New-York daily tribune., 1866-02-14

ESersifyi.x she Graves and Inciesins 4
vAe Oreunds or q Cemetery Created
sAsre Daring ihe Occupation Of thai
Place ~ Prisos for Unios Soldiers In
Rebel Hands.
70 ils Pesyls Of hs United States Of America
Having, by official invitation, been placed
apon an expedition 10 Andersouve for the purpose oi
Identifying and marking the graves OF the DEAD CON
tanned in those noted prison grounds IL Is perhaps not
Improper that make report OF the circumstances
which induced the sending Of such an expedition It's
work and the appearance condition, and surroundings
Of that interesting spot balowed alike by the suerings
of the maryred dead and the and prayers of those
who mourn them.
During o search for the missing men Of the United
states army commenced in March, 1865. under the
sanction Of our late amented President Lincoln. !
formed the acquaintance OF Dorenee Atwater Of Con-
peetieut, member Of the 2d NewYOrk Cavalry, who
had been prisoner at Belle Isle and Andersonvilio
twenty-five months. and charged by the Rebel author-
ties with the duty Of keeping the Death Register of the
Unon prisoners who died amid the naUeless cruelties
Of the last named prison.
By minute inquiry, learned from Mr.. Atwatcr the
method adopted in the burial Of the dead and by care
fully comparing his account with draft which be had
made Of the grounds appropriated for this purpose 10y
the prison authorities became convinced Of the posi-
hity Of identifying the graves, simply by comparing
the numbered post or board marking each mans posi-
tlon in the trench in which be was buried with the
corresponding number standing against bis name upon
the register kept by Mr. Atwater, which he Informed
me was then in the possession of the War Department
Assured by the intelligence and frankness OF my IN
sorDant of the entire ruthfuness of his statements
decided impart 20 the officers of the Government the
inf had accordingly brought
subject to the attention Of Gen. Hoffman, Commits
sary General Of prisoners asking that party or expe-
hton be at once sent Andersonve for the purpose
of identifying and marking the graves and incosing
Che grounds and that Dorence Atwater, with his regis
ser accompany the same as he proper person TO desg
mate and identify The subject appeared 70 have been
not onv unheard but unhought Of; and from the gen.
orally prevailing impression that no care bad been
taken 10 the burial OF our prisoners the idea seemed
Of first difficult 10 be entertained But the same facts
which had served to convince me presented themselves
ably 10 the good understanding ana Kind heart OF
Gen Hoffman, who took immediate steps 10 lay the
matter before the Hon. Secretary OF WT, upon
learned from him that be had heard and approved my
proposition and decided TO order expedition, con-
esting Of materials and men, under charge OF some
Government officer for the Accomplishment OF the OBJ
1ects set forth in my request and invited me TO &C.
company the expedition in person, which invitation
accepted.
Accordingly, on the eth of July the propeller vr.
Rinia, having board fencing material. bead boards
the prison records forty workmen clerks and elerers
under command Of Capt. james HI. Moore. A. z. NJ,
Dorence Atwater and myself left Washington for An
Jacksonville via Savannah. Georgia, arriving at the lat
ser place July l2. Having waited at Savannah seven
days and then resumed the journey by way of Augusta
Atlanta and Macon, the entire party reached its des-
tibston IN safety about noon on the 25th OF July
We found the prison grounds, stockade, hospital
sheds and the various minor structures almost IN the
name condition in which they had been evacuated and
care taken 10 leave these historic monuments undls
furbed. 80 long the elements will spare them.
There is not and never was, any town or village al
hat lfa mi
Gon. Anderson Station on the railroad from Macon tC
Eliala selected depot for prisoners probably
account Of its remoteness and possible security aDC
the prison itself with the buildings which spraug uI
around It, constituted all there of Andersonyie.
The land around is broken and unduatlng. and al
The time Of the occupation was covered with forests
mostly Of the long eafed pine, common 70 the uplands
OF the South The bases of The hills are lined with oozy
sErugs which unite form little riyules Of which
winds sluggisbly through each Of the intervening
Marshy valleys
The original enclosure Of l9 acres was made in
TIE uDbroken woods; and the timber only removed
~ was wanted for the necessities Of the prison. The
enclosure was made in January, 1864 and enlarged.
1urng the Summer, TO 253 acTes-being quadrangle
Of 295 BY SOS feet The greatest length is from north
30 south the ground rising from the middle toward
each end IN rather steep. rounded hil-be northern
being at once the highest and OF the greatest e1
tent. A small stream, rising from springs little TO
the eastward flows across II through valley
hled with q compost washed down by the rains The
encosing stockade is formed Of pine logs 20 feet in
length and about eight inches in diameter sunk FIVE
feet the ground and placed close together This is
again surrounded by two successive and precisely
liar passdesa portion OF the last OF which is gone
1t seems never to have been completed The two inner
walls remain entire. Within the interior space al the
distance Of about II feet from the stOckade the
famous dead line marked by small posts set in the
ground and slight strip OF pine boards nailed on the
tops Of them The gates Of which there two stu
Ted on the west side, were combinations OF the stock
ade, enclosing spaces of 80 feet square, less
with massive doors at either end They were arranged
and worked On tie principle Of canal locks. Upon the
inner stockade 81 sentry boxes raised above the
tops Of the palisades and accessible TO the guard By
ladders. In these stood 50 guards with loaded arms
30 pear that they could converse with each other In
addition TO these seven forts mounted with field art
lery, commanded the fatal space and its masses Of
perishiDg men.
Under the most favorable circumstances. and bes,
possible management, the supply OF water would have
been insufficient for half the number Of persons who
had TO it. The existing arrangements must have
aggravated the evil 10 the utmost extent. The sole
establishments for cooking and baking placed
the bank Of the stream Immediately above and be-
tween the two inner lines Of palisades. The grease
and refuse from them were found dherng TO the banks
at the time Of our visit The guards TO the number
about 1900 were principally encamped the upper
part Of the stream and when the heavy rains washed
down the hill sides, covered with $1,000 human beings
and the outlet below failed 10 discharge the ohd which
backed and filled the valley the water must have be.
come foul and loathsOme that every statement Lave
of Its ofensiveness must be considered falling
abort of the reality And yet within rheshot OF the
prison there flowed stream is feet wide and three
feet deep Of pure delicious water. Had the prison
been placed 80 TO include section Of the Sweet
Water Creek" the inmates might have drank and
bathed TO their hearts content.
During the occupation. beautiful spring broke ou
like the waters Of Meribah from the solid ground
the foot Of the northern slope just under the western
dead line 1t is still there-coo and clear-the only
pleasing object in this horrid place.
The scarcity Of water. the want OF occupation ant
perhaps the desire to escape by tnnneng mpeled the
prionsrsto dig wells Forty Of ,hese. finished and IN
finished, remain. Those on the highest ground being
sunk in the hard soil to the depth of eighty feet The
work vas done with kniyes spoons sticks and Other
tools bnt little better. The diggers brought up the
earth in their pockets and bouses. and sprinkled il
about the ground TO conceal the quantity. In some
wells excellent water was reached and in Others hoT
sontak kEseres were attempted for escape In at leas,
one instance, tunnel was carried entirely through