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


companions, and we became warn
friends. We were changed into foal
different Warehouses, and il was quit.
an interesting sight to see the Yankee,
move: blankets rolled in serpentint
form, the ends tied together, and swung
across our Shoulders; our old dirty
straw ticks on our hesds;s bag -o
lclOthss and other fixtures hanging
around our necks, and dangling before
lus; a wooden bench or stool in our
hand; thus we moved from one prison
to, another Many interesting scenes
and circumstances occurred, that have
fnst spaoszor time 20 enamefate. ~
/ When the news reached us Of our
victories at Roanoke, Fort Henry, and
Fort DonelsOn, for each we gave long,
loud continued hszzss; but particularly
the taking of Fort Donelson filled US
with the widest enthusiasm, and rebel
officers and soldiers looked in dumb
amazement at the sudacity of the Yam
kee prisoners, to send forth shouts and
huzzas for the Union within sight and
hearing Of the Rebel Capitol. The
evidence Of Union element in Rich
mond was easily to be seen, and made
US doubly anxious that our troops
should speedily come and possess the
goodly city.
On the 10Th Of February, we were
informed that we would all be sent
home in a few days. When it became
certain that we would be paroled, the
widest ecstacy filed every breast. We
slept but little, ate but little. We en-
braced one another, kicked up heels
like playful colts. and whooped and
yelled like wild maniacs. A hundred
voices would strike up the chorus:
"Roll on, roll on, sweet moments rollon,
And let the poor prisoners GO home go home"
And then again We would chime
forth: ....
81 am going home, am going home,
am going home, to fight some more"
At length the day of our deliverance
came, and about one o'clock we were
called, one by one, to sign the follow
ing parole:
eve. the undersigned, in the service
of the United States, prisoners Of war,
pledge our word of honor that we will
not, by arms, information or otherwise,
during the existence of hostilities be-
tween the United States and Confeder-
ate States Of America, aid or abet the
enemies Of the said Confederate States,
or any of them, in any form or manner,
until released or exchanged.
Given at Richmond, this 22d day of
February, 1862"
The only regret had at parting from
the Rebel Capitol, was leaving behind
Captain Thomas, Granville Pollock,
Hamilton Smith, and William Massie,
who are held as political prisoners
Hall, who lay sick in the hospital, and
the balance Of the prisoners, could they
have come with me, my cup Of Joy
would have been full.
Three hundred and seyenty-eight of
us left Richmond on the steamer VIM.
Wallace. Most Of us had to stand out
in the cold, beating rain all night; but
we we're nerved with fortitude to stand
anything, then, for we were homeward
boundl
/ cannot close without giving you a
description OF the manner in which they
punish the prisoners for any little viola
ton Of orders, or saucy talk. They
would first hand-cuff them, pass rope
under the arm-pits, and across the back
the ends of the rope we're then made
fast TO one of the tobacco screws; the
poor fellow was made to stoop down
until he was fairly under the screw,
then they would turn the screw and
draw them up until their toes would
barely touch the floor; aud the poor VIC
tim would be left in that awful torture
, for half or three-fourths of an hour
then he would be released and sem
back to his prison with hands and arms
( SO numb that he would be unable to use
/ them for half day.
At 2 o'clock P. NJ. of the Esd w
hailed with shouts of delight, the StarI
and Stripes, and with overjoyed hearts
anxiously awaited the moment wher
we should set our feet beneath theil
ample folds. Gladly we exchanged thu
VIM. Wallace for the steamer Georg'
, Washington, and felt then, for the frs
time during our Imprisonment, that VIZ
. were messurably free men. When th,
! rebel steamer left us. we gave three
; cheers for Capt. Goodwin, who, thougl
! a rebel, was still a gentleman. anc
, treated the prisoners kindly. Lieut.
John E. Emack, who also came dowr
/. on the rebel boat, was the most con
; temptible puppy, l think, 1 ever saw
! hated and despised by all the prisoners
= and it is wonder to me il be coull
ever have a mother that could love him
q He was known in the various prison
! by such names as Baltimore rowdy, oil
i contemplate Plug Ugly, &C., for hin
E We gave three loud grosns, and shel
]. waived adieu to prison life.
s "THE Coon OLD DEMOCRATIC Par
|, rY."-The Wayne County Democra
r lately published the following para
I graph:
j "In our humble opinion, Judging tn
future by the past, there is now no po
v litical organization in existence capabl
e of overcoming the rebellion South
If crushing out fanaticism North-restOr
e ing the Union to what it was, and bring