The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1877-01-11
Written for the News.
SOUTHERN PRSON-PENS.
Experience of an Anderson
Vile Prisoner in Dixie.
NO. xxx.

the proper authority, we were ar
ranged in a line and very strong
guard kept over us, and the com
mand given to forward march, We
were to pass through Savannah, but
we were unable to sclve the riddle
of so heavy and vigilant a guard.
We were too weak and crippled to
break ranks, and we had no money
to buy anything with. We had
signed an article of parole and wera.
on our way to our flag of truce ship,
and there was a most aggravating
mystery oyerhanging the whole pro
ceeding.
We rambled along slowly through
the suburbs of the city. At any 9th
er time and under other circumstan-
ces, the scenery and curiosities Of
that part of the country would have
been interesting, but 1 only took n
casual glance at the surrounding OBJ
jects. I got one glimpse at the low
rice fields, stretching off to the south
of the city, as far as the eye could
see.
We were soon vending our way
down through the main street of
Savannah, and the mystery of the
extra guard was solved. Their e
were a great number of the citizens
of Savannah who were loyal, and
those that were not were humane.
They had seen the destitute condi-
tion of the Union prisoners and
their hearts were touched with
pity; so they had prepared clothing
nd other little comforts, and took
positions near where we would pass,
and prepared to present Us with
such things as they could spare.
The officers in charge were expect
ing demonstration of that kind
from the citizens, and gave orders to
the guards to bayonet any one at
tempting to give the prisoners any
thing.
As we passed along, the ladies
were standing in the doors and at
the windows, with shirts, drawers
and all kinds of clothing, and the
guards would order them to go
inside and shut their doors. The
ladies were slow to obey, and would
toss garments clear over the heads
of the guards, who would catch them
on their bayonets and throw them
back, or appropriate them to theil
own use. 1 only saw two or three
mer that succeeded in getting pres
ent.
After tiresome trip of three miles
we arrived at the wharf or landing
We could see few boats tied up to
the shore, but no sign of U. S
vessel. We were halted, and vere
soon all lying down like tired hounds
We were so fortunate as to get four
small crackers, about 2 inches square.
the first we had been blessed with
for two days. The crackers were
devoured ravenously.
One of the boats lying at the
wharf got mp steam and we were
marched aboard of her. Some one
was kind enough to tell US that oui
flag ship was about four miles down
the river, near the mouth. I got
suitable place to lay down and was
soon in the land Of dreams, so neal
exhausted that 1 couldn't awake
When 1 awoke 1 at first supposed W,
were still lying at the wharf. Their,
was considerable excitement on board
the boat, and another large steamer
lying by the side of us. I rolled
over on my back, and looked up
ward, and the first thing my eyes
rested upon was t Stirs and
Stripes fJating over mel "HurrahF
[ wanted to shout-I wanted to veil
Il wanted to jump and dance !
Tears came in my eyes. The glori
Gus old flag, that l had sworn to pro
tect-that old banner was nov
at last my protectionl Oh, what
ioyl 1 have often thought that
when the spirit of man leaves the
body below and enters the pearl,
gates of Heaven, with all its sim
blotted out, it could not realize mort
happiness than 1 did when 1 found
myself once more under the protec-
iion of the Stars and Stripes.
1 was on my feet in an instant.
anil found a long. dark vessel lying
along side of rs. She was an ocean
rugged steamer, and already the gang
plank was up and our prisoners were
running up it and over the sides
of the vessel. The rebel boat had
made the trip during the time wa;
asleep, and had slept so sound tia
1 knew nothing of the movements un
til 1 found myself near the long
looked for U. S. vessel.
My turn came 10 pass from TIE
rebel boat to the steamer. As soon
as 1 was on deck 1 stopped to see
others come aboard. Some of the
men would turn around and curt c
the rebel officers and guards, and
tell them to "go to H with tbeil
Southern Confederacy."