The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-04-19

Maj Gee, who reported directly to Richmond,
but he could not control the forces at Salisbury,
the commanding officer having power to restrict
the guard asked for by Maj. Gee to guard the pri-
son, and Maj. Gee complained to witness that
this was done, and that the officers WERE many of
them, unfit tor the duties. @
Witness stated that huts for the prisoners could
not have been erected in long time even if they
had the axes to cut and teams to haul the TIMBER
on account of insuficiency of men to do the work
the teams that were there could not haul wood
enough for the prison, even with the assistance of
the Railroad
Maj. Gee frequently complained of want of
supplies-the first day the prisoners came, he had
nothing to give them to eat until late in the day.
On one occasion Maj Myers seized quantity of
provision on the train going to Lees army, and
asked him for force to take them-the authori-
ties of the Road gave them up after they found
the guard had been ordered. Witness further
testified in regard to Maj Gees efforts to procure
water for the prisoners, and also lumber for shell
ters-that he had employed the saw mills to furn-
ISL it, but every thing worked slow-teams were
scarce and the roads in bad order. Witness ap-
piled to the Confederate authorities for clothing,
but got none-afterward got order for small
supply OF clothes and blankets from the State,
but don't know that it filled. The
Senior Reserves were entitled to the sup
plies as othor troops in the service, but never got
them.
There was much excitement throughout the
country i'll regard to impressmcnts, and the peo-
pie were opposed to selling to the government
because the price it paid far less than the
market price Maj Myers district was composed
Of the counties around and including Rowan
some of them might be called northwestern coun-
tics of the State.
Gee often advised w as TO hat
was best to do in regard to the prisoners-Judge
Baxter present some of these occasions
and saw the kilograms to Richmond, and the an
swers thereto, before alluded to. When General
Winder came he examined the prison and said it
was unfit, and he showed witness a letter to the
Department, in which he had so reported.
Maj. Gee told witness that he had applied, or
intended t" apply, to be relieved, because he had
not the means and flci tiles to do what ought to
be done f, + the prisoners. Maj. Gee discharged
his duties as well as could be done under the
circumstances and with the means at his COM
mlnd.
Witness knew nothing of any order forbddng
intercourse between citizens and the prisoners
ordinarily prisoners not allowed to have COM
munication with persons outside without
der. Witness had Il conversation with General
ayes, prisoner in regard TO the prison, and
he protrssed satisfaction except in regard to
rations.
Witness then, as military man, stated that
Maj Gee after all his efforts t" prevent the pris
oners being sent to Salisbury, and 10 get them
supplies after they came had quit his position
without leave, he would have been liable TO be
court-martialcd on charges of disobcdience to or
ders ard desertion OF his post, the penalty for
which wo I'D have been death, and his efforts and
rcmoIstra would not lave excused him.
The Commission then adjourned to 10 O'Clock
Thursday.