American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-11-02

Sherman's line" The effect of this rev.
elation was mdicrous The old lady's
lower jaw fell to an angle of about forty
five, her eyes dilated, and she sat as if
petrifed. The old gentleman, although
greatly astonished, took it quite philoso-
phically, but made no attempt to give any
alarm, or impede the movements of the
party.
They then started, and after travelling
about four miles, reached the Union pick
cts short distance north of Atlanta.
After making known who they were, they
were at once conducted to headquarters,
where they were cordially received by
Gen. Sherman aud his officers, and sup
piled with what clothing they most need
ed. The next morning, in the quarters
Of one Of the officers they found their
darkie fiiend and fellow fugitive. He
had already engaged as cook. They said
he was the most grateful creature they
ever saw, and by every little service in
his power he expressed his gratitude.
; e said they saved his life, for he could
never have got in without them. After
staying at Atlanta a few days to rest an i
recuperate, our friends set off for the
north
OF the condition of things at Ander-
sonvllle they give calm, graphic and
narrowing picture They confirm the
truth Of the accounts heretofore publish
ed aud declare that it is impossible TO
convey 10 the minds of people surround
ed with The comforts OF homeau adequate
lea of the suaerngs endured in that hor-
ribDe stockade.
When they we're taken there in Febua-
ry last irom Belle Island, they found but
few prisoners but the number rapidly
increased, uatil it exceeded thirty thous
and. There was no shelter whatever pro-
vded by the rebels, aud only those who
were 50 fortunate as to have blankets, had
anything to protect them against the
scorchmg rays of the sun, the rains, and
the chilling damps Of night, Their food,
which was served only once day, CON
sisted of piece of coarse corn bread,
made Of the meal Of corn ground cob and
all, and not silted, together with small
piece of i'll seasoned bacon Early in the
season this bacon was toIerably good, but
when the weather become hot it became
so rancid that even starving men could
not eat it.
This miserable ration was almost al
ways devourcd at once, the cravings of
hunger rendering any other course i'm
possible. One wretched aud scanty meal
day, therefore, was all they had. The
water was abominable for the greater part
of the time, being supplied by a foul
stream that ran through the stockade.
At length they procured from the rebel
authorities materials with which 10 con
~truct windlesses and dig wells. These
wells were sunk some 30 or 60 feet deep
through a comp~ct clay ard required no
walls or cribbing. and when finished af-
iorded an adequate supply of good water.
To convey water about thccamp, the pris-
oners made little pals out of pine billets,
with no other tools than jack knives.
For a time great confusion and disor
der prevailed and the necessity of kind
of police organization forced itself upon
the prisoners. Prior to this step con
siderable number of desperadoes and
scoundrels had banded together to con-
init depredations upon the little property
of their fellow prisoners. Therringlead-
er was finally discovered, and the move
ments Of the gang closely watched. When
the proper time arrived, the leader toeeth-
er with large number of his followers
was suddenly arrested and put in close
confinement by the rebel authorities. The
blanket belonging to the leader was
searched, aud the body of man found
buried near il, and Immediately under it
box was found almost filed with watch
es, knives, money and many other things
which had been stolen from the prisoners
while asleep, A court was organized,
a jury Of twelve sergeants empannelled,
and real lawyer. a prisoner, assigned to
conduct the defent6. After careful
trial, which lasted six days, six of these
misereants. including the leader, were
found guilty and sentenced tosuffer death
by hanging. In due time the execution
took place A scaffold was erected, and
when all was ready, the six condemned
men, together with their aceompliees, were
sent for. Being nearly one hundred in
number, they had plotted among them
selves to make Fl 5ht upon re-entering the
stockade, and thus prevent the execution;
| but when they entered and saw the long