The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-05-05

ry, Immediately called the boy to him and
taking of his belt whipped him over the
head with it for some time, and not salts.
fled with this, took his gun and shot hin
through the body, causing immediate
death. We understood that the case wa:
investigated, but nothing was done with
the sentinel as he was Immediately restor.
ed to duty.
We remained here until the 9TH of DC.
tober, and were then freighted to Colum.
bia. S. G.. On the journey we WERE
crowded into box cars almost to sutfoca-
ton, and We're in this condition for about
36 hours. On arriving at Columbia.
we were turned into small field for the
night, and at about sundown there came
terrible shower with very heavy thun.
der, and it continued raining nearly all
night, wetting us to the skin Some were
so tired and sleepy, having had no rest the
previous night, that they laid down in the
mud and water, but l sat in my chair OF
walked the yard all night The next day
was warm, and we dried our clothes and
felt better. 1t was now the 7th of Octo.
Der, and that day they marched us out OF
the city about two miles, and there turned
us into an old field that had been cultivat-
ed, but had then 4 small growth of pine
upon it, which made nice shade for us.
The rebels never gave US anything for
shelter at this place; all we had was what
we made ourselves. \ few officers pur-
chased tents at the price of 500 for 4
small one. Very many built little bough
houses, but they would not shed rain, and
as the weather became colder we built lit
tie hints of poles, and some split out shin
giles and covered them.
The rations while in this town (Which
was over four monthS) were the poorest
and least that we ever had while in pris-
OH, the whole ration being five pints corn
meal (not sitteD, one-half pint rice, ono
spoonful salt, one pint sorghum and i
little bit of soup for five days, all told
For over four months that we Were i'll this
town, not 4 particle of meat, grease OF
vegetables We're issued lis except once, and
that was a small ration of beef and po-
tatoeS, which was in lieu of sorghum that
we did not draw am confident that nc
man could long retain his health if h,
were confined to the ratiors issued u>
but fortunately for III we obtained money
by irving bills of exchange and powers OF
attorney. authorizing persons to draw our
pay from the paymaster. We used 10 gel
two dollars in Confederate money for on,
in grcenback>. and six for one III gold. and
with their currency we could purchase nj
the following rates of the sutler: beet
So TO 50 per pound; pork S7 butter. OF
rather crease, Sl2; lard. Sl2: esgS. IS
potatoes. $40 per bu>hel; rice. S:' pei
pound chickens. $40; turkeys, $50
thick shoes. 500. and every thing else il
the same proportion. 1t seemed great
Sacrifices 10 purchase ut such cxorbltan
prices. but a man will give all he hath tol
his life. We became very meat hungry
so much 80 that | think it would hav,
been dangerous for fat horse or mule t,
come within our lines. One day ther,
came in Il GREAT old black hog. large o
! bone but poor in flesh. and no sooner la,
he entered within the lines than ther,
were more than 200 men after him, som,
armed with axes, some with shovelS. 9th
ers with sticks, and they soon Overpower
ell him. and i'll less than five minutes he wa
cut into small pieces, every man that ral
after him claiming piece. While there
for Is days | tasted no meat or grease bu
once, and | can't express the hankerin;
which | experienced. Many officers es
capped from this place: l suppose nea
600, but many of them We're recaptureC
and taken back to camp, yet large mum
Der made our lines. Many were fired up
OH while passing the guard, but only on
was killed and two wounded in maxim. tn,
attempt to escape. There were two 9th
ers killed here. one while sitting by hi
little camp fire, which was claimed by TIN
guard to be accidental, the other whil
walking along inside the dead line, witt
an AK upon his shoulder. going for wood
In this case the guard claimed that TIN
prisoner was over the line. but there wa
abundant evidence that such was not th
case. 1t was nothing more nor less thai
wilful murder. There was great indigna
ton among the officers, but we could d,
nothing. Officers escaping had, after get
ting out Of camp, great difficulties to en-
counter Many of them were chased an'
run down by blood hounds. l suppose i
was on account of dog bites that Lieut.
Parker lost his life, though the rebels SAT-
he died of yellow fever
AS the officers were escaping prett
fast, the rebels conceived the idea of keep
ing some hounds near camp, and ever
morning let them 90 around it and fin
whether there were any tracks leadin
from camp. 1t was but day or two al
ter this arrangement was made that earl
one morning, as the dogs were maxim
their circuit, our officers called them int
camp, and very soon there were two dea
dogs. The rebels tried to ascertain VIII
killed them, but they did not succeed.
On the 18th OF December we were in
formed that we were to be placed i
!; buildings in the city and We're marche
} there, but on arriving there instead OF bt
ING put in buildings we were turned int
, an open field attached to the asylul
buildings. 1t was now freezing col
weather and we had no shelter but to L
upon the freezing ground. Very many {