The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-04
Fragrant Memories of AndersOnville
by a Survivor.

An old survivor of Andersonville, II
a talk with a representative of the Ereh
ing Post, says:
"There was an episode during my life
at Andersonville that stands out in my
memory against all others. No one can
conceive of the decentralization that
comes upon men confronted on all sides
with so much misery. While Anderson
vile developed examples of as noble her.
oism and self-sacriice rs the world pro-
badly ever witnessed, it served also to
bring out on the part of some of the in
mates some of the most abhorrent and
despisable traits of human nature. The
greatest luxury that could be enjoyed by
= prisoner was warm blanket. Yet
men were found among the prisoners base
enough to rob their fellows of even these
comforts. A gang of robbers was or
ganized who went around the camp at
night, and tore the blankets and clothes
off from sick and dying men, kicking
and beating those who made any feeble
attempts at resistance. Money was also
taken from the prisoners or anything else
Of value that could be found upon them.
In little while the rObberes became so
frequent as to be the worst of our
troubles. A perfect reign of terror ex-
listed, and we did not know what to do
Finally, after consultation, we asked per-
mission of WirtZ to investigate and see
who were the perpetrators of these out
RACES and punish them. Wirtz granted
it, the only kind act he ever did, | believe,
for the Union prisoners there, and thank
him for it to this day. We picked out
six men for trial before tribunal of our
own selection. 1t sat outside the stock
ade under a confederate guard. A judge,
jury, prosecuting attorney and clerk were
appointed, together with counsel for
the defense. Evidence WAS heard from
many of the prisoners, and the accused
were all identified as among the parties
guilty of the robberies. A verdict OF
guilty was found, and they were SEN
fenced to be hung, and the entire pro-
ceedings approved by Writ, who ordered
the lumber to be furnished US for scat
fold. We built one sufficient for our
purposes in few hours. 1t consisted
simply Of cross beam supported by
two uprights. A platform was construct
ed about three feet from the ground, the
first plank laid at right angles with the
uprghts and parallel with the cross
beam directly above it, being so adjusted
that it could be withdrawn from its posi-
ton at moments notice. The six con
demned men were escorted to the scatfold
by guard of about three hundred pris
oners, armed with sticks and clubs. The,
were p aced on this plank. In lieu of til,
hal
heads in flour sacks.
Notwithstanding this absence of Ger
cmony the scene was an impressive one
The gallows stood near the top of tn,
hill, and nearly all the thirty-eight thou
sand prisoners We're gathered to witness
the execution. They maintained perfec
silence, refrsining from any insults to th'
condemned, but their hollow eyes, pale
pinched faces, their savage expression o
countenance, were sufficient indication
of their determination that not one shout,
escape. The ropes were carefully adj just
ed, and the knot in each case under tn
left ear, and by signal the board with
drawn from beneath them. There was
drop of two feet and the bodies swun.
about a foot from the ground-all bu
one. The sixth man, Il former sailor il
the navy, was perceived to have fallen t
the ground. The rope had broken.
ain an instant he was on his feet. II,
started to run down the hill. The crowd
comprehending his intention to escape
followed with wild yell in pursuit. |
was a fight for life. He had start b,
few seconds, and he made the most q
it. | never saw a man run as he did
He went down to the morass with nearly
$4,000 men close upon his heels. No
finding him there, we looked up anc
saw him running up the side of thu
other hill. We followed. lie made fol-
one of the huts or sheds, but, as soon q.
he heard us coming, got down and start
oil on the run agnn. Widening the dis
lance between u he again sought refuge
in a dug out, aud u second time had tC
abandon it AS we came up. 1t wa.
twenty minutes before we had him fast
He begged piteously for his life, but W,
had no mercy. We had to drag hin
down the hill through the swamp anc
up the other hill to the scafiold. ii,
was held by three men on the platform
while the moose was tied the second
time, after we had spiced the rope. IL,
trembled in every limb. At the given
moment the man pushed him from the
scaifold, aud he swung clear from the
ground two feet. The robberies never
occurred again"