Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-07-04

ring Confederates, deserters and transgressors 81
army regulations Plunged within these walls, they
underwent the purgatorial season ef punishment,
and the infection of the pains and penalties that
were presumed to fit them for the ranks, 'thecamp
and the field again. Here, upon thus upper floor,
shut in by thick walls that deadened the sounds Of
their cries, were praciced upon Confederate SOL
diers all manner of cruel6es. "Bucking," "gag-
ging," branding and securing, tieing up by the
thumbs, were some of the modes of punishment
resorted to by Alexander-the Hayneau of the
Confederate war When any one under the scourge
Of the Feather strap" failed to cry out and plead
for mercy, his instructions to Caphar, the execu-
TONER were, "Lay it on Hardarl Harder, I
say!"
mandates, was also hangman, and ofhciated at the
hanging of the several spies and murderers execu-
ted under military law during the war. He was a
character His heart was as devoid of sympathy
as stone In appearance he was patriarchal !:
long, flowing, dirty-white beard; cold lustreless,
cruel eyes, unused to tears; mouth everfoul with
blasphemy and tobacco. To inAict pain was his
mission, and he delighted in his mission, which
delight was at no moment more manifest than
when employed in laying the ''strap" upon the
stripped loins of some unfortunate Confederate de-
serer or adjusting the moose about the neck Of the
wretch condemned to die.
Caphart, himself, died suddenly soon after the
evacuation of Richmond and it is said his per-
turbed ghost has been seen about the Castle on
moonlight nights, the "strap' in one hand, and
the hangman' moose in the other. God shrive his
soul!
The dog Hero, a gigantic Russian ood-hound,
WAS terrible canine adjunct Of the Castle. Most
incredible stories are told of his sagacity; how he
stood sentinel, and seized and throttled escaping
prisoners or gave the alarm when an enaeute was
in progress Hero had the range and freedom Of
the Castle, and like his master, the Commandant,
showed his double stockade Of teeth when the least
provoked. He drew daily rations, much better
than the prisoners obtained, and we are not sure
but that he drew pay too like his master. Evacu.
alton morn, Hero deserted and joined the enemy,
or was stolen away and when last heard from,
Hero was being exhibited North, hero indeed.
The Castle originally was and is now again q to-
bacco factory, owned and occupied by Messrs.
Greanor & Sons The grim paraphernaia of a
military prison, with all its traces, have been re,
moved, and the weed that is symbolical Of content
ment and solace, and fills the typical calumet oi
peace, encumbers every floor in the various process
of manufacture The ''sweat cells" where refrac-
tory and unmanageable prisoners were put through
the horrors of solitary confinement, are now the
sweat houses for the preparation Of the tobacco
leaf. About one hundred and fifty negroes are en-.
poyed in the factory, and when the writer of these
"reminiscences visited the place, the strong chorus
of their voices was swelling in happy song, that
sounded above the din of their labor and the clack
of the machinery.
CAMP LEE.
The Conscript Camp of instruction, has degene
raved into freedmen's hamlet, and there Is little
about it now to recall to the mind the appearance
Of the "Conscript pei" in Confederate times But
We opine that thousands of our male readers will
need no picturesque description Of the spot, te
have brought back, vividlyto heirmemories, Camp
Lee and its surroundings, where they first learned
in the practice Of Hardee's Tactics, the mysteries
of the manual of arms. The high plank enclosure
of the Camp is swept away-gone to make fire
wood for the freedmen. The Post Commandant'
quarters and barracks look woe-begone snd dilapi
dated enough. Like black snakes, warmed into
life by the breath Of spring, wooy head protrudes
from each door and window, and troops Of picca
ninnies swarm the parade ground.
10 the west Of the main entrance, distant about
one hundred yards, markedly aclump oftrees is the
old execution ground, where Confederate deserters
condemned to be "shot to death with musketry, u
died at the musket's muzzle. Here, where the sod
is barren of verdure stood the firing squad; there
where the grass springs rich and verdant nourished
by their blood, knelt the condemned, blindfolded.
The laws of war are inexorable; they are the same
world over But oh the inexpressiblc, the indie
scribabe anguish of death, the measureess pre-
ciousness of life when it approaches close. The
sunbeams, how bright; the skies, how blue; the
world, how fair. There may have been, among
those who looked into those musketmuzzles, facing
death, those who were innocent, those who were
wrongfully condemned; but from their lips, parted
in prayer, there came no words Of reproach and
rebuke. They died, they are buried that is all.
higher the entrance, and south Of the buildings,
on the low plat, is the parade ground. Here stood
the gallows, upon which died several spies and
murderers Everything pertaining to the engine Of
death has disappeared, and even the posts have
been whitfield down piecemeal, and carried away
by grim souueair hunters:
CUT THIS OUT.