman's army, with the exception of two or three from Currituck, N. C, near our place of capture. The boys from Dalton brought us cheering news from our forces at that place, telling us that our brave General was in the rear of the rebel army and giving them what we were pleased to denominate "particular Jits." We did'nt know what our neighbors thought in the camps outside, but for some cause there LIFE IN REBEL I'EISOXS. 85 ■vras a great deal of cheering among them — possibly it "was exultation at some fancied victory, a not very strange way of doing things for them, as they have sometimes been falsely informed for reasons best known to the original inventors of the fabrication. Occasionally these things were varied by some trifling attention to our comfort, as for instance, a nmnber of men were set to work in widening the brook, Avith the idea of hav- ing it planked upon the bottom and sides, in order to give the men a clean place in which to wash. These matters were things of ines- tunable value to us, and we watched their progress with the deepest interest, all the Avhile hoping that summer would not pass away without its completion. We turned from watching this enterprise to welcome sixteen more prisoners, but no ! we will not say welcome, for this implies congratu- lation, and we could not extend anything like this to' a human being about to be initiated into such a terrible experience. There was one thing about it, the news they brought was most eagerly received. These were from 86 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. Dalton, and we learned from them" that, when they were captured, Sherman was flanking the rebel army, and that Kilpatrick was there with a large force of cavalry and mounted infantry. Hope suggested the possibiUty that he might come down and release us, in which case we thought ^ve could speak of loelcome in unmistakable terms. The sight of a man .at the head of such a force would have been hailed as was Moses, in ancient times, by the oppressed Israelites, as the Great Deliverer. CHAPTER III. DISCOVERY OF A TCNNEL. It "were quite remarkable if among so many men, in miserable confinement, there were not various methods of escape devised and attempted. Our greatest source of trouble was the fact that there were so maiiy con- temptible traitors in our midst, who, for the sake of an extra ration, would betray any attempt to escape on the part of their com- LIFE IN REEEL PUI^CXS. 87 rades. Tliis made an effort to escape almost an impossibility without the certainty of detec- tion. The work of completing a tunnel had been silently goiog on, and we hoped to be successful in keeping it from the peering eyes of the rebels, but in some way they discovered it on the afternoon of the thirteenth, and Capt. Wirz swore that no more rations should be issued until the place was filled again with earth. This captain was the commandant 'of the interior of the prison, and was a wretch of the first or worst degree; insolent, over- bearing, heartless, and of course a coward, for no man but a coward would come into camp and draw a revolver upon helpless men as he had done. He was said to have been a deserter from our army, but I could not vouch for the truth of it. Notwithstanding his threat, we did not go supperless that night, for the "reb" quarter-master came in with men and the necessary implements, and filled up the place, thus blasting one more hope ; but as this principle is strpng in youthful spirits, we quickly turned from one thwarted plan to the formation of anpther, which might 88 LlVi^ IX IVjLliLL I'lU^ONd. in its turn come to naught, yet, nevertheless, afforded us an opportunity for the employ- ment of our otherwise inactive energies. At this time I formed an acquaintance with Sergeant Major E., of the 15th Wisconsin Volunteers, from whom I leameJ there was a SECEET OKGAKIZATION in progress for the purpose of attempting an outbreak and escape on a grand scale. I told him he might count me in on any such project as that, for one might as well lose his life in such an attempt as to die by inches in the foul atmosphere of the prison. The plan was to re-commence tunneling, and in this way under- mine the stockade at several different points. At a pre-concerted signal the men were to rush upon it in a body sufficient to overturn it, and stfll another body were to seize the artillery and turn it upon the rebel camps, leaving us to pursue the way we had chosen, towards Pensacola, Fla., as the most feasible, from whence we could join our lines. A great deal was involved in the enterprise, and it was necessary to start right. It needed LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 89 extreme caution, time and patience, and more than all, perfect imion among the prisoners, for the "rebs," with eagle-eyes, were aAvake to the possibility. ) Under pretense of digging for water we would sink a well in some chosen spot^ and after getting down several feet, abandon it and commence in another place, which was reaUy the point of attach eHHL the while, but which could be better worked by the ostensi- ble object of the other. ' Eeiaching the requi- site depth in the second, the tunnel was to proceed out from it to the desired place. Of coiirse the work must be done at night, and with just such instruments as could be obtained. Tliese were old knives, spoons, broken canteens, m short anything that could scoop out a handful of earth. This in one part of the camp was of a reddish color, while in others it was so sandy as to defy all attempts to make a way through, as it would fill in as fast as we -might dig. To dispose of this as fast as it would be taken out, we obtained an old sack, and this was to be filled and passed along; to men who were to be stationed at 90 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. proper intervals between the point of work- ino- and the first well, which it was found to be very convenient to fill up just then, as a well without water was of no account. Beyond this it was conveyed to the marshy places, and to the brook itself, and left there. As nothing covild be done except under cover of the friendly shadows of night, it must be comparatively slow. The days were many of them fine, and the Johnnies had a gay time without, all amcon- scious of what was going on within. While we were contemplating the best method of action in oiu: proposed endeavor, they were having a pic-nic, or something of the sort, among themselves, being regaled by a band of music with such airs as the "Bormie blue flag," and " Southern Marsailles," doubtless designed to ''fire the southern heart" and inspire it with hope and courage, now that the two armies were actively contending for the mastery. A great crowd of ladies were dis- coverable, who were probably present to applaud and admire the men who thought it a brave deed to shoot a defenceless prisoner. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. Ol In these moments of observation I said to myself "What a difference being inside of the stockade makes in one's condition ! Without all is gayety and happiness, or at least, appa- rently so, while within, misery remains un- checked," but countless others have known sorrow, even— ■ " Ulustrions spirits have conversed ivith woe, Have in her schools been taught," then why should we not nerve ourselves as well as others to the stem discipline ? " Nearly a hundred more Yankee prisoners came in on the 15th, most of them from Sherman's army at Dalton, but a few from Newbem and Plymouth, N. C, those from the latter, however, being such as were detained at Tarboro on accoimt of sickness. The few who came in on the day previous were attacked and robbed the very night of their arrival, by the band of marauders Avho still infested the camp, and almost completely ruled it It Avas reported that one poor fellow came to an utimely death at their hands, and another received a most unnierciful beating because he showed resistance to their inhuman 92 UFE IN EEEEL PRISONS. attempts. Some might suppose that these men, all prisoners for the same cause, would be bound together by kindred ties, inasmuch as they were sharers of the same misfortune, but we are not to forget that imder any cir- cumstances the same number of men would furnish specimens anything but favorable to humanity. There was a Judas among the "twelve," o£ Palestinian memory, so now, there are men of like passions and character in small groups of whatsoever locality. One thing is certain, the monotony of our camp was too often varied by these unwelcome demonstra- tions. It was about these days a rebel publication fell into our hands, printed at Eichmond, and called "The Second Year of the War." It was a very one-sided afiair, full of misrepre- sentations, making everything Southern about perfect, and all action on the corresponding side unworthy and barbarous. I finished its perusal, ending with thorough disgust, and wondering if that was the kind of trash the Southern people would have to accept as history. It spoke of the robbery of shoes LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 93 and clothing from the dead and wounded, at the second Bull Run battle, as a very com- mendable act on the part of their soldiers, and the tenor of the Avhole was in keeping with the same, but if it did no more for me, it whiled away a few tedious prison-hours, and that was something of a consideration. Things which we Avould not have once paused to consider, now arrested our atten- tion, and really ministered to our happi- ness. Just before sunset, one afternoon, the clouds 'thickened in the sky above us, and poured upon us a little rain. They soon broke away; the sun came out, and in the eastern sky appeared a beautiful rainbow. "Is it a good omen for us ?" was the question it prompted, and though we could not answer, we certainly looked upon it vnth pleasing emotion, for it almost seemed like the coming of a heavenly messenger, and this was the pledge he brought that God had not forgotten us. We accepted the pledge and allowed faith to bring its own comfort into the passing hour, nor was the future made any darker, but rather brighter, by the sweet teaching of the heavens. 94 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. The fifteenth was our second Sabbath m Camp Sumter, though one would have hardly thought it lioly day, there being nothing to distinguish it from any other through the week. There was no sanctuary summons for us ; no pealing bell to remind us of the crowd who were gathering under the roof of God's sacred temples, nor. scarce an influence more quieting and elevating than usual Had there been even a retired spot in any comer, one might have stolen away and found a sort of Sabbath for his own soul; the calmness of solitude might have brought him nearer heaven, but there was no such place known there. Those who were so fortimate as to possess small shelter tents could retire within them during the warm hours of the day, and perchance forget present discomfort, for a teason, in recollections of the past and antici- pations of the revealed future, but even then distracting sounds would soon recall them to the sad scenes among which they must live. About noon this day we were startled by the report of a gim from one of the sentries, LIFE IN KEBEL PEISOXS. Ou and on seeking to discover the cause found that A CRIPPLE, Tvhom "we had often seen, had been shot for going inside the "dead line" and refusing to go out, saying he wished to die. The guard fulfilled his wish very quickly, and indeed, any one having any desire to " shuffle off the mortal coil," has only to step inside that line, and the work is done. It was the general opinion in prison, that this man, though a prisoner himself was a traitor to the rest of us, and was the principal agent in showing the rebel authorities the locality of every new "tun- nel" just for the sake of a small reward in the shape of something to eat. We felt that if this was so, shooting was only too good for him. Capt. Wirz was around soon after with a guard, spying out the land, but we heard nothing of his being enlightened as to our undertaking, which was still steadily going on. I was daUy becoming better acquainted with the ringleaders of the plot. They were a bold set of fellows, most of them those who had been prisoners for a long time, and had 96 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISOJfS. tried to escape several times before. We only hoped they would be more successful now. Towards evenmg of this same Sabbath, I again visited the hospital, and found only one livino- of the thirteen who were under that one tent fly a few days ago. Death reaps a rich harvest here, surely, I thought. It has emphatically all seasons for its o^vn. Not an hour of the day but souls were winging their way from that miserable prison up to the -throne of God. Angels, we believe, came down to that wretched place on errands of love ; as guards to earth-weary spirits in their upward flight, and moreover, the compassionate Jesus looked down to those lowly couches upon his trusting ones, and paved the way with light for them. From the hospital I went to a prayer meet- ing ; — not such a meeting as people have at home, and as I had had in the land I had left, but, thanli God, we could pray as well, if not hetter there, for we felt the need of Divine help more than we ever could while sur- rounded with every help and every comfort. The shadows of evening had gathered about LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 97 US, and we had no roof over our heads but the sky, and no hght but that of the moon and stars, but these thhigs we knew would prove no hmdrance to our access to the mer- ciful throne, and the Hstening ear of the Eternal would as readily bend to oin* praises and complaints there as anywhere else. The next day twenty-one more prisoners were added "to ovir number, coming from the same point as those who had recently arrived. They brought us right good news- firom Sherman's army, telling us of the cap- ture of Dalton, and that the rebel Gen. John- ston was falling back with his forces to Eesaca. These things did not a little to keep up our spirits. Everything was dark, however, in regard to almost all other points. We heard nothing from Richmond, although one of the guards told one of our boys, at this time, that it was "a g one-up case" and that our armies were getting the better of them everywhere. No letters at all came to us, and we con- cluded aU communications were interrupted by our " raiding parties" As KHpatrick and 98 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. Stoneman were both at Resaca, and meeting with excellent success, we could not but hope they would head an expedition for owe libera- tion. For some reason the "re&s" were par- ticularly watchful over us, evidently fearing something Avould escape their notice, and they would in some way lose their hold upon us. Very strict orders in regard to attempts to escape were read in the camp at morning roll-call. We thought it very poor policy for them to do this, for the penalties were only what we expected, as a matter of course, and the issuing of the order only proved that they were "on the scare" a little. The pun- ishment assigned for the violation of such orders, was the wearing of a heavy cannon baU, attached to the ankle by a chain. This had already been awarded to some, but Yankee ingenuity had foimd a way by which they might be unfastened, so that freedom could be enjoyed through the day, and the thing put on to appear in due form before rebel majesty at the hour assigned. None can tell our intense longings to know the real condition of affairs in the field. Re- LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. C9 ports in regard to operations were various. At times we would feel remarkably cheerful over tlie good news brought in by the pris- oners, and were content to remain in our wretched quarters longer, if we could only know Uncle Sam's armies were steadily accom- plishing the desired result. Through this mediiun we learned that Gen. "Wessels was confined, at Macon, and that Col. Beach had been exchanged, being held as prisoner of war only a few days. We were again told that we might hope for this. Capt. Wirz, and the Confederate newspapers, also, assured us that a general exchange had been agreed upon, and that four htmdred had actually - been exchanged already, — ^Aiken's Landing', on the James river, and Savannah, Ga., being the chosen points for execution; but our expe- rience in these matters had been to confirm doubt instead of hope. At this time the weather was quite warm, but fine, and the evenings beautiful. The bright moonbeams looked down lovingly upon us, and with seeming j9%, making it so light we could see to read the 'fine print of a 100 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. small testament- quite readily. Could we have commissioned it to do anything in our behalf, many would have said, " KoU on, thou silvery moon," and tell the friends of the soldier the misery in which they dwell, that they may do some- thing for our rescue," Eesaca contributed another quota of men on the 20th. They brought the intelligence that Joe Johnston was faUing back from Calhoun towards Atlanta, and that Sherman was flanking him all the time as usuaL These things, doubtless, had some influence in exciting the fears of our enemies, and it soon became evident that aU the promises they had made to us was simply to keep us as quiet as possible. To this end we attributed the shght increase of rations for a time, but no hght thing could divert us from our fixed purpose, and the outrbreak society had a consultation in spite of it aU, and at its close we could say, in the words of a once famous Connecticut politician, "things is working." Day by day the weather was getting warmer, and it was fearful to think of spend- LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 101 iag the summer in our narrow pen. Prisoners were coming in by the hundred, and this made it still more dreadful. Among half a thousand who came in at one time, one hun- dred and fifty were from the army of the Potomac, who were taken at Parker's store, May 5th, in the first of the series of battles in front of Eichmond. The next day six hun- dred more came ia, having been taken in the Tvildemess near Chancellorsvillei The 7th Penn. Eeserves were among them, being pecu- liarly unfortimate, as their term of service expired in a few days, and now they were ia a situation not to be as promptly mustered out as they would like. Through them vre obtained some knowledge of the manner in which things were progressing. They told ns of the confidence of the army in Gen. Grant, and also declared that it was in splendid fight- ing condition. We heard, too, that Holcomb's Legion, S. C, were captinred by Spear's cav- alry, so the tables were turned upon them. A short time before they had been guarding us at Tarboro, N. C, and now they too were prisoners. Truly the fortunes of war are varied. 5 102 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. We felt sorry to see so many of oiir men captured, but they assured us that the rebels lost more by far, than -\ve upon our side. For a tune they came in rapidly, both from Grant's and Sherman's army, and whUe this state of things lasted we were tolerably well informed of the doings in the different fields. When some of the latter came through Atlanta, the women and children were being removed to Macon and other points out of the reach of the Union army. This, of course, indicated the character of Southern opinion with refer- ence to their advancing foe, but Ave were cheered in proportion as they were distressed. The rapid influx of prisoners made an enlargement of our prison limits necessary, and a number of men were taken out to do the work. They had extra rations as an inducement, and better treatment in every respect, as the reward for their labor. I hardly knew what to think about it, whether it was right or wrong. The question would come up, "would om* government lilce to have its soldiers build their own prisons ?" It cer- tainly was a great improvement, and of untold LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 103 benefit to tlie inmates, and circumstances might have rendered it right and proper that it should have been done in this waj^ On the tAventj'-fourth nine hundred came in, and we were getting frightfully crowded. There was no circulating about the camp except with the greatest inconvenience. . ;, There was a great deal of talk among the prisoners about breaking out, but compara- tively few knew of the operations in progress to secure such a result. This very night of the day when so many came in was the time fixed upon for the grand demonstration, and if everything went as we thought it might, it bade fair to be a success. The stockade was duly cared for, being undermined in five or six different places, and we looked with the greatest interest for the hour to arrive, when at the sound of the trumpet, the walls, Jericho-like, would fall and let us go free. The men were all ready for a general rush upon the artillery, and imagination already pictured the dismay of the rebels, and our own. triumph as pur exulting hosts should pass on beyond the boundaries of oppression ix3 wards their native 104 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. land of freedom. Many hearts beat high with hope and expectation in view of what might be coming. Possibly they were on the eve of a mighty dehverance, and the morning might dawn upon the place where imprisoned legions had heen, but were not. The night was auspi- cious, being dark and rainy, and we ardently hoped everything would favor our darhng scheme; but alas! these things -were all doomed to sudden re-action, and we were made to feel how strangely evanescent are the brightest and strongest hopes ; how quickly these may yield to despair, and glad- ness be turned into sorrow. Just before the howc for action had arrived we found the whole PLOT WAS DISCLOSED. One of the ring-leaders had given the minutiae of the affair to Capt. Wirz ; one whom we had supposed true from his very position, and whom we thought by every motive of self-mterest would feel himself bound to be faithful to the organization of which he was so prominent a member. Of course, immediate preparations were made to LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 105 frustrate our designs, and through the ras- cality of this one man the whole thing came to naught, leaving us lilce "Patience on a monument, To sit smiling at grief." He was at once taken out of prison and prob- ably richly rewarded for his villainy, and it was weU for him, for his long continuance on earth might have been a matter of doubt if he had remained in his accustomed quarters. Vigorous measures were quickly taken to prevent any further attempts on oiu" part. A large reinforcement of rebel troops arrived to make the guard doubly sure. The stockade was strengthened in such manner as to resist a like onslaught in the future, and things generally indicated a determination on their part to make sinre their hold upon us a whUe longer. The evening after the disclosmre we found the following, posted near the prison gate : Notice. " Not wishing to shed the blood of hundreds not connected with those who concocted a mad plan to force the stockade, and make in this way their escape, I hereby warn the leaders and those who formed themselves into a band to carry out this, that I am in pos- 106 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. session of all the facts, and have made my dispositions accordingly, so as to frustrate it. No choice would be left me but to open with grape and canister on -the stockade, and what effect thLs would have in this densely crowded place need not be told. May 25th, 1864. H. WIRZ. As it proved, the only consolation we could reap from the transaction, was in the idea that we had pretty v^ell frightened them. We had no reason to think our condition would be any the better for it, nor coiild it hardly be worse. It was a matter of chagrin that we were betrayed in the manner we were, but could only endure what we could not cure. It had no particular tendency .to allay our irritation to see the rebels bring in over seven hundred prisoners that day, making more than sixteen hundred poor fellows who had come in within two days. They were from Grant's army, and had been taken in the early part of the month. They had been robbed of almost everything in their possession — coats, blankets and haversacks — ^leaving them utterly unprepared to stand the hardships of prison life. I could not forbear exclaiming, "What a chivalrous enemy we are fighting!" but, "He robs himself who spends a bootless grief" and therefore, amid everything calcu- LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 107 lated to depress, I determined to maintain, as far as possible, that energy of character which Von Kneble says is the basis of all 'Hrue hojpeV "A strong mind," he says, "always hopes, and has always cause to hope, because it knows the mutabUity of human afikirs, and how slight a circumstance may change the whole course of events. Such a spirit, too, rests upon itself; it is not confined to partial views, or to one particular object.' And if, at last, all should be lost, it has saved itself — ^its own integrity and worth. Hope awakens courage, while despondency is the last of all evils; it is the abandonment of good, — ^the giving up of the battle of life with dead noth- ingness." Fully confident in this, that hope and courage were the best physicians, I brought my soul into as close companionship with them as possible. I had seen many give themselves up to life-consuming anxieties; had seen them torture themselves with insa- tiable longings for home, friends and comfort, and they had been the siu-e victims of the grim tyrant. These were, indeed, in a pitiable condition- They were suffering, and naturally 108 UFE IN REBEL PKISOXS. enough came the desu-e for the tender minis- trations of mother, wife or sister. It was natural, also, that they should think of the little home luxuries which would be so grate- ful now to their sicldy tastes and feverish frames, but these vain, incessant longings always told sadly upon their condition. It was those who bore up with brave heart and strong wiU that came out the best, or perhaps one might say came out at aE Some, by yielding to the influence of the horrors about them, relapsed almost into a sta,te of idiocy, and indeed it required no little care to preserve the type of intelligent manhood at all. The tendency of everything about , us Avas to belittle both mind and body, and the call was lu-gent for a high standard of courage to resist the swelling current In view of it we would say to every one just being intro- duced to prison-life from the army of his coimtry, "Be hopeful, be courageous, for herem lies your strength." The day following the sensation notice of Capt. Wirz, he took several men into his employ for the purpose of digging a trench LIFE IK REBEL PRISONS. 109 around the camp inside the "dead line," for the more ready discovery of any "tunnels" that might have been dug, and also to render it more difficult to attempt any more in the future. Doubtless he thought he Avas doing a smart thing, accomplishing that which would eflfectually put an end to aU similar Avorking, but even then Yankee ingenuity was busy in solving the problem — ^how this could be made void — and the result was a conclusion to dig under the trench, although it involved a greatly increased amomit of labor. It was a time of sore extremity with us, and it was daily becoming worse, so that we felt from shrinldng from no undertaldng, however haz- ardous, that afforded the least glimmer of hope that we might escape. The rations were miserable and whoUy inadequate to the demands of anything like a healthy organiza- tion. About this time they were slightly varied in the shape of two buckets of mush for ninety men. "Chicken feed" the bo3^s called it, and it seemed a very appropriate name, for it was nothing but coarse corn meal 110 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. and water, with a little salt, half cooked. The manner of DISTRIBUTING THE RATIONS was as follows : — Once every day might be seen a large, uncovered army Avagon, drawn by two span of mules, coming into the prison- gate, the driver seated upqn the near ihule behind, and an officer in the vehicle whose business it was to check what was issued to the sergeant who stood ready to take it from another who stood between themj and pass it over to the "ninety" which constituted the division over which he was placed. ;" These "nineties" had suh divisions, so that the Avork of dividing and circulating the given material was quiddy done, and indeed, often times this might be done by reason of the very small amount that Avas allowed for distribution. Among so many men, with such variety of taste and disposition, feeling and motive, it was not strange that some little incident, calculated to enhance the serenity, or disturb the equanimity of the prisoners, shovild be almost constantly occurring. Oftener it was the latter, as the passions of men, so little LIFE L\ EEBEL PRISOXS. 113 restrained, found manifestation in a way they would not in the midst of civilized society, where public sentiment frowns upon anything like general disorder. It was not infrequent that one of the camp thieves or ''raiders" would be arrested in his 'prowlinfj operations at night, carried to the brook, to endure the process of "gagging" and '^hucking" having one side of his head shaved, and this not being considered sufficient punishment, he would finally be thrown into the swamp, there to consider the propriety of discontmiiing his "raids" for a season. Truly, "the way of transgressors is hard." Another thing which tended to keep up a , little excitement was the frequency with Avhich Ave were met by false promises from the heartless Captain over us. Notwithstand- ing the repeated instances of deception Ave had experienced, every fresh assurance Avould of course stimulate our hopes that possibly.it might be true. When he told us that in four Aveeks _Ave aa'ouH surely be Avithin our own lines, and that we would commence going out in a feAV days, we could only say to each 114 LIFE IN KEBEL I'EISONS. other, " time will prove the truth of the state- ment." '•' It may or may not be, — most likely the latter." Soon after these things were told us, the '•' rebs " showed unmistakable signs of alarm about something The working parties were all ordered inside the stockade, while their soldiers were posted around the outside of the prison, as if in expectation of an immedi- ate attack. Appearances indicated something quite out of the ordinary course of events, but it was of short duration, as they finally returned to their camps, and everything went on as usual. We afterwards learned that the whole thing was occasioned by a report that a body of our cavaly had crossed over Flint river, at a point only twelve miles from us. "We began to reckon of " the good time com- ing" and were content to "wait a little longer" for it, provided it would only come, but as Ave heard nothing more from it we were obliged to consider the whole report incorrect, and settle ourselves down again to the toleration of our wretched lot. "What this wretchedness includes, one may imagine somewhat if he LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. 115 seriously think what it means to have liothing^ but half a loaf of com bread, weighing about six or seven ounces, as the only thing upon which to subsist for twenty-four hours. Whether what preceded the distribution of this short allowance had anything to do with it or not, I can not tell, but it was quite cer- tain that this was the way we had often been made to feel the power of their indignation. A number of "tunnels" were discovered about this time, and filled in by the "Old Dutchman" and his minions. This personage was none other than Capt. Wirz himself, who was best known itv prison by that name. Indeed, a stranger would have thought it his only title. In all things that pertained to this common labor of the prison, he had become Argus-hke, and every new discovery only tightened the cords which his hate would draw about us, but why should we cease ? We could but perish if we were betrayed, and it was quite certain many would, if they remained much longer. One hvmdred and seventeen men were added to our number on the 28th, having been cap- tured at Cioss /Stoft'on, twenty-five miles from 116 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. Atlanta, in the rear of otir army, but they were a stupid set, mule drivers, &c., and they brought us but little news of any character. The "Macon Confederate" was boasting of a great victory. Grant had been defeated Avith the loss of sixty thousand men, and Gen. Sherman's army Avas "greatly demoralized" but we felt a little inclined to make some allowance for its stories, since the latter had met such success in flanking Joe Johnston and his army, and to set down the paper as the chief o£ false teachers. The 29th was the day so often sung by Christian assemblies as the one of , "All the week the best, Emblem of eternal rest," and do you wonder that I allowed memory and imagination to do their utmost to couA'ey me to a different atmosphere; that I found my SABBATH THOUGHTS to be recorded at its close in something of the following manner? "My mind has been at home to-day, and I have seen in imagination the dear old church Avith all its blessed associ- ations ; the Sabbath school with its^ teachers LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. - 117 and scores of happy children, and last, but not least, 'the old homestead^ m its rural peace and quiet. I Avonder if they know at home of our real condition here. If the nation itself knew of it, it seems as if we would be liberated, even if an army had to be raised for this work alone." Nea,rly a thousand prisoners came in on the afternoon of that Sabbath, what would have been considered a large congregation in many of our city churches at home. A few of them were those who had come from other rebel prisons, but the greater part of them were from Grant's army, and Siegel's corps in the Shenandoah valley. Some of the 1st Mass. regiment were among the number. They were captured just on the eve of their departure for home, their time having expired, and great must have been their disappointment to have been brought to such a place, when they had slmost felt the touch, and seen the smile of welcome from the "loved ones at home." An almost equal number came in on the following day, among whom . Avere a large number of Connecticut men. Twenty-four of 118 •• LIFE IN REBEL PSISOXS. the 8th reghnent; fi%-two of the 7th; one hundred and thirty of the 11th ; and fifteen of the 21st. They all belonged to Gen. But- ler's division, and were captured two w6eks before, in an attack upon Fort Darling, near Kichmond. Their captors had robbed them of everything, from blanket to haversack, sc that there was nothing before them but actual sufferinsr for the want of a coverinsr amid the O O - exposures to which they must be subject. That night I worked until near midnight, with a few friends, vipon a,"tiinneV It was new work for me, and rather hard, but I was willing to Avork hard, if I could only get out of that horrible den, into God's country once more. Our "MODUS OPERANDI" in " tunneling " was something after this sort : To begin with, a situation was selected near the dead line as possible, in order to make the distance as short as it could be to the outside of the stockade. A hole, or "well" as we termed it, was first sunk straight down to the depth of six or eight feet, and then the "tun- nel" proper was started towards the stockade, LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 119 under which it passed. But- oue man could dig at a -time, but we often relieved each other, as the work was very fatiguing. As Ave continued our excavations the dirt was pushed back in the manner I have indicated before, in a meal sack, which we stole from ., the ration wagon for the purpose. Every morning a line of bright red earth could be seen along the edge of the swamp, the nightly result of the labors of earnest seekers after freedom. Every night fires were kindled at short intervals all around the prison, and a line of pickets posted outside these fires, so that "tunnels" had to be continued a long distance out in order to have the place of egress as safe as possible. "We usually commenced operations about nuie or ten o'clock at night, or as soon as it was dark enough to admit of our working without bemg seen by the vigi- lant sentinel upon the stockade. In this par- ticular we had the advantage of them, for we could plainly see and watch them by the light of the circle of pitch-pine fires around the prison, while they could not see us at all 120 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. domi in the darkness of the pit In this instance, at least, Ave preferred "darkness rather than light," although our deeds Avere not evil If the thing could be carried through to completion, some dark and stormy night would be chosen in which to pursue the pathway to light The slight curtain of earth that had been left at the end would be carefully broken through, and those who had dug the lane would stealthily crawl out and make for the Avoods and swamps, but a feAV rods distant. After the OAvners had safely passed through, any one else Avas welcome to go out by the same way, and it Avas considered quite desira- ble to have them, as it distracted the blood- hounds, and prevented them from gettmg on the track of the first ones. Very few, hoAV- ever, succeeded in making good their escape in this Avay, for insurmountable obsticles would almost invariably occur to render the attempt abortive. As we liaA^e before stated, it Avas almost impossible to complete anythino- of the kind Avithout being betraj-ed to the Confederate authorities by some of the coav- LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 121 ardly traitors in our midst, who for the sake of an extra ration of corn bread, or a plug of tobacco, would tell all they knew of any attempt to escape, and beside it was not uncommon for a "tunnel," when nearly, com- pleted, to cave in on accoimt of the nature of the soil. Although the exertion made us tired and stil^ we yet continued our labors, and thought we were progressing gloriously, coming nearer and nearer to freedom. every hour, when sud- denly we came upon an unlooked for barrier, which ended alike our visions and our efforts. An old hospital sink had been covered over in this very spot, and stood there a thing impen- etrable, between us and the liberty we thought we were bringing to ourselves. These were some of the "shadows" of camp life. If there were any "lights," they were the feeble hopes built upon rebel falsehoods. About the first of June they told us that the 51st Virginia regiment was at Andersonville for the purpose of guarding us to the place of exchange. Whether they were there or not we can not say, but we are quite sure we were not among any thus guarded. 122 LIFE IN REBEL rUI30X3. Prisoners still continued to be brought in, the majority from Butler's army, the remain- der from Sherman's, with the exception of some few from other prisons that were becom- ing somewhat unsafe, in consequence of the movements of our forces in too close prox- imity. Some eight or ten of the latter came on crutches, having already lost a limb in the service. We hardly saw the propriety of sending such men to us, for they could not run away if they would. About this time there came a severe rain storm, giving us a good wetting, but we felt little like grumbling, for it proved a rich bless- ing to the camp, Avashing away an immense amount of filth. It was hard, however, for the thousands of men who had not even the poor shelter of a woolen blanket for their protection. It, was just such a time as we might expect some poor fellow would try to make his escape, and a couple of shots after dark told us that such was probably the case, and this was the greeting he received. We had had but little rain in the early part of our history.in camp,, but now we began to LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 123 think that June Avas the rainy month in Georgia, and that it had set in, in right good earnest. We could not betake oiu'selves to any refuge from the tempest, and though the wind should bloAV, and the rain descend in torrents, we must stand and take it Of course none will be surprised if we had to lay ourselves down to rest in rather of a moist condition, hMt let such a night be followed by good news from our army in the morning, and it was wonderful how it lessened the feeling of discomfort consequent upon it. It was at such time that we heard that Gen. Grant had broken Lee's center, and that the 5th corps occupied Mechanicsville, only four or five miles from Richmond; also that Fort Darling had fallen. It was almost too good to Ijelieve, and prudence suggested that we wait for its further confirmation before we were very jubilant over it, but it afibrded us, at least, something to think upon. These things were also accompanied by the report that His Majesty, King Jeff, had asked for an armistice of six days, in which to repent of his evil ways, and seriously consider the question of 124 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. submitting to lawful authoritj^, but we in our prison hoped most sincerely, if anything of the kind had been asked, it would, not be met by disgraceful comjyromises for the sake of peace, but by reneAved activity on the part of our armies to bring tilings imto such a basis that the sword might be honorably sheathed, and the Union be restored and preserved as it should be. To hold any communication with the arch traitor for anything less than this w^as something of which we did not like to think. We were in a place that seemed to us to surpass all others in everything that tended to make life gloomy, but Ave coidd still say, "Our country forever" — "tribulation shall not make us part with our love for it" A miscellaneous crowd of prisoners came in on the 3d. who Avere captured at different times and places, having fought under the com- mand of three Generals, Grant, Burnside and Siegel. Some came in also from colored regi- ments. A number of the 54th Mass. regiment, and some others, Avere already of our number and they Avere vmiversally treated better than Ave white sgl4iers. Thc^ were taken outside LIFE m KEBEL PRISONS. 125 every day to perfonn some labor, and allowed double rations, and also the priA'ilege of buying things outside and bringing them into the prison at evening, and selling them to such as had any money, for a good round price in " greeribacksP Hain was the order of the day about these times. It Avould commence very early in the morning and continue through the day, per- haps slacking just enough to enable us to cook a little. To those who dwell in their "ceiled houses" this may not seem a particu- larly important item, but to those Avho had no shelter, no alternative but to feel the pitiless torrents upon their stiffened, aching limbs, and no bed at night but the cold, wet ground, it was a matter of painful interest. The thimder would roar and the lightning flash, and we would have what the "rebels" would call a "right smart shoioer," but it was all the same to us, — we must take it. Imagine these wretched thousands trying to shield them- selves in every possible way from the fast fall- ing rain, and then see them tiim hopelessly aAvay and lie down, with their scanty garments 126 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. already drenched, to be tantalized with dreams of comfort, if so be that sleep does not utterly refuse to embrace them in such circumstances. Then, too, comes the waking hour, surely attended with the consciousness of weariness and pain, that can not be removed, since the aggravating cause is ever present I remem- ber, myself, waking long before daybreak with these uncomfortable symptoms, and finding them my companions all the day long; but I meant to keep well at all. events, if determina- tion of will could do anything towards it. Sickness began to increase fearfully, in conse- quence of the wet weather, and many, doubt- less, died from the effect of exposure alone. The 4th of June I visited the outside world for the first time since my entrance into prison. An opportunity was ofiered to a few of us to go out after wood, and I gladly availed myself of it, just for the sake of breathing the pure air. Oh, how good it was for us to get out into the woods once more, among the trees and flowers! It almost seemed like a, new world, and my spirit rev- eled in the glad change for the brief season it LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 127 ■was given me to enjoy it in. What a blessed thing it would have seemed to us then, if we could have made that place our home, instead of going back to that fililiy den I How much better it would have been for us to have made our bed imder the spreading branches of those trees, that would have done their best to have screened us from the chill- ing dews and falling rain, for the unconscious kindness of inanimate things is dearer to the heart than conscious, continued unhindness of living men, at least, we felt that it would have been so then. A half dozen men took advant- age of the freedom thus allowed, and miade their escape, making the rest of us feel that the han of 2'>TOScription would be put upon all like privilege in the future. We were not Avith theni when they managed to do the thing, but they "muzzled" or overpowered the guard that was with them, and left on a hee- line for their federal comrades somewhere. An unusual number of camp rumors were afloat on the fifth, one of which was, that Pearson, the rebel Colonel, had positively stated that the work of paroling wouldi com- 6 128 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. mence on the following day. It was also told ns that Gen. Lee had evacuated Richmond. "We put them both down as rebel lies for we had seen and heard so much we -would scarcely believe them upon oath, and the sequel proved us correct, for the next day came, and evening also, and paroling was something of which nothing w^as known or heard. Two or three days after this, several hun- dred more prisoners were brought in, some from the armies of Grant and Shennan, but many of them foimd their w^ay thither as the result of a clearing out of the Richmond prisons and hospitals. Through this medium we learned that Gen Siegel had been relieved of his command, by order of Gen. Grant, for disobedience of orders, and that Maj. Gen. Hunter had taken his place ; also that Gen. Lee's head-quarters were at Danville, Va., he having fallen back from his position near R.ichmond. From every appearance the gen- eral condition of things did not seem calcu- lated to keep the rebel element about us very quiet. The nien were in commotion, and evi- LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. ,129 den% manifested concern about something. They went busily to work planting artillery to command the camp arid railroad, an effort that Avas understood when we found that Kilpatrick was operating -svith a cavalry force in the vicinity of Augusta. They were, no doubt, preparing to receive a visit from their Federal brother, and thought it advisa- ble to guard against too great intimacy Avith the household, in general, over which they presided. As for oiu-selves, whenever we thought of such a j^ossible visit, we counted upon a violation of their laws of etiquette, and an acquaintance as intimate as we desired. We calculated to enter our complaint, and he in turn would show forth his sympathy in a way agreeable to us, but displeasing to them; but our imaginings Avere useless, as no oppor- tunity was given us at that time. We were to encounter the storms and tempests a little longer. This had come to be our daily e.xpe- rience. Oiu" blankets were getting worn and threadbare, and afforded us but poor protec- tion. The large drops beating against them would find their way through, and give us a thorough wetting. 130 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. Copies of the Charleston Mercury of the sixth and seventh found their way to our hands, giving an intei-esting account of a naval conflict on Albemarle sound, between the rebel iron ram of the same name, and several of our new wooden gunboats; also, the capture of the U. S. steamer "Water Witch" in Gssabaw sound, near Savannah, Ga., by five barges filled with "rebs," who boarded her as they did the Under Writer, at New- bem, N. C, last winter. The editorials of these papers expressed a great deal of regret that any of their State legislatures should advocate peace jyropositio^is at this time, as it would very likely be construed as an evidence of loeakness on their part, and gratuitous infor- mation that tended to anything of this sort was .against their principles. Although we were mindful of the allowance it Avas necessary to make for the communica- tions of these papers printed in rebeldom, yet they gave tis something of an idea of what was passing on the other side ; a side from which we were as effectually barred as the OnentaZs in their strong-walled cities at night, as far as LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 131 any intercourse was concerned. There was this difference, however, the gates opened for them every morning^for us, almost never. They could go forth to traverse the hills and vales beyond, as they wished, leisurely beholding the rising glories of early dawn, or musing with calm content upon the richer beauties of the setting sun. J^oontide, morn and evening were alike to us, save as, now and then, we were hurried imder a heartless guard, to some neighboring Avood, to gather a small supply for our necessity, and then hastened back within lines and bars, rigidly drawn and securely fastened. The country about our camp was gently undulating, and not far from us were large pine forests, that evidently had not rang to the xooodmarCs axe for a long time, if ever. In the immediate vicinity of our camp there was nothing green. Should anything struggle for life through the hard earth, it would ffoon be trodden down by the tramp of so manj'^ feet. It might be that in some chosen corner, some dwarfed and stunted thing would be tenderly guarded,'because of the idea of greenness and 132 , LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. growth Avhich it might impart. In this way a few stalks of Indian corn were permitted to grow, and it would have well nigh been con- sidered sacrilege to have destroyed -what was so richly suggestive, to thousands of hearts there. How much the remembrance of kindred things had to do Avith our repeated attempts to escape, I will not say. At any rate we determined to keep them up. I became mterested in still another "tunnel" and things again proceeded so far that it was almost ready to "break" If the weather was favorable, one more night, we thought, would be Sufficient to complete the arrangement, and put us on the way to freedom. Before dark I went over to the. other side of the camp to see Sergt. Maj. S— , with reference to it, and there learned to my surprise and deep regret, that it had caved in, after having been duo- a distance of ninety feet. Disappointed feelino- exclaimed, "This is too bad!" All our attempts to escape had been frustrated just as they had seemed on the point of succeed- vtig, but remembermg the old school motto — LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 133 "If at first you don't succeed Tey, try again,'" we immediately began to dig for another. There might be this advantage in working under the earth, one might possibly keep dry. Above, thunder etorms were the order of the day, sometimes bne following another in quick succession. So much rain seemed to hold the 2^ugilisiic element in check, but the '^raiders" event- ually meant to make up for lost time. On the return of a pleasant morning, they had five distinct fights before roll-call, which was in the early part of the day; but one must remember we had no laws but those of our own making, and these could not be enforced with authority they thought bind- ing. There seemed no Avay but for every one to follow the bent of his own inclination, and in numberless instances the leanmg of the "tree" showed the unhappy twisting of the "twig" at some other period of history. For some days no prisoners Avere brought in, a circumstance that was quite remar^-a- ble, suice they had been coming so rapidly 134 LIFE IN REBEL PRISOXS. almost every day, for a long time. But the absence of this excitement was balanced by the rumor in general circulation, that a thou- sand men were to be taken out of prison for the purpose of RETALIATION, as our government had showed signs of doing the same thing for the Fort Pillow massacre. " If it is so," we said, " let them try it, and see how they will succeed." "Perhaps in some way they may get a full cup wrung out to them." Amid all these unpleasant episodes of prison life we continued to brighten many an evening hour by talking over old home scenes, and rehearsing the jolly times of old in our regiment, before we had been called '•'to hang oiu: harps vipon the willows," in a strange land. These things furnished us with material for lively conversations, and reminded us of a story of two men who were once placed in the confinement of a cell for some years, for a matter relating to truth and conscience. No light was ever given them to show them the dismal walls of their wmdowless, sunless LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 135 apartment, or to reveal to each other the features of his companion. They coulji only hsten to. each other's voices, and the first yeax they Avhiled away the time by rehearsing in each others ears every little mcident of their - lives. The second year they amplified and embellished these as best they could, bat the third found them altogether talked out, and no alternative left them but perpetual silence, so that the weariness of their confinement pressed heavily upon them, and there was danger that the mind would cease its power to Avork. It required no very great stretch of the imagination to take in the truth of this. Activity of mhid, in any case, requii-es that it have its appropriate alunent to stimu- late it, and shut out for any considerable period of time from all this, it will necessarily grow feeble and sluggish. It is true that, as far as numhers were concerned, these were enough, but all were in the same condition, circumscribed in range of thought and action. It came to be quite an era in our lives if we could be guarded to the adjacent woods for a season. Several 'of the boys were 136 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISOIfS. allowed to go out in this manner on the 11th of what would have been the "month of roses in our own land. Sergeant F and one of the Corjoorals from our own little squad went out, and came hack in great glee, bringing with them some beautiful flowers, and Avhat wa's of more use to us, a good sup- ply of wood. They brought us a glowing account of the heauties of the outside world, making us ask again, in addition to times unnumbered before, "TT7je?i will our irksome confinement end ?" That night the sun went down like a globe of fire, in the midst of rain clouds, and thus closed another week of our stay in what so many have called the ''sunny South." ■ We awoke Sunday morning to find our thoughts ''hovieward bound," as usual. We Avondered what they were doing, thinkino- and saying there, and it really seemed to do us good to think and dream of home. We felt that Ave should be fully prepared to appre- ciate its comforts, if Ave should liA'e to return. Sixty-eight prisonere came in that day from Sherman's army, AvHich they reported to LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 137 be near Marietta. The rations which awaited them and ns were a few spoonsfull of tuicooked rice, a tea spoonful of salt, and about two ounces of bacon, and this to be cooked and eaten amid the nuid and misery which a regular "■ north-easter '' was producing about us. It was said that one hundred and tioo died that day, and from what I saw I think it was true. We became so accustomed to death, it lost all its solemnities, and was looked upon as nothing unusual. Indeed, one or two could almost always be seen dying at the brook-side. For some reason the roll-call was omitted on the following morning, and the Sergeants of the "ni7ieties" received orders to send the sick up to the prison gate. This at once gave foundation to the report that these Avere to be sent off to our lines, and that a large number beside were to be paroled. Many believed the rumor, and there was excitement for a while, but it soon passed away, as no one left. We were to learn that it was not very easy to gain a transition from pur mud and filth to dry, cleanly things. It was very damp from inces- 138 LIFE IN KEBEL PKISOXS. sant rain, and we suffered with the cold, but were better off than hundreds, yea, thousands, Avho lay down every night to seek their rest without any covering at all. Belle Island could not have been much worse. " Will God prosper a government which treats defence- less men like this?" we asked, and we were answered, "No! it is a. sin to think so for a moment."' When I would have to stay in my little dog-kennel of a tent nearly the whole day, on account of rain, it was hard sometimes to keep from ^feeling blue," but I had kept up good spirits so long, I reasoned with myself upon the propriety of continuing the same until I should step within Uncle Sam's lines, and then it would require no effort to be light-hearted; it would come as a matter of course. I emerged from my narrow quarters for a little season, on the afternoon of such a day, hoping to luxuriate in the woods for a time, as it Avas our turn to obtain fuel. We waited at the gate a long time, with the expectation of hayujgit qpened unto us, but wer§ finally tyld by the rebel Sergeant that LIFE I2J REBEL TRISONS. ];!9 we could not go, and we went back to our tent again, to do as best we could, with our meal and bacon. CHAPTER IV. ARRIVAL OF PRISONERS. About the middle of the month things seemed to be growing worse and worse. Twenty-three -hundred prisoners came in, in two days, the fifteenth and sixteeiith, partly from Grant's army, but more from Butler's. ''Poor fellows r we said sUently, as they came in, "it is an awful place for you to come into just now." It Avas bad enough at any time, but worse than ever then, because of the mud and filth which everywhere covered the ground. Several of our regiment who were left behind to take care of the woimded at Pl3rmouth, were brought along with them, introducing a welcome visitor, in "Trip" Co. B's little dog, who had been with us long months before we were taken. We at once 140 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISOXS. concluded to consider him a fortunate dog if he Avas not converted into steak or soup in the early part of his residence among us. We Avere actually suffering from hunger. When I attempted to arise from a sitting pos- ture I Avould find myself dizzy and blind for a few moments, and I could attribute it to nothing but our exceedingly meagre diet. It was poor in quantity and miserable in quality. At this time we had but just Avood enough to cook a little rice for breakfast, and Ave could have nothing more the remainder of the day. Let the intensity of our cravings be e\'er so" great, there Avas no remedy. Six of our "ninety" Avere at length permitted to gather their '-handful of sticks" that we might cook our cake of meal on the morroAv, and trulj'' men must be of the ti^e metal to remain staunch and true through all this. .That they did the folloAving little incident Avill testify. A YANKEE TRAITOR Avho AA'orks in Americus, making shoes for the Jeff Davis government, said to be first and foremost in the shop, came into camp and Avas LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 141 caught trying to entice out others to Tvork with him. It excited the indignation of many, and as a fit punishment for what was esteemed his villainy, he was taken and half of his head shaved, and then left to make his way out, hooted and jeered at by the whole crowd, but even then it was considered alto- gether too sUght for one who would dare tamper with their loyalty. Tliis was a jeal- ously guarded treasure through the whole. Our hopes that things would be better after the visit to the w^oods, were not realized, for if nothing else were in the way, the rain would seriously interrupt our cooking. The Orderly and mj'self made a breakfast of corn- meal and water, stirred together without salt, and half cooked upon a tin-plate, and a little scrap of bacon beside, although Ave felt it to be a shaine to dignify such stuff by the name of " Ireakfastr In the after part of the day I went up for medicine for the sick men in our "mess," and Avhile Avaiting for my turn to be served, I had a good confidential talk Avith one of the guards, Avhom I found to be a true Union man. 142 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. He had been driven from his home into the Confederate army about four weeks before, although for a year and a half he had man- aged, in one way and another, to keep out of the service. He was a very intelhgent man, of about middle age, and gave it as his opinion that the C. S. A. was about Splayed ouC The heavy rains had destroyed the wheat crop, and it was doubtful in his mind if the Confed- erate government could subsist us three months longer. The matter thus represented, of course, made it appear more hopeful for us. He Avas looking for a speedy change in his own condition, for "as soon as your army crosses the Chattahoochee river," he said to me, "I shall turn away from these things and seek my home." When I returned to my tent after this interview, I found that the old stories had been renewed with great zest, and that some believed that transports Avere at Savannah, Avith rebel prisoners for exchange. The nvunber, however, Avho had been ready to receive such doctrine had greatly diminished, and there was no leiigthened exultation over this. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 143 Scenes of a different character soon engaged our attention. A man who was quietly sleep- ing in his little blanket tent near the edge of a well, was suddenly buried alive by the fall- ing in of tlie earth. This was folloAved not long after, by the wounding of two men by the guard. A man had stepped inside the " dead line" and was at once fired upon, but instead of receiving any injury himself, it had fallen on the innocent two who were -lying doAvn in their tent. Amid these scenes we noted the arrival of ninety-five more men; those who had belonged to a raid sent from Memphis, Tenn., tinder command of Gen. Sturgis, and were attacked and badly defeated by the rebel Gen. Forrest, at a place in Mis- sissippi. Gen. Sturgis is said to have been intoxicated during the engagement, and that as soon as he saw things were likely to go against him, he turned away with a portion of his cavalry, and sought to save himself from capture. A recruit for our regiment was among the number Avho came in. He was captured on a raid in Hertford Co., N. C, and that was the first time he had ever seen the 144 LIFE K REBEL PRISONS. Sixteenth, to which he Avas bound. Quite a novel place to join them in. On the morning of the 20th we heard that gold was down to 119 in New York, and that many brokers had been ruined by its decline. We thought, however, that it was good news, if only true, for surely it would not have had such a fall, but for great military successes, and these were our special delight. We were, ourselves, in a situation to do nothing, and it afforded us intense satisfaction to know that the loJieeJs of j^^'ogress were mo\dng. It called all oiu* energies into requisition to keep the current of life in our own bodies from utter stagnation. We attempted to build a ■mud stove for our comfort, as there was plenty of that material at hand, but the rain made our labor ineffectual Already we had seen tioenty days of rain in succession, and we began to reckon on becoming used to it. That day Corporal B , of our regiment, who had been long time in a sickly condition, finished his earthly course. He was the first of our number to die in that place, and it very naturally gave rise to the inquiry, in LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 145 thoughtful minds, "Who -will go next through the dark valley into the spirit world?" The blows of the fell destroyer were falling thick and fast, and none could ward them ofld By night and day he rioted in our midst, claiming his victims by the score, and forcing upon us the reflection that " The appointed house, by heayen's decree, Receives us all at last" While awaiting the completion of the new stockade, the roU-call Avas omitted a few morn- ings, and lest some have a wrong idea of this, I will here say, that names were never called, but every morning a rebel Sergeant would make his appearance, at which time we would Ml in, four ranks deep, when he would count us, and make sure that everything was right before he left us. This intermission, we thought, would have afforded us a fine oppor- tunity to escape Avithout being missed, if other things had been favorable, but hitherto some "^unconquerable bar" had always been interposed betAveen us and freedom, and there seemed little encouragement to proceed. Be- side, the rebels were on the alert, being in 146 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. constant expectation of an attack, as it was reported that our cavalry Avere in the imme- diate vicinity. Nearly all the forces about the prison were sent away, leaving scarcely none but the guard on the stockade. In this period two hundred more from Gen. Sturgis' raid came in, all giving the same story in regard to the shameful conduct of their com- mander. Thus can it be seen how little our every-day life varied. Ahnost constantly Ave were seeing new ones come in to swell the tide of misery for themselves and lis. Now Ave Avould see a "raider" led by our tent in chains, Avith his head shaved, to some place of punishment, and again the report of some gun Avould tell us that some poor and perhaps unconscious trespasser had gone too near the line of death, and had sealed his fate Avith his blood. It was so on that day. One poor fellow Avas shot through the body just for reaching inside the"Zins,"to get a root for the purpose of making a little fire to do some cooking. The one Avho thus shoots a soldier, it is said, receiA^es a "furlough," as a reAvard for the very virtuous deed he has done. The LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 147 absolute truth of this I can not vouch for, but I have noticed that almost invariably the man ■who performs such an act is relieved from duty by another person, and he is not seen. Desirable as a furlough might be, I would poorly relish it, if gained only by murdering a helpless fellow creature. Not long after this I narrowly escaped a similar fate myself Going up after medicine for the '^ninety" I ignorantly stepped over the boundary line, but looking up just in season to observe the attitude of the too willing sentinel, I saw my. danger and saved my life. Almost every afternoon, at four o'clock, it was the duty of the Sergeant of the "nineties" to obtain remedies for the sick, provided there were any to be had. After roll-call in the morning the sick ones were allowed to go out of the gate, into an enclosure made for the purpose, and the rebel surgeons would pre- scribe for them, and also admit a few to the hospital Then, whatever their sufferings might be, they must go nearly all the day long with nothing to alleviate them, but we might consider it good fortune if, even then. 148 LIFE IN REBEL PEISONS. any soothing draught could be obtained where- Avith to ease the pain -which was often times intense, from the aggravated form -which "disease -svould almost necessarily take under such a reghne as -we -were all subject to. The cheerful sunshine came to bless us at length. The twenty-third was a warm, bright day, and three hundred more prisoners marked their entrance into prison then; not a very desirable era in their history, as they Avill soon find out, we thought. They were from the 2d corps, and were captured at Peters- burg, Va., about a week before. They reported our forces close upon that city then, and we fancied it already ours; — ^yes ! ours, for did we not still belong to the hopeful Unioji, and were not her victories ours also? We were identified with our coimtry's struggle in a peculiar sense, and her prosperity was never dearer to us than then. It gave us courage to hear from them that Grant's army was in excellent condition, and constantly receiving reinforcements. Hope was slightly confirmed also, by the assertion that a copy of the New York Herald -w;as in circulation through the LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 149 prison, in which it was stated that " exchange " Avas to commence on the 7th of the coming July, and that transports had already left that city for Savannah, with that end in view. We longed to know if it was really so, for the suspense we Avere in was terrible, and this, combined with the actual privation Ave Avere constantly enduring, made the days seem insufferably long. That night we had no bacon with our rations at all, — nothing but a pint and a half of com meal, and a little salt, for twenty-four hours. Many of the men would eat up what they received at a single meal, and then go hungry until the next issue. The morning foUoAving this, Ave had some ■ fresh meat, from which the orderly and myself made a pretty good soup. That Avhich came to our part of the detachment was A'ery good, but much of it was miserable, being badly tainted and full of maggots. During the day, notice Avas given to all pris- oners, who had their money and valuables taken from them at Richmond, to send in their names with the amount of their loss, to Gen. "Winder, and he would settle with them. We 150 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. assigned it just about the same place in our belief that we did many other things they said, supposing, of course, that it would amount to nothing, or at least nothing more than an order upon the rebel sutler, which was equivalent to the same, at the prices he charged for every thing. In conjixnction with, this came another hum- hug. The rebel regiments about us, it was said, had an order read to them at dress parade, announcing to them that in about three weeks they would be allowed a fur- lough, as the prisoners were to be sent away. It would have been a most agreeable truth, but unhappily there was none of that virtue about it, and it was perpetrated for reasons best known to our enemies themselves. The weather was getting very warm, and to preclude the necessity of toiling and sweating in the hot sunshine, we adopted the plan of risinor before sunrise, to cook our scantv breakfast, and we found it to add materially to our comfort. We could but think of oiur comrades in the Union army, who were marching and fighting in the intense heat LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 151 "God grant them victory!" was our hearty praj'^er. General Sturgis' ill-fated raiding party still continued to furnish small additions to our number. According to the reports they brought, it seemed that opposing forces sometimes came very near each other.; Forrest had been AvithLn one mile of our pickets at Memphis, and captured many prisoners, and these had been re-captured by a force sent out by our officers to repulse them. We could certainly, congratulate the rescued. At this time I received a letter from Adjutant Clapp, who was a prisoner at Macon, from which I learned that five generals, eleven colonels, tAventy-five lieutenantrcolonels, and nine majors — fifty in all — ^had been sent away from that place for exchange. Lieut. Col. Bumham, of our own regiment, was among the fortunate number. Plainly the hour of our release had not come, and we must content ourselves as well as we could under rebel jurisdiction, untU such time as we could haU the promised day of jubilee. Meanwhile,! must studiously consult duty and 7 152 LIFE IN REBEL PEISONS. interest, in no Avise neglecting the former to secure the latter, unless I wished my life to pay the forfeit. It again came my turn to go out with the squad after wood. We obtained om' scanty supply, and were on our way back to prison, when we stopped for a few moments to rest. I improved the opportunity to dig all the red root that I could, as it was a valuable remedy for (ftarrAea, which was distressingly prevalent in camp. The sergeant in charge of the guard was rather cross and surly, and allowed us but a little time to get breath, and then ordered us on again. In my haste I left my knife upon the ground, and did not discover my loss imtil I was nearly back to the stockade. The sergeant then refused to let me return for it. I was just giving it up for lost, when Captain Wirz came riding along, and as a last^esort I appealed to him. For a wonder he told me to go with him, and, walking his horse, he went with me to the spot where I had used the knife, and thus I recovered it If I had failed to find it, he would have doubtless "thought I was guilty of deception, and shot me through LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 153 without any remorse whatever. As we went back toward the prison-gate, we met other squads of prisoners going after Avood, tmder guard, and seeing me in company with the "Old Dutchman" they supposed I had been captured in an attempt to escape, and consequently had a great many jokes at my expense. The captain, noticing this, remarked to me, "■Tliey links you have pen up to some tepilment" The next day when the squad was called^for again to go out after wood, no one wished to go, and I concluded to try it once more, though my feet Avere pretty sore. WhUe we were waiting at the gate to let the dignitaries pass us through, there came up a thunder-storm, and as a matter of course we received a thorough drenching. We Avere not fo be intimidated by this, hoAvever, and went on, finding it all the more pleasant' in the woods because of it. Our guard this time Avere very accommodating, and Ave had a right good time among the trees and flowers. While we were out, six or seven hundred prisoners from Grant's g,ijhy entered the prison, and about the same number had been introduced 154 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. the day before. The last ones had been treat- ed with the greatest severity at Kichmond. They had been stripped and searched, and at length turned in upon us with ahnost nothing for their comfort. Tlie days now when prisoners did not come in were exceptions. About three hundred and fifty came on the 29th, mostly from Western Virginia, and they brought us some good tidings. They informed us that Gen. Pope entered Lynchburg while Gen. Hunter had drawn away the enemy's forces by a feigned retreat, and that he had destroyed the im- mense tobacco warehouses in the city, and also the large bridge over the James river at that point, although he failed to hold the place. ^ One of the men told me that he bought a paper on his way, which stated that the ex- change of prisoners would commence on the 7th of the folloAving month. As this coincided in every respect with a previous report, we could not but think it had some foundation. Surely anything that would appear twice alike aauat meajj somethiiig. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. l55 These new comers afforded the "raiders," or camp-robbers, fresh opportunities to continue their work. They seized upon one of these, and it was soon seen that it was A ROBBERY in earnest After severely beating and. cut- ting his head, they took from him his watch and $175 in money. He entered a complaint to Captain Wizz, and the whole camp being completely aroused, a crowd collected, armed with clubs, who began to arrest the gang as fast as possible. As soon as one was caught, he was handed outside to the care of the rebels, who were to watch over them tmtil they coidd be tried by our men. A few, against whom positive proof could not at once be brought, were sent into prison again, where they had to run the gauntlet between a long line of enraged men, who, armed with heavy clubs, dealt blow.s at the miscreants as they ran past One man was killed Avhile undergoing the punishment About fifty of the band were caught, and the prospect was good that the 156 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. infernal proceedings which had so long been continued would come to an end. All through the next day they were hunted with great success. The Rebel Quartermaster, rebel sergeants and guard, went into the prison, and, piloted by a notorious character knowii as "Limber Jim," and his comrades, they soon ferreted out the infamous scoun- drels. They were taken outside, where they were to be tried by a jmy of twelve men selected from the newly arrived, who of course would know the least about them, and would therefore be more impartial in rendering the verdict. Beneath their tents were found knives, pistols, watches, money, &c., and it is said that bm-ied beneath one tent was the body of a man who Avas supposed to have been murdered by them. It was a day of great excitement, and one which we thought would place an effectual barrier against such operations in the future. Fourteen prisoners came in on the afternoon of the day, and among them Avas James Mar- tin, of our regiment, Avhom we all supposed to be dead. His appearance created quite a sen- LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 157 sation, and we gave him a hearty welcome to om- hearts, if not to the prison. He was womided on the sku'mish line at PljTiiouth, on the second night of the attack, and was then taken prisoner and conveyed to Wilson C. H., North Carolina, where he was trea±ed with the utmost kindness, so that he became quite well. While the surgeons were- attending to our sick at this time, they were suddenly ordered ofi) and left in a hurry without much cere- mony. We conjectured that there might be special need of their services at Atlanta, and that this was the cause of their hasty de- parture. On the first day of July, the ADDITION TO THE STOCKADE was completed and opened for the reception of the prisoners. All detachments, above forty- eio-ht in number, were ordered to be inside of it in ^400 hours, and faihng to do this, their blankets, &c., would be confiscated. This, then, was the alternative, — thirteen thousand men must crowd through an opening about 158 LIFE IN REBEL PKISONS. ten feet -tvide, in two hours, or lose all their little property -which was so very precious to them there. There -was a perfect stampede towards the open place, and the camp, gener- ally, presented a very animated scene. We grew "heautifully less" in a short time, leaving us a larger space in which to move and breathe, than we had known for a considerable period. Our own regiment was to retain its position as before. During the night the part of the old stockade left standing between us and the new, was visited by an extensive "raiding" party, the men from all parts of the prison working untU nearly morning in pulling down and carrying it off for fuel, so that at daj^- light but a very small portion of it was left standing. Then came the rumor that Capt. Wirz had ordered that no more rations should be issued untU the timber Avas replaced, but such orders we received with the same coolness as usual. The day was filled with more or less excitement on account of the reports concerning "exchange," which were flying through the camp. The date fixed. LIFE m REBEL miSONS. 159 upon "was the 7tli of the month, and" as this ■was the same we had heai'd mentioned at two different times, and upon separate occasions, before, we thought it might be possible that it had a truthful foundation. We heard, too, that the people of the North were greatly aroused in regard to the subject, and were holding indignation meetings, and petitioning Congress to interpose in ouir behalf If this were true, we hoped for good results to accrue, and therefore looked with some soUcitude to the approaching day. The intervening time was short, and hope, and sometimes fear, was in the ascendant, lest the story should prove a fiction, and we be still left "in the storm.'" We could only bring ourselves to meet it, if it should be, and ^ " With a heart for any fate, Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait." The latter grace, particularly, it seemed we might gain to perfection, if we were apt pupils at all. We Avere realizing the vision of the poet, in more than one respect, for we were leaving "footprints," not only upon "the sands of time," but perchance upon other and more 160. LIFE LS REBEL PRISONS. enduring material. - Our imprisonment had a purpose to accomplish, and the part it would perform in future history might do more than we could imagine. Thus we might sublimely theorize, but our painful experience would still thrust, itself upon us, and make our desires stronor and earnest for the fulfillment of our hopes that had been newly awakened. The first Sabbath of the month came on the third, and we thought of our friends at home gathering around the sacrttmental table, and we longed to be there, to enjoy with them the blessed feast, and the communion of kin- dred spirits, but we knew we were not forgot- ten ; that, though absent, there were many who would send us a wish and a thought, and that in prayers which would wing their Avay upward the soldier and the friend would have a place. Life in camp certainly needed grace, in measures "large and free" to keep the spirit quiet, for externally there Avas but little to calm the mind and stay its restless surges. Through this Sabba,th there was a great deal of. confusion, among the prisoners composing LIFE L\ REBEL PRISOXS. ICl tlie newly arrived detachments, and it took almost the entire day to get things into a condition of tolerable order. Eoll-call was resmned throughout the entire prison, and no rations at all issued in all the long hours, so that we laid down to our rest at night, the heljjless victims of hunger. We thought a corresponding ^'''^son-Zi/e might be a good reform school for some of the Southern Se- cessionists; they would be so struck with the amount of s;>Tnpathy displayed by their '•numeroushreihren ;" their "wayward sisters" Monday brought " the glorious fourth." One year before, it had found us up the Penin- sula, about eighteen miles from Richmond. Little did we dream that its next anniversary would find us in such a predicament, but there we were, and we must make the best of it. We wondered what was being done ; if Rich- mond was ours, and with it Lee's army, or if Ave were to fight longer for the prize. The "rebs" Avere busy all day in re-numbering the detachments, preparatory to a parole, it Avas said. Our number Avas changed from fortyr three to ninety-fivC; and we had numberless 162 LIFE IN KEBEL PEISONS. secret questionings as to what effect it would have upon our destiny, if exclvinge, should really be determined upon. I wished to keep fast hold of my confidence in the government, although the faith of many was growing weak. Eeason asserted that there must be some satisfactory why that we were not exchanged, for surely we Avould not be left to die of gradual starvation, month after month, without it were so. I saw a man in the morning who was completely discouraged, and, reaUy, he seemed partially insane. He refused to eat what little was given him, and declared that he was going to die in that wa3^ "ZoM will not have to iry very hard^' I said to myself, as I gazed upon his pallid face and emaciated form. It seemed that all must meet a similar fate, unless there should be some -change, for the material for food that we had just received was raw, and we had no means whatever of cooking anything then, as wood was wanting. Notwithstanding our cheerless condition, some were inclined to show some remembrance of the .day. One of the boys had a few percussion caps, and by LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 1G3 snapping these with a fragment of hrick and a tenpenny nail, Ave had a miniature celebra- tion, tJie oration and refreshments being indefi- nitely postponed. It might be that at honie they were firing cannon over some victory that we knew nothing about; perhaps pub- hcly eulogizing some General who had sud- denly won immortal fame by some brilliant achievement, and thus fostering national pride. We hoped it were so, for loyalty had not been starved out of us altogether, and we could rejoice in the country's 2>rosj)erity even there. It was not very warm just at this time, but we had a great deal of sickness. The Cath- olic priest was in almost daily, visiting the sick of his own order, and giving a word of good counsel to aU. He was untiring in his administration of the rites and consolations of the Eomish church to sick and dying Catho- lics. Clergymen of orthodox denominations I thought would do well to imitate his example in faithfulness and kindness to the dying soldier. We sometimes tried to draw out from him some information of matters in the 164 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. world outside, but we could seldom gain any- thino', as he was not allowed to make any communications to the prisoners under pen- alty of being forbidden admission to the prison. Evenings called together a circle iov prayer, and we had some good seasons in letting faith rise into a '■'■serener atmosphere" and who shall tell how richly freighted with blessing were those evening breezes to the "waiting souls ; who tell of the heavenly whisperings ? since " More things are wrought by prayer. Than this world dreams of," It was understood at this time that it would become a permanent institution, and that every return of the twilight hour, would bring the praying band together in some part of the camp. On the 6 th our number was increased by three or four hmidred from Danville, Va., who had been captured in an attempt to destroy the railroad. They tore it up for a distance of thirty miles before they were obliged to dis- continue their labors by rebel interference. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 165 They told us that Gen. Speare was there with his cavalry brigade, and Ave counted upon something being done, since he never did things by halves. They all agreed in saying that Eichmond was completely surrounded, and that everything was working well, the fighting continuing day and night, worse, if anything, during the latter season, than in the day. We set this down as good and reliable, and hoped accordiagly. We concluded the day with another interest- ing meeting by the hrooTc-side, near our quar- ters, and we could but think it would have some good effect. The boys seemed more willing than ever to "hear the word" and it is to be hoped that the JRecording Angel carried some good news to the upper world that night, respecting some poor soul in that little assem- bly. The day so long before fixed upon for the commencement of the work of exchange, at length da^vned upon us, and each hour found us . anxiously awaiting the revelations of the next. We watched for the moments to be "big with blessing" hnt they did not come. 166 LIFE IN REBEL PKISONS. Nothing unusual marked any part of the day, and at night one might have looked in upon hundreds and thousands of disappointed ones. Many had firmly believed it for a long time. They had confidently expected that it would be the date of their release. It was a release from earth to one of our regiment. J. Hoskins closed his eyes upon all that Avas mortal that day, and the mysterious fingers of death were busy in severing the cord that bound several others to life. I then wished that the President, under whose banner we had fought, coiUd look in upon our sufferings, for surely the sight would move him to help us, if any thing could be done. Live ivorms crawled xipon the bacon that Avas given xis to eat. '^It is all rigU" we said ; "we are nothing but Yankee prisoners, or, as the rebels usually speak of us, '^damned YankeesV A party of three himdred more took up their permanent abode with us on the 8th. One hundred and twenty-five were from James Island near Charleston, and the re- mainder from Petersburg, Va. Those from the former place were captiu-ed in a miserably LIFE IN REBEL PRISOXS. 167 sustained attack upon it, led by Gen. Davis. Five of the forty boats that were to land their forces, they say, had touched the shore, when a fire of grape and canister sent terror to the hearts of the rest, who beat a hasty and cow- ardly retreat, leaving their General and the men who had already landed to fall into the . hands of our enemies, and theirs. The follow- ing day, four hundred more names were en- tered on the roU-calL These, too, came from the vicinity of Petersburg, having been all the while since the 27th of June in reaching us. Some of our old friends in Spear's Cavalry were in the crowd, to begin their experience of the horrors of rebel administration. Ahnost every day brought something to excite fresh disgust. A short time after the opening of the new apartment, I took a stroU over to its ground, and had a look at some of the new wells that were being dug there. One of them had been sunk to the depth of sixty-five feet, and still lacked completion. It was very difficult to obtain water in this man- ner, and the great mass of the prisoners had to; depend for their supply on the little brook 168 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. which ran through the prison, and which a great part of the time Avas compkldy covered with floating grease and offal from ilie coolc-Iioiise, which was situated just outside the stockade. Of course nothing but stern necessity, would have made them Availing ever to have touched their lips to such a forbidding mixture. How grateful then would have been the clear water of some bubbling spring from the Northern hiU-sides ! How refreshing would have been a draught from some ^'- old oaken hucket" in a "moss-covered well" whose sparkling depths had not been stirred by uncleaa hands ! It wovild have seemed like a "God-send" to many a weary prisoner, especially to the thirsty, fever- stricken invalids. The suffering occasioned by lack in this respect can be seen in the follow- ing instance, which was only one of many. One morning the Rebel authorities issued an order to the effect that all Avho were too sick to walk should be carried outside the prison- gate by their comrades. Such a great number went up that they Avere not all allowed to go out, and those who did were left nearly all day in the burning hoi sun, before they were conveyed LIFE G^I REBEL PRISONS. 169 to the hospital, without a drop of water. We were told upon good authority, that dbovi thirty of them died while lying there in that wretched condition. What might not pure, cold water have done for some of them ? It was only a specimen of the utter heartlessness of oin: foes. "We felt that we would be glad if the suffering could be limited to those already in, instead of having it constantly augmented by new arrivals; but there seemed no prospect of an end, for the army at Petersburg were again diminished by el&oen hundred, while oin-s in- creased correspondingly. These men had to march eighty miles, in consequence of the de- struction of the railroads by our raiding parties. This looked like operating somewhat unfavor- ably upon Gen, Lee's communications. Sickness, now, was rapidly increasing. Many of the boys had been obliged to give up and go to the hospital. Uncooked rations, zwifAozi^ salt or wood to cook them with, were the order of the day. Hearing that Hitchcock of Co. C in our regiment, was sick, I went over to see him. He was almost gone. Not many horn's after, he went to his long home, where no 170 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. rebel could trouble him any more. He was a quiet, good boy, and, we believe, ready for his summons to depart. Thus, another of our number has ended his marches and conflicts, his trials and sorrows. Strangely different scenes often follow each other in prieon, and it was so at this time. The 12th was a day of unusual excitement. A GALLOWS had been erected on the south side of the prison, and it was said that half a dozen of the camp-robbers, who had been tried and found guilty, were to be hung. At half-past four in the afternoon, Capt. Wirz came in with the six, under a rebel guard, and turned them over to the Police, or Vigilance Committee. They had been convicted of murder 2us\A. robbery, and Avere sentenced to be hung until.ihey were dead. Upon giving them up for punishment, he made the following remarks: '"These men have been tried and convicted by their own fellows, and I now return them to you in as good condition as I received them. You can now do with them as your reason, justicCj and LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 171 mercy dictates. And may God protect both you and tliem." The Catholic priest begged hard that their lives might be spared, but finding himself un- successful in this, he turned his attention to their spiritual condition, and spent a season in prayer for them. They themselves seemed strangely unconcerned, apparently thinking it was simply an affair got up thoroughly to frighten them, and they appeared to cling to the idea, even until they had ascended the platform erected for their execution. As they were about mounting the scaffold, one of them broke from the men who were holding him, and ran through the crowd, across the swamp, to the opposite hill-side, as if by one desperate effort he would escape his fearful doom, that began to take on the semblance of reahty. He was captured, however, and led back; and as he was securely placed with the other five, such forlorn wretchedness, such miserable hopeless- ness, was visible in his countenance, as is im- possible to describe. Opportunity was -given them to speak, if they had any thing' they wished to say. They said a few words, bidding 172 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. their comrades take warning by their fate. One, mindful of his relatives in this last horn-, wished a friend to call upon them in New York City, if he should live to get home. These words ended, meal-sacks were draAvn over their heads,: the fatal ropes were aidjusted, and as the drop fell, the ropfe aroimd the neck of the leader of the gang Jro^e, thus setting him free? He was at once taken up, had it re-ad- justed, and was pushed off; the whole' six were thus suddenly launched into the eternal world. It was a sad spectacle to I see their bodies swinging in the air, but we felt it to be just, and another illustration of the truth, that "The way of transgressbra is hard."4 ; ■ 'Their depredations had been carried on so long, and with such a bold hand;' they had becoihe so reckless of human life and prop- erty, it was necessary that an exainple should be made of them in such ia way as to make a lasting impression upon all those who should be similarly inclined. Prisoners were comino- in every day. Of. course the crowd comprised 'iiU classes and dispositions, and it was desirable to have some systerii of fow and order ' thai, would control the mass. X K a H o c! t4 O LIFE m KEBEL PRISONS. 175 The knowledge of such a fact would, at least, inspire the newly-arrived with something of wJwlesome fear, and the general tendency would be to keep in check a like outburst. Although the "raging element" had been com- paratively small, it had been productive of most unhappy consequences, and we longed to have it shorn of its power, and severe nieasiu:es were alone reqiiisite for its accom- plishment. Five or six hundred came from Petersburg before the day closed. CHAPTER V. NEW "tunnels.' About this time the- influx of prisoners was rapid and great. Six or seven hundred came in on the morning of the 12th. They brought us information that we could hardly credit:— that the remnant of our regiment was consol- idated with the 6'th and 7th Conn. -Volunteers, and were in the front at Petersburg. It might 176 LIFE IN BEDEL PSISONS. be true, but of one thing we were certain, that we were still condemned to mush and meat, and it kept the idea of escape in con- stant agitation. Having made the acquaint- ance of Sergt. Maj. C , who was interested in the subject, I finally decided to try "tun- neling" again, in company mth him, H. P — , and others. I had very little hope of success, however, since we had been baffled in so many attempts, but I called upon Jack F , an old and experienced hand in the business, and received so much good advice, I felt encouraged to go on, when the favorable tune for working should appear. This was not at all hours, as has been seen. Meantime, the usual routine was to be observed with the same calmness as ever. The meeting at even- ing was upon our side of the prison, and con- ducted by Sergt. Card, of the 19th Eegular Infantry. It was an interesting season, and at its close, it being very pleasant, several of us prolonged our conversation until nearly midnight, rehearsing scenes and stories of the past, which came before us pleasantly and vividly. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 177 We awoke early on the following morning, and went to work with the rest of the boys to bmld a mud stove, our old one having been destroyed by digging wider it for roots to bum. When we completed it, it was a per- fect model in appearance, and attracted a great deal of attention. We only hoped that, for the sake of comfort, it might be as fair in its operations as in its looks. Great news was in circidation that morning. The pirate "Ala- bama," it was said, was sunk by three of our steamers, and we were told, also, that Gen. Lee had again invaded Maryland with his army. Various things seemed to exist to cause unwonted excitement. The Sergeants in charge of messes were aU ordered outside, in obedience to orders j5x)m Capt. Wirz, who informed them that he had discovered an organized body of six thousand men who had planned a NEW OUTBREAK, and he threatened if the attempt was made, to open with his artillery upon the prison, and "■fire as long a^ there was a man kicking." Somebody had himibugged him in fine style, 8 178 LIFE IN REBEL PHISOXS. for no such thing was in contemplation, much less in process of working. A little later in the "day we were a little excited by hearing the rifled pieces, bearing on the prison, very suddenly discharged. They were loaded with hlank cartridges, as it proved, and no damage was done. Immedi- ately following these discharges, a great com- motion was visible in the rebel camps. The regiments fell in at the doicble quick, and formed in line of battle aroimd the stockade. All the pieces of artillery were manned, and we thought our forces must surely be in the vicinity, but such hopes were, as usual, blasted, and we learned that it was merely an attempt on the part of the Confederate authorities to see how quick they could get their troops out in case we really should try to force the stockade. Amid it all, the Captain so far softened as to promise that we might go out after Avood vmder guard, at the same time acknowledging that "he knew we were suffer- ing for it" He spoke, also, of our President, as.J/r. Lincoln, in the course of his remarks, and we thought it quite an improvement on LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 179 the titles with which he had been wont to designate him. The next day our forces nmn- bered seventy more, who had been captured near Atlanta. They Avere bearers of positive news, to the effect that two corps of Gen. Sherman's army had crossed the Chattahoo- chee river, and that Atlanta itself, and John- ston's army, were in a tight place. Such infor- mation we were always glad to receive. - It greatly encouraged us. There was a prayer meeting in the evening, as usual, but as it was the time for the newly organized company to commence the tunnel operation, we repaired to the spot, but circumstances being unfavora- ble, it amounted to nothing, and the prospect seemed to indicate that it would die out alto- gether. Probably past experience was not Avithout its influence. Soon after roll-call, on the morning of the 16th, a rebel Sergeant came in with an order from Capt. Wirz, for the Sergeant of our "ninety" to come out and rectify a mistake Avhich had been made in the roll of names. Sergt. L being on the other side of the prison with his brother, I went out in his 180 LIFE LN REBEL PRISONS. place and did the required business. On my way back to the prison from the Captain's office, I quietly shouldered a pine log, which lay invitingly near the road-side, and carried it in. For a wonder, the rebel officers made no objection to it, and we really exulted in our valuable prize, for our "ninety" had had no wood given them by the "rebs" since the 30th of June, or nearly a month, and uncooked rations had been distributed to us many times. About the only variety we had in those days was a little sorghum molasses with our corn meal. Salt, we concluded, was a scarce article in the confederacy, since we would pass four Avhole days in succession without seeing any. While our temporal wants were thus poorly suppUed, we were not wholly denied spiritual food. It was a blessed consolation that no earthly foe could interrupt our communion with the heavenly world. He who visited Jacol) with bright visions, as he lay upon his stony pillow, could also make a Bethel for us in our place of exile. We had p)reaching. Elder Shephard, a Sergeant in the 97th Ohio Eeg't, and a pris'oner Avith us, officiated. Just after LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 181 one of our quiet sunsets, Ave gathered together and he gave us a splendid discourse npon the text, "Fight the good fight of faith." He drew a comparison between the Christian and ihe soldier, and carried it through in an admi- rable manner. At the close of the meeting four came forward for prayers — one backsKder, one new convert, and two who were just begin- ning to feel the infinite importance of eternal things, and their relation to them. How strange it seemed to be enjojdng such privi- leges in so terrible a place. The 18th was a sad day for us, for D , one of our beloved comrades, died. At about five, P. M. I went to see him, and found him in a dying state, unconscious, and breathing very hard. I spoke to him, but there came no response. He had spoken his last word upon earth. I left him a few moments to finish cooking my scanty meal, and on my return found him rapidly sinking. . He lingered imtil about sunset, and then passed away. It was a touching sight to look upon; the sober, thoughtful faces of the few comrades who were at his side ; the blanket thrown back to 182 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. admit as much fresh air as possible, and above all, the glazed eyes and vacant expression of our dead brother. Jackson, of Co. B, con- ducted a short service over the body, before it was carried out of the prison gate. A chap- ter from the bible— a prayer — and the funeral services of our friend were over. Such impressions, however, were soon efiaced, by the new and exciting topics that were continually coming up. It was so in this case. Rumors began to be in circulation of the nearness of some of our forces, and almost all were whispering, "Something's up." The rebels posted their men about the prison, as if in readiness of some expected attack. Simultaneous with this came up an exciting matter among the prisoners themselves. Some of them started A PETITION, urging the President, and Governors of States, to procure for us a speedy release, either by parole or exchange. When it came to my knowledge, I had a talk with Sergt. Lee about it, and we both came to the conclusion that it was a foolish affair, and one not calculated to LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 183 effect anything in getting us out^ while, at the sanie time, it would materially lower our standing as soldiers and men, both with the government and the people. Ask- ing the former to release us, seemed to imply that ii could do it, but did not choose to, and I was not quite willing to believe thai It was true our number was becoming less every day, by death. Some were being con- stantly released in this way. A day or two after we had taken leave of D , we mourned the departure of another dear friend and comrade, C , of Co. A. He died in the early part of the day, and although he was imconscious, and left no dying testimony, yet we knew from his previous life that his peace was made with God, and that he had gone to be the willing inhabitant of another sphere. Such were the scenes transpiring within. Witliout, all was hurry and excitement, for some cause or other. The rebels were busy as bees in throwing up earth-works, in plain sight of us. Trains were coming up from below, loaded with troops, and a large number 184 LIF£ IN KEBEL PRISONS. of new tents Avere pitched near the railroad station, and things generally indicated rnicom- mon stir and bustle. The inference we very naturally drew from it was, that the Yankee raiders were nearer than had been reported, but we could not tell. They -worked aAvay busily upon their breastworks, making them as formidable as they could. As a train came in at eleven o'clock at night, and the Avhistle was heard, the "Rebs" greeted it with loud cheers, but there was a sudden cessation when they halted, which we attributed to the recep- tion of news that was not very welcome to them. Seventy-five prisoners came in during tho 21st, from Gen. Sherman's army. One of them was placed m our " ninety," to fill the vacancy caused by the death of C . He was a member of the 11th Kentucky Cavalry, and was in Atlanta the morning before his entrance to prison, at which time most of our army had crossed the river, and our skirmish line was but three miles from the city. The railroad upon'which he found conveyance to Anderson- ville, was cut an hour afterwards by a party of LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 185 our cavalry. It was said, also, that our forces ■were -operating in the vicinity of Columbus, Ga., and destroying all the flouring-mills in their way. We were not 'particularly jubilant over this, for it seemed quite likely to affect our rations, and we could ill brook a reduction in this matter. "We had hoped that some of them woidd come to our liberation, but if there was a way in which we could accompHsh our own, we would wait for nothing. The "tunnel" had finally been carried through, and was so nearly ready we counted on passing through it at night; but just before sxmset the "Rebs" made the discovery. Four of the boys were at work in it at the time, and of course were caught ; but instead of meeting Avith punishment^, the Rebel Quar- termaster gave them each a double raiion for the skniful manner in which they had con- structed the "timnel." It seemed of little use for the men to thinlc of getting out, but they were coming in by the hundred. Six himdred came on the morning after our attempted escape. They were a part of AVilson's raiders, and were captured on the 29th of June, but 186 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. liad since been detained at Kichmond on ac- count of the interruption of their railroad facihties. While things were thus proceeding, the rebels were using aU their available time for the strengthening of their position.' The rosult of their labor soon became apparent in the long line of fortification which appeared a little way from the stockade, and directly in front of it Evidently, it was the intention of the enemy to use us as a shield for themselves in case of an attack, for an assatdt could not be made on them without exposing us to the fire of our own men. It would be a sorry day for them, we thought, if they should undertake to commit so dastardly a deed. Thmgs at this tune were hard for us. A small allowance of corn-bread was our principal article of diet. I began to look about me to see if there was any thing m my possession with which I could part, that I might have something a little dif- ferent. My strength was failing, owing in great measure to the miserable and insufiicient fare, and a change of food seemed absolutely necessary. I thought of my gold pen, that had done me daily service, and resolved to sell LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 187 thai Thus decided, I went forth to see if I could raise money for my need in this way, but the first day my efforts were all unavail- ing. It would not do to let courage die out, so I said, "Perhaps I will be more successful to-morrow;" and so it proved, for I finally succeeded in selling it to a Rebel Lieutenant for three bars of soap. I then sold the soap for five dollars and twenty cents in "greenbacks," retaining a good sized piece for my own use. The following morning I went over to the Eebel Sutler's, bright and early, and invested my little fortune in beans and salt, and for that day I had something good to eat, in com- parison with my usual food. I felt much bet- ter every way, and was convinced that it was nothing but gradual starvaiion that had made me feel so wealc Oftentimes, the quaMy of what little we did have was such as to destroy even the small appetite we had. I not only managed to obtain some variety of food by my trade, but it really varied the mopotony of prison life a little by n^y spec\ilatiQps thereui; but what would my parents say, I said tQ layself, if they should see th^ir only 188 LIFE m EEBEL PKISOXS. son seated on the gromad, selling beans by the pint, and loudly extolling their excellent qual- ities. It was a condition of thmgs best appre- ciated hy those who were receivmg nothing but three spoonfuls of sorghum molasses and less than half a loaf of com bread to hve on for twenty-four houre. We heard from one of the clerks outside that Atlanta had really fallen into our hands, and that eighteen thousand of the prisoners were to be removed to other prisons in differ- ent parts of the South, and most earnestly did we hope that Ave might be of the number, since things were growing worse and worse with us. The petition scheme was not yet abandoned. One of the principal actors in the affair came arormd one morning, with the much-talked-of document, and requested our action in the matter. Sergt. Levaughn ordered the "ninety" to fall in, the petition was read aloud so that all could hear, and theji we were called upon to vote whether we would give it om: indorsement or not. When the "ayes" were demanded, not a man responded to them; but the "nays" were LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. 189 given with a toiU. Mr. Petitioner did not find it convenient to stay about our quarters long, and we missed liiin very soon. The majority of the prisoners, however, were in favor of the measvu-e, although our vote was so decidedly against it. Our prison army received reinforcements to about five hundred on the morning of the 27th. A greater part of them were "one hundred days" men, and had been taken by Early in his Pennsylvania raid. They came in with their knapsacks, but the cavalry who Were with them, some of Wilson's party, were stripped and robbed as cavalry usually are. The rebels always seemed determined to ■wreak special vengeance on these men. I have seen them come in hatless, shoeless, with- out even their coats or blouses. They brought the story of exchange that was to take effect in August. It hardly seemed that these men could have any object in fabricating such news, but it had proved false so many times, we did not dare believe it then. The next day a thousand more made their entrance through the gate that was always open to 190 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. receive, but never to depatt. A better looking set of men, and men better provided with things, had not come in since the Plymouth garrison entered in May. Nearly all of them had their knapsacks and blankets, besides a new suit of Uncle Sam's Uue. Why the rebels allowed them to come in without robbing them at all, was more than we could account for. Just before they came in at the prison- gate, the "Rebs" in the fort around the Cap- tain's quarters fired a solid shot across the prison, directly over our heads. A large crowd of us had gathered near the gate, to watch the new-comers, and the "Johnnies," thinking we might possibly seize upon the opportunity to make a break and get out, had fired over us in this manner to intimidate us. What a howl of derision went up from " the doomed thirty thousand !" Soon after this, a line of poles was planted through the prison, to which were nailed not as a sign of surrender^ but as a warning to us, that no crowd should approach nearer LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 191 the gate than those, under penalty of being fired upon with artillerj,— that is, when pris- oners were being marched in. Their utihty might have been quickly tested, for several hundred more came in the same day, and, like their immediate predecessors, they were pro- vided with blankets, and well prepared to "stand grie:^" if things external would conduce to it. The latter part of the month, the rebels were moving aroimd in camp, endeavoring to entice prisoners outside to work at slvoemakin^ for the so-called "Confederate" government. They had done this before, and we then thought they would be careful how they did it again ,- but they had much to do about this time, and no doubt they thought it would be very desirable to have help. If they were successftd in obtaining it, I am ignorant of it. They still continued to Avork faithfully upon their fortifications, not discontinuing their labor, even for the Sabbath. This was strange to us, for they had usually paid some regard to the observance of holy time, and we won- dered what so much preparation could mean. 192 UFE m KEBEL PRISONS. We could hardly think that they would take so much pains, and put themselves to so much trouble, as to do it simply to prevent an out- breaJc on our part. We therefore conjectured it might be as a place for Hood to fall back upon ia case of an emergency in his history. They felled an immense number of pme trees, 80 that the landscape about us began to pre- sent quite a barren appearance, and this seemed to indicate the fact that they wished uninterrupted range for their artillery, for some cause or other, but of course we could know nothing, until the actual accomplish-, ment of a thing had made it existiug fact. Our information was mostly received through the newly arrived prisoners, but we would sometimes gain a little from some one of the rebel guard with whom Ave were thrown ia contact. In a conversation I had with one, at one time, he remarked to me : "I had a boy who was a prisoner with your people at the North." "Indeed," said I, "how was he treated?" "Very Idndly, sir, very kindly," he rephed. "Did you receive letters from him while he was ia prison ?" I continued. LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 193 "Yes, sir, he wrote to us and we wrote to • liim." "He probably fared much better than we do in this prison," said I, "did he not?" With great frankness he answered, "Oh! yes, sh', — ^I reckon you fare pretty hard in there, but we aint to blame for it. The ' Old Cap- tain' is as hard on us as he is with you. A heap of us were taken right off our farms, and we left the crops standing, with nobody to tend 'em but the women folks." This is the way, then, I thought, that these men are conscripted. No wonder that " Jeflf " manages to keep his army full. Our guards, generally, were an ignorant and superstitious class pf men, and spoke the Southern dialect in all its native purity. They would sometimes" ask us, " What makes you 'uns come down here to fight we 'uns?" and then would foEow the confident assertion, "If you 'uns had staid at home there would have been no war." They had no proper understanding of the true merits of the case at all. They seemed to think that we had come South merely to dis- possess them of their property. Many of these were poor whites, and although they do 194 LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. not own slaves themselves, they stand up as firmly for it as the more wealthy and intelh- gent. One of the latter, a Kentuckian, and a Surgeon m the Confederate army, said to me one day, "I believe that slavery is a divine institution. The negroes are placed in our hands, and we will be held accountable at the last day, for the manner in which we have treated them." I wondered if all took that view of it, especially the owner of that slave I had seen so unmercifully beaten a morning before. The Surgeon, himself, said that he "brushed his up a Httle when they needed it." Indeed, the whole system, say what they might, is one of cruelty and barbarism, and who does not know it ? One little affair happened about this time, which we considered the "cheekiest" thing that had been done by the "Johnnies." It was an attempt to secure the services of our men as artillerists, probably to drill their ignorant conscripts at the guns. A number of their Sergeai^ts were sent, and circulated among our men, ostensibly for this purpose, but we thought, it an instance of cool audacity on LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 195 their part. Soon after this was another speci- men of rebel doings. A man, professing to be a Confederate Chaplain, came into prison, at the request, as he said, of Gen. Winder, and read an extract from the New York Herald, to a large crowd, regarding the matter of exchange. The article stated that the com- missioners had met several times, and that through the tact of Col. Mulford, all existing obstacles had been removed, and that an immediate exchange was more than probable. After reading this he held a religious service. Whether he really beheved what he had read, or whether the whole thing was . perpetrated to raise our hopes, and keep us quiet, was more than Ave could tell. " It would not be strange, if there were none other object than this," Avas the thought that filled many minds, so faithless had Ave become in everything they said. On the 2d of August, it was reported, and denied, also, that about two hundred of the sick in the hospital had been paroled, and were to be sent to our lines. Our men Avere dying. Three or four of our own regiment 196 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. had passed away within a few days. Our distress and exposure was great. I managed to buy a pair of .shoes of one of the newly arrived prisoners, for my own comfort, but it was the first time I had worn any for two months. We were often visited by severe thunder storms, and it was not a thing unknown for the lightning to strike a tall pine tree in close proximity to us : beside, Ave had nothing to shield us from the rain, for our blanket tents had come to be of little worth now, exc&pt to shelter us from the burning heat of the sun. They had become sadly worn, and were almost no protection from the storm. One could l)ut notice, at this time, the change which had taken place in us all. When we first entered the prison, we thought the time would not be long that we should have to stay, and Ave tried to pass the time away as pleasantly as possible. Fine, clear evenings, Ave Avould gather together and sing, but now everybody looked care-Avorn, and the boys moved about quietly and sadly. It was sur- prising, also, to see how many of the men Avere victims of insanity; those who had LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 197 become so in th,at place, we could scarcely call anything less than a hell upon earth. One young man, of excellent education, and evidently of good birth, while in this sad condition, would go down to the little brook nearly every day, at noon, when the heat of the sun was most intense, and taking off his clothes, or more appropriately rags, would wade backward and forward, but rarely, if ever, washing himself Seeing him one day, whUe performing his accustomed roimd, I said to him, "Why don't you wash and come out, and not stay there in the sim ?" His hopeless reply was, "I am waiting for the water to become clear." Poor fellow ! It never be- came clear to hun. Another man would con- stantly imagine that he was some sort of an animal, and he would" strip himself of all clothing, and persist in wallowing through the SAvamp on his hands and knees. Still another occupied his time in making curious sketches, in which rebels and devils would figure in intimate companionship, but not so very crazy there, we thought He must have been a man of study at home, for,he was well versed 198 LIFE IN REBEL PKISONS. in history, and could converse fluently upon almost any scientific subject, — almost too readily sometimes, for he never knew when to stop, when once started. Melancholy as these things were, they were mild compared with what I saw afterward, — that of a living man being devoured by mag- gots. Parts of his body were eaten until they had become raw and bloody, and they co\ild even be seen issuing from his eyes and mouth. He belonged to Co. A, of the 52d N. Y. Reg't, and he came to this terrible state through sickness, exposure and neglect I then thought if I should live to get North, I would never speak of these horrors, for they would seem too much to beheve, but they were the solemn realities of our prison life, as will be ab\mdantly confirmed by hundreds of others. I had a feeling quite in sympathy with that of the immortal poet, when he wrote, . "But that I am forbid To tell the secrets of my prison-honse, I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word Would harrovf up thy soul ; freeze thy young blood; Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres; Thy knotted and combined locks to part. And each particular hair to stand on end, Like quills upon the fretful porcupine." ■ LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 199 A number of cavalry-men were captured in the attack upon Macon, and found their way to our dwelling place, or rather had it found for them, on the 2d of the month, it now being August The city was receiving a brisk shelling when they left, and they reported Maj. Gen. Stoneman taken, with a number of his men. Thus did we obtain an occasional glimpse of the battling world in which we were deeply interested, and in this way expe- rienced a slight disturbance in the even tenor of om" thoughts, that otherwise might have found themselves tending to stagnation. Coming in contact with one of the boys who had an old Bible, I found upon the back part of it, in almost obliterated characters, the following lines, which I thought worthy of preservation, although ignorant of the author- ship. It was certainly richly suggestive of that holy tenderness of love, that sometimes dwells in the heart like a fragrant flower, which blesses with its sweetness those who come nearest to it : "Forget thee? If to dream by Night, and muse on thee by day ; ■ If all the worship deep and wild, A sister's heart can pay ; 200 LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. If prayers ascend for thee To Heaven's protecting power; If winged thoughts that fleet, • To thee, a thousand in an hour; If busy fancy blending thee TVith all my future lot : If this thou csHest forgetting. Then indeed art thou forgot.'" Equally original, no doubt, but not quite in the same style, is tbe following, written by a '•'secesh" young lady to her lover. The letter which contained the brilliant effusion was found by one of our men. '"Tis hard for you'uns to live in camps, 'Tis hard for you 'una to fight the Tanks, 'Tis hard for you 'uns and we'uns to part. Now you 'uns has we 'uns hearts." For some reason unknown to us, an altera- tion was made in the line of white flags, soon after they were stationed in our midst ; some were moved nearer to the stockade, while others were left remaining on the old line. It is very noticeable how little THE REBEL FLAG is displayed at the South. One might almost travel from one end of the Confederacy to the LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 201 other, "without seeing one, while at the North the "Stars and .Stripes" are floating from nearly every prominent public bvuldiag, and often- times from private dwellings. "Perhaps," we thought, "they are ashamed of their ill-omened emblem," or, what would be quite as likely, bunting might be scarce. But there is a rear son that lies deeper than these things, which accoimts for the difference. The people of the North have long been accustomed to asso- ciate their dearest interests, as a people, with the flag of their country. To them it is the symbol of everything that is just and true, and in its starry folds lies hid that peculiarly stimulating power which kindles the flame of loyalty, and makes them of strong heart and imconquerable will in the day of struggle, when its triumph is called in questioiL They are jealous of its honor, and rather than see it insulted and torn from its rightful position, they win do and dare untU death in its defense. It has come to be almost an household idol in every Northern home, and children iare imbib- ing a strange love for it, that will tell upon their 4eyption to country. in their ifutore his- 9 202 .LIFE IN BEBEL PRISONS. tory. To the soldier and the patriot it has a wonderful significance. To what holy heroism it moves him ! — to what deeds of valor it in- cites him ! What sublime instances of faith- fulness have we seen ia many of the color- bearers of our regiments ! We have seen them steadily marching on in the face of dan- ger, choosing to give their life-blood rather than prove recreant to the trust committed unto them, and all because they loved the cause which the flag sjonbolized. • ;l^ot thus with the South. They have none of' this aU-pervadiag appreciation. Their newly-constructed emblem does not appeal to 'the heart with much of power, for it has too weak a hold upon existence itself to be as a pledge or basis of anything to come, — and be- sides, it means too little ; it is too narrow, and declares the selfishness and arrogance in which it had its origin! To hve, it must be planted in the hearts of men, spring up, mature, and bear fi^iit and yield its rich harvest of bless- ing, or, if this seems far-fetched, it must be thoroughly tested, and made to show its adapt- ation and fitness for the wants of men, before LIFE DJ REBEL PRISONS. 203 it can be readily receiA'^ed by them, calling forth their love and veneration. A squad of prisoners, about one hundred in number, came into prison on the 4th, and by their being stripped of everything in their possession, we concluded they had belonged to a raiding party. The old adage that "Mis- ery loves company," was out of place with us: We could not but deeply commiserate the condition of every new one that came among us. It was nothing but an introduction to a life of wretchedness that could have no coun- terpart, it seemed, upon the face of the earth. One\ principal topic of conversation, forced upon us by our necessity, was, "something good to eat." I remembered having read that Lieut. Strains' party, in their perilous expedi- tion across the Isthmus of Panama, when al- most dying with starvation, were accustomed to assemble themselves around a fire, and lux- viriate in imaginary feasts. Little did I then think that I should ever do a similar thing,— for the idea of a stay in any place, that would incline me to it, was something that never en- tered- into my calculations ataU; butwe were 204 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. brought to it, and there was no relief, and we therefore resorted to a lilce expedient. If any one knew of a rare dish, something particu- larly nice, he would edify the rest by entering into a minute description of its ingredients, manner of cookiag, &c., and anything extra would be noted down by those who had dia- ries. In consequence of these, I had in the back part of my diary a tempting array of receipts for making pot-pies, puddings, &c., while in reality I was almost starved, lacking even necessaries, — ^much more luxuries. C , of Co. D of our regiment, died about this time. He was a professor of reli- gion, and, I think, a member of our Regi- mental church. This church was organized by Chaplam Dixon, of the 16th Conn. Eeg., and was called a "Christian Association" being composed of those who had been church-members at home, and those also were received into its fellowship who experienced a change of heart while in the army. There were a large number of these. It was not sectarian at all, but induded LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 205 every denomination, even all that loved the Lord, -without regard to name. While we were at Portsmouth, Va., we had a chapel, built mainly by the subscriptions of the men, though there were officers who were interested and materially aided, by their con- tributions, the worthy cause. It would have been thought a rude structure at home, but it answered the purpose of its construction very well, and we had very many happy seasons there. A munber of ladies were visiting their husbands in the regiment at the time of its erection, and taking an interest in the object, they gathered together and did what was in their power to add to its. comfort and neat- ness. They covered the preacher's desk with blue muslin, and when all was done the edifice was dedicated. It was -on the Sabbath, and five Chaplains were present, a number of ladies, and a great crowd of soldiers. Eev. Mr. Smith, of the 8th Conn. Reg., preached the sermon. Besides the religious services to which it was primarily devoted, one evening of every week was spent in it in debating topics of the 206 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. day whidi excited general interest; for a '•'Temperance and Debating Society" had been formed in the regiment previously to this. All members thereof signed a pledge of absti- nence from intoxicating liquors, which was binding upon them whUe they were in the army. On the night of the 6th, another of our boys passed away from earth, — a slender little fellow, only fifteen years of age, who never ought to have been admitted into the service. He was a brave boy, and felt quite proud that he was enduring his imprisonment as well as he seemed to for a time, but sickness seized upon him, and he died. The next day we said among ourselves, "Death, nothing hut death here!" — for we were called upon to mourn the departure of another dear comrade. Corporal Flower, of Hartford, Conn. He closed his eyes upon earthly scenes just at twilight, and his name, stricken from the roll-call of prison, was added to the long hst of sleeping heroes treasured in the country's annals, and to that other list above, from which no name of earth will be LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 207 found wanting. Alas! who could send the sad tidings to the family circle he had left ; who tell his bosom companion and fatherless ones of their loss? Such duty is moum.ful for any one to perform. Not only they, in this case, but all who had known him, would long hold him in cherished remembrance for his amiable qualities and manly virtues. We held a short funeral service "over his body before it was carried out, — the last and best tribute of respeict we could give, and this we cheerfully accorded to all of our regiment who died in prison. Hardly were the services ended, before we learned that another, Cor- poral B ^, had died also. We performed similar service again, with his mortal remains before us ; and he was carried out to the dead house, and the men who bore his body thither were told that two more were dead in the hos- pital What a day's record was that! It seemed heari^rending to see our comrades suf- fering and djdng on every side of us, whUe we were utterly powerless to do anything towards alleviating their pain. We felt that this was worse than s-tarvation. 208 LIFE m REBEL PKISONS. Another prisoner also ended his days m a different manner, being shot, or murdered, by the rebel guard. The fatal bullet missed the person it was intended for, and pierced his head, while three feet away from the dead line. This, it will be remembered, was not the only instance in which the innocent suf- fered for the guUty, in the eagerness of the guard to secure a victim to their glory. The Rebel Quartermaster told vis on the 7th, that he had seen a dispatch from the Confederate Government to General Winder, ordering him to commence paroling the pris- oners at once, or, at least, make preparations for it. Still we said, "A rebel he, and nothing more," for past and sad experience had taught us that the word of a rebel ofl&cer meant httle if anything. Thirteen men, however, were taken from the first detachment out of prison, and instructed to take their thiags with them and bid their friends "Good-bye," as they would see them no more. It certainly looked a httle like ex- change, but why not take a larger nmnber if that was the case? Another thing looked LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 209 as if they intended to keep us a whUe lon- ger, — some of us, at least. Thej had before had the bmlding of some barracks in contemplation, and the frame of one was now brought ia, ready to be put up very soon ; so we were sure they did not in- tend the prison to be wantiag in imnates a whUe longer. The 9th day of that sultry August month was a day long to be remembered in Camp Sumter, for it almost seemed that the elements of heaven were commissioned for our rescue, and that in spite of armed soldiers we should go firee. About noon, a TERRIFIC RAIN STORM commenced and contiaued nearly the whole afternoon. It must have extended over a large tract of country, for very soon the Httle brook that ran through the prison increased in size, imtU it became a rushing torrent, cov- ering the whole of the swamp, and tearing through the camp with irresistible force. The stockade was soon undermined, and fell over in six different places, but, of course, the alarm was given in what the rebels would call 210 LIFE m EEBEL PRISONS. "right smart quick," for two of the guns in the fort about the head-quarters of Capt. Wizz, were at once discharged as a signal for them to rally,:and: instantly then: whole force out- side fell in under arms, and took , position in front of these gaps, to keep the "Yankees" in. It was some little consolation to many to see them stand there in the pouring rain, and we cared little if they had to contintie their? watchings through the night under the same ■ dispensation. The large timbers which had composed the stockade, came floating down the stream, and as wood was an almost price- less treasure to the men, many of them : plunged into the angry waters, at the risk of their lives, to secure, if possible, ; the much coveted article. Many were successful, but even then; after aU their risk and their labor, they were not allowed to cut it up, under penalty of the whole camp losing their rations for five days. We coidd ill afford to dispense with oiu- ordinary fare, if we thought of remaining in the terrestrial sphere, although that day it was nothing more than a few boiled beans, cooked without salt, and fuU of dirt LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS 213 The rebels worked faithfully and steadily until morning, to close the openings which the heavens made for us, and at that time thing:s were mostly replaced, so as to appear in their old condition, and let in three hundred more prisoners from Gen. Sherman's army. Left to themselves, the inanimate forces of nature would have opened a highway for our exodus, but even they were checked in the attempt. The time had not come. "How poor are they who have not patience." In everything pertaining to our earthly lot, we.were as poor as mortals could well be, and if there was any wealth in the cultivation of the graces, we might as well observe them, for' there was no growing better in any other direction. If there was any advantage in being tested, one might surely realize all the benefit accruing from that, for we had been subject to the crucible a long time, and the true metal could but be manifest, if there was any to be seen. It is true, we were weary of pacing our httle round, and longed ior freedom — s\x(^ freedom as wes had once known, and in thinking of it, the language of Young seemed 214 LIFE EI REBEL PKISONS. not extravagant to apply to it in connection with oiu" relations thereto. " Art thou not dearer to my eyes than light ? Dost thou not circulate through all my veins, Mingle with Life, and form my very Sovll" CHAPTEE VI. HOPES AKD FEAES. The boys who went up at sick-call on the morning of the 10th, to receive their prescrip- tions from the Surgeons, saw a member, of ovu" regiment, who had been detailed to work in the cook-house, and had a long conversa- tion with him, with reference to our affairs. Through him we learned that our Lieutenant Colonel was exchanged, with the rest of the officers who were sent from Macon to Charles- ton, S. C, and also that Gen. Winder had been heard to say that paroling would commence among us on the 15th of the month. If our officers had really been ticketed for the North, it really seemed there was hope for us also. It was true "dog day" weather. We were LIFE m EEBEL PRISONS. 215 having heavy showers of rain frequently, and the crowds of men, unsheltered, Avere rapidly becoming diseased, and fast dying. Small numbers still continued to come in, many of them from cavalry parties, who had been thoroughly robbed. The following day was the anniversary of my soldier life, and in view of it I made this record in my diary : "Two years ago to-day I entered the ser- vice of my country, and I- can honestly say now, I am not sorry that I enlisted, although I am 'in durance vile.'" ' COKFIDENCE in the justness and importance of our cause had not faltered in all the days of our exile. "We could not go heart and hand in sustaining the government, as we had done, but we could go heart and soul, 3,nd that we generally did. It is true, that with our feel- ings of hope and confidence were mingled those of pain and sadness, because of the fear- ful reduction of our numbers by death. Upon an average, up to this time, one had died every day of the month, and others were very sick, and evidently sinking. At this rate, if 216 LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. we should remain prisoners, it Tvould not be long before nearly all our regiment would be sleeping the sleep that knows- no waking; they would have passed "beyond that bourne from whence no traveler returns." "Coming events" did not "cast their shadows before," in all their length and breadth, when we passed through the streets of Hartford, with jubilant tread, twice twelve months before, else we had been conscious of deeper emo- tions, amid the cheers and congratulations of parting. Doubtless there was more or less of vague feeling, that some would be left behind, since the chances of battle were such, but each had a certain buoyancy of hope that, after all, he might escape to return to home and friends. About one hundred came into prison on this day of whicli we are speaking, and some of the Plymouth men, Avho had been wounded and left in hospitals, were among them. Qur Orderly Sergeant, N , was one of them. They had been at Salisbury, N. C, and bore evidence of. good treatment, for they came in with clean. faces and clean clothes, LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 217 while we scarcely made even a respectable appearance. We were without any convQn- iences whatever, to keep ourselves clean, and beside we sadly lacked soap. But two issues had been made of this article since we had been in prison, and then we only received about a table spoonful of soft stuff, of the poorest kind, for each man. In our own army we had always a plentiful supply, and that which was of very good quality. "We obtained access to some Macon newspa- pers about this time, which stated that Mobile, or its forts were in our possession, and that it surrendered without firing a gun. Were this the truth, we could not have a very exalted opinion of the fighting capacity of the garri- son, we thought, but editorial expression was not always correct, we had found, and were destined to find again. These same papers stated that the work of paroling prisoners was to commence on the 15th, and as it was a simple corroboration of the story we had been told before, we dared to build hopes upon it. However valuable concurrent testimony may be in most cases, we had never found it par- 218 LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. ticularly reliable in om- intercourse with the southern people. What an exhibition of their pride and passion we had seen ! What ideas of their intelligence and humanity we had been compelled to form ! What manifes- tations of their power and ability to goyern, had been thrust upon us ! The treatment we had received, in every respect, was not such as was calculated to enhance in any wise, a man's admiration for the Southern Confede- racy, but only to make him pray to be deliv- ered from it. "It will not last always," was the consolation we took to ourselves in such hours as ration-drawing, when there was noth- ing to come to us, for at times we received nothing at aU, and were left to experience the gnawings of hunger without mitigation. As if starvation was not enough, we had to endvire the insults of their officers, — ^boast- ingly denominated high-toned and chivalrous. One of them, a so-called OFFICER OF THE DAY for the time, ascended the sentries' stand, near the main entrance to the prison, and began to taunt us with the idea that we were placing / LIFE m KEBEL PRISONS. 219 ourselves on a level with tlie "nigger," by making a soldier of him. After he had gone on in this manner for some time, one of the prisoners interrupted him with the query, " Captain, which is the worse? "We use the negro as a soldier. You employ blood-hounds to do a soldier's duty," referring, of course, to the mode of pTirsuing the prisoners who made attempts to escape. Evidently he was not lost to aU sense of shame, and he rephed, as he hung his head, "This is the only place where they are ever used." A man who had been confined at Danville, Va., spoke tip at this juncture, informing the officer that they were used there, while another who had been at Cahawba, Ala., asserted that he loiew them to be kept there also, for the same nefarious purpose. It was quite plain that the Captain didn't relish the turn in the argument, for he said no more, and quickly took himself from our midst, — a wiser and a better man, we hoped, from having thus been enlightened by us. One hundred more prisoners now came in from Sherman's army. One of our number. 220 LIFE m EEBEL PRISONS. who was at work outside, framing barracks, gathered up the information that this General had hlo-vini up part of Atlanta, and flanked Hood's army again ; so that we imagined that things were working, notwithstanding afiairs seemed so quiet to us. We judged, in some measure, of the activity of our armies by the number of prisoners who were captured by the enemy. More or less of these determined the qiiantity and quality of movement, inas- much as signs are often the fuU expression of language that is not written. Wood was issued to us about this period, the first time since the 30th of June, and then we were only given two sticks for the whole "ninety." We made up our minds that one thing Avas certain, — ^"generosity" was not a distinguish- ing feature of the Southern character ; and it revived the wish in aU its intensity, that the time might not be far distant when we would be out of the clutches of these miscreants. With what fervor did we exclaim, "Oh that Ave- could once mOre abide in the land of the 'mudsills,' 'greasy mechanics,' and 'Black Re- pubhcans'!" We would willingly have bade LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 221 adieu to the warm-hearted hospitahty of the South, of which so much had been cited, and turned our feet towards a less pretentious region. The 14th Avas the Sabbath, — the time for Sabbath School Concert at home, and we knew we should not be forgotten in that gath- ering. Having faith in the efficacy of prayer, we hoped their petitions for us might be speed- ily answered in our deliverance from this liv- ing death. That day we took the last look of another of our boys, — Jimmy B , of Co. A. Ho had joined our regiment but a short time previous to its capture, and was yoimg and inexperienced. A few days before, he had told me in conversation that he thought he should live to get home, and asked about some rules of diet which it might be best to observe, should he find himself in the midst of plenty again.. He was possessed with a pas- sionate longing for a turkey, — "a large one," he said; and he seemed to anticipate much in looking forward to the comforts and luxuries which home might furnish for him. Appa- rently it was a bright vision for him, to think 222 LIFE m EEBEL PRISONS. of his mother preparing these nice things; but they were all ended, and loving hands could no more minister unto him. The sim rose on the following morning, bringing the long-looked-for day which was to present to ovir eager gaze the grateful specta- cle of several thousand prisoners leaAmig for our lines on parole,^^ — ^at. least, it was the prom- ised day. Slowly the hours passed away to the anxious multitude ; and what was worse/ they came and went, without bringing any change. We had known enough in the past, to teach us not to be too sanguine, but hope wiU hang on a slender thread sometimes, and for this reason we had allowed the sajdng of the papers to have some weight with us. One of the rebel surgeons, or one in name, scarcely so in reality, told me that the press was con- trolled by their government, and they could not themselves believe half they read. Is this the boasted independence for which they are fighting? was my mental query. About twenty prisoners came in through the day. The number had been gradually diminishino- for some little time, so that at this period UFE IN REBEL PKISONS. 223 comparatively few made their entrance to- gether. Whether the sight of our misery was at- tractive to the rebels, or something else influ- enced them, we could not say, but some pho- tographic artists came from Macon, and taking their position in sentry-boxes at different points around the stockade, they proceeded to engrave our wretchedness by art. It might have been by order of the authorities, or simply a private enterprise, but we thought we would have liked one of the picttures to show to our friends, and to look at, if we should ever be away from the miserable scenes themselves. They cer- tainly would be daguerreotyped upon faithful memory as long as we should live, but no words or touch of pen could give any sem- blance of the reality to others. SCURVY began to be fearfully prevalent. We had had no vegetables given to us since we entered in April, and we were without money to buy any. Sergeant L , who had been in command of the "ninety" ever since we had 224 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. been in prison, became so disabled by tbe dis- ease in his ankles and feet, as to render him un- fit to perform the dut}'- of drawing rations ; and being yet free from it myself, I took his place. This is the form which the disease often takes, so contracting the cords of the limbs as to deprive the sufferer of the power to walk. Again it will be seen in the swelling of the different parts of the body, and stiU again in the decaying of the gums and loosening of the teeth. Hundreds of poor fellows lost their lives by this disease alone. Nearly the whole of our regiment were more or less affected by it. Perhaps the stories of exchange, which were in almost daily circulation, did something to sustain some of the men, who were expect- ing and fearing the unchecked workings of that terrible scpiurge. A little different version of things was started by some who professed to know some- thing about it, to the effect that an article deemed of considerable authority was to be cut from the paper, and posted tipon the let- ter-box, where we . might see it. Curiosity, of course, was on the alert, to discover the pecul- LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS., 225 iarities of the case ; but it turned out to be the identical piece Avhich the Confederate Chaplain had read to us with so much dignity the first of the month, and we concluded it would hardly pay to become much excited over it. . . In the midst of these things, one of the boys who had been at work without the stockade, brought in the gratifying intelhgence that there was a large quantity of letters from the North at the office of Captain Wirz, and that probably they would be brought in soon. How our hearts bounded with joy at the pos- sibUity of hearing from home once more ! A perfect fever of expectation seized us all, for who would be the favored ones, and what would be the character of that which we should hear? How, too, should those bear the disappointment that would be passed by with no word or message from those their hearts were with ? News of some sort I did find, however, as I went over into the prison- extension to visit a friend of the 7th P. V's He had a copy of the "Macon Telegram," and I learned from it that Maj. Gen. Hunter had 226 LIFE m KEBEL PKISONS. been relieved by Gen. Sheridan, and that Cren. Grant's campaign had proved a failure, although something whispered to me, in regard to the latter, "they had better wait until they see the end of it, before making such a confident declaration." It had, also, an article commenting upon the "disgraceful and humil- iating surrender" of the forts at Mobile. Doubtless, the Confederate heart was some- what tried by the course things took in the matter. For once, our rations increased a little, and were of better quality than usual. Informa- tion also came to us, through the rebel Quar- ter-master, that he was about to commence issuing sweet potatoes, and that he would soon make us as sick of those as we were then of beans, and this, we thought, would be no hard inatter, if they were cooked in the same filthy way. The rebels claimed that iron wire was so very scarce, that they covdd not procure enough to make the necessary sieves with which to clean their beans, before cooking, and therefore we must eat them as they were, dirt, pods, sticks and all. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 227 In addition to tlie other sensation stories which Avere in circulation, was another, that the rebels had asked again for an armistice in which to treat for peace, this tune to consist of thirty days, and that our government had granted it We could not believe that the Northern people were so very inconsiderate as to allow them such a resting spell at the time when they seemed in a fair way to be conquered. The way for them to obtain peace, it seemed to us then, was the one and only Avay we had always maintained, — and that was to lay down the weapons of then- rebellion, and submit to our lawfiilly elected administration. We must conquer our peace if we would have it real and lasting. We had known four months of imprisonment for the cause, and we would not have it lost : Death was rioting among the strongest men in our regiment, making no distinction between the stronger and the weaker. We wondered if another month would find us there still, but we felt like saying, " Conquer we must, For our cause it U just. And this be our motto, 1 A In God is our trust." 228 LIFE m REBEL rF.ISOJTS. Gapt. Wirz, our inhuman prison command- ant, was taken sick about this tune, and went to Macon. Various were the wishes of the men as they heard it, but the mildest form they took was, that he might never recover.- He was succeeded, temporarily, by Lieut. S. B. Davis, and from all that Ave could learn of him, we thought the change might be much to our advantage, as he would probably be more humane in his treatment of us. He had the reputation of being a good officer among the men who knew him, and the rations which followed his inauguration were certainly larger and better, and indicated a heart little larger than that which dwelt in the bosom of his predecessor. The day before, we only had a httle corn-bread, without meat or salt, and now came fresh beei^ bacon, beans, bread and molasses. These things, which may seem of little consequence to some, were, nevertheless, of vital importance to us, who were suffering from the privations we had endured. The slightest addition to our com- fort, in any way, was highly prized. To secure a Uttle more, externally, it became necessary to LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 229 remodel our little tent, which was sadly out of repair. The blankets were worn a great deal, on the side exposed to the rain and sun, so we turned them and put the other side out, and when it was completed, we found our- selves in possession of quite a stylish resi- dence, compared with those who had no cover- ing at all The prison was visited at this time by a foppishly decorated CONFEDERATE CAPTAIN. As he stepped around very daintUy, in his patent leather boots, he professed to feel "quite shocked" at the horrible condition of affairs which he saw. It was very evident that he counted himself something on an argument, for he began to discuss slavery and the war, with an air of wonderful dignity, little imagining, probably, that he would find any one in the ragged, dirty, uncouth crowd of hsteners before him, who would venture to dispute his opinions. He was greatly mis- taken, however, for some of his hearers advanced better arguments entirely, soon worsting him, and dHving him from the field, 230 LIFE IN EECEL PSISONS. perhaps mtli the thought that, though the external condition of persons may not be pre- possessing, yet "A man's a man for a' that." Our knowledge of things, now, was mainly gathered from such as called upon us, and from the southern papers which we occasion- ally saw, for prisoners had ceased to come in as frequently as in the past From the latter we learned that Jonesboro, on the Macon and Augusta railroad,- was held by a large force of Federals, with the intention of causing the rebel army to fall back from the position it was then occupying. It was also stated that a large body of cavalry and moimted infantry were marching on MUledgeville, with ultimate designs upon our place. "Well, let them come," we said, but yet feared we should never see them. There was a little appear- ance of something being done in our midst. Quite a large number of Sergeants, holdino- officers' commissions, but who had never been mustered in as such, were taken outside, and we were told by the rebels they were des- tiaed to our lines for exchange. Two of the LIFE LN REBEL PRISONS. 231 Plymouth men were among the number. This seemed a favorable indication for the rest of us, for surely, we thought, the govern- ment would not exchange the officers, who fare better than we do, and leave us to die by inches. Much to my disgust, I found on the morn- ing of the 23d, that the scurvy had at last got hold of me. I had been hoping that it would pass me by, in its visitations, but it was iTnmistakably present in my mouth. I went up to the sick-call, and . was prescribed for by the Surgeon, the first time since I had entered, and in consequence, at night I was to receive about a table spoonful of sumach ber- ries, the usual remedy for the disease, the tea made of it being very sour and astringent. Meantime, a few sailors came in, who had been captured at Mobile. "How is Mobile?" we asked. " That's all right ; we'll have it in a week," was the reply. This, of course, gave a momentary impulse to languid courage, but with such a dreadful disease staring us in the face, we could do nothing less than dwell upon the probabilities of deliverance in our own 232 LIFE m EEBEL PRISONS. case. We could hope for little improvement where we Avere, but as diversion of mind often tends to ph3^sical advantage, we availed ourselves of everything that was offered, to secure this. One of my comrades, by some means, became the possessor of "Woodbury^s Shorter Course in German," and I began to study that language, or rather, re-commenced it, as I had been engaged in its acquisition at the time of our capture. This book was a perfect treasure, and with it I passed many an otherwise dull hour, agreeably and profita- bly. Lieut. Davis, our new commandant, did institute a better order of things. Our food was better every way, and beside, he issued an order, requiring the prison to be kept clean. The order was posted in different parts of the prison, so that all could see it, and avail themselves of its privileges. He furnished us with the requisite tools to per- form the work assigned to us, and it was something so unusual to see our enemies taking even a slight interest in our comfort, we ardently hoped that Capt. Wirz would LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 233 never make his appearance again, for he Avould never do as much, for us as "vve were having done then. With his second advent we knew would come anew, misery and starvar tion, for his active mind would probably devise new methods, while he was lying by, to enhance our sorrow, if he should return. We deemed it no wonder that so many of our men died. The wonder, rather, was that any lived. At roll-call on the morning of the twenty-sixth, thirty-two in our squad of ninety men were too sick to stand -ap in the ranks to be counted. If they had been in our lines, they would have been sent to the hospital, received the tenderest care, and the most deli- cate food, but there, it was the same coarse bread and greasy bacon, for sick and well alike. Sorghum molasses was an article they seemed to have in great plenty, and this was often dispensed to us. I recovered from the influence of the first day with the scurvy, so a^ jjto feel quite well again, and, indeed, it seemed quite necessary that I should keep up, since I was the only well man, with one exception, in "our family" 234 IIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. of eleven. The rest were either lame or sick. We hoped much from a change in the atmos- phere, as the weather was growing clearer and cooler, and might induce a better state of health in the camp generally. Two or three hundred men from Sherman s army came in during these days, to take board in our extensive establishment "Twenty-six States of the old Union," they boasted, "were represented in the prison at Andersonville." It certainly revealed the fact then, that there were Union-loving men in States they had claimed their own, — ^men who were Avilling to run the risk of great privations, and of even life itself, that they might be instrumental, if possible, in restoring what had been ruthlessly cut off Whether they thought of this amid their boastings or not, we can not say; but History may suggest the thought to them in coming time, if they live to see it. The entrance of these prisoners, and occa- sional news concerning exchange, were the prominent matters to break the monotony of our life during the latter part of this month. When the Sabbath came, we would indulge in LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 235 extra day-dreams of "Home, sweet hojne," and perhaps the prayer Avent up with still more of fervor, " God grant we may not be doomed to disappointment again." Quite the last of the month, within the last day or two, it was said that our Government had really accepted the proposals made by the South in regard to exchange. The all-absorb- ing question in connection with it was, "What are the conditions upon which the South is willing to do this?" The rebel ofi&cers all agreed in saying that they only required man for man and officer for officer according to rank. This, certainly, did not seem unfair; and if true, we could not imagine why our release was not secured. "Can it be," we would ask among ourselves, " that our Govern- ment is not aware of our suflFering condition?" If they were, there must be very strong rea- sons against exchange, or they would not leave so many of us ta be sacrificed in our pestilen- tial prison-pen. Another canard in circulation also, was to the effect that Vice-President A. H. Stephens, Gov. Brown, and one other, had gone on to 236 LIFE m REBEL PEISONS. Washington, bearing proposals for peace ; but we believed less of this than the other. "While ruminating upon these things, M , the clerk in the office of the Prison Conunand- ant, came in on a pass, bringing with him the unwelcome intelligence that Capt. Wirz, our old tormentor, was back again from Macon, and in command again, so we had nothing to look for but a return of our old regime. He also told Tis that he overheard the rebel offi- cers say that an army corps had left Sherman, with fifteen days' rations, for an miknown point; but it was the opinion of Captain Wirz that they were destined to strike a blow for us. Thus, hke guilty persons, always fear- ing detection, did these men in authority con- tinually fear the advance of our troops upon them. No considerable portion could move in any direction, but they supposed it to be Avith evil intent upon them. Quite a nmnber of letters came in on the 1st of September, for the boys of om- regi- ment. They were all from home, but con- tained nothing but domestic news. One of our number passed beyond the boundaries of LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 237 time in the morning : G , of Co. A. His brother, an old prisoner, who beloijged. to an- other regiment, died a few days before. The next day, still another died after a long sick- ness. The boys who carried out his body to the dead-house, learned that another of the same company was also lying dead. Our reg- iment was gettmg sadly thinned, and we said in our sorrow, " God only knows how many of us will live to tell the sad tale." The charge of the "ninety" devolved upon me, as the other sergeants had become too feeble to discharge their wonted duties. It-^would keep me busy nearly the whole day drawing rations and cooking for the poor sick boys who were unable to cook for themselves. As if we had not enough already, some sick and WQvmded ones were sent in from Macon, and a few so- called convalescents were sent in from the hospital to the prison, that room might be made for them there. The idea of "thinning out" was started, and one of the men who worked outside brought it in to us. The plan, he said, was in contem- plation, to remove about eighteen thqusan^ Zoo LIFE IN TvEBiX P:aiS0N3. of US to some other prison. _ Any cliange, we thought, would be agreeable, although it were nothing more than a change in prisons. Among other things, he learned that General Winder had been relieved from command, bj a person with a queer name, which he could not remember, but whom the rebels declared a * better man." Of one thing we were cer- tain, that he could not be much worse. But we had known even Gen. "Winder to do one KIND ACT. One of the Plymouth prisoners was an old citizen, who had been chief clerk for the Post Quartermaster at that place, and in former and more prosperous days a captain in the regular army; even holding, at one time, a position upon this same Gen. Winder's staff. He was very much respected where he was known, and almost every body in Plymouth knew Capt. Everett. He was put into prison with the rest of us, and was finally taken sick, the hardships of his confinement provino- too much for his age. When Gen. Winder learned the condition of the man who had once been LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 239 associated Avith. him, he took him. out of his miserable place and gave him good care, pro- viding medical attendance and better food than he would otherwise have had. But it was too late. The old Captain died, yet he had a respectable Christian burial; and this convinced us that there was one soft spot in the heart of the Eebel General, after alL Early on the morning of the 4th, I was aroused from my sleep by one of the boys, who gave me the sad news that Orderly Ser- geant L — : , of Co. C, was dead, at the same time, requesting me to break the mourn- ful truth to his brother, who held a corres- ponding position in another company. It was a hard task to go and do this, but I did it. Elder Shepard conducted a very touching and beautiful funeral service over the body before it was carried out. The afflicted brother was present, and though he said ^but little, we all knew that silent grief was at work, and we deeply sympathized with him. It was a calm Sabbath day, and our friends at home were probably enjoying it ; but we were suffering — dying. Soon after this we 210 LI?E IN REBEL PRISONS. had a death in our own tent. One of our comrades^ who had been with us ever since the regiment first went out, passed away, after an illness of just two weeks. A night or two before his departure, when he was very feeble, he said to me, "If I could only live just to see my wife and mother, I could die happy ; but to die here, far away from home, and to be buried here, — I tell you, Eobert, it is tough ! " And it was. None but those who were there could realize it in all its terrible earnestness. They were scenes that could not be imagined, and only endured with patience and cheerful- ness by those who had such faith as to bear them aloft above earth, where they could catch a glimpse of the " Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood," which "Stand dressed in living green." It was said on the 6th, that a general ex- change of prisoners had been agreed upon, and it was accompanied by orders for the first eighteen detachments to be ready to move at any moment after twelve o'clock at night. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 241 This really looked as if it might amount to something, and we hoped the DAY OF DELH'ERANCE had at last come. All was rejoicing and hurry^ and bustle in the detachments that were or- dered to be ready. Indeed, the whole prison was in a furore of joyous excitement. Every body was talking over with his neighbor the probability of the reality of the movement, but most of them were qxiite certain that this was surely the iirst true step towards exchange. The next morning our eyes did indeed behold a joyful sight. Seven detachments, or over eighteen hundred men, were taken out of prison and put on board cars, and in all proba- bility they were bomid for our lines. The orders to many more were, to "be ready to leave," and it would come our turn soon. What exultation was kindled at the prospect ! It seemed hard that H could not have lived to go with us, but it was not for us to question God's doings. Evans, another of our number, was very sick, and we feared he might die before our turn should come. We 242 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. were not counted in the morning, and we indulged in the blissful thought that we should be no more troubled in that svny, for the officers over us had been heard to declare that the prison was finally to be left empty. That night, at one o'clock, or rather morning, they began taking out more detachments, and at daylight the opposite hill-side looked quite bare. When the light of the morning dawned, poor Evans was no longer an inhabitant of earth. He was ready and willing to go, and his last message to his friends at home was, " tell them I was p)Tepared to die." It Avas sor- rowful indeed to see our comrades dying, even Avhen the work of exchange was going on. Some of the detachments who went out in the morning came in again in the afternoon to wait until more cars should arrive. They said they were allowed to have their liberty, and do about as they pleased while outside, and that only two guards went on each car of the train that had already left. Some avouM- not, even now, believe that the movement meant exchange, and persisted in saying, "It's all humbug,", although the Confederate offi- LIFE IN KEBEL PKISONS, 243 cers, without exception, assured us that we were going home, and that they had not another prison large enough to put us in, if they wished to. If they were really attempting a transfer, and nothing else, we thought they would have placed a larger guard in attendance. Everything looked favorable to our hopes, but we had so manjj^ times been disappointed in these, we could hardly beheve they were to be realized, even when the door was open for us. It seemed to us high time for a change of some sort, for for we were drawing only a little coarse corn meal and a scrap of raw fresh beef for our rations. The next morning one of the boys who had deserted from the rebel service, and had been with us ever since we were captured, died. When Plymouth surrendered a number of the LOYAL NORTH CAEOLINIANS, of the 2d regiment of that State, were taken with us. The rebels were very bitter against these "buffaloes," as they called them, for many of them had been on their side, and left it for the service of the Union. These men had 244 LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. suffered almost everything at the hands of those they refused to serve, and they felt for them corresponding hatred. To avoid detec- tion, many of them assumed different names? and passed off as members of our regiment, or some others. Some of them were afterwards discovered by the "rebs," but a number went into prison with us as Connecticut, Pennsylva- nia or New York men, and we did everything in our power to help them, and prevent them from being found out. It was one of those who fell, a victim to disease, that morning. Over twelve hundred men went out before sunset, and a large number had the promise of being taken out before morning. Seven of our "ninety" succeeded in "flanking out" with the detachments who went out the night before, and others, encouraged by their example, went up to the gate with these, hoping to find a more speedy release in this way. The next day we waited impatiently for orders to move, and at twilight, or near the close of the day, our .wishes Avere gratified. We were drawing rations, and a rebel Ser- geant came down with the welcome informa- LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 245 tion that our "ninety" must be ready imme- diately, and take their position in line near the prison gate. We had very little baggage, of course, to care for, and in a very few moments we were 'waiting to go out. We were allin a tremor of excitement. To think that we were really going to leave that horri- ble place, was enough to fill our hearts with deepest joy. There was one drawback to our happiness, however, caused by being com- pelled to leave two of our number, who were sick, and altogether tmable to be moved. We tried to cheer them by teUing them they would probably come along in a few days, and meantime they would receive better care than if they went with ns, but when we finally bade them farewell, we were very sad, for it seemed to us the last time we should ever exchange a word with them, and it was manifest that a like feeling was theirs also. We had suffered so long together; so long shared each other's trials and misfortunes, we loved each other as brothers, and it was hard to leave them, but there was no other alterna- tive. While these things were passing through ,246 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. the mind, we were suddenly diverted by the cry, "there they go," and sure enough the Une had commenced to move, and we Avere to pass out that gate that had been closed against us so many weary months. Many, very many, who had gone in with us at the beginning, were now no more, but a sigh and a tear was aU the tribute we could leave them then. We had nainistered to them in sickness, and closed their eyes at the last, and each had a place in memory, but nothing more could be done. The place we were leaving was one about which the saddest associations would ever cluster; not wholly because so many of our brothers-in-arms had found the prison gate the gate of death, but there were other things combined to make us shudder at the remem- brance. Taunts, insult and abuse in almost every possible form had been heaped upon us, and the impression of this could never be effaced. But before we proceed any further m our narrative, and in order to give a complete liistory of affairs at Andersonville, we insert a chapter relative to the Hospital department. LIFE IN REBEL PEISONS. 247 For information concerning this, we are indebted to the following testimony of Hiram. Buckingham, Quarter-Master Sergeant of our own regiment, who was detailed as hospital steward, or Doctor's clerk, and consequently was well fitted to give a just description of the inner and outer condition of that melan- choly place. CHAPTER VII. HOSPITAL AT ANDERSON VILLE. Thousands throughout our country have a personal interest in this ill-fated spot, for thither, husbands, sons and brothers were car- ried, to finish their earthly course ; their career as patriots and soldiers, and there, withia a short distance, their bones lie, as it may seem to some, a lost contribution to national honor, but to many, far otherwise. Though no monument of granite ever mark the place where these heroes he, telling of the mighty sacrifice that was made there, yet that spot in Georgia soU wiU. be forever conse- 248 LIFE LN REBEL PRISONS. crated, in comitless homes in every part of our land, and who shall intimate the power and extent of that influence that shall, go forth from these to awaken the fire of patriot- ism in other hearts, bidding them " go and do likewise," if need be. Indignation, too, Avill fan the flame, for the sad conviction is forced upon the minds of people that, were it not jfor utter neglect and inhumanity, thousands of valuable lives might have been spared that are now forever lost to friends and country by this one cause. It is a tearful history — a sad record, and many will shrink from the revolt- ing details here given, but it is confidently asserted that there are none of these state- ments but will be corroborated by every one who had the misfortune to be a prisoner in that unhappy locality. "When I first went into the prison," says Mr. Buckingham, "on the first of May, 1864, the hospital was inside the stockade,, half of it on one side of the stream that ran in our midst, and half on the other side. The condition of things was hor- rible in the extreme. A single glimpse of things within was enough to make a man sick. LIFE m KEBEL PRISONS. 249 He could but turn away in loathing and dis- gust, from the sight of so much wretchedness and misery j so much filth and pollution. Most of the imnates at that time were Belle Island prisoners, who had endured all the hardships of the previous winter, and were worn and wasted by exposure and its conse- quent diseases. There were comparatively few of them then, scarcely over two hundred, a circumstance accounted for in two ways. In the first place, a man never went ia and came out alive, for usually he was so low upon his admission, that there was almost nothing to hope for, and in the second place, if a man had a friend or comrade to help him, he would not go in at all, for he preferred to die in the comparative quiet of his own tent, surrounded by such comforts as friendly sym- pathy could procure, rather than end his days where so much wretchedness was congregated. This was the last resort, and to see a poor fellow brought in upon a blanket, was to con- clude that his face was almost run ; his days well nigh ended, and that there remained nothing for him but to breathe his life away 250 LIFE IN UEBEL PRISONS. in tlie midst of such misery as was inconceiva- ble to any but those who Avalked the melan- choly round themselves. The utter Arant of cleanliness ; the pestilential air ; the improper and miserable food, and scanty medicines, all combined to render the swift coming of death sure. One could expect nothing else when he entered. If by any possibiUty one survived the shock, and went forth among his fellows a living man, it was looked upon as something well-nigh miraculous. It was rarely, if ever, known. It was the general expectation, when any went into the hospital, that it was the last of earth for them ; and how could it be other- wise ? Where was the single condition that tended in the least degree to restoration?' Where was the slightest thing favorable to anything like invigoration ? The excellent condition of our Northern hospitals : their comfortable couches, tender nursing, abundant remedies, with their appropriate stimulants and delicacies, oftentimes win back the feeble sufferer to life, and make him strong and well again; but not so there. Pieces of canvas only sheltered those poor sick and d3dng men ^ LIFE m REBEL PEISONS. 251 from the rain and sun of a climate that -would have been none too favorable for them under the best of circumstances. Their emaciated, pain-racked frames had no place to rest but upon the cold, hard ground, and in numberless instances their heads were pillowed upon nothing softer than a. stick of wood. The skin would often wear away, leaving their bodies sore, and these could not be cared for, as there was nothing to dress them with'; and even if there had been, their necessary position allowed no respite in the a,cuteness of their suffering. Added to these things, the sink was dug within a single rod of these men, which,, of com:«e,:did not add to the purity of the air about them. It was enough, of itself to make a man sick. What would not these men have given for a clean bed, pure air, and a dish of something that would have been inviting to the taste 1 Many of them had been imused to want or hardship hefore they entered the army, but words -of murmuring or complaint were sel- 11 """ ■"' 252 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. dom heard. Many of them were conscious of having been moved with the "sublime inspira- tion of a great purpose," when they enhsted to fight the battles of their country, and they took its chances and its changes with heroic firmness. In all probability a great many lives might have been saved, that have now been sacri- ficed, had it not been for the barbarous treat- ment to which they were subjected. A sad necessity was upon us. We must see our men pine away and die, while we were utterly powerless to help them. Could we have had the satisfaction of feeling that everything had been done for them that could be done, we might have seen them close their eyes in death with far different emotions, but we could not escape the impression that a vast amount of life-blood had been spilled, simply to gratify the malice of a heartless foe, who gloried in the wrecks before them. About the first of June, the hospital was completed outside the stockade. This was sit- uated about one hundred rods from the en- trance to the latter place, and occupied quite . LIFE IN REBEL PHISONS. 253 a pleasant position. Some of the trees had been left standing, and furnished quite an agreeable shade. It was enclosed by a board fence about six feet high, and contained about four acres of ground. This was laid out in streete and wards, and now and then a tent was to be seen, but most of them were noth- ing but square pieces of canvas spread over a pole, which formed a roof, but left it all open below, so that the patients were exposed con- stantly to the rain, sim, and night dews. Quite a stream of water ran through one end of the enclosure, and all the men who were able could repair to this for the purpose of keeping theinselves clean. About a thousand poor creatures had refuge there at that time. They began with an attempt to keep the sanitary affairs of the hospital in tolerable condition. They had a police squad, who made their appearance twice a day to see that the requisite order was maintained to secure this result. About a month after the removal .from the stockade, they enlarged the grounds so that they could accommodate twenty-five hvmdred; and at its completion, Dr. White, 254 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. Surgeon in charge, admitted seven Tiundred men in one day. Nearly half of these could wallc, but the remainder of them went in just as they could, some of them on their hands and heels, their legs being so drawn with scurvy that they could not keep in an erect position. A person coming in at such a time, unused to the horrors of prison life, would have turned pale at the sickening sight before him. He Avould have felt things unutterable in view of these half-starved, half-clothed, diseased and wretched beings, who had once dehberately clothed themselves in the uniform which dis- tinguished them as the peculiar property of their country, but were now dying under a pressure they had no power to resist. History tells of bands of men that are sent forth, doomed to infamy and poverty, wretchedness and want, because public opinion where they dwell deems it a just punishment for what they have done. No sympathy goes with the exiles, for society is better off -without them than with them. Their hard features, reckless expression and uncomely visages may awaken LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 255 contempt, but scarcely pity, for they have wrought out their o^vn destiny, by their o^vn perverse willfulness. These are the lawless ones that are a scourge to the world, and every one feels that it is a mercy to be rid of them. In such case we might look upon an equal amount of misery, and not be touched as in the other instance. In the one case, it is self-inflicted and for base ends ; in the other, imposed upon for devotion to and action in the prosecution of noble aims; for unselfish working for the general good. The little army that filed in at the hospital in July, at Andersonville, may have looked externally like beggars; but they were no convicts, — no exiles for crimes that they had done. They had left home in the full exercise of every manly virtue, and society mourned their loss. They were the pride of loyal people ; the light of countless homes ; the idols of many hearts ; and Love was keeping the fires bright ♦ upon myriad altars awaitiag their glad return. One looking upon them would have known that these fires would go out in darkness ; that 256 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. but few, if any, of that sickly crowd, would ever look again upon those they had loved ; ever see or hear again a congenial sight or sound. It was this that would have imsealed the fountain of tears, and stirred the heart to truest pity. It was a sad sight, — sad for any one, but more so to those who knew what they must suffer when once admitted and subjected to the treatment of PHYSICIANS, many of whom had no feeling for them. All were conscripts, and chose the profession in which they were engaged, rather than shoul- der the musket and go to the front. They were allowed eleven dollars a month, which was about equal to one in "greenbacks," and the government ration of meat and bacon. They availed th: .iselves of the opportunity to acquamt themselves with surgery, and were not therefore slow in performing amputations if they saw fit. They had also a dissecting- house not very far distant, where they coiitin- ued their experiments. ANDERSONVILLE HOSPITAL. WARDS 1 STREETS 10 19 — 1 '^ I 3. 3 1^ Zl /" ^ UG US U4 13 \12 11 td A "Well. B Gate." C Fort. D Head-Qcaetkrs Tents. E DiSPESSATORY. F Dissecting House. *Thc other sides of the Hospital border upon Sirampa. 258 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. They commenced their duties about eight in the morning, and finished about one in the afternoon. The interest which they felt in their work was manifest in the manner of doing it. They would stand in the middle of the street, and with folded arms ask the patient how he felt, and then very indifferently tell the clerk to renew the prescriptions of a pre- vious time. In justice to some, however, we can say, they were kind to the sick and did what they could for them, but they were re- luctant U) go into the tents on account of the lice which were there in such quantities. The form to be observed before one could get into the hospital at all, was a burden to the men who were already so feeble they could scarcely support the weight of their bodies. Outside was built a board fence the whole length of the stockade, and about three rods wide, where the doctors had the SICK CALL. Here they had a little shed built to protect themselves from the sun, and here over one LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 259 thousand persons would come out daily, hop- ing to find some remedy for their sufferings. A third of them would be brought in blankets by then- comrades, as no prescriptions were given unless they saw the patient. The num- ber then sent to the hospital would correspond with the vacancies death had made in the pre- vious twenty-four hours. These would have a piece of paper, with their number and name, put upon their clothes, or in their pockets, and it was not a strange thing that they were left in the hot sun all day, without anything to eat, or water to drink, and with a burning fever in their veins. Their sufferings, of course, were indescribable, and it was little that their comrades could do to help them. Some of the physicians were educated men, from Avhose hearts the law of human kindness was not wholly effaced, but some were unfit- ted in every possible way for the work assigned them. The Doctor of my ward Avas a Georgian, a fine fellow, and a Union mari. To him I con- fided my purpose to escape, and met Avith the assurance that he would afford me any assist- 260 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. ance in his power to gain such an end. YV itu him, as with many others, choice could not have its way, else they would have been found in other positions, more congenial to their feelings ; they would have been offering help and comfort to their fellow-men, under an administration more desirable than that of the Confederates. Everything about us seemed marked by cruelty and heartlessness. One night I was startled by the sound of a musket, and immediately after, I recognized a human voice, uttering the exclamation, in plaintive tones, "Oh, I am shot." I instantly arose and hastened to the spot from Avhence the sound proceeded, and there found that one of the poor fellows in my ward had gone to the fire that was kept by the guard who were stationed inside the fence, for the purpose of warm- ing himself Some one from the outside pass- ing by, called out gruffly to him, "Get away from there," and Avithout giving him time to obey the heartless order, fired upon him, breaking his leg just above the knee. The following morning he Avas subjected to ampu- tation, but he never rallied from it He LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 261 lin'j;ered about three weeks and died. Some of the physicians pronounced it an outrage, and seemed inclined to do for him what they could. This was not an isolated case ; an individual instance where hatred and malice Avreaked their vengeance upon a single object of dislike. It is "only one of the countless number that we might record, of which we have been eye- witnesses, and wliich show the merciless char- acter of the men with whom we had to deal constantly. Among so many, selfishness finds expres- sion, also, and such manifestations among the sick in a hospital, give anything but the pleas- ant side of human nature. Some of the nurses ■n'^re very kind, and did all in their power for the comfort of those upon whom they attended, but others would stand over dying men, and search them for the valuable things they might have in their possession, before the breath had left the body. The physicians had something of a variety of medicine, but it was altogether insufficient in q^uantity. They obtained them from the labo- ratory at Macon, and a month's supply would 262 . LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. last only about ten days. There Avas no alternative, then, but to let disease go on its way unchecked, or to resort to the woods for such barks and roots as were known to be medicinal in their nature. For astringents, in cases of diarrhea, we used white oak and sweet fern, and sumach berries for scurvy in the mouth ; but it Avas not medicine, after all, that was so much needed, as good, wholesome food. Could we have had this, with plenty of vinegar, or some acid, what a change would have been wrought in our wretched looking company at the hospital! THE RATIONS, for twenty-four hours, for these poor sick ones, was a piece of corn bread about two inches square, and two ounces of meat. In case of very severe sickness, they might have two gills of flour, enough for a biscuit, and this would be baked by the nurse of the ward, and sometimes they had a little rice, but so mis- erably cooked as to be almost loathsome. It would be boiled in two large kettles, and then filled up with cold water to make it hold out, for the supply of those who needed it. Any LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 2G3 way and any how, seemed to be the principle upon which everything was done, as may be seen in case of the meal of which the bread was made, it being a mixture of the cob and corn, for it was all ground together, thus fur- nishing no better material for the diet of a sick man than we had commonly seen given to swine at home. What wonder, then, that we saw so many living skeletons constantly before us! I have seen men walking about, in hundreds of cases, that, according to my judgment, would not weigh seventy-five pounds, and these were men, too, who had once knoAvn a uniform weight of one hundred and eighty. They would live in this way for months, grad- ually grooving thinner and weaker, until they were entirely worn out, and there was nothing left on which life could feed itself The principal DISEASES were diarrhea, scurvy, dropsy, and typhoid fever. To think of these as they exist at the North, one has no idea of them whatsoever. The aggravated form they assumed there. 264 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. with every possible thing to augment their . power of working, is past all conception, ter- rible. The intensity of suffering, among those who were the victims of the first mentioned disease, sinrpasses all description. _ I have known many of them to eat nothing for a week at a time, except ; a little flour paste, whUe all the while their evacuations woiild be nothing but blood, and attended with the most excruciating pain, and oftentimes the requisite change in their position would at once produce faintness. We always expected death as the inevitable result in such cases, for none were ever cured. , .- ^ In dropsy, the suffermg was hardly less acute. I have seen the limbs of some of ithe patients which had become so badly swollen, they would burst, and for the Avant of proper treatment become filled with living things. An instance occurs to my mind now, of one poor man, whose body was so racked with pain by this disease, that he cried, out in his agony for some one to kill him. He lingered a while in this condition, and death finally came and took away, the spirit from its dis- $^i; ^ O O a o >4 LIFE IN REBEL PaiSO.NS. 2G7 eased and wretclied tenement, leaving it all unconscious of the torments it had endured. Sometimes it would settle in the face, and in such cases they could not see at all, and they would meet us in our round, their disfigured countenances mutely challenging our sympa- thies, and kindling constant regret that we could do so little to help them, Avhen they must have it or die. The horrors of scurvy none can know but those who have witnessed them. It appeared in different forms. Sometimes it would appear in the limbs, and the cords would be so drawn up they could not walk. The flesh would become discolored as if they had been beaten with clubs, and so soft, the impress of the fingers would remain as they pressed upon it. Sometimes it would be confined to the bones, and not show itself outside at all. In such cases it would be attended with the most intense pain. At other times it would be in the mouth, and the gums would become sepa- rated from the teeth, and finally they would drop out altogether, and not a tooth be left in the jaw. I have seen hundreds of cases in 268 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. this disease, where the men have actually starved to death, because they were unable to eat the coarse food that was furnished them by the Confederates. They had but a hmited supply of medicines that were necessary in these instances, and for want of these it would be unchecked until gangrene set in to fill up the measure of suf- fering. - ' The blood of the men, generally, was in such an impure state, that the least break of the skin w^ould be almost sure to lead to a gangrenous sore, and many amputations were performed in consequence. Under the influ- ence of a scorching sun, the entire tipper sur- face of the foot woiUd become blistered; these would break, leaving the flesh exposed, and having nothmg to dress it Avith, or protect it in any way, gangrene was inevitable, and this would be followed by the loss of the foot, if not a larger portion of the limb. In many cases they were so much debilitated when the attempt was made, they would never recover from the influence of the chloroform, and if they had strength at the beginnmg, they LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 269 would afterwards die for the want of proper nourishment, which it was impossible to obtain. The amputations would average as many as half a dozen every day, and I knew not a single instance of recovery from them. In addition to these things, there were also eases of extreme suffering, without number, caused by the use of bad vaccine matter. Whether the rebels did this intentionally, or not; we can not say, but it certainly became a melancholy fact among us. • I remember the sad condition of a man, who had it break out under his arm and eat into his vitals, and the opening was so large as almost to admit a man's hand. Some became the victims of total blindness, occasioned, it may be, by constant exposure to the heat of the sun, and its action upon the nervous system. In the month of June it rained twenty-one daj's in succession, and it was not strange that disease should multiply and assume every imaginable form. There were fifteen thou- sand men in the stockade, without shelter of any kmd, and it might be expected that the 270 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. hospital wovild be rapidly peopled from their ranks. Indeed, the latter place was hardly any better. During the warm season it was dreadful. The men scarcely ever wore any clothing at ah, but a shirt, that they might keep as free as possible from the lice, which covered all their clothing. It was three hours' work every day, in my comparatively healthful condition, to keep my own body tolerably free from them, and the poor, sick men, who were too feeble to help themselves, Avould actually find their life-blood taken away from them in this way. Many men have died apparently from no other cause than that of being overrun with lice. I have had men's hair cut, when, if these had been measured, there would have been in bulk a half pint of them, and in size about a quarter of an incL Mosquitoes, too, Avere terrible. A man Avho could not, through weakness, defend himself, looked as if he had the measles, so completely would his face be covered with their bites, and fleas without number vied with these to tor- ment the poor prisoner, sick or well. It is hardly possible to conceive a greater accumu- LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 271 lation of Avoes to come upon mortal men, than fell to the lot of our prisoners at Ander- sonville. In view of all these things, some of the rebel Surgeons felt compelled to call for some- thing better, but it fell mostly upon \mheed- ing ears. Nearly 3 thousand died during the month of August, and in the midst of this fearful mortality, Surgeon Eeeves reported as follows, and. we must remember this bears the mild- ness of REBEL TESTIMONY. "I find the tents in bad condition, a great many leaking, and a great many, of the patients lying on the ground and getting very wet when it rains. would most respect- fully recommend that straw of some kind be secured for bedding; also some arrangement to raise them from the ground. Without a change ui this respect, it wlU be impossible for me to practice with success." No response was made to this, and still later another, Sur- geon Pelot, uttered his protest with regard to diet. "The corn bread/' he says, "received 272 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. from the bakery, being made up without sift- ing, is wholly unfit for the sick, and often, upon examination, the inner portion is found to be perfectly raw. The beef received by the patients does not amount to over two ounces per day 5 and for the past three or four days no flour has been issued to the sick. The bread can not be eaten by many ; for to do so would be to increase the disease of the bowels, from which a large majority are suffering; and it is therefore thrown away." Themselves being judges, they declared the rations too small, and not sufficiently nourish- ing, and they gave it as their deliberate con- viction that the patients of the hopital suf- fered as much from hunger as from disease. About the middle of August Dr. Thornburg reported his patients in a "deplorable condi- tion," some of them being without clothino- of any kind. "In the first, second and third wards," he writes, "avc have no bunks, the patients being compelled to lie on the ground, many of them without blankets, or any cover- ing whatsoever. If there are any beds in *Dixie,' it is to be hoped that they Avill be pro- LIFE IN UEBEL PRISONS. 273 cured. We need straw very badly, especially for the fifth ward. We have men in this ward who are a living, moving mass of putre- faction, and can not possibly be cured of their wounds unless we can make them more com- fortable." Such is the testimony of men whom we would not think likely to exaggerate in this matter. They even declare that some of the food furnished the prisoners would "produce disease among swine." As a sad consequence of all this, thirteen thousand of our brave boys lie buried in that ever-to-be-remembered place. .How often did we think, "had they died on the field of bat- tle we could have felt differently," but they must die by inches, in the most miserable of places, and with the most miserable treatment, day after day, and week after week, hoping, watching and praying for release. Hundreds of times in a day would the question be asked, "Is there no news of exchanged"' They seemed to have a wonderful tenacity of life. Hope seemed to keep them xip until almost every spark of life had gone out, and when it 274 LIFE IN BEEEL PRISONS. went altogether, it was so sudden tliey seldoni; mentioned anything about dying, and, indeed, they never seemed to realize it when death was just upon them. So gradual and constant would be their decline, they Avould be accus- tomed to weakness and suffering without thinking w^hat it Avould inevitably tend to. One poor fellow fell over and died while in the act of eating a biscuit, and very many came to their end in a way equally sud- den and unlooked for. We could scarcely account" for it. Evidently the springs of life had been drying at their source, all imcon- sciously to themselves and others. Occasion- ally some one Avould talk with me of the com- ing event, and send little messages to the friends who shared their dying thoughts. - D. S. Birdsell, of Hartford, Ct., went into the hospital just before I left. Upon his entrance he told me he thought death was doing its work, and every feature of his coun- tenance was marked Avith sadness as he said it, for he had a wife and children that would mourn his loss. Tears filled his eyes as he thought of them, and how desirable it would & LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 275 l)e if lie could only spend his last days with them. It was a struggle for nature to yield, and he said, " It's hard to die here. I had hoped to die at home" and how much that word means to a soldier and a prisoner, espe- cially to one that sees his days to he almost numbered. I obtained soup for him that I thought would strengthen and revive him, and did all I could for his encouragement, and for a time he seemed better, but it did not last long. He died, and is one of the thou- sands Avho he buried there. At his entrance he gave me his diary and pictures to have in charge until I could send them to his family, and bade me tell them of his love and remem- brance in his last days, far away from them. Others also sent pictures and messages to their friends, but these instances were com- paratively isolated, for reasons that we have before mentioned. It may seem strange that this should be so, and it often -appeared so to mj'^self, but it is best imderstood by those who were acquainted with the condition of the men and witnessed their slow decline. 276 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. Death was often times doing its work before the men were carried to the hospital. They had two ambulances and an army wagon, in which they always carried the patients. An ambulance would hold four, and from this number I have often seen two taken out dead, having breathed out their lives on the way, and many died while waiting outside the stock- ade for some one to come to their relief. After death, the men were carried to the gate and laid inside the stockade, next to the dead line, where they often remained in the hot sun imtil the next morning. They were then taken by our own men, who had been paroled for the purpose, and carried outside to a DEAD HOUSE, made of pine boughs, which formed a kind of screen. After aU had been collected at this place, they were carried out unto the place of burial. I have seen one himdred bodies in a row, and some of them so decom- posed as to fall to pieces on being removed. Large quantities of whisky were given to the men who attended to the .burial of these. UPE m REBEL PRISONS. 277 Surprising as it may seem, it came to be considered a great pri^dlege to assist in this work, so that men would ahnost contend for it. It even came to be a matter of trade, and from one to three dollars in U. S. money was the price for being permitted to carry out a dead body, — those who died in the stockade. Not having a sufficient number of stretch- ers, they were carried out on blankets or on sticks of wood, and the bearers thus found ad- mission to the hospital, where they were likely to find some imtasted portion of food that had been given to the sick, and this they would obtain to appease their hunger. They could also get wood in thisTvay, by which they could cook their small allowance, so that it was es- teemed a double gain among these half-starved men which they realized for their dreadful work. After the death of the men, they were num- bered, and their names written on a piece of paper and pinned to their clothing. They were then taken to the dead-house, as we have said, but this was within hospital grounds, so that it was a wonder to ourselves that we had 12 278 HFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. no contagious diseases from having so many decajong bodies in our naidst. Before the plan of marking and numbering was observed, those who died while waiting to be carried to the hospital were buried with the single word upon them., " Unhiown," — and "these were men, many of them, who had been reared in luxury, and who had friends whose hearts would well-nigh break if they knew half the truth respecting their sufferings. Offc- entimes I thought it blessed ignorance for them, but melancholy in the last degree for the poor soldier. I have shed many a tear myself at their sad fate, as I saw them rudely and unfeelingly conveyed to their last home. Every morning a large army-wagon would be driven up to the dead-house, and twentj'^ or thirty bodies would be loaded in like so many logs of wood, one top of another, some with an arm hanging out at the side, and others with their limbs protruding at the sides, for there was no covering at all. The rebels finally became ashamed of their own want of decency, iand provided a covered wagon. "When they first took their prisoners to LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 279 Georgia, they furnished coffins, but the mor- tality became so great that they finally neg- lected to do that, and dug a trench about two and a half feet deep, with a kind of shelf of the dirt ten inches high, on which they j)laced slabs of wood to keep the earth from them. In a little time they died too fast for even this, and they then dug a trench that would hold about one hundred and twenty-five bod- ies, in which they placed them close together and covered them up. Being thus bmied, they would take pieces of wood upon which the numbers had been placed, and drive them down at the head of each body, not knowing or caring whether they were where they ought to be or not. The place of burial was about half a mile from the hospital. It was situated on high ground, being level, and surrounded with pine forests, which made it very pleasant. It is emphatically a Soldiers' Cemetery, and a fear- ful comment upon Southern cruelty. ' But for their wretched system of treatment, the earth would not have held in its embrace so many of our brave boys; tut for this, so 280 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. many of the survivors would not carry ivith them broken constitutions and maimed bodies, as they must now do. The recital of these tales of horror touches the deepest springs of sympathy, and kindles the fires of indignation to a fervid glow ; but it may not be for us to strike the blow whicli justice demands. "Vengeance is mine ; I will repay, saith the Lord." The cry of the martyred thousands has gone up before high Heaven, — not heedlessly, but to be the means of a visitation, it may be, to the oppressors, which they will be ill pre- pared to meet. Fearful Avrongs may not always exist. There comes a time when Eight will assert its inhe- rent dignity, and show itself triumphant; but, meantime, the friends of the Northern soldier should be awake to their duty and their trust. If there is anything that can be done, these men ought not to be suffered to pine away in the miasma of Southern prisons. The fact that one hundred and fifty have died in a single day in the foul atmosphere of such a place as the prison at Andersonville, ought to LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 281 awaken the people, and through them the Gov- ernment, to a sense of these things, and bid them hasten to their rehef. Much of the seeming apathy is doubtless due to the want of knowledge respecting the real state of af- fairs ; but when we give these mournful state- ments, we know whereof we affirm. Day by day we have gone the rounds of that wretched hospital, and looked upon al- most every variety of suffering that the hu- man frame is capable of presenting. We have seen the misery of "hope deferred" written on many a countenance as we have passed the patient creatures on their low couch of earth. 'We have seen their gaunt faces and pro- truding bones make their silent and wistful appeal week by week, and wondered that there was none to remember us in our sor- row. We have Avitnessed amid all their woe and w^ant, their FIRM DEVOTION to the Union cause, and known their intense longings fbr victory and success to crown the 282 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. Federal anns ; and thought Avould continually suggest that such imselfish patriots ^yere -wor- thy a better lot, — that they ought, at least, to be rescued from starvation. I wearied of the sickening sights constantly before me, and determined to make my es- cape. I accomplished my object by obtaining a suit of sailor's clothes, changing my name, and allowing myself to be taken to Charles- ton, and from thence to Libby prison at Eichmond. There I was exchanged, having been a prisoner just six months. No state- ment have I made but will be confirmed by every prisoner at Andersonville, who knew anj^thihg of the interior of the hospital The truth can not be told ; it beggars all descrip- tion. It is to be hoped that the time past Avill suffice, and that a like experience will not have to be wrought out by any company of soldiers in the future. The Georgia Cemetery should be as a mighty trumpet to proclaim against it LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 283 CHAPTER VIII. DEPARTURE FROM PRISON. As we niarclied out of the gate, we were divided into squads of sixty meu each, and marched over to the depot The sick ones were placed between the strongest of us, who bore them up, and in this manner we wended our way slowly along the road. When we were passing the head-quarters of Captam Wirz, he cried out to us, "You'll never come back here again ! " and if, it was not expressed, the sin- cere and inward response of every man was, "I hope we never may." Upon our arrival at the depot, we were immediately loaded into the cars, a squad of sixty in each one, with two guards upon the top. They were merely common box cars, such as are used at the North for transporting freight We found placed for us inside, some corn-bread and bacon, which we were told was our allowance for two days, and also one or two wooden buckets in which we were to get our supply ' of water at the different stopping-places. We 284 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. immediately divided and distributed the ra- tions, and had barely time to fill one of our buckets with water, when the cheering sound of the locomotive's whistle was heard, and we were oflf^ Yes ! we were really leaving behind us that plague-spot upon the fair earth — ^An- dersonviUe. We went as far as Macon that evening, and waited there until four o'clock in the morning. Just before reaching Fort Val- ley, while the train was stopping for a few minutes, several men, who would not believe the affair would be crowned with exchange after all, jumped from the cars, and attempted to make good their escape. Our first knowl- edge of the fact was the simjiltaneous dis- charge of two muskets from the guards who saw them and fired. They were captured and brought back. Simrise found us traveling at a" rapid rate on the Georgia Central Kailroad, bound for Savannah, as we then supposed. The country through which we were passing was very beautiful, and looked like Eden to our delight- ed gaze, shut up as we had been for so many months. The trees, the green grass, the LIfE IN KEBEL PKISONS. 285 flowers and pure air, — everything was lovely to us, and received our warmest praise. As we passed Gordon, we saw some of the destruction wrought by our cavalry, under Gen. Stoneman. The handsome railroad sta- tion and freight house was burned, and stood there dismantled and lonely, while bent and twisted rails, and partially burned ties, were scattered all about. The road had been rebuilt, and was then in good, running order. When we arrived at Millen, instead of _ continuing on the Central road, we switched off to the Augusta road. "How is this?" we began to inquire. Not having very strong confidence yet in those ■ndth whom we had to deal, we were a little fearful what might happen. Visions of an- other prison began to appear before us, but our fears were soon dispelled by assurances that this was the nearest and quickest route to Charleston, which we were told was the point of exchange. The fifty-tw^o miles from Millen to Augusta was quickly sped, and shortly before sunset we entered that beautiful city, and here we 286 LITE IN EEBEL PRISONS. had to wait a long time, but it was far from beiug tedious, for we received every possible attention from the citizens. Men, women and children did their utmost to supply us with good, cool water, and this was something we were greatly in need of One family in par- ticular, I shall never forget. Their home was in a large white house, near to the car in which I sat, and all of them kept hard at work, filling our canteens and tin cups with refreshing water, and bringing milk, biscuit and meat, with the request that it might be given to the sick, and it may be imagined how gratefully it was received by those who had nothing but miserable bread and bacon to tempt their sickly appetites. As the lady of the house was stepping away from the car, after having brought a j^^O-i^ of delicacies, I said to her, "3fadavi, if you please, will you let me know the name of one who has been so kind to us?" "Yes sir," she replied, "Mrs. J. B. O'Donnell." Our hearts prompted the strongest expressions of gratitude, and even now, in remembrance of it, I feel like saying, "may ' God bless her for the sympathy and kindness LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 287 which she and her family displayed toward us!" I do not know whether she was Union or rebel in sentiment, but I do know that she had a heart overflowing with kindness. A great many were gathered there, and those who talked Avith us, -wished us a safe passage home, and above all other things did they, wish for peace to be smiling upon them again. They spoke as if they were heartily tired of the war, and indeed we thought all Georgians were from some things we had seen. When we left there, we were taken out of the cars and marched over into another street, where others were awaiting us on a different track. While waiting here we came in contact with A REBEL SOLDIER, T>'ho had been exchanged only a few weeks before, and held quite a conversation with him. We had a great many questions to ask him, for he had come from our own land, and v/e imagined there had been quite a contrast between the treatment he had received and that which we had endured. "Where were you kept while a prisoner?" we asked. "On Johnson's Island," he told us, 288 LIFE IN REBEL PBISONS. "How did our people treat you," we contin- ued, anxious to draw him out on points of dif- ference. " Fery well, indeed, sir." "Did you have enough to ' eat, and good food, too !" "Yes, sir!" "Did you receive any vegeta- bles?" "Oh, yes; quite often." "And how was it if you were sick," we asked, "could you get medicme and receive medical treatment ?" To this he readily replied in the affirmative, and having satisfied our curiosity as to the manner in which our government treated its prisoners, we began to enlighten him a Httle on the way we had been treated, and we had pretty conclusive proof of the truth of our statements Avith us, in our own persons, or, at least, he seemed to think so. Eeaching into my cloth bag, which answered as a "haver- sack," I drew forth a piece of com bread, about the size and weight of a good brick. I handed it to him for inspection, saying, ■'there, that is what your people give us. What do you think of it ?" He looked at it, felt of it, and shaking his head, handed it back, acknowledging it was f^n\ighty poor feed." "And, look here," said I, "what do you LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 289 think of this shirt," as I pointed to the misera- ble apology for such a garment, " all Avorn to tatters, and these pants, all rags and dirt T He was honest enough not to undertake to excuse such a course of treatment, and con- fessing that "it was'nt right," he turned and went away. At ten P. M. we left on the Charleston train, bound direct for that "city by the sea," carry- ing with us pleasant recollections of our short stay in Augusta. On awakmg in the morn- ing, we found we had traveled only thirty miles during the night, and the journey through the day was conducted in the same style, bringing our ENTRANCE INTO CHARLESTON at three, P. M. We immediately left the cars, and were marched about half a mile, to the race-course, where a guard was thrown about us, and we were left to our meditations, first being told, however, that it was no exchange after all, but simply a hurried removal, caused by great fear of Gen. Sherman and his armj^. "How blind we had been," we thought, "not to have been mindful of that before !" "Now 290 LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. we see," we said to ourselves, " that those who did not believe in the rebel lies were the wise men, and we were the foolish ones." "Can these rebels have any hearts at all, to deceive suffering, dying men, in this syste- matic manner ?" we asked, but upon considera- tion we thought it no Avonder after all, for they perjured themselves when they seceded from the government, and when men have once done this, it becomes an easy matter afterwards to repeat it as often as they please, and in such form as suits them- best. It seemed that a few more such developments, and a little more of like experience, and we should have a pretty clear insight into rebel character. Collecting our thoughts, we looked about us to see how we were situated. The race- course upon which we were camped, was a broad, grassy flat, just outside the city, but commanding a view of its houses and build- ings. The track Avas grown over with grass, and the judges' stand looked very rickety, indeed, hardly able to stand by itself The Wge building formerly used as a stand for LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 291 spectators, was now occupied by Col. Daniels, of the 5th Georgia regiment, and Lieut. Col. Iverson ; the latter in command over us. These soldiers Avere much better clothed, and were a better and more intelligent set of men, than the conscripts who guarded us at Ander- sonviUe. They told us, with a great show of pride, that they had "always been at the front, until within four weeks." We had been there but a little while before Gen. Foster sent his compliments over to the city, in the shape of a shell, which burst in the air, dbectly in front of us. It did seem aggravating to be there, so near those who manned our own guns, and yet as help- less as if we were a thousand miles from them. After Ave left the cars, and were marching over to the place of encampment, Ave met Avith great kindness from the citizen.?, Avho brought us Avater to drink,^ and gave us food to eat. They all expressed a great deal of sympathy for us, and a fcAV of them dared to AA'hisper, Avhile unseen by the guard, that "thej'^ hoped our army would soon come to our deliverance." 292 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. That night our rations were wholly ex- hausted, and all that Ave received was prom- ises that we might have good bread and bacon on the morrow. The disappointment was so very great, we feared it would prove too much for the boys who were sick, and that they would die, but those who were well, could but feel that it was some improvement to be surrounded by cool, clear air, not yet laden Avith pestilential odors. When the morrow came, we received our hard bread and bacon Avhich had been prom- ised, each one having three and a half large crackers, made of good SAveet flour, about six inches square, and about twice the quantity of bacon we had been in the habit of haA'ing at our prison. Some of the messes had, also, soap and salt. We Avere organized, here, in a manner alto- gether different from that down in Georgia. Instead of being in detachments, as there, here Ave Avere placed in "thousands" and "hun- dreds." Our squad was designated as the 3d " hundred." 1st '■' thousand." Each one of these LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 293" divisions was commanded by a sergeant. The rations were dra^vn from the rebels by the offi- cer over the " thousand/' and those over " hun- dreds" drew their respective shares from him. The whole number of prisoners gathered there was some over six thousand. We had no tents and no shelter whatsoever furnished ns, but such of us as had blankets erected some- thing that served to shelter us from the heat of the sun, but they were of little use when it rained. "We could obtain plenty of water by digging down about four or five feet, but it was not of very good quality. However, a great number were quickly dug by the men ; so numerous, that one could scarcely walk at all after dark, without danger of falling into some of them. A saltish kind of mineral water was also brought up from the city, and was said to have been obtained from an Artesian well. A great many of the women and children came over, bringing with them wheat bread, sweet potatoes, and clothing, which they would throw over the line, when the guards were turned with their backs toward them. They 294 LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. had orders to stop anything of the kind they saw, and some of them were so accommoda- ting they would not see if they could, and kept their faces turned away purposely, that in this way we might receive what the ladies brought us for our comfort Unpleasant as our situation was at this time, while experiencing the sorrows of blighted hope, it nevertheless seemed grand not to be confined inside a stockade. But our old friend, THE DEAD LINE, seemed- determined to follow "us wherever wo went. A rebel soldier, with a horse and plow, went round our camp, turning over a light furrow a few feet from the sentries' beat ; and that was to be all that should mark the line between life and death for us. Not even a railing was put up, like the one we had been conversant with. Soon after this, the whole of us were marched out of camp, and after staying awhile out, we had the satisfaction of marching back again, — done, as we learned, to afford a better opportunity of our being counted. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 295 Fifteen of the "hundreds" were finally given one day's rations, and ordered to be ready to take their departure on the next day ; and it Avas matter of much speculation with us, as to where their place of destination might be. They started early in the morning for their unknown home, but we conjectiu-ed that it might be Florence, as we learned the rebels had another prison there. That day was to us one of the old-fashioned starvation days, for we had nothing but a scrap of fresh beef until after dark at night, when we had a little hard-bread given us. A Eebel ofi&cer came to the prison entrance in the afternoon, and called for volunteers to work upon fortifications in Charleston harbor, promising, as an inducement, all they wanted to eat, besides tobacco and whisky, and threat- ening to force them if they should refuse to do it of their own accord. I am sorry to say that several himdred did volunteer their ser\'ices, and were accepted. . It might be that they did it with the hope of escaping. We could not think they would so violate theiJ enlistment oath, "not to render aid or 296 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. comfort to the enemy," on any other con- dition. I received a line about this time from Major Pasco, of our regiment, who was a prisoner m the Eoper Hospital buildings, doAvn in the city. It was brought to me by the Catholic "Sisters of Charity," and made me feel like setting down one good deed in then- favor, for it certainly seemed like an act of kindness then. I wrote a reply to the note, and sup- posing that it would have to be examined before it was allowed to go, I stepped up to the Lieutenant who was officer of the guard, and explained the case to him, asking him to read it, in order to satisfy himself that it con- tained nothing contraband. He made very slow work of it, and another officer, observing it, stepped up, and between them both they came to the conclusion that it was all right, and I was permitted to send it. Several of oiu: boys were sick, and really needed to be admitted to the hospital, and I used all my endeavors to secure such a result, but my efforts were all fruitless. It was a poor, place indeed for a man to be sick, Avith- LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 297 out shelter or medicine, and apparently no prospect of having his condition bettered. My oAvn right hand "vvas getting to be in a very bad condition, arising, from a little scratch on one of my knuckles, which had spread rap- idly, and bid fair to render it unfit for use speedily, unless something could be done to arrest it. My blood seemed in a terrible state, and my system full of scurvy, for I had not eaten a vegetable of any kind since my cap- ture in April, as none were given us, and we had no money to buy. It was not long before I had to give up the care of the "mess" to Sergeant G , as it became impossible to do any work at all. In this state, one of the SISTERS OF CHARITY did a good thing for me. I asked her if she would be so kind as to give me some bandages for my hand. "Wait a few moments," said she ; and she immediately went to an ambu- lance which stood near the guard line, and returned with her arms full of things for the men. Coming towards me, she put quite a large package of something done up in a 298 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. snow-white napkin, into my hand, saying that was for myself. Thanking her heartily, I walked away, wondering what it could be, but did not examine the gift until I reached the • boys. I then undid it, and foimd it to contain some superb home-made wheat bread. I tore the napldn into strips for bandages, and ad- ministered the brea,d internally, and with such immediate and gratifying results, I went to sleep as happy as a king. , Every diay, after this, two or three of these Sisters, accompanied sometimes by a dapper- looking little Priest, would ride over from the city in a two-horse ambulance, which was well loaded with good things and brought into prison to be dispensed ahke to Protestant and Catholic. To us it was a beautiful sight to see them come right in among us, not afraid to approach us, dirty and ragged as we were. They Avould have, at least, a kind word for us, but often they were attended by some more solid token of sympaithy, and in the gratitude of our hearts we said, "May God bless them for their kindness!" LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 299 The rebels, it seemed, fully believed that "variety" was the "spice of life," for they issued in a single day, rice, hominy, corn-meal, flour, beans, beef, soap, and salt. It sounds very large, but in reality it was very small, for no one had enough of each, or aU, to do any gOod. Early in the morning of the 17th, I spoke to an officer respecting my own admission to the hospital, and ascertaining there would probably be an opportunity, I took my posi- tion near the prison-gate, with two of my comrades, and waited for the surgeon to make his appearance. After a long while he came, and as a result of the' interview I was admit- ted. This was the first time I was ever booked in such an institution, and I thought it might be the last, for I was much reduced in strength, arid there seemed to me no great prospect of recovery. We had no food that day but what was brought us by the kind ladies of the city. They brought bread, soups, '&c., which were divided among us, thus giving each quite a taste of good food. The surgeon made its- 'a visit in the ^afterrioori, and I was 300 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. SO fortunate as to get my hand dressed by him. The next day was the Sabbath, but it was so painfully unlike holy time at home, that we were sad. So great was physical depression with me, I had begun to despond, and I won- dered if I should ever see home and friends agaia. We had been deceived so many times, I had no confidence in an exchange, and my hand was getting so crippled, I was dependent on my comrades for even ordinary comforts. But Faith reasoned that it was the time above all others when I ought to look beyond myself to Him who noteth even the "sparrow's fall," and whose grace was sufficient for support in any and every trial that His trustful ones were called to endure. While engaged in these soothing reflections, the surgeon came to give attention to my hand. It had been growing worse, continually, and was now filled with gangrene. I began to be sorely afraid that I would be obliged to lose it. External things did not conspire to render my situation particularly pleasant. I could hear the church bells ring for service, but the LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 301 summons was not for me, for I was a prisoner, and sick. I knew that our forces were not very far away, for there was heavy shelUng upon the city, all the day, but they were igno- rant of my condition, and could not help me if they were not. Our hospital had really no claim to any such title. The treatment we received was a mere farce. I longed to gain admission to one of the city hospitals, that I might have more of some things which seemed absolutely indispensable ' to my recovery. There we were, about four hundred patients, sleeping trpon the bare ground, with no covering fur- nished us at all, and no tents but such as we could make, of the few threadbare blankets that we had held on to, since our capture. Every afternoon the Surgeon, a young physi- cian from the city, would pay us a visit, sometimes bringing with him a few diarrhea powders in his pocket, or a few drinks of whisky in a little stone jug. We very much needed acids, for the scurvy, but these, he declared, it was impossible to obtain. We thought he would Jbave done jnore for us if it 13 302 LIFE XX REBEL PRISONS. had been in his power, but merely good inten- tions were simply aggravating, Avhen men were dying as they were there. A large number of the strongest men Avere returned to the prison, on Monday, and their places filled by other sick ones, but many of them; however, were in no worse condition than some who were sent away. I now submitted my hand to the painful operation of severe cauterizing, hoping by some means to stay the progress of the poison. About this time we were called to experi- ence, what seemed to xis, simply an ACT OF IKHUM-ANITY. An order was issued from head-quarters, for the hospital camp to be moved at a greater distance from the camp of the 5th Georgia regiment, and in the midst of a drenching rain, the sick men had to strike their blanket tents, and put them up again as best they could, upon the Avet, soaked ground, in the new position. We were told by an officer of the guard that there was considerable yellow fever in the city, and that we were moved fixim feaj of cdnta;gioii. It may have been LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 303 SO, but the following day brought us a repeti- tion of the same suffering. Early in the morning everybody who could walk, no matter how sick, was ordered inside of the prison camp again, and so, several hundred of us, poor fellows, had to totter in as best we could> many, only to die soon after getting there. No reason was assigned for the heartless transaction. How we longed to hear from the flag of truce boat which had been sent down the harbor, or from the meet- ing of the exchanga commissioners. I found a welcome asylum in the tent of three of our regiment, who promised to take care of me until I was better, if that time should ever come. We received, at length, some vinegar with our rations, but in exceed- ingly small quantities. Some of the boys kindly gave me what was assigned to them, and by putting them together I had quite a drink, that I hoped would tell favorably upon my diseased hand. But it was not so easy to gain relief. My sufferings became so intense that I Avas finally ' admitted to the hospital again, where I was' told; that it was impossible 304 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. to save my hand, and that I must submit to amputation. I Avas sick at heart to think of losing it, but concluded that I must do it, or lose mj life, and therefore I chose to have it perfonned. I was sent for, and taken out to the amputating room, which was in the lower part of the building formerly used as specta- tors' stand, at the great races. Upon arriving there I found several Surgeons, with the requisite instruments at hand, and also a crowd of Confederate officers and soldiers, who had pressed in to witness the operation. One beside myself was present to tmdergo similar treatment, which was also rendered necessary by gangrene. He was selected as the first victim, and in a few moments he was stretched upon the floor, with the chloroform at his nostrils. It took some time to get him sufficiently under its influence to begin the work, but as soon as the prospect justified the attempt, the young Surgeon in charge of us, applied the knife and the saw, and in a very short time the arm was off, and lying beside the unfortunate maxL The arteries were quickly taken up, the blood sponged off, and LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. -. 305 the stump properly bandaged. The patient now began to arouse himself, as if from sleep, and seeing blood upon the face of the Sur- geon, he began to laugh. "Aha! old boy," said he, "your arm is off, did you know it ?" He glanced at the place where once he had a strong right arm, and seemed surprised -to find it gone. A little whisky was then given him, and he was removed. I stood by, looking on, during the whole operation, laboring with the unpleasant con- Adction that my turn came next The Sur- geons then came to me and carefully exam- ined my hand. The one in charge of the prison hospital was in favor of amputation, but the other three, who were old, gray- headed men, difiered from him, and the final decision was not to cut it oflf then, but to give it a little longer trial . What moments of sus- pense were those, and with what a rejoicing heart did I leave that room, when I found that I was not to part with my good right hand, the value of which I had never known beforel 306* LIFE IN" REBEL PRISONS. I received, about this time, |5.00 in Con- federate money from our kind-hearted Major, and a similar amount from our Adjutant, both of them being confined in one of the city prisons. The money and letters were both brought me by the Sisters of Charity, and they also carried back my messages to them in reply. I invested this money in veg- etables, knowing their great value in cases of scurvy. A rebel sutler came up every day from the city, with one or two wagon loads of bread, sweet potatoes, radishes, salt, and other arti- cles, which he sold at quite reasonable rates, considering the high prices that were de- manded for everything in the Confederacy. His price for bread was fifty cents for a small loaf, and twice the amount for one a little larger. Sweet potatoes were ^10.00 a bushel; cooking soda f 10.00 per pound; pepper, in the berry, ^20.00 a pound ; radishes, ten for $5.00, and other articles in the same propor- tion. These prices, however, were in Confed- erate currency, which was worth but Httle compared with Uncle Abe's "greenbacks." LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. SOT One dollar of the latter was ■worth seven of the former. At Andersonville it had been five to one. We thought it something to be proud of, that our money commanded so large a premium in the very heart of the Confede- racy. The loaves of bread which we bought for one dollar, were about the size of a five cent loaf at home, and he would have^ charged more for them, as weU as his other things, had not Lieut Col. Iverson, the rebel commander, checked him in his exorbitant demands, and forbid him taking any more than would be required for the same things in the city. This was one good quahty in the rebel, we thought. This officer was a young, boyish- looking fellow, but one glance at his face? revealed a great deal of decision and energy, and his soldiers obeyed him unhesitatingly, as indeed they did all their officers, down even to their Corporals. I never saw but one instance of disobedience of orders by a rebel soldier, and that was at Charleston, when the men had crowded rather too closely upon the "dead line," at the prison entrance. Col. Daniels, of the 5tb Georaria regiment, seeing 308 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. it, stepped up to ona of the guards and ordered him to fire into us. He replied, "I can not do it, Colonel." " I order you to fire into those men," repeated the Colonel, sternly, and again the soldiei: said, " Colonel, I can not do it" The Colonel said no more, but turn- ing on his heel, he walked rapidly away, and I never knew whether the soldier was pun- ished for his disobedience or not The name of THE TODXG SURGEOK in charge of the prisoners, was Yarmony, and he was what was usually termed, "a fast young ifnan." He wore a tasty looking Con- federate uniform, but seemed to care nothing sat all which side was successful in the war. He had been, in other times, a medical student in Kew York city, and said "he'd like to be there again." We generally thought he did what he could for us, considering the limited means at his disposal, but there was one thino- the doctor could not possibly do, and that was to speak without badly stuttering. One of the hospital attendants was the fortunate possessor of a medium sort of violin, and lie LIFE m REBEL PKIS0N3. 309 used frequently to tune his instrument and strike up a lively piece, much to our gratifica- tion. It happened that the Doctor was a great lover of music, and the melodious strains came to his ear one day, when he was making his roimds among the sick. From that time until we left, he made it his daily practice, after making his examinations and prescriptions, to come round and have some favorite air played for his special benefit There was one lively thing, in particular, which he very much liked, and which he called the "I-I-rishman." The first thing he would say, usually; after sitting down, would be, — "■ C-c-come, F-F-Ferguson, p-play us the I-I-rishman ;" so he would give him this and other lively pieces. Then he would say, "N-now p-play something s-soft]" and then something of this sort would follow, much to the Doctor's edification. StiU again he woidd urge, "S-s-sing some- thing." It so happened that Hope, a member of our regiment, was also on duty as an attend- ant in the hospital, and he was widely known as the boy who could sing a song or dance a jig equal to ajiy one. Thi^ Doctor^ being told 310 LIFE IN REBEL PRISO.VS. of this, turned to him, saying, " C-c-come, Hope, s-s-sing us s-s-something, n-never mind w-w-what it is." Hope wished to be excused, but no ; the Doctor would not hear of any excuse, so without saying anything more, he sang the folio whig "true blue" Union song, to the music of "The Sword of Bunker Hill." Sadly we gazed upon that Flag, Tom from a brother's hand ; And shed a tear for those once loved. Now joined to traitor's band. They have left the Flag of Washington, Tlie Flag our Fathers gave ; A richer boon was never given, Ifo prouder flag to wave. But when Je£ Davis raised his hand. To marshal for the fight, Six hundred thousand freemen rose To battle for the right. Then to our God the prayer went up, — Protect our noble band! God bless our cause ! — our Flag now waves Within the traitor's laud. Down, down with that base Rebel Flag! . Tread it beneath your feet; And gaily to the breeze unfurl That Flag we love to greet. Wave on, wave on, thou glorious Flag ! And still our song shall be. Long live, long live that good old Flag, — Three cheers, three cheers, for thee! The Doctor seemed not at all displeased LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 311 •with the sentiments of the song, but if he -were, he very quietly kept it to himself. The shelling of the city continued the whole time we were there. During the day the ex- plosion of the shells would not be heard on account of the noise in the camp; but at night, when all was still, we could distinctly hear the booming of the cannon, and the scream of the shell from the moment it left the muzzle of the gun, imtil it fell, with a crash, into some building of the city, and there exploded with a dull sound. The papers claimed that no lives had been sacrificed, but we heard from Union people that a great many had been killed, and that a large part of the city was entirely uninhabited. Receiving no medicine one day, we learned through the Surgeon that one of our shells had visited the office of the Medical Purveyor and rendered it necessary to remove it to a safer place; consequently, the usual issues were withheld. 312 LIFE IX KEBEL PRISONS. THE YELLOW FE^'EE began to rage fearfully, and many of the offi- cers and men among our guards, of the 5th Georgia Regiment, died of it. It did not make its appearance, however, among the prisoners, imtU about the 1st of October. Two of the hospital attendants were then seized with it, and were at once removed to a place used solely for such cases. Then commenced our removal from Charleston to Florence, which was prosecuted Avith as much rapidity as pos- sible, and we were not sorry to have a long distance intervene between us and the dreaded disease. About fifteen hundred a day were taken, and the last of us left on the 8th. Those who were well went first, and the sick in the hospital last. I was one of the last to leave the spot^ and therefore happened to ha an eye-witness of a very laughable afFaii-, Squads of rebel soldiers and a few of their officers were sauntering lazily over the desert- ed camp, when suddenly and accidentally they made an important discovery. Two of the prisoners had got into a well during the night, LIFE IN REBEL PKISO.nS. 313 and had been covered over with some old rub- bish by their comrades, hoping in this way to remain concealed luitil darkness should come again, when they designed to crawl out and make for our forces at Port Royal ferry. They had either been hastily or carelessly covered, and in consequence, one of the "Johnnies" had caught a glimpse of them. Of course they were immediately unearthed and brought forth, looking dirt3'^, and evidently feeling rather cheap to be made the subject of laugh: ter both by the rebels and their own men also. The rebels now went to work, and probed the ground with short sticks, and thus succeeded in digging out quite a number of "Tanks" who were attempting this underground way to freedom. This was an entirely new dodge to the rebels, and one which they had not dreamed of, and but for that unfortunate glimpse, it would have been a success. After the ground had been thoroughly canvassed, and they were con\'inced that no more of us were stowed away, we were loaded into the cars, Tvhich were in waiting, and soon sped away^to Florenge and another stockade. 314 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. That ride I shall never forget The cars, as usual, were simply those which had been used for freight, and they were filled to their utmost capacity with the sick, many of them so bad and helpless as to be brought to the cars on stretchers. Most of them Avere covered Avith filth and vermin, and the odor that filled the place where we were was sufibcating. As if apprehensive that these skeletons, like riches, might "take to themselves wings and fly away," a couple of guards were placed over us, to keep us in the proper sphere. It may be, however, that they were not unmindful of what had once occurred at Andersonville, and concluded that no precaution could be too great. It was the custom in the prison there, to carry a man's body to the "dead house" on a stretcher, as soon as the breath was gone. One day a man so successfully counterfeited death, that he was carried out of the gate, past the scrutinizing gaze of the guards, and deposited in the wonted place ynth. a long row of really dead men, where he remained im- movable imtil the shades of night came on, when -he "made himself scarce." Ever after LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 315 that, a sentinel was placed over the dead, to see that they did not run away. At one of the stations between Charleston and Florence, the train stopped for wood aifd water. An old darkey woman came out with several "pones" of corn-bread for sale at $2 apiece, in Confederate money. My whole worldly fortune consisted of just that amount, and as I was very hungry, I concluded to invest it in that way. She had only one or two cakes left, however, and a score of voices were shouting, "This way. Aunty!" — ^^'Let me have it!" — ^''Here's your money!" &c., but by dint of great yelling, and continued waving of the dirty-looking bUl, I finally secured one of the " pones," and when I got it, it was nothing but meal and water baked before the fire with- out any salt ; but it tasted good then. CHAPTER IX. AKKIVAL AT FLORENCE. We made our entrance into Florence, or, as we afterward learned; about a mile froln it, 316 LIFE IN EEBEL PKISOxN'S. at ten o'clock in the evening. Here we were ordered to leave the cars, and spend the night in what had once been a corn-field, making our bed between the furrows. It was a cold, frosty night, and we suffered intensely. Our guards had bright, good fires, but ive were neither allowed to come nigh them, or get any wood for ourselves^ so all we could do was to let our teeth chatter, our knees knock together, and wait for daylight and the warmth of the sun. When it did rise, we well-nigh forgot these things in that other thing it dis- closed — the dreaded stockade! At about eight or nine we entered the prison, and although our sensations were dif- ferent than when we entered our Georgia prison, yet I think we felt worse now than we did then ; for at that time we did not dream of being held but a short time, and now we were asking ourselves in fear, "Can we live here through this Avinter?" Then, again, when we entered Andersonville, we were strono- and robust, while now, those of us who were alive were broken down by long-continued exposure to all .weather £Cud all diseases. In the sorrow LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 317 of our hearts, we inquired, "What can the government be thinking of, that it leaves us here, month after month ?' The interior of the prison, in its general features, resembled very much our old place of confinement. A swampy spot extended through the center, with a hill upon each side, but in one respect this was far superior, inas- much as a fine stream of clear, cold water ran through the whole prison. The stockade enclosed, it avouH seem, about fifteen acres of land, nearly five of Avhich were rendered una- vailable by its being so swampy. The "dead line" there was marked by a shallow ditch, or furrow, having no railing at all. Instead of sentry boxes, the guards walked upon an elevated beat of earth, which was thrown up so high as to overlook the camp, — the top ^ of the stockade reaching about breast high to a man of common height. The enclosure itself was built of unhewn trunks of trees, of nearly a imiform length, which were let into the ground, and placed side by side very closely. No tents or shelter of any kind. Avere furnished us. East. 1. Stockahe. 2. Dnin Lines. 3. Hospital. 4. Prison Gate. f. Bkooe. 6. Swamp. 7. Cacseivat axi) Bridge. 8. Elevated Platform for Ae- TILLERY. 9. Streets. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 319 When prisoners were first put into it, a large number of trees were left standing, but they had all been cut down Avhen we entered and the stumps were being worked up. Part of our regiment were among the first to enter at this time, and we improved the opportunity to lay in an ample store of wood for the win- ter ; beside Ave were able to build some quite comfortable huts with the material we gath- ered. The 5th Georgia regiment, which guarded us at Charleston, were sent on to guard us here. There were also several bat- talions of conscripts, or "reserves," stationed there for the same purpose. We found "with surprise and sorrow that many of our men had really taken the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, and had gone into the Southern army, and that stiU more had signified their intention of doing it. Over at our left was a camp which we were told was occupied by those prisoners who had taken the oath. It was not hard to account for it. They were ragged, half starved, and death Avas staring them in the face. By entering the Southern army they, no 320 LIFE IN REBEL PKISOXS. doubt, expected to receive better food, and it was their hope and intention, also, to escape at the first opportunity. We all shuddered at the prospect of staying through the winter in the Confederacy, if, indeed, we should live so long. Our rations, at first, were flovu', com meal and beans. We Avere organized as^ in Charles- ton, into "thousands" and "hundreds," — the whole nmnber being about twelve thousand. Soon after our entrance, we heard that most of bur comrades whom we had left behind in the Georgia prison, because they were too sick to go" with us, and whom we had never expected to see again, were really in the hos- pital, about a mile from us. We had a great curiosity to see them, and hear of their adven- tures since September, and, indeed, necessity seemed to render it quite probable that I might be an inmate of the hospital, too, for my hand, though better than it had been, Avas still a source of great trouble, and needed care. At about four o'clock every afternoon, the Surgeon in charge. Dr. Strother, would come to the prison gate and take out all whom LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 321 he thought best to have go. Those who were ' able, walked to the appOmted place, and an army wagon, drawn by a span of mules, con- veyed the rest. One afternoon I presented myself at the gate, with ^a score or more of the sick, and when the doctor came he kindly admitted me to the hospital with the others, although my general health was quite good at the time, the vegetables I had procured at C- having infiised new life mto my system. I went with those who were able to walk, but as most of the crowd were lame with the scurvy, we had to march at a slow pace to accommodate them. We reached the place of our destination just before sunset, and found it guarded, and also siu-roimded by a "d6ad line." Some preten- sions to shelter were made, in the shape of nine long sort of sheds, made of a frame-work of poles overlaid with pine boughs, which afforded some protection from the sun, but none at all from, the rain. There were ward divisions, eleven in nvun- b6r, and each one was in charge of a ward- master, assisted by from eight to ten nurses. 822 LIFE IN KEBEL PBI30NS. , There were also seven stewards, whose busi- ness it was to receive the medicine from the dispeiisary, and see that it was faithfully administered to the sick, of whom there were about sixty in each ward. Not far from the middle of the month I recovered sufi&ciently to be detailed* as a HOSPITAL STEWARD, procuring the situation quite readily because of my knowledge of medicines, having been a drug clerk before entering the army. In a day or two after this, in company with a num- ber of the other hospital attendants, I was marched over to the head-quarters of Lieut. Col. Iverson, and there signed the following parole of honor: Head-Quakters, Military Peisoit, Floresce,S. C, Oct. 19th, 1864. "I,\R. H. Kellogg, Sergeant Major 16tli Conn. Vols., a paroled prisoner of ivar, do hereby pledge my word of honor that I will not violate my parole by going beyond one-half mile from the hos- pital limits. Witness, C. H. Moodt. (Signed,) E. H. Eellogo. I now had a good opportunity to observe many things, which otherwise I would never have known. Whenever I could get away LIFE IN KEBEL PMSONS. 323 for an hour or so, without neglecting my duties, I did so. About this time. Dr. Strother, the young Surgeon who had been in charge, was taken with the yellow fever, and nearly lost his life in consequence. His place was supphed by the Assistant Surgeon, Junius O'Brien, a Kentuckian, and one of the most rabid secessionists I had ever known. When he detailed me as a steward, he asked me what State I was from. "Connecticut, sir," was my reply. ""Well," said he, "I am down on men from that State.. That's where they make wooden nutmegs, isn't it?' "Yes, sir! and oak hams, too." I passed, however, notwith- standing the unfortunate connection. WhUe there we received a large lot of sup-: plies from the U. S. Sanitary Commission, con- sisting of shirts, drawers, hats, shoes; stock- ings, slippers, dressing gowns, blankets, bed- qmlts, besides things for the comfort of the sick, such as condensed coffee and mUk, extract of beef, tomatoes in tin cans, &c. These articles were stored in the log house used as a dispensary, and one of the prisoners placed in charge of thera. -^They were drawn 324 LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. from this-place as ih.ej were needed, by the stewards, and by tbem given to the ward-mas- ters, who issued them to the sick men in their respective wards, they keeping an account of them as they were expended. The Surgeon and other officers acted very honorably, allow- ing nothing to be stolen or wasted. The supply of medicines for the sick were obtained from Dr. Chisholm, the medical pur- veyor at Columbia, S. C. They were limited in their variety, and entirely insufficient in quantity. What was furnished for a month's supply, was barely sufficient for half that period. When the drugs failed entirely, resort was had to the bark of forest trees, of which strong - decoctions were made. One of the principal remedies for diarrhea was prepared froin oak, sweet gum, and persimmon bark. There was also a ionic made from the bark of the wild cherry. Nearly all the packages of herbs in the dispensary, bore the label of the «C. S. A. Laboratory," but the quinine, and valuable drugs, had on a foreign label, English, I think, and undoubtedly found their way into the country by way of the blockade runnera.. LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. 325 A sour beer was made from com -meal, and administered to those wlio had the scurvy, with very good effect But a great many of our men died there, and were buried on the plantation of Dr. Garrett, a wealthy land- holder, and an owner of many slaves, but who was said to be a Union man. He offered to enclose the ground used as a place of burial, by a railing, to preserve it from desecration, though I am not aware that it was ever done. The dead were carted away from the hospital every morning, in an army wagon drawn by mules. The deaths amounted to twelve per cent, per month of the whole number. As in Andersonville, they were piled one upon another until the wagon wias filled. A party of prisoners were at work every day' digging trenches where the bodies of the dead soldiers were to be laid. About the 20th of the month the hospital, with all the sick, was removed inside the stockade, a reason for which we never ascer- tained. For some time after, the sick were without shelter, but by the first of November one barrack, or shed, was completed for their 14 326 LIFE IN REBEL TKISONS. accommodation, and preparation made for the erection of more. These structures would highly excite the risibles of a Northern house-builder. Two of them were seventy-five feet long, and thirty- one in width, without a nailin them. The frames were made of timber, cut in the swamp near the prison, and fastened together with wooden pins. The roof was made of "shakes," or shingles held on by heavy poles for weights. Dr. O'Brien was now reheved of his duties as Surgeon in charge, by Dr. David Fludd, who was one of the origiaal signers of the Secession Act which placed South Carolina out of the Union. He was very kind and gentlemanly, however, with us, and won the respect of aU who knew him. A number of other surgeons arrived about this time, and were assigned to duty in the hospital More patients were admitted also, until the whole number amounted to nearly eight hundred, so many that they could hardly gain sufficient attention to obtain prescriptions or have medicine dispensed to them as often LIFE IN REBEL PKISONS. 327 as necessary bj the stewards. The 5th ward, which was assigned to me, had at one time over one hundred and fifty patients in it, and some of them \evy sick, to whom I had to give medicine, with the help of the nurses, three times a day, and sometimes oftener. It scarcely allowed me time to eat, and it was so with the other stewards. Another supply of Sanitary Commission stores reached us while in this condition. Among other things a large quantity of sheets were sent, some of them entirely new, and of fine quality. The sick men in the hospital were lying upon the bare ground, and these would do them but little good to be spread do^vn in the dirt, so it was decided by the principal surgeon that they be exchanged for sweet potatoes, as these would be of more real benefit to the men, especially those suffering with the scurvy. A notice to this efiect was posted in several different places, and soon the ladies, young and old, were flocking in from all the surrounding country, anxious to make the exchange. In this way quite a large quantity of potatoes was gained and issued to the men in the hos- 328 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. pital. The old sheets were used for bandages, and were invaluable for this purpose, as many amputations of limbs, affected by gangrene, were almost constantly taking place. Many of the ladies who came to the Dispensary to examine the goods, were dressed in the height of fa-shion, wearing clothing of the most costly material. It was difficult to see where the war had cost them much personal suf- fering On each comer of the prison was a -raised platform ; and from two of these, piecea of ar- tillery frowned upon the helpless men inside. At all hours of the day and night, a man stood by these guns, ready for action in case of any attempted outbreak on our part. The ladies usually concluded their visits by ascending to the top of one of these platforms, accompanied by the Confederate officers, and there laugh and joke at the misery of their enemies. No true lady would have stood there and looked with such spirit at the sights before them ; but they seemed to enjoy it. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 329 As the PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION drew nigh, the rebels became intensely excited, and eager to know the result. . McClellan was their universal favorite, and they built high hopes upon the success of this cause. "K McClellan is elected," they would say, "we shall have peace in a short time." I never remember hearing this candidate spoken of in any other terms than those of the warmest commendation. On the day of election, a quantity of white and black beans were given to Sergeant Kemp of the 1st Conn. Cavalry, by the Rebel Quar- termaster, with the understanding that they be used as ballots, whereby the political opin- ions of the prisoners might be ascertained: the white beans representing McClellan, and the black ones President Lincoln. Two empty bags were hung up on the stockade, inside the "dead Ime," and the "thousands" were ordered to fall in, in succession, and all who wished to vote, to march in Ime to the spot. Beans were given them, and one by one they stepped np and deposited their vote as they chose, a 330 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. man standing by, the while, to see that' no fraud was committed. It was conducted fairl j and quietly, but the result was not particularly gratifying to those who commenced it. I have not the exact figures, but I think the propor- tion Avas two and a half for Lincoln to one for McClellan. This was an expression of feeling and opinion among men who were ragged and half famishing with hunger, yet were not in favor of any peace gained by disgraceful com- promise. In about a week after this, the result of the great contest at the North was known, and the rebels were blue indeed. Such a set of sour, gloomy-looking fellows is rarely met with anywhere. They understood the full significance of the re-election. They loiew with sorrow they could not yet lay their armor of^ and that their favorite hobby of "independence from Yankee rule" was far from being realized. This vote of the prisoners was aU the more valuable from the fact that the Administra- tion had been constantly misrepresented by the Confederate officers, to the men who had but little if any means of finding out anything LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. 331 to the contrary. I liad myself heard Dr. O'- Brien repeatedly say to our men, "Your Gov- ernment does n't care anything for you;" and "Your Government wiU not exchange such of you as have served your time out;" and for proof of his statements he would refer to the refusal of Gen. Sherman to exchange a couple of thousand rebels for an equal number of our men, held by Gen. Hood, whose term of service had expired. "Was it a wonder, then, shut out from the world as we were, that the faith of many in our Government was changed to dis- trust?" One of the * PUNISHMENTS at Florence, for attempting to escape, was to suspend the offender hy the thumbs, with the feet from the growid, thus bringing the entire weight of the body upon the thumbs. One afternoon, while at the dispensary, which was outside of the stockade, and but a few rods from the guard-house, I was attracted by the cries and groans of some one who was evi- dently in intense agony. Turning my eyes in 332 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. the direction of the sound, I saw for the first time, one of the prisoners undergoing this ter- rible torture. He was hanging from one of the beams which projected from the roof of the guard-house, swinging in the air, and cry- ing, "Oh, for God's sake, have mercy upon me ! Let me down ! Oh ! mercy ! mercy ! " But mercy was something that his tormentors were not blessed with. My blood boiled as I witnessed this inhuman punishment, and I re- marked that "I would rather be hung by the neck, than to be in such misery." One of the surgeons heard me say it, and reported it to O'Brien, who immediately came to me, and wanted to know what remarks I had made. I repeated the words I had uttered. /""Well," said he, in a great passion, "I detailed you to assist in the hospital, and not to. pass remarks upon the doings of the . Confederate Govern- ment;, and if you are not satisfied, you can return to the stockade." He continued his remarks by saying it was his duty to support his Government in a.11 things, and not to ques- tion whether they were right or wrong. After a long talk vipon the enormity of my offence, 1 - '• .1* t LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 335 I was allowed to return to duty. Then, prob- ably tbinking that be Avould improve tbe op- portunity to tbe utmost, be assembled all tbe prisoners wbo were working outside on parole, and gavQ tliem. instructions as to tbe course it Avas proper for tbem to pursue. "You can thinJc" he said to tbem, "what you please, but you must not express your opinions." This was a right he reserved for himself, and he was constantly forcing his opinions upon us. It was his favorite practice to sit in tbe dispensary by tbe hour, and recite to xis tales of shocking barbarities perpetrated by our troops ; but he never allowed us to speak* of a single instance of rebel cruelty.. It was also particularly distasteful to him to hear of any circmnstance in which a Yankee got the better of a Southerner in any way. But things occurred sometimes to show it untc him, — as, for example, tbe followmg incident: Tbe rebel soldiers belonging to tbe diflferent battalions were frequently granted passes by Lieut. Col. Iverson, which allowed tbem to come into the prison and trade foi* gold pens, rings, pocket-books, knives, buttons, or any- 336 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. tiling that they could get, giving in return sweet potatoes or Confederate money. A "Johnnie" came in one day, with a great desire to obtain some New York State but- tons, which, being very showy, were in great demand and high in price. It was quite plain that he had traded for them before, as he had a full row upon the gray coat he wore, and also four of them on the back. While he was bargaining with two or three of the pris- oners, one of the boys stepped softly up behind, and with a sharp knife cut off the four upon the tails of his coat. Then pre- 'senting himself in front of the "reb," he said, " I have a few York State buttons that perhaps I'll sell you." "Have you?" exclaimed he, with evident joy upon his countenance, "Let me look at them." Taking them in his hand, and carefully examining them, he remarked, "They are just like these on my coat," so pay- ing a good round price for his own buttons, he departed, greatly pleased that he had found some "more of that same kind." A small group of "mudsills" had a quiet laugh to themselves when he was out of sight. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 327 A few rods from the north side of the siockade, was a large camp occupied by SLAVES, several hundred in number, all under the com- mand of Lieut. De Loyle, an engineer officer. This man had the sole charge of laying out the fortifications, and the slaves performed the labor upon them. A line of breast-works had encircled the stockade in a short time, with a small place at each comer, in which to run in artillery. Beyond this was stUl another, and outer line of works, with a deep ditch. The slaves would commence their work early in the* morning, and continue until sunset, stopping only a short time for dinner. Their overseers, or drivers, were black like the rest, and stood with whip in hand directing and hurrying up the work. If they chanced to see one of the men slack at all, they would sing out, flourish, ing the whip at the same time, "Sharp dere, boy; sharp dereV It seemed their disposi- tion to avoid work if it were possible. Sun- days all work was. suspended upon the fortifi- cations, and they sported about in their best 338 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. clothes, wHch. were none of tlie finest at that, however. Evidently, they were a happy, kind-hearted race by nature, but they were kept in great isrnorance, which accounts for some of their peculiarities. That they were often severely whipped in their camp, we know, as the sound of the lash was often heard at the dispensary. The reh- gious element greatly predominates in the colored people generallj^ At their prayer meetings they work themselves up into great excitement. One of our boys once overheard one of them pray, as follows : " Come down, 0, Lord, and /row corn in de winder, and sahe us, poor darkies, from starbin dis yer winter." It was also amusing to hear them sing at their work. One of them, apparently a leader among his brethren, would perform the solos, and the rest would come in on the chorus, keeping time all the while as they pounded away on the breast-works. The followino- is a speciruen of the richness of their songs: " Possum up a gum stump, Coonies in de holler. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 339 Wake snakes, an June bugs, m gib you half a dollar. ClIOKUS. Go 'long squirrel, hum de doodle diim. Go 'long squirrel, hum do doodle dum, Wid yer head upon yer shouldsrs, And yer feet upon der land, I don't know de reason yer don't go 'Iccg.* On ne verse of anotlier is as follows: "Aunt Sister Sal, she had a flea, She hung him up and skinned him. Carried him down to de shootiu' match, And Uncle Ben, he win him. CnoKcs. And Uncle Ben, he win him, And Uncle Ben, he win him. Carried him down to de shootin' match. And Uncle Ben, he win him. Our own condition, in prison and hospital, was still melancholy. Death was still busy- among us, choosing its victims as it saw fit Eev. Mr. Gardner, of the 135th Ohio regiment, died in the early part of November. He was one to conduct the religious meetings at AndersonvUle, and also frequently held short services over some of the poor boys who died there. His illness was a severe and protracted one, and we movimed for him, for he was known and respected by all, but we knew that 340 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. his sufferings Avere over, and that he had gained eternal rest and peace. The Chaplain of the 5th Georgia regiment now preached to us occasionally, and he also sent a great many tracts to be distributed among the patients in the hospital. They were pruited by a Southern society, which issued religious publications, and were quite interesting. It was gratifying to us to see some of our ene- mies taking so much interest in us, as this, but in things relating to our physical need we were left to suffer. About the middle of the month, the rations of the ward-masters, and other hospital attend- ants, were greatly reduced. Before this, we had received plenty of flour, beans, corn meal and salt, Avith an occasional issue of iresh beef, but now a bakery and cook house were con- structed outside, and we received what we had, already cooked, but greatly reduced in quantity. At this same time, our comrades in prison were only getting a pint of coarse corn meal, with the smallest modiciun of salt occar sionally. We were not allowed to carry any of our food to them, and if we ever did it, it LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 341 was by stealth, in order that it might not be detected by the inquisitive gaze of Dr. O'Brien, who was always on the alert to discover such things. Sometimes the rations of the whole camp would be discontinued, for some trifling excuse. I remember one occasion, when the prisoners went without food for sixty hours, and this, too, when the regular diet was simply a pint of meal. The pretense was, that two txmnels had been dug by the prisoners, and everything must be cleared up before any food could be given. The overseer of the prison was Lieut. Bar- rett, of the 5th Georgia regiment, and any one who was ever in that stockade, will always remember him. It seemed that a greater wretch never lived. Capt. Wirz surpassed him in cruel inventions to enhance our misery, but he did not equal him in coarse brutality. Like Capt "W., he constantly used the most profane and blasphemous language, and de- lighted in dramng his pistol and firing it over the heads of the crowd. The 24th came round^-T7id7iJcsgiving day at home, and so I thought it there, for, although 342 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. I had nothing but a crust of bread for dinner, I was so fortunate as to receive two letters from home, giving me the first and only infor- mation I had of my friends since the previous April. I learned that all was well there, but they Avere ignorant of my condition, and knew not whether I was really alive or not. Two days after this, the long looked for time arrived; — the time when we were to be exchanged, or rather paroled, preparatory to such ail act The news of such proceedmgs came to us only an hour before the work began. At about one, P. M., a number of Con- federate officers, accompanied by several clerks, and a small guard of soldiers, came into the hospital. Two tables were provided, and iipon these the rolls were spread out. The masters of the different wards, in turn, called off the names of the patients as they stood on the roll-book, imtil fifty from each ward had been paroled ; making three hundred and fifty in all. One well man was then paroled, to each company of ten sick onesj as attendants. These were selected by the rebel Surgeons, from the hospital nurses, &a v It was ui,thiis LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 343 way I obtained my freedom. No man was allowed fo go, who could not walk up to the table and sign the parole' papers, and for this reason scores of poor fellows were left behind, while their comrades who were stronger, passed out before them. The paper to which we signed our names, as nearly as I can recollect, read as follows : " We, the nndersigned, do solemnly pledge our sacred word of honor, that we will not take up arms agaun In any garrison, fortifica- tion or field work of the United States, or do any polipe or con- stabulary duty, or any duty usually performed by soldiers, until we shall have been duly declared exchanged." Having done this, it was said we would leave for Savannah on Monday. It all seemed like a pleasant dream, but we had been deceived so many times, it was impossible to remove all doubts from the mind. However, I determined to act as if it were a reality, and accordingly I went over to the prison in the evening, and told the boys to have then- let- ters and messages ready the next day, if they wished me to carry them to their friends at home. ' "We were busy all day Sunday in getting the patients in readiness to leave. A special 344 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. requisition for soap was made by tlie surgeon in charge, and the nurses were ordered to see that the men who were to leave were scrubbed clean with soap and water, and, if possible, to have them shaved and their hair trimmed. This was done so as to render them presenta- ble to our forces at time of dehvery. One of the men in my ward, who was paroled, died on Saturday night. Exchange came too late for him, as it did for many others. Shortly before sunset on Monday, we were marched out of the stockade, and encamped for the night near the cook-house ; and here, two days' rations were issued to us. That night we had a joUy time. No guard was placed over us, and we were left to do just as Ave pleased. While we were there, two rebel soldiers paid us a visit. One of them kept a sharp lookout lest they should be seen or heard by some of their officers, and the other carried on quite a conversation with us. "They knew we were going home," he said, "and wished us to go v\rith correct impressions of the true state of things among them." "My Father always LIFE m EEBEL PEISONS. 345 taught mo to love the Stars and Stripes" he continued, "and never to raise a hand against them ; but I am here in the Southern army because I can not help myself, and there are hundreds of men in the army who feel as I do, butit mil not do for us to let our opin- ions be known. We are Hving imder a com- plete military despotism." That he was sin- cere and truthful in his expressions, I have no doubt. " We were aroused at two o'clock in the morning, and marched over to the raihoad track, a distance of half a mile, where the roll of the entire body of paroled men was called, after which we were loaded into the train, which had arrived in the meantime. Fifty- five prisoners and two guards were placed in each car. Dr. Orme, of Milledgeville, Ga., went with the tram, and he did his duty' well. A large tub was put in each car, and a body of men detailed to keep them filled with good water. We had started from Florence at sunrise, and arrived at Charleston after dark in the evenmg, having been all that time in running 346 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. a distance of one hundred and three miles. We waited a long time at one station, and upon inquiring into the cause of the delay, we were told by the engineer that he had been running faster than schedule time al- lowed, and therefore he must wait awhile. We stayed about two hours in the last-men- tioned place, and then left on another train for Savannah. While on the Avay, we passed a train loaded with Union prisoners. We had an opportunity to speak with them, and learned that they had been confined at Black- shire, S. C, and were on their way to Florence from Savannah, Avhere they had expected to be exchanged, having been previously paroled. We did not know what to make of this, and began to doubt quite seriously whether we Avere, even now, tq realize our hopes. We made very slow progress, but finally reached the city of our destination, where we found great excitement m regard to Sherman's ad- vance, his army being only forty-five miles distant. The negroes and citizens were hard at work, throwing up light earth-work defen- ses, such as the General's veterans would LIFE IN REBEL PKISONS. 347 laugh at "What we could see of the city, gave us very good impressions. The streets were wide and straight, and lined with beauti- ful trees, loiowh as the "Pride of India." The houses were neat and handsome, and indicated taste and refinement on the part of their pos- sessors. Here we were taken from the cars, to spend the night on the corner of Liberty and East Broad streets, in a vacant lot. Some of the citizens came to see us. I had a short conversation with a wealthy cotton- factor, in which he said, "I have not handled a gun yet, and I do not intend to ; and as for Gen, Sherman, I'm not at all alarmed aboiil his coming, for I have nothing to fear from liim." The next morning the weather was clear and pleasant, and we marched down to the dock not long after sunrise, where three steamers were in waiting for us, and we imme- diately went on board. Here the old women, who made it a point to avail themselves of every opportunity to sell something to the soldiers, presented their baskets filled with pies, cakes, &c., and the boys, full of glee at 348 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. the prospect before them, were ready for a little fun, and therefore made corresponding offers, such as $100 in Confederate money, or three cents in silver, for a piece of pie, — a dis- tinction in the value of currency that some of the Southern bystanders did not relish partic- ularly. The names of the respective steamers were the "Beauregard," "General Lee," and "Jeff Davis," The first carried the officers, and was also the flag-of-truce boat. The two latter carried the enlisted men. They were steered by three rudders. * At about nine o'clock A. M. we started from the dock, the "Beauregard" carrying the flag of truce in advance, and the other two follow- ing at a respectable distance in her wake. Just before leavmg. Dr. Orme said to Hospital Steward Eeed of the 12th N. Y. Regiment, "You can tell your people at home just as bad stories as you please about the manner m which you have been treated, — anything that will hasten an exchange, for we want our men badly. But don't represent that we are nearly whipped, for, as long as there is a pine tree LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 349 left for lis to sleep under, we will fight you." The Dr. was indulging in this same style of bombast one day in the hospital, when he was reminded by one of the ward-masters, a brave Ohio boy, that "they didn't talk in that style at the front." Upon that, the Dr. thought best to subside. To return to our trip. The distance from the city to owe fleet was about twelve miles, and we reached Venus Point, the rendezvous, at ten o'clock. On our way down the river, we were passed by an iron-clad steamer dash- mg up toward the city^at a rapid rate, — the same "Savannah," I think, which was blown up by the rebels on the surrender of the city to Gen. Sherman. Another formidable mon- ster of iron was anchored in the stream near Fort Jackson. The river just below the fort was obstructed by rafts of timber, &c., leaving but a narrow channel to pass through. Only vessels of light draft could pass at all. The one I Avas in struck something which threw it up a foot or tw:o, but did no serious damage at all. Hav- ing passed through this, we soon found our- 350 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. selves nearing our own noble fleet, and there was our Flag, flying from the rigging of a large steamer. It was impossible for us to gaze upon that precious emblem of Freedom with dry eyes. It was a touching sight to see the upturned faces, the eager gaze of our men. Never before was that flag so dear to our -hearts. How insignificant and contemptible in comparison was the flaunting Rebel rag that had so long been displayed to us. The "Beauregard" steamed up side of one of the vessels, and held communication with those on board, while we lay ofi" in the stream awaiting the result. Capt. Hatch, the Eebel Exchange Agent, finally signalled to our steamer, and in a few moments we were alongside one of our transports, the "Star of the South," ready to go on board. When we stepped our feet upon her decks, we breathed easily, and not before. The as- sertions of the rebel officers that our Govern- ment would not receive men whose term of service was out, led us to doubt whether we should meet with any reception at all, or be tiu-ned back to linger yet longer in rebel hells. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 351 At the time of our parole, the rebel officers had taken, as far as practicable, those men whose time had expu'ed, evidently intending to cheat the Government as much as possible; and one of the examining Surgeons also took out some of the men for bribes, obtaining in this way gold rings, greenbacks, &c. Two of my own comrades succeeded in making their escape in this way. Moored on the river with the steamer al- ready named, were the "New York" and the "Crescent." The otie first mentioned was styled the "receiving ship," and we went on board that when we left the rebel craft From there we went to the second one, as fast as circumstances would allow, that being desig- nated the "clothing ship." ' : Here we were called upon to divest Our- selves of our wretched garments and throw them aU away, and we saw the miserable rags float down the river without the least feeling of regret, — and our old companions, the lice, also. We washed ourselves in water dipped from the cold stream, and though it caused some shivering sensations, we were heartily 15 352 LH^ IN BEBEL PKISOKS. glad of an opportunity to be clean once more. As fast as this was done, we were marched in a row to the counter, where each man was given a new suit of Uncle Sam's blue, and a good pair of shoes. Being thus washed and clothed, and "in our right minds" we were aUowed to go on board the "Crescent," which was the "feeding ship." There we received our first meal of army food, and what a feast it was. We could not find words strong enough to express our admiration ; — and that pint of hot coffee; — it was fit ambrosia for the gods and goddesses ; neccdr^— which in- spired one with happiness and contentment. I doubted if there was ever a happier crowd than we were that night. Some danced, others sang, and every one was full of jokes and good humor over our fine for- tune. "How is this," says one, "are we going to another stockade?" "Not muchly, I guess," responds the one thus interrogated. "How are you, com meal?" says another, "that's played, isn't it, Tom?" "If I know myself, it is," gaUy replies Tom. LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 353 Still another, thinking of home, says, "I wonder how we'll find things up North^ and I'd like to know if my girl has gone and mar- ried another, while I've been down in our Georgia ^e?z." He had been a prisoner a long time, and it would be no wonder if he had long ago been given up by his friends as one dead. One group might be heard singing ."Just before the battle, Mother," and other patriotic airs, and still another company were engaged in looking at the rapid steps of one of the boys, who Avas dancing a jig, and in this way some of the abundance of good feeling escaped. No sooner did one tire than another took his place, but there were many who were too weak to indulge in any such active demon- strations of joy, but Avho sat with a quiet smile upon their thin faces, drinking in all the fun that was going on about them. In the exuberance of our joy, I trust we did not forget to thank Him, who from on high had watched over us in all our ways, and had finally brought us deliverance. From the "Crescent" we went on board the 354 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. transport " Gen. Lyon " and when we finally weighed anchor, we felt that we were leaving the Confederacy for the pleasanter scenes of our northern homes j gettmg into "God's coimiry" once more, as the boys called it. No tears were shed as the land of the traitor faded away in the distance, but 'only congratula- tions were heard, and hopes expressed that we might never be called to sojourn there again. After we had passed Fort Pulaski, and were well out upon the ocean, there came up a fresh gale of wind, and the sea was rougli. It AYas not long before many were seen lean- ing over the side of the ship, evidently inclined to part with the good things they ■had so warmly praised a little time before. The sailors enjoyed the rough condition of afiairs, and doubtless looked with supreme contempt upon us poor landsmen, who were able to endure so little. As we Avere proceeding, our steamer stop^ ped to overhaul a small schooner, which had run the blockade with about eighty bales of cotton. The first mate, with a boat's' crew, LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 355 "went on board of her, but after taking an inventory of her cargo, tbey returned, altoAV- ing her to pursue her course. Why it was done we did not know, but it was probably for good reasons, or at least, so considered. But Capt Ward was heard to say, he would send somebody after them who would take care of them. The next day was beautiful, with fine sailing, and we were going in just the right direction for us. Nearly all sail was set, and under the combined influence of wind and steam, we sped along right merrily— "Homeward Bound." We saw several sails in the distance, in the morning, and at noon one of our naval vessels sailed near us, when, one of their officers put a speaking trumpet to his lips, and hailed us with the enquiry, " Who are you?' ^" Transport, Gen. Lyon," replied our Captain, "with paroled prisoners." "Where are you from?" continued they. "From Sa- vannah river," we told him, with the additional information that we had fallen in with a block- ade runner the day before. "Where?" "Off Charleston."^!^' All right, sir," said they, and off-they^went in pursuit of it. We continued 356 LIFE m REBEL PKISONS. our course, and passed Cape Hatteras at about eight o'clock in the evening. The sea at this point was very rough, and our steamer rolled and pitched in a way that was any- thing but delightful, but were we not near- ing the long wished for port, and should trifles vex us? Just before reaching Fortress Monroe, we passed a large school of whales, which were spouting and blowing in all directions. They came very near to the steamer ; so near that we could plainly see their backs as they sported about in the water. We remained an hour or two at ttis place, so well known in tlie history of the war, and then weighed anchor again, bound for Annapolis, Md. As we arrived at this latter place, or neared the dock, we were greeted with "Hail Columbia," from the Maruie Band, and its cheering strains never fell upon the ears of inore grateful list- eners, for we felt that it savored strongly of '■Home." We were soon on shore, and ivell cared for, and now, we said, "our troubles are all over." There we received two months' pay, and commutations of rations for the LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 357 time we had been in prison, at the rate of twentj-five cents a day, and tliis was followed by the happy sequel for us, — a thirty days' furlough. Eations issued by the United States Goveroment to Rebel Pris- oners of War. — (Note tlie difference.) Hard Bread, 14 oz. per one ration, or 18 oz. Soft Bread, one ration. Com Meal, 18 oz. per one rat'on. Beef, 14 " Bacon or Pork, 10 " " " Beans, 6 qts. per 100 men. Hominy or Eice, 8 lbs. " " Sugar, 14 " " " R. Coffee, 6 " ground, or 7 lbs. raw, per 100 or men. Tea, 18 oz. per 100 men. Soap, 4 " " Adamantine Candles, 5 candles per 100 men. Tallow Candles, . 6 " Salt, 2 qts. " Molasses, 1 qt. ' Potatoes, 30 lbs. " " Statement of Clothing issued to Prisoners of War, at Fort Dela, ware, from Sept. 1st, 1863, to May 1st, 1864. IjlfS Pairs Drawers, (Canton FlanneL) 6,260 Shirts, (Flannel.) 8,807 Pairs Woolen Stockings. 1,094 Jackets and Coats. 3,480 Pairs Bootees. 1,310 Pairs Trowsers. 4,378 Woolen Blankets. 2,680 Great Coats. Average number of prisoners, 4,489. CHAPTEK X. _ LIBBY. Feom the comer of a dingy brick building in one of tbe streets of Eichmond, Va, may be seen a small sign, -wliicli tells to the passer by, that "Libby & Son, ship chandlers and grocers," have invited their patrons to this point, as the one where their business was conducted, and where those must repair who were interested in bargains particularly asso- ciated with their vocation. It was not of sufficient importance, in time of peace, to obtain a very wide celebrity, neither were the owners thereof so distinguished as to be of great notoriety, but as the inauguration of war has inducted many into office who were hitherto obscure and unknown, so the contin- gencies of our civU strife, has opened this place to the public gaze, and made it famous, or rather wfamous, before the world, beside conferring a lustreless fame upon the propri- etors. I The very name of Libby has become synonomous^ with ' that * of lierr or V¥ itl <;arries LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 359 tyranny and oppression in its simple sound. The soldier who is taken prisoner hi Virginia vales, is at once haunted with visions of this darksome den, and shrinks from entering a place so full of bitter experiences as that is known to be. Fierce hate and revenge reign supreme there, and consequently there is wrought out a system of discipline which produces a condi- tion, such as we might expect when the dis- cordant elements of being rage vmehecked, and we are not surprised to find the culmina- tion reached in almost fiendish expression. Thousands who have been in libby prison, will rehearse the story of their misery, want and woe, to others; these will pass them along to other listeners still, so that the echo will scarcely die out at the remotest period of the present generation. Households, in com- ing time, will gather about the fireside, and talk of their friends and ancestors who ended their days in so much wretchedness, because of their attachment to the Union, and in pro- portion as their bravery and heroism, their courage and constancy is admired, wiU the 360 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. malice and fury of their persecutors be con- demned. It may be, and probably is, one of the es- sentials of war, that places be provided for the confinement of prisoners, but they do not necessarily include every species of torment which the human mind is capable of conceiv- ing. They should not naturally presuppose the absence of all humanity, and tho annihi- lation of every condition of comfortable ex- istence, as they have seemed to, in almost every part of the South where the Confeder- ate authorities have opened them. Says one of the 16th Conn. Regiment, who was in Libby for a season, "Their treatriient of prisoners was very abusive, kicking them, and never speaking of one only in the most oppro- brious terms. The nights were very cold, and there being nothing but gratings in the windows, the men were obliged to walk the whole night long, to keep from freezing, and if they could meet the friendly embrace of slumber at all, it was durmg the day, when the sun would shed its kindly beams upon thein, and so imparting ^ ^ 111 III, LIFE IN REBEL PEISONS. * 363 sufficient warmth to their bodies to keep them rem shivering." We have an idea of then- utter destitution when we Hsten to the statement he makes re- specting the manner of their obtaining the food which they must have in some way, or perish. "I have seen men," he says, "draw their bean-soup in their shoes, for tho want of a cup, plate, or anything of the kind to put it in." And what seemed worse than all the rest, was the almost Satanic rule, that if a man was caught resting his eye upon the glad scenes of nature through a window, he must be quickly translated from earth by the baU of a musket. The whole thing is arbitrary in the extreme, but we could expect little else under the very shadow of the Confederate Capital, where the original framers of seces- sion go in and out, seeking to form a dynasty, though it be founded in the tears and blood, the cries and groans of their feUow-men, Of the numbers who have been admitted within tho walls of , the liibhy building, we pan seairceljf speak, for. n^ultitudes have been con- 364 LIFE IN EEBEL PRISONS. veyed thither temporarily, to remain only until such time as they could be transported to other places. Very many thousand have found a transient home here, and their united testi- mony is the same. One who visited the place for the purpose of ascertaining the truth for himself, has given the result of his visit in one of the leading journals of the day, and we give the descrip- tion of it in his own words, as affording the best outHne we have been able to get "It-was three stories high, and, I was told, eighty feet in width, and a hundred and ten feet in depth. In front, the first story was on a level with the street, allowing space for a tier of dungeons under the sidewalk ; but in the rear, the land sloped away till the base- ment floor rose above ground. Its unpainted walls were scorched to a rusty brown, and its sunken doors and low windows, filled here and there with a dusky pane, were cobwebbed and weather-stamed, giving the whole building a most tminviting and desolate appearance." Upon passing inside, he says, "We entered a room about forty feet wide and a hundred LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. 3G5 feet deep, with bare brick walls, a rough plank floor, and narrow, dingy Avindows, to whose sash only a few broken panes were clmging. A row of tin wash-basins, and a wooden trough which served as a bathing-tub, were at one end of it, and half a dozen cheap stools and hard-bottomed chairs were littered about the floor, but it had no other furniture. And this room, with five others of similar size and ap- pointments, and two basements floored with earth and filled with debris, compose the fa- mous Libby Prison, in which, for months to- gether, thousands of the best and bravest men that ever went to battle have been allowed to rot and to starve. "At the date of oiu" visit," he continues, "not more than a hmidred prisoners were in the Libby, its contents having been recently emptied into a worse sink in Georgia; but almost constantly since the war began, twelve and sometimes thirteen hvmdred of our officers have been hived within those half-dozen deso- late rooms and filthy cellars, with' a space o| -only ten feet by two alloted to each for all the purposes of living, 366 LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. Overrun with vermin, perishing with cold, breathing a stifled, tainted atmosphere, no space allowed them for rest bj day, and Ijmg down at night 'wormed and dove-taUed to- gether lilce fish in a basket,' — their daily ra- tions only two ounces of stale beef and a small lump of hard corn-bread, and then- hves the forfeit if they caught but one streak of God's blue sky through those filthy windows, — they have endured there all the horrors of the middle passage. My soul sickened as I looked upon the scene of their wretchedness. If the liberty we are fighting for were not worth even so terrible a price, — if it were not cheaply purchased even with the blood and agony of the many brave and true souls who have gone into that foul den only to die, or to come out the shadows of men, — ^living ghosts, condemned to walk the night, and to fade away before the breaking of the great day that is coming, — who would not cry out for peace, for peace on any terms?" We need no other proof of the true noble- ness of soul in the young men of our comitry, than the voices which come ever and anon LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 367 from these forbidding prison-places, tellino- us of a quenchless love for the cause of rio-ht-.of a devotion and fervor that knows no abate- ment ; and a willingness to do and to dare, to suffer and to die, that the tyrant of oppres- sion may be crushed, and the glad hosannas of Freedom ring through the land, and reverber- ate among the hills ; that we may have, not a "circle within a circle," but one that is contin- uous, unbroken, clasping in its mighty embrace a free, happy, and united people. CASTLE THUNDEE. Who that is conversant with Enghsh history, does not know of the Tower of London, and the gloomy associations of that place ? The mind is thronged with dark and mournful memories, at mention of its name ; and so in coming time wiU Castle Thunder appear to the mind and memory of the American. Tliat place, where aU manner of cruelty has been practiced, will not be forgotten. Even in the 368 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. immediate locality, and among the rebels them- selves, it has a most unfavorable reputation, life there being considered Avell nigh the cul- mination of earthly misery. But the length of time that prisoners were confined there, with some other circumstances, render it a place of less note than many other places, and less is said Jabout it. Rebel convicts. Northern deserters and citizens. Southern Union men and negroes, are confined there, and there is a vast deal of suffering and a great amount of inhumanity experienced and practiced. Southerners generally make a broad distinc- tion between the common class of people and those they consider gentlemen, such as occupy a place in the aristocratic ranks of society ; and this disposition was manifest in their treatment of men at the place of which we are speakmg. Persons of the worst character were congregated there, but these men were usually singled out, and elevated to a different sphere, where they received something of the consideration their superior dignity entitled them to ; where less tyranny was shown, and LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 369 more privileges accorded than to the general- ity of the prisoners. The "gratuitous indignities" which have been heaped so unmercifully upon the soldiers in some prisons, were not showered upon them there. But woe was upon many of the unhappy prisoners. The very name is sug- gestive of inflexible rule ; of stern authority and inexorable law, which might not be tram- pled upon without the bolts of Justice falling upon the head of the oflfender. BELLE ISLE. Howard Leedom, of Co. G, 52d N. Y. Regi- ment, was taken prisoner at Orange Grove, near ChancellorsviUe, in November, 1863, and was carried immediately to Richmond, and from thence to Belle Isle, and through liim we obtain a glLtnpse of the fearful tragedies acted there. "The space occupied by prisoners is about six acres, enclosed by an earthwork three feet 370 UFE m REBEL PRISONS. in height ; within this space were confined as many as ten thousand prisoners. The part occupied by them is a low, sandy, barren waste, exposed' in summer to a burning sun, without the shadow of a single tree; and in the Avintev, to the damp and cold winds x\p the river, with a few miserable tents in which, perhaps, one half the number were protected from the night fogs of a malarious region ; the others lay upon the groimd in the open air." The officers of nearly all the Southern prisons seem to have imbibed the spirit of the prime leaders of the rebellion, and therefore show out the same ruling purpose in their treatment of prisoners, which appears to be nothing else than present misery and ultimate unfitness on a broad scale, in the case of those with whom they have to deal. The history of the subject of this sketcn is similar to that of thousands of others who have dwelt upon this lonely island in James river. He Avas conveyed thither as the coldest and most inclement season of the year was approaching, and instead of being allowed to LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 371 retain what little he had that was conducive to comfort, even this Avas taken from him, and he was left in utter destitution. His captors took from him his blanket, and even the gloves on his hands and the shoes on his feet, substituting for the latter, however, a misera- ble pair, so filled with rents as to be scarcely an apology for a covering, affording almost no protection from the cold and frost, as wiU be seen, when we are told that his feet became badly frozen, and all the toes of one foot were lost in consequence. His fortime differed from that of some of his comrades, in that he had something in the shape of a tent to lie under, although it was nothing that would exclude the rain, or keep the sleet from falling thick about him. Many of them had to He in the open ditch, without anything to impart warmth to their shivering bodies; the only shadow of protection being a simple embank- ment, which was thro^vn up about them, evi- . dently designed as their circling boundary. It is not strange, luider these circumstances, that life should become congealed at its Bource, an^ ^hgi it ghould be written of many, 372 LIFE IK REBEL PPJSONS. that they were ^-frozen to death." It is a mel- ancholy verdict to render, but it is confirmed by more than two or three witnesses, and we may' therefore judge it to be established in truth. The heart is sad, as imagination shows those defenceless soldiers, not only bereft of their arms, which were so much their pride to bear, and their glory to wield, but also deprived of every personal comfort and con- venience, and condemned to lie down exposed to the frowning elements of nature, and the still more pitiless abuse of humankind. It were scarcely possible to conceive of more persistent, wholesale misery, deliberately heaped upon men, than the agents of South- ern malice have poured upon their Northern kindred. The racks and the tortures of the Inquisition were terrible, and we shrink back with horror as we peruse the history of this period, but did they rival in enduring anguish, the lingering agonies of these imprisoned ones, who are . consumed by the slow but cer- tain pressure of the foul hand that is upon them ? Tlie flames, as they rise from the fast kindling fagots, and -cm'l about the form of LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 373 the martyr, as he is tied to the stake, have a power to stir our souls mthin us to their utmost depths, but who will say they are more dreadful than the slow burnings which eat out the vitals, leaving the tenement of clay a mere -wreck before the spirit quits its frail abode ? — or more to be feared than the tight- ening of the frosty bands ivhich prevent the play of life, as surely as the anaconda's grasp, or the tiger's embrace ? There are some of these thuiQ;s to be taken as the natural consequences of war, and some^ that are not. We know that ■ the "c^araces and fortunes" of war are varied ; that priva- tions, exposures and suflfering, are the inevita- ble lot of those who engage in the service ; but we seldom hear oxa: willing soldiers com- plain of these. It is the inhuman, inexcusa- ble treatment they receive as ^jrisoners. They bear their misfortunes "bravely and patriotically," complaining not of theh gov- ernment, or of their fate, only blaming the conduct of their merciless enemies, and can we wonder at this ? - The object of their hate in the case of the 374 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. one of whom we have been speaking, suffered severely, merely escaping starvation and death. A little time on the Island sufficed to make him a proper subject for the hospital, into which he was taken to become the victim of pneumonia. There, as well as in prison, he knew what it was to experience hunger, with- out anything to gratify the insatiable demand of the system. Not even com bread was given him in sufficient quantity to appease the gnawing within, meat was a luxury granted only at intervals, sometimes once a day oftener bvit once during the week. His frozen feet received daily attention at certain seasons, while again, for days together, they went with nothing done to soothe the intensity of pain occasioned by the neglect. He survived to tell the story of wrong and sorrow, but multitudes found their graves on the island of the James. In history it will be placed side by side with other places of rebel notoriety, and it will excite the same emo- tions in the hearts of those who shall read the records. Associations will ever hns-er O around Belle Isle, of no pleasing character. It LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 375 matters little liow fair or how uninterestins: it may be by nature, the name Avill start a train of melancholy reflections "whenever it is alluded to. War has introduced it to the public gaze, but only as a place where "sharp- toothed unkindness" has played upon man- kind to the death. SALISBURY PENITENTIARY. The SaHsbury Penitentiary, in North Caro- lina, "was originally designed as a place of pun- ishment for Southern soldiers, guilty of milita- ry offenses, and as a place of committal for hostages, and all those captives the rebels desired to lose in forgetfulness. Later in the liistory of the war, it came into more gen- eral use, and thousands of prisoiiers found a home there, not unlilte, in feature and charac- ter, to many others furnished by the Confed- erate authorities, in their so-called Southern emjnre: When a household was first gath- ered there, the administration of affairs by those placed over it, was comparatively mild. SYS LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. The members thereof Avere allowed the privi- lege of exercising in an open enclosure, two hours each day, thereby reaping the benefit of the exhilarating influences of nature, and many other things conspired to render con- finement tolerable and imprisonment endura- ble. In process of time, however, there came a most unwelcome change. The inmates were compelled to submit to a state of things that was highly revolting. Apparently, the rebels were sorry they had allowed even a shadow of comfort to rest upon the poor men, and therefore went systematically to woric to lessen it That Ave may better obtain an insight into this prison den of the South, we transcribe the testimony of Mr. Eichardson and Brown, both widely known as being prominently asso- ciated with the public press. They were con- fined in this place, each of them, for a consid- erable length of time, and the following state- ment was made by the former before the com- mittee of the conduct of the war : "I was captured," he says, "on a hay bale in the Mississippi river, opposite Vicksburg, on LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 377 the 3d of May, 1863, at midnight." After experiencing a season of confinement in six different prisons, and thus enlarging the circle of his knowledge in regard to the peculiar discipline of Southern ofl&cials, he was finally sent to Salisbiu:y, on the 3d of February, 1864, where he remained xmtil the 18th "of December, of the same year, when he made his escape, thiis gratefully terminating his unhappy and unwilling connection with a people who had no sympathy with his views, and no feelings in unison with his own. "For months," he says, "Salisbury was the most endvirable prison I had seen ; there were 600 inmates. They were exercised in the open air, comparatively well fed, and kindly treated. Early in October, 10,000 regular prisoners of war arrived. It immediately changed into a scene of cruelty and horror; it was densely crowded, rations were cut down and issued very irregularly; friends outside could not even send in a plate of food. The prisoners suffered considerably, and often intensely, for the want of bread and shelter; those who had to live or die on 16 378 , LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. prison rations always suffered from hunger; very frequently one or more divisions of 1000 men would receive no rations for twenty-four hours ; sometimes they were without a morsel of food for forty-eight hours. A few who had money would pay from five to twenty doUars in Rebel currency for a little loaf of bread. Many, though the weather was very inclement and snow frequent, sold the coats from their backs and shoes from their feet. I was assured, on authority entirely trustworthy, that a great commissary ware- house near the prison was filled with provis- ions. The Commissary foimd it difl&cult to find storage for his com and meal ; and when a subordinate asked the post commandant, Maj. John H. Gee, " Shall I give the prisoners full rations ? " he replied, with an oath, "No! give them quarter-rations," "I know from personal observation," he con- tinues, " that com and pork are very abundant in the region about Salisbury." For weeks the prisoners had no shelter whatever; they were all thmly clad, thousands were barefooted, not one in twenty had an LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 379 overcoat or blanket, many hundreds were -with- out shirts, and hundreds were without blouses. One Sibley tent and one "A" tent were fur- nished to each squad of 100 ; with the closest crowding, these sheltered about half the pris- oners. The rest burrowed in the ground, crept under the buildings, or shivered through the night in the open air upon the frozen ground. If the rebels, at the time of our capture, had not stolen our shelter-tents, blan- kets, clothing, and money, they would have suffered Httle from cold. If the prison author- ities had permitted them, either on parole or under gua,rd, to cut logs within two miles of the prison, the men would gladly have built comfortable and ample barracks in one week ; but the commandant would not consent, — he did not even furnish one-half the fuel needed. The hospitals were in a horrible condition. More than half who entered them died in a few days. The deceased, always without cofl&ns, were loaded into the dead-carts, piled on each other like logs of wood, and so driven out to be thrown in a trench and covered with earth. The rebel surgeons were generally 380 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. humane and attentive, and endeavored to im- prove the shocking condition of the hospitals; but the Sahsbury and Eichmond authorities disregarded their protests. On the 25th of November, many of the prisoners had been without food for forty-eight hours, and were desperate, without any ma- tured plan. A few of them said, "We may as well die in one way as another; let tis break out of this horrible place." Some of them wrested the guns from a rehef of fifteen rebel soldiers, just entering Ihe yard, killing two who resisted, -and wounding five or six others, and attempted to open the fence, but they had neither adequate tools or concert of action. Before they could effect a breach, every gun of the garrison was tmned on them, the field- pieces opened with grape and canister, and they dispersed to their quarters. In five minutes from its beginning, the attempt was quelled, and hardly a prisoner was to be seen in the yard. The Kebels killed sixteen in all, and wounded sixty. Not one-tenth of the prisoners had taken part in the attempt, and many of them were ignorant of it until they LIFE IN REBEL PKISONS. 381 heard the guns. DeHberate, cold-blooded mur- ders of peaceable men, where there was no pretense that they Avere breaking any prison regulation, were very frequent. Our lives were never safe for one moment. Any sentinel, at any hour of the day or night, could deliberately shoot down any prisoner, or fire into a group of them, black or white, and never be taken off his post for it I left about 6,500 remaining in garrison on the day, of my escape, and they were then dying at the average rate of twenty-eight per day, or thirteen per cent, a month. The sim- ple truth is, that the Rebel authorities are murdering oiu* soldiers at Salisbury by cold and himger, while they might easily supply them with ample food and fueL They are doing this systematically, and I beheve are killing them intentionally, for the purpose ei- ther of forcing our Government to an exchange, or forcing our men into their own army." In harmony with the above is the testimony of Mr. Brown, also a correspondent of the Tribicne. "I have often wished," says this gentleman, 382 LIFE m EEBEL PRISONS. "that I could obtain a photograph of thcat room in Salisbury prison, for I caH give no idea of its repulsiveness and superlative squalor. The prison was formerly a cotton-factory, about ninety by thirty feet, and when we were there, they had only six or seven hund- red confined within its walls. A dirtier, smo- kier, drearier and more tmwholesome place, I had never seen, than the room in which we were placed. It reminded me of some old junk-shop in South street of the city I had left, and was hung round with filthy rags, tat- tered qviilts and blankets, reeking with ver- mm, which the wretched " inmates used as clothes and bed-covering, and thronged mostly with Northern and Southern citizens, most of whom were in garments long worn out, and as far removed from cleanliness as the wearers from happiness. In that abhorred abode we were compelled to eat and sleep as best we might. There were but two stoves, both old and broken, in the room, and they gave out no heat, but any quantity of smoke, which filled the apartment LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 383 with bitter blueness. Vermin swarmed every where; they tortured us while we tried to sleep on our coarse blankets, and kept us in torment when awake. No light of any kind was furnished us; and there we sat night after night ia the thick darkness, inhaling the foul vapors and the acrid smoke, longing for the morning when we could again catch a glimpse of the overarching sky." How many who have escaped from these pestiferous places ia the South, will follow him who utters these words, with heart-felt appre- ciation, while he tells what he and they have thought and felt. "Thiak," he says, "of this death-life month after month! Think of men of deUcate or- ganization, accustomed to ease and luxinry, of fine taste, and a passionate love for the beau- tiful, without a word of sympathy, or a whis- per of hope, wearing their days out amid such scenes. Not a pleasant sormd, nor a sweet odor, nor a vision of fairness, ever reached them. They were buried as completely as if they lay beneath the ruins of Pompeii or Her- culaneum. They breathed mechanically, but 384 LIFE m BEBEL PRISONS. were shut out from all that renders existence endurable. Every sense was shocked perpet- ually, and yet the heart, by a strange incon- sistency, kept up its throbs, and preserved the physical being of a hundred and fifty wretched captives, who, no doubt, often prayed to die. Few persons can have any idea of a long imprisonment in the South. They usually regard it merely as an absence of freedom, a deprivation of the pleasures and excitements of ordinary life. They do not take into con- sideration the scant and miserable rations that no one, tmless he be half-famished, can eat ; the necessity of going cold and hungry in the wet and wintry season; the constant torture from vermin, of which no care or precaution can free one; the total isolation; the supreme dreariness, the dreadful monotony, the perpet- ual turning inward of the mind upon itself, the self-devouring of the heart, Aveek after week, month after month, year after year." Such are some of the horrors of our cruel war, — ^horrors thrust upon us by the unprinci- pled and designing leaders of a wicked rebell- ion, who thirst for power and conquest, regard- LIFE IN KEBEL PRISONS. 385 less of the cost by which they expect to obtain them. They hesitate not to pass through rivers of anguish and seas of blood, if it be necessary to the accomphshment of then: unhallowed purposes, and in view of it, one can scarcely forbear saying with Cowper, — " Let eternal infamy pursue The wretch, to naught but his ambition true." EALEIGH. Statement of Hospital Steward Butler, of the 16th Conn. Eegiment, respecting the prison at Ealeigh, N. C, where he was con- fined. "This was comparatively a favored place, and any one going thither from AndersonvHle, Millen, or Florence, could say, 'The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places,' so great- was the contrast. Doubtless this was owing, in some measure, to the strong Union element that existed in the vicinity. The expressions 386 LIFE m REBEL PRISONS. of feeling with other manifestations, convinced ' us that this was the reahty. Had the authori- ties allowed the people to contribute freely to the wants of the prisoners, it is not improba- ble they would have fared a great deal better than the rebels themselves, but the citizens were not allowed to visit them, or send them luxuries of any kind. Although this was strictly prohibited, and the reiteration made constantly,- that nothing but ordinary fare should be allowed the captives, yet the friends of the Union and the soldier, outside the prison walls, did contrive, in various waj-g, to minister to the wants and add to the comfort of the men. The ladies of the city were not at all inclined to that insulting, abusive manner, which was characteristic of their more south- ern sisters. It was not uncommon for them, while passing the hospital, to throw in bouquets through the open windows to the poor sick ones. Many similar acts of kindness and esteem were thus imostentatiously performed, so that we felt that it was quite to the praise of the good people of Raleigh that we were LIFE m REBEL PKISONS. 387 treated with so much consideration and respect. Instead of the loathsome and repulsive prison pen, the abode of filth and indescriba- ble wretchedness, we had comfortable bar- racks. Instead of the inhuman and barbarous usage to which our fellow soldiers had been subjected in other prisons, we were kindly and courteously treated, receiving the same attention as the rebel sick and wounded, with the exception of those things Ave have named as restrictions. The hospital was large, commodious and well ventUated. Beds Avere provided, and comfortable clothing allowed. The food Avas AA'holesome, and doubtless as good as could be prociued, under the circiunstances. Adjoining this building Avas a large yard, or rather field, Avhere our men had plenty of room to Avalk and exercise. Games, also, could be instituted to reheve the monotony of continued confinement. Our OAvn men Avere placed in the hospital as attendants, and they also acted therein tmder the direction of the Surgeon, as pcca-^ 388 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. sion might require. This officer was a very good man, and did all in his poAver to make the situation of the men comfortable Avho were suffering from disease. The supply of medicines was quite good, and aU reports and statements concerning things in the hospital were received without the least intimation of distrust or lack of confidence, for unlike some of whom mention has been made, we could rely upon their word when once pledged to us. The men who died in their hands were decently buried, something that can not be said of the thousands who perished at Ander- sonvUle, for they were buried in a manner that reflects everlasting disgrace upon the vaunted "Southern chivalry T CAMP LAWTOli. The following is the testimony of Goodyear who was removed from Andersonville, Ga., to the prison known as Camp Lawton, near Millen, in the same State, on the 1st of November, 1864. It was LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 389 pleasantly situated, about eighty miles north of Savannah, in a country Avhere pine forests abounded. Indeed these were a prominent feature in the external surroundings of many of the Southern prisons. Trees would be felled, a clearing made, and here located the rude structure that was to be the cheerless home of thousands for long, weary months. Could a voice be given to these silent groves, and they become witnesses of what they had seen and heard, what revelations would be made of things that can never be known now ! The medium of hmnan language fails to convey all the meaning involved in prison life in the South.- It is true that a great part of the suffering in this present war, as in all wars, must forever remain with the secrets of unwritten history. A few who were themselves actors in the tragic scenes, may rehearse the story of their individual experi- ence, and thus furnish, as it were, a key to unlock the gates through which others may enter and take a look. This is the only way in which the people at large can become ac- quainted with this thrilhng portion of the war. 390 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. and authentic and reliable statements are therefore of deep interest and importance. Forty-four acres of ground were enclosed by the stockade at Millen. The large pine timber which was cut down at the commence- ment of operations, for building the prison, was left upon the ground, and when the first prisoners went into their confinement there, they found these to be greatly to their advant- agej for they were able to construct for them- selves comfortable huts of the logs and branches lymg about them In this respect they were more fortunate than many, or most others. The last division that entered had no shelter at all, or at least, of any account. A small stream of good water ran through the center, which the men highly prized, particu- larly as it afforded the- much needed privilege of bathing. At the time of my arrival there, the list of prisoners numbered nine thousand. The weather was very cold and stormy, and as the majority of the men were very poorly clad, many of them being without shoes, blankets or coats, and also withput shelter, the suffer- LIFE IN EEBEL PEISONS. 391 ing was veiy great. No medicine ^yas issued to the men within the stockade, and but very few were taken outside to the hospital, conse- quently the mortality was fearful. The nvmi- ber of deaths averaged from twenty-five to thirty-five per day. The prevailing diseases w^ere such as are common to almost all prisons — the scurvy, diarrhea and rheumatism. It was no imcommon occurrence for the morning hght to reveal the pallid faces of three or four prisoners who had laid down side by side, showing that death had claimed them all during the night. Such sights were heart- rending to the most unfeeling ; the most sto- ical. A prisoner is condemned to these things, and there is no alternative but for him to gaze iipon them however sad and revolting they may be. He must steel himself against that which once would have sent sympathy through his whole being — a gushing tide. It could not be that the fountain of pity be stir- red to its depths so often, Nature could not sustain the pressure, therefore it seems that the whole is something like a martyr process, in which the very juices of life are crushed 392 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. out by an uncontrollable force. At the begin- ning of my stay at Millen, the rations which ■were issued were double the amount Ave had at Andersonville. We drew one pint of meal, six ounces of uncooked beef, six spoonsful of rice, one tea-spoonful of salt, as our allowance for twenty-four hours. Beans were sometimes substituted for rice, but these were so much eaten by insects that they were often thrown away Avithout being tasted. After a little while, however, the quantity decreased every day, so that they became nearly as small and poor as those issued in other prisons. The prospect of being exchanged or paroled was so small, that some availed themselves of the opportunity to take the oath of allegiance' to the Confederate government, and entered the rebel service. The inducements Avhich were offered them to do this, Avere three bushels of sweet potatoes, a suit of clothes, and one hundred dollars in Confederate scrip. I was myself acquainted with quite a number who did this, and although I would make no excuse for them, I know the motive by which they were actuated. They saw no chance of LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. 393 getting out of prison alive. They had barely clothes to cover their nakedness, and they thought to prolong existence in this way, and coupled -with this was the idea of escaping and fleeing to the Union lines at the very first opportunity. But the whole thing was considered a mean, disgraceful act, by every true patriot. I would have died a dozen deaths rather than to have been guilty of such a thing, and there were thousands of others of the same mind. As the time of the Presidential election drew near, the rebels expressed a desire that we should vote upon the question ourselves. Accordingly ballot boxes were procured, and on the day when the people of the North were deciding the momentous issue, we gath- ered together in MUlen prison, and in the midst of great excitement, gave expression to our political preferences. We knew that it was war or -peace. As we deposited our votes, so did we speak for one or the other, and show forth our position in the country's cause. At sunset the votes were counted, and the result was 3,014 votes for Lincohi, and 1,050 for McClellan. 394 LIFE IN REBEL PEISONS. It was evident by the deafening cheers of the men, that, though broken in constitution, their devotion to the noble cause was firm and unalterable. The guards by whom we were surrounded were more humane than any that had been placed over us at any other point It was a common practice with us to discuss freely the matters relating to existing troubles, and also to trade with them in various little things. An old comb, with half the teeth broken out, would bring about a dollar's worth of provis- ions, and knives, forks and spoons would bring an almost fabulous price. One thing that was done there is quite char- acteristic of rebel barbarism. A surgeon would examine the sick, and take theh names as those to be paroled, and then would go away and sell the poor man's chance to whoever had money. Hard-hearted as this may seem, it was never- theless carried on to a considerable extent. We were finally told that it was necessary to remove all the prisoners to some other lo- cality. We were curious to know what it meant, and one of the men sought information LIfE IN REBEL PRISONS. 395 from the guard. "What are you in such a hurry to remove us for?" said he. "There is a right smart heap of Sherman's men coming do-\vn through here," said the one thus inter- rogated, "and we must tote you away before he gets here." They were determined to ex- ercise \dgilance in this respect, and keep us within their embrace, if possible. We might be given np a prey to Death, — this Avas of little account, for in the silence and inaction of such a state, they had nothing to fear, — but to have us returned where there was the shghtest probabiUty that we should ever bear arms against them, this was something they wished to prevent, and assiduously sought to do. 396 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. THE COUNTRY'S SACRIFICE. As wc conclude the sad story of suffering in which our youthful soldiers hare borne so conspicuous a part, we are compelled to pause and admire their noble endurance, their cheerful sacrifices, and pat- riotic devotion to country amid want and hardship. They deserve a ricti and lasting tribute, but we feel that Sacrifice finds but poor ex- pression in human language, though it should be *' In thoughts that breathe, and words that bum," — for heart-struggles and heart-histories can not be written with the pen, or spoken by the lips. There is no appropriate outward mani- festation for them, nothing to mark the strength and energy of work- ing which characterize the inner experience of those who are exer- cised by them. That the present war in our land, with its varied calls to duty, has caused more of this severe inward struggle than will ever be known, we do not question. Doubtless many went forth actuated by the love of novelty, the desire of adventure, a thirst for excitement, a hope of glory, and fondness for promotion ; but aside from all these, there went a body of men who formed, as it were, a mighty wave of patriotism, rushing down from Northern hills to Southern plains, fill- ing the would-be-conquerors with terror and dismay. The spirit of sacrifice marked them at the beginning. " What if we find a sol- dier's grave," said they,— "What if we sleep upon the field of strife, unknown and unnoticed, provided we fall in the discharge of duty to country and to God ! " This feeling was wide-spread, and every de- partment of labor turned out its representatives. The merchant went from bis damasked surroundings, from measuring off silks and laces for the dainty children of Fashion; the artist laid aside his brush and easel, and turned his back upon the charming studio- the man of culture turned from his literary pursuits upon which he had counted so much; the student, whose delight had been to hn"-er in classic halls, was suddenly animated with new zeal that must needs be cooled, or heightened on the "broad field of battle." The professional aspirant for honor ceased to wed ambition, took a broader look, and went into the service of his country; while the poet, who had found liis soul chiefly blessed in the utterances of lips " wet with Castalian dews," felt that he must slake his thirst at other fountains, — and he, too, was seen on the way. LIFE IN REBEL PKISONS. ^ 397 The minister at the sacred desk felt the new cause blenditi" ivith ais own ; the mechanic and the artisan laid their tools to rest, and took others of a different character, wherewith they might strike for Liberty and Eight ; and everywhere the sturdy yeomanry declared themselves ready to do or die in so noble a cause. They laid them- selves upon the altar of sacrifice, — and who shall tell how rich ihe offering, how precious the incense, that went up therefrom ! If it be wise to talk of anything pertaining to mortals, as being worthy to be recorded " as with a pen of iron and the point of a diamond," then might choice pariigraphs be cuUed from the sacrificial records of these times, for posterity, ages down, to admire. The nobility of manhood has been vastly increased thereby, and lofty purposes and sentiments been written that do honor to mankind. It is true, the voice of lamentation is heard for those who are not. There is mourning for the many who have fallen upon the field of battle, and the thousands who have died in prisons and hospitals ; but if it be true that men live in actiojis more than in moments, in deeds more than in years, it may be these have accomplished more for the cause in which they were engaged, by their death, than they could have done in life. ' A leaf of geranium, withered and faded, lay upon the table as I sat musing upon these things, and the fragile thing, broken from its Stem, suggested points of contrast between itself and that living, breathing plant of human society, which had been torn from the place where it had been wont to grow, and made to droop and die in consequence. A fragrance, rich and sweet, came from the crushed and bruised leaf, more diffusive by reason of pressure, and it raised the inqmry, whethe:: there might not be, after all, holier and more blessed influences attending the hidden properties which a mighty power had wrung out of the heart of the nation, than would have been apparent if it had never been subjected to such a process? The delicate juices which conveyed such odor to my grateful sen- ses, were as a voice that told how the country had been enriched t>y what had been evolved in the struggle to which it was called, and how individuals had been blessed, because the springs had been touched which opened the cells where the most precious incense was stored. Altogether, it whispered of the power and blessedness of sacrifice^ for it made manifest the value of those costly offerings which have been laid upon the nation's altar, and which s6 many have thought to be made in vain. It invested the sighs, tears and groans that 398 LIFE IN REBEL PRISONS. hive been involved, with a peculiar sacrcdness, for they have no liiiimportant mission to perform in creating the more fragrant atmos- phere which is to surround the people of coming time. More, indeed, has been demanded, than was anticipated. Had the veil been up- lifted in that day when the few thousands thought themselves sufii- cieat to annihilate the opposing liost, and the long catalogue of death, disaster, and disappointment been seen, who but would have started back, appalled at the terrible sight ? Who -in the prospect, would have thought he could pass through the fiery ordeal, certamly without being crushed, never to riseagaiu? Staudmg then upon the hill-top and looking out with prophetic vision upon scenes of carnage that were to drench the virgin soil with blood ; with keen sensibility of hearing, listening to the wailing and lamenta- tion that was to be known through the land, — who would not have prayed with an agonized heart to be spared from beholding the time in fearful reahty ' Such a picture spread before us in the summer of '61, as the sure embodiment of what was to come, would have filled every beholder with dismay, and sent the exclamation to every lip — Can it be possible f But such is not Divine appointment Slowly He reveals to men what they are to do and tc sufier, and with the revelation mercifully gives strength to meet it. When He calls to great sacrifices. He -gives the needful preparation, whether it be to individuals or nations. When He has a great work to perform. He provides the necessary materials, whether it be in men or means, -that the work may be well accomplished. Amid, then, all the apparent tumult and discord, the trials and sorrows, the fears and sacrifices of these troublous times, there is reason why the children of men should comfort their hearts and even rejoice, because He who sits upop the throne of the uni- verse knows full welltht best methods of action, the wisest disciplme foi the times, and is surely pledged to make Right triumphant in the end. Peac>5 was the watchword at the beginning of His reign, and it shall be the crowning glory of the same at the last. Then let the fearful and anxious hear a voice from heaven sayin*' unto them *• Dismiss thy fears,— the ark is mine.'- Let them also hear the words, — Sacrifices are jiever lost. ;'-• AGENTS. 399 As ■w^e sliall seJl this -work by traveling agents ex- clusively, -we call to our aid. all -w^ho are ^viHing to assist us in circulating this volume through the length and. breadth of the land. Every man, -woman and child should peruse these pages, and let the truths narrated take firm hold of their minds and sink deep into their hearts. Old men, young men, soldiers, and ladies!— if you •will only spread the facts on this subject through the entire North, it -will raise a storm of indignation, the po-wer of -which -vs^ill be felt through the entire South, from the banks of the Potomac and Ohio to the shores of the G-ulf of JVIexico. "We suppose people -will complain of the price of this -work as of every thing else. Four years aso $1.25 -would have been a lair price. We have added only 40 per cent. Paper has advanced ISO per cent., binders' cloth 400 per cent., binders' board 190 per cent., gilding lOO per cent. The stock is 85 per cent, of the cost of making a book. On top of all this. -we have to pay a hea-\ry government tax. The book should sell at S3.50. "We have lost ®6,000 in the book business the past four or five years, be- sides our time, and the use of $10,000 to #15,000. on capital; yet -we have not made $300 bad debts. "We have sold books less than cost. This' is the trouble. .A.ddress _ „„,-,-.-.-,-.-r-».To. -r, x.t 1- T,, STKBBINS, Publisher, Hartford, Ct. C "W. STEBBIlSrS, Columbus, Ohio, General A^ent for Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky. 400 NATIONAL ENGRAYIIG, FR03I A STEEL PtATB, ENTITLED "BEADING THE PROCLAilATION OF EMANCIPA- TION IN THE SLAVES' CABIN." This is a beautiful iUnstration of a great event in the world's history — the emancipation of slavery in the United States will ever be so con- sidered by all cnilized nations and for all time to come. The sight of this engraving will always produce happy reflections in the minds of every Christian and philanthropist, and should adorn the dwelling of every family in our country. It is the most appropriate illustration that can be made, as it repre- sents the onlv way in which the glorious news could reach the down- trodden and oppressed slaves, viz. : through the faithful soldier, ^^^th- out whom the Proclamation would ever have remained a dead .letter. The design is entirely original, by*a bank note artist, and is truly elegant. The engraving is by one of the best workmen in the coun- try, and is superbly executed. We want agents to canvass all parts of the country. Liberal com- pensation wUl be given. Sold by agents only. Remit S2.50 and we will forward sample print by mail with condi- Cons to agents, post paid, or will send circular free. Size 21i by 23 inches, on fine, heavy, plate paper. L. STEBBINS, Hartford, Ct.