Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-04-22


thought so at lea0, Well, we waited for
a considerable length Of time for the dis
penser Of our rights to make his appear
auce; he didn't appear, however, but
quite number Of individuals honored in
the same way we were, with an invitation
aud an Escort did, amcpg them an old
veteran whom we shall remember as long
a memory lasts, 10 consequence Of the
smell he brought with him aud the degree
to which lie was overcome by gratitude.
or whiskey, After waiting while longer,
we concluded that if the government wan.
ted US to get an insight iuto its military
prisons, Basti.es, &c, for the benefit of the
human race, it had better be bringing
them along, ard was about telling our
amable friend behind the desk that such
was our conclusion, when he politely in
vIted us to take new escort that was iD
readiuess and proceed immediately TO the
quarters prepared for our reception. We
did so. in company with several others
and the veteran aforesaid, and 10 due time
rcched our destination, into which We
were ushered by file of soldiers. the
bayoLe's Of whose guns protected our
r. ar from Gauk attacks from any quarter.
The door was closed behind US, aud two
rugged looking sons of Mars stationed on
either side thereof. There we were aud
there, too, were scores Of other recipie nts
Of the blessings of this great free country
men If all classes, coors aud condi.
tions, from the aged fcther, whose gray
hairs plead piteousy for him, TO the youth
scarcely out Of his teens, piggers aud
whites, drunken men and sober men, all
tumbled in mi'Cuou,ly, numbering up
wards Of an hundred.
After satisfying the curiosity Of our new
associates as far as possible by answering
the many questions put TO Us we set about
making an examination of the habilation
of which We bad so lately become an in
mate. The main room, termed in military
pariance, guard house, is about ffty
feet long by twenty broad, built of plank,
about twelve feet high. There are three
windows, with lattice work of iron across
them, which answers as checkerboar'
tor those who desire to play checkers with
their nose, and also for light and ventila-
ton. he floor, which was laid fat ou
the earth, in order TO save the "govern.
ment' the expense OF sleepers or joi,ts is
made to answer triple pnrpose-foor,
seats and beds. eve do not wish i, to
be understood that persons there are CON.
PEELED to sleep upon the 6 lor in order TO
atone Tor otfauce given TO some of the
agents Of the "goverumeut." Not at all
it is entirely owing to The desire Of hose
in power to be economical--habits that
they have contracted since taking posses.
slon OF the public treasury) In order
that overy ything may be handy, aud that
the boarders may not be troubled going
out when tue weather is damp, or when it
is not, to attend to the calls Of nature, a
trough is fixed up in one end Of the apart.
ment, which serves admirably for the pur.
pose, aud also as water aud wash stand
The odor that arises from this is accep.
ted as u substitute for the roses and tuW-
ers OF 'pring, and saves the "gOvernment'
the eXprn-e OF furnishing boquets and va
SEES oil d 'w1rs to perfume the air. lnge
niou.. 4iu'litl Economical, very THIS
trough, together with bucket, wash an
and stove, constitute the furniture and
utensils Of the room.
Hunting "grayhacks' which are as
plenty as aboli;lonsts will be in the re
gions Of plulo hereafter, is the principal
occupation and anu cment OF persons iu
this branch Of the Government service,
aud iryir G to keep clear Of these lir,lc
"pets that stick cloacr than brother, a."
furnishes any amount of exercise.
We mad about finished making an ex.
anuaL on. when the o,der came to pre-.
pare for dinner, and along with the rest
nIggcrs, drunk, aud all, We marched forth
to receive piece of dry bread, aud tin
cup trli OF something that was called
''bean soup'-we couldn't see the beans ;
but learned afterwards from one that had
been in the service several months, that
for the purpose OF ecouomizjug still fur.
ther, the government had ordered them
to be cooked in bag aud kept over for
the next days ratjons, Didn't we feel
thankful that we were citizen of the
gr attest government devised by man -
D dn't we sing Hail Columbia" and
Long live the King" as we sat on tn,
dirty floor, suppiOg "bean soup" and eat.
ing "dry bread ?" Didn't We shout liz,