The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1865-11-30
Atrocities Mt Salisbury. y. G..

Atrocities at Salisbury. y. e.
Ever shce the occupation of Salisbury
by our fotes the authorities there have
been busy in investigating the horrors
which tha records of that prison brought
to light. The Salisbury prison was on
smaller sole than Audersonville, but the
general treatment of our soldiers there
was fully equal to the atrocious abuse in-
Aicted upon them at the latter place.
But there is one feature of the Sails
bury regime that thus far stands alone in
the history of barbarities-even count
ing the story of Andersouvillo as part
of that history.
The food had been reduced to the low
est limits-below the points where it
would sustain life-and yet our boys did
not die fast enough to suit the views of
the rebel leaders. 1t would seem that
the inventive genius Of demons could go
no further, and that the system pursued
must be relied upon to secure the maxi
mum number of deaths. But the brains
of these Salisbury keepers were active
and their hearts stecled against suffering,
and as if 10 cause fends to blush that
men could outdo them, they mixed
ground glass with the scanty portion of
corn meal allowed as the daily ration.
The matter was first brought to the
notice of the authorities by several Of the
Union men Of North Carolina Who had
been impressed as prison guard. These
men became aware of what was going on,
but the matter was conducted SO secretly
that l;..ln direet eridence has heen oh
taincd fixing the matter clearly upon its
| perpetrators. Rebels in tho vicinity Of
Charlotte have boosted that the thing was
done, and some of the regular prison
guard have also admitted that the charge
is true. 1t may be impossible to estab
lish it before a court, but all engaged in
the long and careful investigation of the
matter are convinced of its truth.
There is one other event in the histo.
ry of Salisbury that will help distinguish
it in the future.
There were but few buildings for the
accommodation of the prisoners, and but
few tents. Several acres of the inclosurc
were filled with caves, excavated by the
prisoners, and used by them as wild beasts
use their burrows.
On the outside of tho fence surround
ing tho grounds, was platform upon
which the guards walked and upon which
they could overlook the grounds
One of the prisoners had two watches
and these the guards desired, but had
been unable to obtain On a certain day,
when this prisoner wanted water, he was
conducted to the spring little way of
by the sentinel, killed there, and the
watches taken from his body. This be-
came known to tho prisoners, and those
whs formed the mess to which the mur'
dered man belonged, resolved to avenge
his death. The next time this ssntlne
came on duty within the grounds, these
men rushed on him, and one, Wrestling
his musket from his hands, plunged IT
into his heart. A sentinel from the
n|atform shot the man who stabbed him
dead, the party separated, and the matter
would have ended, but the opportunity
wa. too good to be lost. Here was al
excuse for killing goodly number O
{ Yankees. So. before any considerabs
, number of the prisoners knew just nha
had happened, the cutire force of tn
nrison guard had mounted the platform
t and opened fire upon them. Severa
t shots were also fred from section o
: artillery planted near, and the officer II
+ CHARGE of it was afterwards removed to-
not opening with canister and continuing
e the fire
Q The sick crouched down in their tents
4 some hid behind the hospital buildings
S and as many as could crept into the caves
/, No signs of resistance appeared. 1t wa
o the deliberate murder Of helpless an'
D half starved prisoners. 1t was fount
e that the FIRE of the prison guard was no
r destructive enough, as the prisoners ha'
secreted themselves, and only stray shot
$ neaetrated the caves. So, part of reg
$ iment awaiting transportation at the Dc
9 not was ordered up, and it also opene'
g FIRE.
q With their shot guns, among them vas
= nrominant minister Of the gospel, an
a lent their aid.
q The firing continued until nearly a
' who were exposed were either killed Q
IS wounded, and then these were left o
@ the ground with no care or attentso
whatever for twenty four hours.