The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-02-06
BY CAPT. J. T. DREW.
CHI HAPTER VIII.

Our sufferings in Charleston Jail will never
be half told. Hunger was a constant CON-
panion sickness and death made US many
solemn visit: insults came often and out
RACES were no strangers.
The memory of those days will never fail
to make strong the arm and ready the hand
of all who suffered there. Very fortunate
will be those Rebel jailers if they escape:
"For time at last sets all things even,
And if We do but watch the hour,
There never yet was human power
Which could evade if unforgiven,
The patient search, and vigil long,
Of him who treasures up wrolg-"
While here, the great naval expedition
under Dupont, appeared off the coast.
Charleston at that time was defended by less
than three thousand men. Fort Sumter had
not ten guns mounted, aud was manned BY
only one company of 20 men. So certain
was their information as to where this fleet
was to attack that they sent away to Port
ROYAL and Pocatoligo, all the troops, artillery
and ammunition save a small force of few
hundred. two DAYS before the arrival of the
fleet off Port Royal.
| have no hesitation in saving that
Charleston might then have been taken with
less loss than Port ROYAL. Should any one
have doubts about this statement, if he will
take the trouble of calling on the writer of
these lines he can be shown statistics and
items of information which will convince
him, though they are of 4 nature and come
from a source that forbids publication, lest
they might go back to rebel hands.
Had two thousand marched al once, the
railroad from Savannah to Charleston might
have been destroyed. had 1000 men and
the gunboats tried they could have taken
Charleston any time within ten DAYS after
the taking of Port Royal. At this time the
enemy feared Charleston would fall and SO
they sent US to Columbia, S. {.
Before leaving this part of my subject, l
will copy, verbatim, from my journal. items
set down al that time.
"Ihe privateers run out and in with i'm
punity,"
capt. Nichols tells me the privateer Sal
", after burning his vessel, ran into Charles
ton via North Edisto. and came Within fifty
yards of blockader."
Il have seen over twenty ships run the
blockade.
There is no troops here save few home
guards-not 300 in all.
-"Gen. Ripley sent word to DR.. Stone, if
he gives poison 10 any one condemned to be
hung, if an execution is ordered, he will hang
him instead.
"A communication by some means got TO
us from masonic lodge, saving to all ma
sons in prison that they would be glad 70
feed and clothe them, but the bitterness of
both Government and people rendered all
. their good wishes of no avail.
! Capt J. L. Morrell, steamer Osceola,
wrecked on the sandbar near Georg getown, S.
G., was brought here to jail. The question
is how will he be held A shipwrecked sal
lor thrown into prison for being a Yankee.
"Oh consistency, thou art jewel" But
Gen Ripley don't seem to want Jewel.
/ Some letters came for Us and though they
had been all examined before. the jailor must
keep them and read them again, thus keep
ing US out of them for day. Hang the dog.
3 A mother came all the way from Detroit,
Michigan, to see her son. She had been al
lowed TO pass the lines after a thorough
search, and after delays and hardships. reach
ed this CITY, She went to see Gen Ripley.
and could get no hearing. She then went TO
his hotel and spoke to him as he left the
breakfast table.
General" said the mother, with tears in
voice and eye, my son is in the jail, a pris-
oner of war, have come to see him, will
you let ME go? ,"
go to he'll, You ID fool" were the
polite words of the General. She entreated
him for few moments to see her son, and
at last he said to an officer:
/ Let her stay just five minutes and then
send Ter home"
This officer accompanied her to the Jail and
allowed her to stay all day, showing he does
not partake of the brutal spirit of his general
f! All this amrng the chivalry. Now at the
north. where we do not claim to be so very
killingly polite, We consider swearing at q
lady rather in bad taste. to say the least
And mother that came TO Fort Warren
from the South to see her son, was allowed
to take him home with her. But then. We
must not be too hasty in our opinions, it ma,
be chivalry, the real Simon pure" remains
alone at TIE south. Through much whiskey
cursing and abuse of those in their power
it comes TO the world in rather doubtful
dress, and yet it mus. be chivalry. Ii mus
be chivalry, my boy. ii must he, for it Ger
tainly is not humanity or ueceDcy.