Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-05-22

or lower door was crowded with cltl
zens or political prisoners, most of them
in deplorable condition, even worse
than we, who were about entering the
same miserable abode. Many Of them
were half naked. dirty, and haggsrd
the lower floor being necessarily more
filthy than the others. Some were ly.
ing stretched on the dirty floor; other:
sat lowering around cherries looking
stove, smoking their pipes; and Others
rushed to greet us with warm hearts
and open hands, as only those long
confined in Richmond Tobacco Ware
house know how to greet fellow cap
/ tive. Our congratulations, however,
were but momentary, and consisted in
the simple questions, "Where were
you taken?" and the answer, "Guyan-
dotte," for we were hurried up stairs,
to the second floor. Turning short
around to the right, we were ordered to
ascend another flight of stairs. which
landed us on the third or upper floor,
which was already occupied by one
hundred and sixty prisoners, mostly
! from New York and Massachusetts. and
nearly all taken at the battle of Lees
burg.
We had scarcely time to turn round,
before we were surrounded by our eager
fellow prisoners, to hear where and how
we were taken, giving us at the same
time brief history Of their own cap
ture, and admonishing us not to go
near the windows, as three had already
been shot by the guard through the
window, and two or three more shot at.
In about an hour we were furnished
with supper-balf loaf Of bread, and
a piece of meat--all of which we eager
ly devoured.
We had the northeast corner of the
building assigned to us, extending near
ly to the head of the stairs. We were
all anxious to get some sleep, for we
had slept but little on the way. ] was
fortunate enough to trade my old watch
with one of the rebel soldiers for a
blanket, and got five dollars to boot
So wrapped myself in my blanket,
took a block of green pine wood for a
pillow, and was soon in state of bliss
full forgetfullness of all the trials and
hardships through which l had passed.
But few of my comrades had anything
either to put under them, yet all, l be-
lieve slept sweetly during the night.
1 awoke early in the morning, arose
and paced up and down the room medi-
tating upon our situation; but finally
made it up in my mind to make a virtue
of necessity, and became somewhat rec
oncied to my fate. l was considerably
refreshed from my nights rest, and
felt as though could march on inde6n'
itely; but on inquiring of my fellow
prisoners, how they felt, found they
were nearly all, as the saying is, used
up; sore toes, skinned heels, lame feet,
and an infinite variety of bodily all
ments, which told how severely the hu'
man system had been taxed. 1 spent
the day in walking through the three
departments of the building, making
acquaintances, and acquainting them in
return with who l was, where came
from, and telling over and over, agair
and again, the nature Of our fight, cap
ture, and weary march. Those occu
pying the middle floor were mostly al
, from Massachusetts, and belonged Il
the 18th and goth Regiments. and
| found them to be a first rate, whole
souled set of fellows, who were wei
supplied with clothing, blankets, ant
! towels and many of them had plenty O
{ money.
They were nearly all well educated
and thoroughly imbued with the spiri
D of patriotism, and love of country
They soon entered into sympathy wit
], us, and commenced dividing with tn
!, most destitute of our men, shoe:
b socks, shirts, and such other articles {
apparel and comfort as they coul
e spare.
!: There were at the time we entere
e Richmond, about LOO prisoners in th
= city, occupying four tobacco houses
e beside the hospital, all under charge
S Gen. Winder and Capt. Warner. Fac
d house was guarded by eight or ten SO
s diers, and but two were permitted
d go out into the little yard at once
e We were plentifully supplied with WI
Ie ter. wood and gas.
Our rations consisted of bread, mes
F" rice, soup and beans, boiled turnip
1t and rotten potatoes-divided about
g follows: for breakfast, half loaf
in bread, the loaves being about half Il
ut size of the ordinary five cent loayes
st the shops, in weight about 94 or 8 ou
ces; every second or third morning fro
IN 8 to 5 or 6 ounces Of meat, boiled bee
IN without salt; on the intervening NOR
: ing, we would be supplied with two
n three spoonfuls of rice and maggoi
he and wevil, or two or three boiled tn
Sc nips; and on the mornings we Meth
got meat nor rice, we had half cook
c. or burnt beans, or one or two rott
le potatoes.
i. For supper. we had, invariably, tw
ID thirds of dipper full of soup and ma
RS gots, and half leaf of bread; our so
BIT was made OF rice, thickened with co
to meal, and seasoned with red pepper.
ut They furnished us with no article
bedding for about seven weeks aft
OF we arrived in Richmond; we then 6
ly some cotton cloth, made ticks, and E