American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1863-12-23

whether he eat little or much
e-~.-
From the Louisville Journal
Thrilling Narrative Of Libby Prison.
was captured ON the 2lst OF Septem-
Der, 1868, by the Eighth Texas Cavalry,
in Cooper's Gap of Lookout Mountain,
fifteen miles from Chattanooga AT the
same time some two hundred others of
Col. Watkins Third Cavalry Brigade fell
into the hands of Gen. Wheelers corps.
The first act of Confederate kindness that
| received was at the hands of a Captain,
who threatened to blow my brains out for
refusing to inform him of the direction ta-
ken by our retreating column He also
kindly relieved me of my sash, which I
had refused to deliver to him.
We were placed under charge of the
First Kentucky (rebeD Cavalry. To Capt.
Witt of this reg't., L am indebted for the
preservation of my hat, coat, boots and
watch; which, but for his care, would most
certainly have been taken from me- Num-
bers had already been robbed Almost
every overcoat and blanket had already
been taken.
1t was amusing, even to prisoner, to
witness the manner in which this robbery
was committed. IF Federal soldier was
the possessor of a. good hat or a pair of
boots, rebel would approach him, and,
with mocking politeness, invite our Fed
eral to "Come down outen that ar hat /;
come up outen them ar boots" Rather
quickly, by some rough game that two
played at boots and hat changed possess
sor. In some instances the Union sol
dier would be permitted to pick up some
pieces of leather and felt to replace, in
some measure, what had been taken from
him.
IF the prisoner had provisions, he was
considerably relieved of them. That night
many a rebel mess rejoiced over nice
warm cup of Yankee coffee
About fifty wagons were captured, most
Of which, after being plundered, were
burned, the teams having been taken off
by the drivers in their escape.
On the night of our capture we were
quartered in the camp of the 1st Kentucky
cavalry. And here l would gratefully ac-
knowledge the kindness shown me by Dr.
William Gault, surgeon of the reg't., who
generously shared his blanket and his
crust with me, and did everything in his
power for our wounded. My greeting also
to DIR. Evans and Capt Rogers, of the 1st
Kentucky.
1t was a cold night; the men were put
into lot, without shelter and with very
few blankets. They built fire, keeping
from freezing as best they could. No ra-
tions were issued,
On the following day we were escorted
by details from the Sth and 18th Texas,
and 1st Kentucky cavalry, under command
of Lieut.. Brooks, of 1st Ky. cavalry, to
Tunnel Hill Lieut. Brooks proved him
self to be kind and humane gentleman.
We started early in the morning, march
ing until nearly midnight, making short
halts every few miles to rest. The pris-
oners, being cavalrymen, were easily IA
tigued besides, many were sick. Dark |
night came on by the time we reached |
the whole party nearly tagged |
out Longing for rest, we certainly ex-
pected to remain in Ringgold until morn
ing. But no; the inexorable man of au-
Lhority ordered Lieut. Brooks to drive his |
prisoners on. On we went.
And as the weary herd pressed on, many |
a foot was blistered sore, many throat be-
came dry and parched, many parched
tongue craved for water, many knee
grew too weak to bear the wearied frame
my further.
For some the task was more than they
could perform. Many dropped by the
'oadside exhausted. In these cases the
guard showed more mercy aud tenderness