The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-26
LIFE AT FORT LAFAYETTE.

The statements that have from time to time ap-
peared in the "day papers" regarding the pri-
yileees and treatment Of the prisoners confined in
Fort Lafayette, are of such aggravated nature
as to have conveyed the idea to outsiders and the
friends of the inmates that they were "waxing
fat" on the liberalty of the Government, and We're
in fact, enjoying the retreat of some elysieum. In
justice, therefore, to those still ncarcerated, you
will confer a favor by giving the following an in
sertion in your paper, which latter is largely con-
tributed for by the inmates.
The story of your arrest and arrival is follows
GAS soon as you arrive at Fort Hamilton, you are
delivered by the officer in charge to Col Burke
with the accompanying details: He Ohe ColoneD
then sends you with his aid and guard of soldiers
by boats to Lieut. Wood, commanding at Fort
Lafayette On your arrival a receipt is given for
you You then requested to give up all the
weapons and money in your possession. AS the
weapons generally taken to the l. 5. MarshaIs
in the first instance, compliance is, of course,
out Of the question, unless in paroxysm Of un-
abridged patriotism you should consider specta-
cleS included in the category. our trunk, vallse,
or carpet bag is then examined, and if all is cor
rect receipt is given you for the amount obtain
ed The sergeant then takes you in charge and
shows you to your quarters You are then sur
rounded by anxious eyes; scanning your person,
inquring after your "health in general" with
what brought you here" and propOunded be-
fore your wretched feelings have become sufficient
Iy collected to enable you to reply. Again some
will say, 'heres another rebel! another will
dwell on the cuisine and the larder, and if near
dinner will yell out ''dinner is ready at the Unit
ed States Hotel" &c. The next step, you
provided with a bed, either moss or straw mattress,
one iron bedstead, two sheets, one blanket, and
pillow, with basin and pitcher, which last is
the capital of joint stock corporation of some five
to eight in the morning you arise, and after
going through the necessary abIutlons In salt
water-or fresh if you can getit-breakfast Is an
nounced. This consists Of pint of coffee sweet
ened IN bulk times transparent, and incapable
Of producing any deleterious effect on the nervous
system; by quantative analysis the components
would range nearly as follows: Water 81; saccha-
rine matter +, chicora 1:75, coffee OPS. A piece
of fat pork, whose superficial contents ranged
from five to seven inches, aud good honest slice
of bread-by honest mean thick-this, and moth
ing more constitute our breakfast. Before Marsh
al Murray sent down the ''large stove" the pork
was served up to us actually as it came out of the
barrel raw nearly A decline in brlstles pre-
vented US from meddling with it, appetzing
it After breakfast, (eig bit, occasionally be-
tore), we were allowed one hour for promenading
on square of earth seventy-fve feet by eighty.
There came the daily papers, the perusal OF which
duu lHe COIILCulS Otl the Hast anticipated dtCaSh
occupied some two hours, after that event, the
writing to friends receiving letters, (when they
came games of chess, whist, &c. discussing past
events, and in endeavoring to ascertain If the po
tatoes had become extinct since the 10th of July,
served to while away the time until the moment
Gus hour of dinner.
This meal, which many pride themselves as
the best, was certainly our best. Three entrees
en- masse, rice or bean soup-astonishingly thin
bread and pork, or beef From actual expert
ments with unmittigated labor for the space Of
three minutes, assisted by pair Of ''Pike's' dol
lar spectacles, | have succeeded, after tedious
operation, in fishing up one bean from my pint
Of soup, and so overcome have been at the dis
:overy Of that, with irstinctve reverence for the
of that bean, [ have universally un-
covered my heaG during the process OF mastlcatlon
same being uncooked. For supper we again
nad our pint Of coffee, revised and corrected by an
excess Of water with our slice of dry bread. The
,rockery was not purchased at Halghwout's s, con-
,istng, as it did, Of tin cups, tin plates, iron
spoons, and ancient knives and forks. The quail
y Of the provisions good enough; but cooks
aiken from the ranks arc ''sent to the devil" If
Marshal Murray would send goood plain, clean
cook to Fort Lafayette, he certainly would add
10 greater comfort or blessing to those who are
boarding at the United States Hotel. OF course
Ill the inmates did not avail themselves Of the
3rodigal Iberality that abounded in the eating
department. but preferred such bills Of fare as
hey in some measure had been accustomed to.
Hence the formation of sundry mcsses at cost OF
hirty cents to one dollar a day for each
person. at his own expense At one period water
vas so scarce that we were put upon allowance
llowed only for drinking purposes, until at the
eleventh hour we received three thousand gallons
}roton, with not half the body Of the old stock.
We were never permitted to go outside the
nrt unless accompanied by soldier with
nusket and bayunet, and confined to the case
nents There was no going con the roof walking
O see the sun sink behind the Jersey hills as
ome astonishing youth proclaimed to the public;
,ur place was on the ground foor and there
we're kept; thiry-scven Of US in room with
our mounted thrty-twos, in the day time, was
lot SO bad: but at night all that saved us from
sphyxai was Brother DIS exhortatlon At
D. m, we were locked up, with two sperm candles,
lntil the signal to extnguish lights was made; if
,urs survived that period, which it never did, we
complied. Every letter, that goes outor enters
he fort is read BY the officer; if they contain any
Objectionable matter they returned; in other
espects communication and rapidity Ill the trans
mission of letters with the outsiders is excellent.
have been only ten days in receiving letter
rom city only nine miles from New York, and
where there are only two daily mails L spent
1ear six weeks in the fort-chlefy, | suppose, for
nv heath-and during that period experienced
10 inconvenience in sleeping every night in the
anne pair of sheets; and friend of mine, who
las been confined (for his health since July goth,