, 1876-01-30
The U1cerous Character OF These
E1crcsccnccs upon Civ
iliz1tion.
eone of the Doiugs of Dastards Which
Unblushing Congressman
Extenuate.
Eamples Of Memories Of Sufferer Which
Doughfaces Would We're
Oblitcratcd.
His Unelaborated Story Of Gigantic
Crimes Too Lightly Punished.

70 the Editor Of The CHICAGO TFibun<:
Chicago, Jsn. 28.-Of what has been written
the suner1ngs Of our soldiers in the
prisons Of the South. there is very little CAL be
said which will add ,nterest to the subject as it
is not = task Of pleasure, or one that will bring
happinees to the mind OF the reader It il q
subject th4t Is seldom reeosted to in refined
circles, from the fact it revives recollectlons
which We fain would seek TO disturb, but rather
seek to avoid. Ths question has been aaked,
Why this agitation? An untimely re-
mark has bzoached the subject, aud
may say a few words which may prove Of in
terest regarding the life OF prisonez-of-war
confined in Ande1sonyille and other prisons OF
tho South.
ALL PRlsoS-PEN8 NOT ALIKE
There Was quite : contrast in the dlde1ent
prisons Some were better adapted to the uso
they were appropriated to than Others. The
prisons Of Richmond were ordinary business
buildings, and more Agreeable than some others
rom the fact that the men we're not exposed to
he storms and cold, and, may say,
:ho rations which we're Issued in Iach-
nond were far superior to those received
It AndersonTi!le. Belle lsle, Alilleo, or
any OF the other prisons. Belle Isle is situated
n tho James River, 1T or near Richmond, and
that portion where the prisoners wore confined
was inclosed by ditch. The inclosure was not
Tar from or 354 acree and within that space
:here wese confined 5000 men. which will give
something Of an ides Of the space allotted to each
person. A limited number OF army tents had
been provided for the first occupants. but they
wefe soon filed, and the remainder, who
were compelled to Lie down at night
on the ground. exposed to the
weather, wero far greater than those who we're
more fortunate in finding ehelter.
DOG MAKING MAN EAT DOG.
The officer in command at this time OF which
speak YVES Lieut.. Davis, and q more thorough
Rebel was not in existence. His heart (if he
possessed one) was as hard as adamant.
rember well when be made his appearance in
The camp the day previous to my departure. He
vas accompanied by his pct dog. he cana in to
organize change and arrange to send portion
Of the camp 70 AndeFsGnvll'e, 7. lBa.a Ss
rs I remarked, when he came in he WAS accom-
panied BY his dog. But he had not gone far
Hhen the dog WAS missing, and he mistrusted
.hat there had been foul play. He called the
ooys together-those who, he said, we're going
for e1change-and informed them that unless
that dog we're produced. or the man who had
Ho1en him, not man 6hould 60 home. This,
IT COURSE, WAS too severe. and the result was the
nan wss found and tho dog demanded. The
nan opened his haverBack and produced tho
:emnhnts Of the canine in the shape of two hind
luartera- The rest having been devoured,
II course vss not to be found. Davis was more
euienr than VAS his custom. He cnly compelled
be man to eat q portion OF the meas, thinking,
probably. it would humhAte him and cause
:oar Of laugh hter from the camp, when, in fact,
~ S,%% %haQ F1Yyf hArN hoa t,a41.
pier had he been in that mans place With 3
rocks 1ations in his hayersack.
soAE PtEA8ASTR1Es WORTHY or THE NAME OF
DAVIS.
have seen Lieut.. Davis draw his revolver
md shoot = man down for taking q hand
mi OF beans from barrel which
Tho Doctor had forbidden him to issue
because they weIo sour. On another occasion
raw him set two men astraddle Of 3 pole aud tic
heir legs down, keeping them IN that position
ug them Tho rations issued in this camp we're
much better than those given out in Anderson
nlle, one-fourth pound Of corn bread, and one
paul Of meat, bones aud all, to 1C0 men par day.
sETERE REMEDY.
About three weeks before left Belle Ialo,
report came to camp that they wele exchanging
The sick. One Of my comrades WAS trying to
contrlyo some plan to get into the hospital,
and run the gauntlet il possible.
7 told him / could put him in good condition
that report wss, as usual, hoax He WAS over
anxious to trJ the experiment. and took bim
in charge. My first dose WIS success. I gave
him three piils, made Of hard soap. In about
three houra he Was IS timber aud IL wrinEled as
. bootleg l bad friend help carry hlm to
the doctor. He wEs examined, and pronounced
q fit subject for exchange, and. sure enough, he
WAS sent to "God's country, Is We termed it
when ne spoke Of home.
AT THE HoBR1D PEN OF PENs.
nf&
sent for "exchsnge" with about 5000 others
aud brought up in Andessonville instead Of
"God's country" )" This camp. At that time, WAS
m Enclosure Of about twelve acres- The
stockade vas formed by placing timbars upright
and close together. Tie stockade was about 16
ground about 4.or feet forming strong fence.
Outside Of this 1nclosuro WAS space OF prob
ably 20 feet and second stockade around the
first, making complete fortiicat,on. Within
tha inside iuclosure there ~as what Was termed
THE DEAD-L1NE.
This Was 6mply 1ingle narrow strip Of board
On etakea, and tt2e penalty Was death to step
within that ipclosuro. Many poor aouls have
forfeited their lives by trying the experiment.
This Vas never attempted By any OF the old
;emptne conscript. Tbs guards were seldom
Did soldiers mostly conscripts, and young boys
or old men who could not stand the fatigue OF a
ung march. There was one poor old man belong
ing to our detachment, who had loef log N
battle. and the p1ison-life hsd partially robbed
him OF his mind. He waa in the habit Of roam
ng a.ound camp, scarcely knowing where te
drew his daily allowance. This poor cripple had.
by some accident, stepped over the daad-liue. |
No sooner had he dono 60 than bullet went
crashing through his brain. give this instance |
to ahow how Watchful tho guards were, and the |
anxiety they had for trying their mus |
ke.s On Yankee. Whenever an old |
soldier Was on guard wo received !
warning Whenever ne chanced to intrudo on for |
bidden ground.
TIE QUICK ASp THE DEAD.
One man in our detachment managed to make |
biz eecape in somewhat novel way. The dead |
wero placed near the gate and, at certain |
hour, they wero carried out and placed in the |
Dead-Houso. We had arranged to hare him |
feigu death. and, ut the appointed |
hour, wo carried him out with the |
rest, placing him In = line with the dead. |
The Dead-House had neyer been guarded, |
md when night get in he took to the woods, |
Ind was in fair T2Y to reach our 1incs but, |
being carelaas, WAS overtaken. and forced to |
carry bali and chain for his pains. He escaped |
ouce after that by means OF tunnel, aud waa |
again captured By the hounds. This time he |
Eas placed in the stocks for twenty-four hours. |
He did not try it again.
THE CELEBRATED TUNNEL.
Our camp Was at one time pretty thoroughly |
organized, with plan in view to surprise |