New-York daily tribune., 1863-08-01
"J-J do not know you, Sir"
"J reckon can satisfy you that am loyal cti-

rowing pass from Gen. Burnside He took one OF
them and attempted to read 1t. After considerable
apparent study lie handed it back, saying " on
spell out part of this, Sir, but pray tell me what
is the signature ?"
Horace Greeley"
Horace Greeley. Woll, Mr. Greeley las tL,
common iuG,mity o. great meD-be writes a wre!0I-
ed hand"
"He thinks It remarkably good one, Sir. He
saws his printers read it like type"
cha ha He must have extraordinary pj plors
Bat, Sir, this is sufficient, will give you pass to
the prisoners"
Thanking him, I soon passed out of the "grand
! ball" down the marble stairway and-fs arDrg tie
route from the Hbernian soliier-took my way to
the prison.
The Nashville Penitentary was 'pulned at The
taking of the city by the Union fore es The build
E ing now used rs a Siae Prison is located about
nile outside of the city limits ID ia of brick sur
rounded by high wall coverip an area Of perhsp
two acres. Itwas built, as learned from a marble
slab imbedded in the wal over the doorway, in
1873, aud looks substauf lal enough 10 las; for
dozen centuries. AZ approached It's broad en-
trance-way, saw at my right, in spacious yard
surrounded by low stone fence, hundred or more
motley uniformed '-onfeoerates engaged in The IA
vore outdoor cccuTa'ions Of their class, such as
screw-up" qr .os, pitch and toss, and chuck.
: a-luck.' sad.visaged man. dressed in scedy
black, WAS acing to and fro among them, now and
then pausr ~ gaze abstracedy at tie players, and
again W. liking OH, his eyes fxed on tho distance, n
II scar ching for some sign Of "the good time
: whio every mortal thinks is looming" To him,
poo man, it il long way off, for he will not 20 out,
hfy SAYS until the South is independent He was
l he political editor Of The Baptist Sfaadar1, and
/ refusing to take the oath Of allegiance has been
confined there seven long months. few moro de-
Gently clad pereons were IN the assembage but much
t. the larger number the most wretched sPeci-
ID mems o. "whte trash" had ever seen. In ali sorts
OF of batless shoeless, With mat
ID ted hsr and dirt encusted ces they seemed to have
:. been recently exhumed from some pig-siy or barn.
- ward. Love of "our native soil, with them, was
evidently living sentiment. q
II Passing on, asked the guard at the doorway 70
all the keeper. That gentleman appeared and
made known to him my business.
, NO persons OF those names are here, or have
been here, Sir"
= Such is the vanity of human pursuitsl bad tray
eled thousand miles on fruitiess enand Vexod
. | ana dsappOluteu "ao turning e""y, VIM" '"o
- keeper politely said:
! You look tired; won't you walk in and cit
DOWN."
's followed him into the prison, snd after / had
~ rested while he invited me TO look through it, 1t
is in two divisions, one devoted TO criminals the
: other TO prisoners Of war. None Of tie latter are
' confined in cells but, during tho day. allow 20
range freely the yard and the several floors OF
u the building. AT night they are locked into roomy
? apsrtments where often q dozen, and sometimes
. twenty, camp down together on straw maf'fesees
:, spread on ,Le floor. The sleeping accom- moo asca.
are not much to boast Of bat they are eoatt, far
superior to what the prisoners are sccusiomed to in
: Dixie. As we were passing over tae second floor
the keeper said to me:
= "Iu the further room is The Colonel OF the lst
of Tennessee cavalry Col. Brewer, formerly lawyer
a in this place. lie was taken at Brentwood some
- five weeks ago. He is a worry sociabe, gentemanly
y man. and would be gadto see you. viii you 30 in T.
=. "No, thank you, II Mt intruie uP,n him."
"He'll consider /, no intrusion. I'll a,k him"
a Az be raped at the door u voice called out Come
ID in"
a. "Ah, Colonel, good morning" said the keeper
,e stepping into the apartment. "Tm showing this
a gentleman over the building He's right from tho
a North, and knew you'd like 10 see him."
y "Most certainly should AK him in"
3. As entered the prisoner measured me with a
!, rapid glance; then, without rising, held out bis
hand, saying cordially "Tm glad to seo you, Sir
pray be seated. Mr.. Keeper, be 80 good as to hand
! a chair"
II "No excuse me Sir" repliedi "rIl no, stay
If III not in,rude you in your present circum'
20 stances"
ye "My present circumstances are tho very reason
you should, Sir. see no one, except the sentinel,
from one week TO another. I've nothing 10 look at
tut these blank walls, and the human face divine
,r has grown wonderfully attractive 10 me. It's ar
if pleasant as tho thoughts Of home. So pray sil
down. Ill return tho favor 10 the first Of
your 'countrymon' that falls into my hands"
X Thus enirested, / could not decline. AZ took
the profierei seat glanced around the apartment.
IT 1t was spacious and well lighted by muloned win
if dows at its two ends. Along it's sides wero ranged
r. half dozen camp beds; and ne many chaiie, and
n two small tables struggled about the floor lts walls
r. were not over-ceany, but tie floor nicely sand
le ed and tho whole had tidy, comfortable sp-
peararce. II evidently reserved for the better
ay class OF political prisoners. Its then occupant
man of about thirty-Gve, and Of decidedly prepos-
sessng appearance. lie had a fine, inteliectu u
face, and long, brown hair, as soft and glossy as
- womans; but full, dark eye, wide, strong jaws,
to and firmly cut mouth showed him possessed Of =
nd manly, determined character. saw at a glance
a be was no common He was dressed in the
H. Confederate uniform and he lay the outside Of
b. bis COT in half recumbent attitude, he every