Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-04-07
The H0rrars of salisbury

The trial of Major Gee, which IS now
progressing at Raleigh, N. c., for cruel
ties to our prisoners while he was in
command of the prison pen at Sails
bury, is proving him to be a greater
monster even, than Wirz. From the
mass of testimony, which has been
/ taken, we select the following:
| M. III. Shoffner sworn--LIve in Ala
bama; was il Lees army; was in Sails
bury in 1865, and had conversation
with Major Gee; went to see Daniel
Koch, a southern deserter, confined in
| that prison, and to take ,ihim q box of
provisions; Gee refused to let me enter
the prison; he said could not go in to
see any id Yankee, or take any
thing to any I'd Yankee.
Cross-examined, the witness specified
the time, place aud circumstances of his
interview with Major Gee,. and was cer-
tain about the language used on the
OCCASION; the witness recognized the
prisoner as Major Gee. 1asLa his2 ;,s
H. b. Orsland swornAWas+ prisoner
at Salisbury; captured in the Shenan-
doah Valley and sent to the prison last
of October, 1864; L belonged to the
151st NJ, Y, Volunteers. WITNESS re-
neated what has been stated respecting
the slender character of the rations y
Heard Major Gee say to the guard,
"When you see gathering of the pris-
oners, FIRE in AMONG th6ni,,' and make
them scatter" about a dozen men were
shot back of the main building; never
heard any warning given before firing;
prisoners were enlisted for the rebel
army, and notices stuck upon the trees,
stWanted, 400 foreigners to enlist in the
Confederate service. They shall receive
$50 and double rations as soon as enlist
ed" signed Shy order OF Major Gee,
commanding post. ,ri.ig -if lo fgtf te1i
During the cross-examination the
witness described Gees dress on the
occasion mentioned particularly, and
said he (witness) swore positively to the
words of the notice, "by order of Maj.
Gee, commanding post.
Charles G.i Ashley swornAWas sol
der in the 8tA New York Heavy Artil-
lery In 1864; was captured at Ream's
Station, Va, in August, and taken to
Salisbury about the Sth of October; the
average rations were about one-third of
A loaf of bread a day-sometimes half,
sometime a quarter, and sometimes
90
day-meat occasionally; we went three
DAYS without food at one time; saw Ma
Hior Gee with Southern officers calling
for recruits; was told that they were
offered $50 lin rebel CURRENCY and two
loaves of bread;s the, prisoners were
Growing up when theywere ordered back
by the crowd, who told them
he would fire on them; / saw Major
Gee once at the Dead honse; as I pass
ed heard some one say THAT man
breathes, and saw the. surgeon feel his
pulse. Major Gee said: .'Take him
along or ''Carry him out" 1 don't re-
member which. I'd ssf1e will be dead by
the time he gets to the trench. The
diving man was in the cart, but was
taken out by some of the prisoners and
carried back 20 the hospital; saw him
omen his mouth after he was taken out.
This happened in January. 1864 Mr..
Rabbit. Mr.. Harris, and others cannot
name. were present at the time Fiji
teen Of my company were at Salisbury,
and seven of them died there. ~,
=, Cross examined-I. swear positively
IT was Major Gee / heard say either,
.sTake him out, or carry him along, he
will be dead before heii gets to the
treneh;Yg saw the prisoner takeniout of
the cart and carried;backto the hospital:
Z was standingat THE time in front of
the aead.horIse, about 10 or 10 feet
from Major Gee THE witness then
described the Majors dress particular
lly.) Gee himself made. the offer of $50
and two loayes of bread ITO prisoners
who, would join the rebel army ;aabout
400 mr. 5(0 prisoners. il think, Joined the
rebels.