The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-04-25

Ties, made requlsltl0n Tor tents and axes O. few
of which were furnished, as he afterward saw
tents in the prisons-none of the guards, except
those who were there before the prisoners of war
came, had tents-the tents in the prison were
used on the ground, and not pitched when he
noticed them. Prisoners were continued to be
sent after Maj Gee telegraphed not 10 send any
more-hc was answered that an inspector would
be sent out and that he must do the best he could
with them, as there was no where else to send
them.
The witness explained the manner of making
impressments, by which itappeared that Maj. Gee
had no authority to impress provisions or other
things. Several General Orders of the Confeder-
ate authorities in regard to impressments were
read and entered of record as rart of the testi-
mony for the defense @49
The Senior officer of the guard forces at Sails
bury had the command, but could not control
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 for the duties.
g.
not have been erected in a long time, evenif they
had the axes to cut and teams to haul the timber,
on account of insufliciency 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-
ish it, but every thing worked slow-teams were
scarce and the roads in bad order. Witness ap-
piled to the Observation-Disclosures for clothing,
but got nonc-afterward got one order for asmall
supply of clothes and blankets from the State,
but don't know that it was ever filed. The
Senior Reserves were entitled to the same sup
plies as othor troops in the service, but never got
them.
There was much excitement throughout the
country in regard to impressments, and the peo-
pie were opposed to selling to the government
because the price it paid was 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-
ties of the State
Mai. Gee often advised with witness as to what
was best to do in regard to the prisoners Judge
Baxter was present on some of these occasions
and saw the kilograms to Richmond, and the an
swers thereto, before alluded to. When General
Windcr came he examined the prison and said it
was unfit and lie showed witness letter to the
Department, in which he had so reported.
| Mai Gee told witness that he had applied, or
intended tn apply, to be relieved, because he had
| not the means and facilities to do what ought to
| be done f. r the prisoners. Maj. Gee discharged
his duties as well as could be done under the
circumstances and with the means at his COM
| ,mand.
Witness knew nothing of any order forbidding
intercourse between citizens and the prisoners
ordinarily prisoners are not allowed to have COM
Inunication with persons outside without an Or
der Witness had conversation with General
l.ayes, prisoner, in regard to the prison, and
he professed satisfaction except in regard to
rations.
Witness then, as a military man, stated that
Naj. Gee, after all his efforts to prevent the prs-
oners being sent to Salisbury, and to get them
supplies after thev came, had quit bis position
| without leave he would have been liable to be
court-martialcd on charges of disobedience to or
ders and deseriion of his post, the penalty for
which would have been death, and his efforts and
remonstranccs woud not have excused him.
| The Commission then adjourned to 10 O'Clock
Thursday. @