Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1865-11-16

1t would seem that the.inventive ge-
Mus of demons could gp mo further,
and that the system putsaed must be
relied upon to secure De maximum
number of deaths. Bdt the brains
of these Salisbury keepers were &C.
tive and their hearts steeied against
Suffering, and as if to cause fiends to
blush that men could do them. they
mixed ground glass with the scanty
portion of cornmesl allowed as the
daily ration. -, -
The matter was first brought to the
notice of the authorities by several
of the Union men of Nbfth Carolina
who had been impressed as q prison
guard. These men became aware of
what was going on, bvt the matter
was conducted so secretly that little
direct evidence has been obtained
fixing the matter clearly npon its
perpetrators. Rebels in the vicinity
of Charlotte have boosted that the
thing was done, and some OF the
regular prison guard have also ad-
mitted that the charge is Itrne. 1t
maj be impossible 20 estaflish itbe-
fore a court, but all engaged in the
long and careful investigation of the
matter are convinced eff its truth.
There is one other event in the
history of Salisbury that will help
distinguish it in the future. fIuU =
There were few buildings for the
accommodation of the prisoners, and
but few tents. Several acres of the
inclos2re were filed with caves, ex-
cavated by the prisoners, and used
by them Us wild beasts use their bur
rows.
: On the outside of the fence sur
rounding the grounds, 'was a plat
form upon which the guards walked
and upon which they could overlook
the grounds, -ivl- .
Oae of the prisoners had two
watches, and these the guards desir-
ed, but had been unable to obtain.
On certain day, when this prisoner
wanted water, he was conducted to
the spring little way off by SEN
tinel. killed there, and the watches
taken IRON his body, This became
known to the prisoners, and chose
who formed the mess to which the
murdered man belonged, resolved to
avenge his death. The next time this
sentinel came on duty within the
grounds, these men rushed on him
and6ne, wrestling his musket from
his hands, plunged it into his heart
A sentinel from the platform shot the
man who stabbed him desd he par
ty separated, and the matter would
have ended, but the opportunity was
too good to be lost, Here was al
excuse for killing goodly number
of Yankees So. before any consid
erable number of the.prisoners knew
just what had happened, the entire
force ofthe prison guard had noun
ted the platform and opened fire upor
them. Several shots were also fired
from a section of artillery planted
near, and the officer in charge OF i
was afterward removed for not open
ing with canister and continuing thu
fire. ......
The sick crouched down in theil
tents, some hid behind the hosPita
buildings, and as many as coulC
crept into the caves. No signs o
resistance appeared. 1t was the de
liberate murder of helpless and hal
starved prisoners. 1t was found tina
the fire of the prison guard was no
destructive enough, as the prisoners
had secreted themselves, and only
stray shots penetrated the caves
A part of a regiment awaiting trans
portation at the depot was ordered
up, and 1t also opened-lire.
The citizens came out from th;
towns with their shot guns, among
them was q prominent minister o
the gospel, and lent their aid. fr
The firing continued until nearly
all who were exposed were eitne
killed or wounded, eId then Ties,
were left on the ground with no car,
CT attention whatever for twenty fou
hours.
These are unvarnished statement
of facts, but 1t needs no asslstanc
from eloquent words to make sucl
things hideous. The truth is terri
BILE enough, imagination can scarcel.
highten its effect.
Touching the matter of food, i
NAV be stated that the Prison Com
missary, Major Myers, who was
poor man when appointed to the pc
siuon, now owns one OF the fines
places in Salisbury, valued at S75,
900. Every ounce of material i
that house represents a Union sol
dier's life.
e-A we'll dressed fellow wake