The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-05-02
THURSDAY. ApRu, ss. 1866
Court adjourned.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1866.
j. W. Readdick sworn-a blacksmith, was at
Salisbury at the time the large number of prison
ers was there-worked ir the smiths shop at the
arsenal-was entitled to double rations, but never
got them-got usually / Is lb. flour or lb. corn
meal and "a lb. beef or Il lb bacon-others in
the arsenal got the same-went without rations
several times-lumber was scarce-12 or IA of the
carpenters had to stop work for want of lumber
we made some axes, but could not finish them for
want of steel.
Had seen prisoners buying provisions both at the
wood yard and the creek, also when they went to
the wells in the town-never saw them prohibited
from buying-had also traded with them himself.
CROSS EXAMINED
We used pine lumber at the arsenal, brought
down the W. N. c. Railroad-each carpenter
furnished his own tools-never saw anything pri-
soners had bought taken from them-the time of
greatest scarcity was about two weeks in Novem-
ber, but there was never enough
BY THE COURT
We were said to be entitled to double rations-
don't know what the legal rations were-don't
know whether double rations meant twice the
usual amount or merely an increase of it.
James Campbell, jr., sworn-residence West
Troy, N. Y, was soldier in the 43d N. Y. Infan-
try-captured September Sth, 1s64-went to Sails
bury 10Th October-when arrived got about lb.
good wheat bread and pint of soup-had Jared
very badly at Danville prison, before coming to
Salsbury-was appointed clerk by Mr.. Lyerly-
assisted to keep the prison register-remained
inside the prison till 18th November-then pa
rolled outside and stayed at headquarters while
inside, messed with the sergeant-majors of divi-
sions-ten of them-had meat three times week
and good bread--often had more than we needed
and gave some to prisoners in the yard-had
plenty of fuel-sometimes had to come down to
sorghum, but then we had grease to fry our bread
in-had tripe sometimes, but didn't like trlpe
much-got water from the wells or from the
creek-sometimes forged a pass and got water
from the hospital well-dutes were the same after
being paroled outside. WITNESS gave form of
soner, who acted as assistant clerk with witness
and Moses Palmer-a printed form was adopted
and signed about the last of November. Witness
exhibited blank form of these paroles.] All the
prisoners paroled by Maj Morftt signed these
paroles, with a clause added by which the prison
ers agreed to be shot, if they attempted to escape
and were recaptured- thinks Morfitt paroled some
without Maj. Gees knowledge-Gee objected to
the form of Mortts paroles, and said it was like
making man swear away his own life.
After going out, witness, with Palmer and
Lewis, slept in Morftt's office, which was under
Maj Gees off1ce-drew his rations from the cook
house while inside the prison-drew raw rations
outside-was allowed by parole to go into the
town, in the day time, and sometimes in the
night-Maj Gee knew it-saw Maj Gee every day
but had no ,irect business with him-he some
times came into the room where we stay ed
always knocked before entering-was always
courteous.
Have known persons to make gifts to prisoners
"a man from Gold Hill gave money and blanket
to prisoner from Pennsylvania of no
ease of refusal to persons to give things to pri-
soners-prisoners were generally brought to head
quarters to see those who wished to see them
sometimes the officials took things in to prisoners.
The outbreak was ON 25th or 9th of November
-NllllcSS Was Ill OllCS Ut tClc-lOOh-
ed out and saw missiles flying over the wall-was
advised not to 20 out on the parapet-went up
into Mai Gees room and looked out at the win
dow-saw the prisoners running in various direc-
tions seeking cover cannons were fired before he
got to the window-saw Capt Fuqua at the gun
at the north-angle-saw Maj. Gee on the ground
near the small bake house-heard the order to
cease fring-Maj. Gee had his hands raised, earn
estly. Does not think the firing lasted more than
five minutes-saw citizens come up with arms,
apparently anxious to fIe-the last shot lA saw
fired was by Victor Kirk, yankee deserter, who
fired after the order to cease. The 6Sth N. G.
regiment was at the depot when the firing begun,
and came running to the prison, but did not ar
rive till firing ceased-they appeared very anxious
to fire on the prsoners-saw one of the guard fall
from the platform at the gate-don't know that
he fell from a shot, or from lodging the missiles
could not see the -gate-the cannon was
not fred after he saw Fuqua-saw the effects of
the cannon shot in the tents-they were struck
near the top; the gun shot too high
Maj Gee wore cap with glazed cover, gray
roundabout, with star on the collar, blue pants
without lace, wore no sabre-never saw him wear
a dress coat, cape or cloak, nor hat-sometimes
wore an overcoat-he was not particularly careful
in dress. "A dark oyercoat, shaggy on one side,
dark mixed on the other, worn either side out,
was shown witness. / That is the identical coat
worn sometimes by Maj. Gee at the prison, be
wore no other.
Witness was sick while at Salisbury; had the
best medical attendance-on convaleschg, he was
invited by Mr.. Kern to go to his house in the
country-Maj Gee refused to allsw him to go at
first, but afterward approved his application, and
witness went and remained about a month until
the prisoners left Salisbury. -