Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-11-14

history. The traitor would have
received his just reward had he
not been taken Immediately away
b. the guards
So great uas the desire to
breathe the air of freedom, that
some of tue prisoners, thinking
if they remained, they would be-
come victims of disease, would
construct a rude ladder, and
when it was dark would rush
from the barrack to the wall, as
) csnd the ladder and with tire.
menduous bound, leap over the
top amid the cross fire of the
guards. Others fell in the at
tempt and weltering in their gore,
expired. When any of the pris
oners who h a d escaped were
caught, they were placed in dun
geons where not single ray Of
light could enter, and fed on bread
and water for weeks.
The prisoners were allowed the
privilege Of meeting at certain
time every day for preaching and
prayer; and when the weather
would at all permit, tLis hour was
always improved. 1t may seem
strange, yet it was true, that chris
tians of every name united as one
at these meetings. There with
the dome Of ETHEREAL space for
covering, and the ground for their
only pews, the Baptist, Method
ist or Presbyterian minister would !
stand before his humble audience
and preach "Christ and him cruel |
fed" Sectarianism was neither
talked nor thought Of. How sad |
to see demominational prejudice
and strifes in time Of peace and
plenty The cause is pride and
self-righteousness. When proper
ly humbled all denominations lie.
come one power for good. Par
don this depression and we will
resume.
Days, weeks and months passed
away, and the severe winter had
given place to n balmy spring
The refreshing breeze bore the fra
GRANGE of the early flowers, which
caused the prisoners to return in
their imagination to the Sweet
Sunny South" The leaves on
the few trees that were in the in
closure were fully injured; and
the birds would occasionally carol
amid their branches, to the great
delight of the prisoners, who long
ed for that freedom and happi
ness enjoyed by their diminutive
entertainers. But time brought
no changes to Camp Butler Pfis-
on, except on account Of attempts
to escape, the prisoners were de.
prived Of many privileges they at
Grst enjoyed. They were not al. :
lowed to assemble ir groups TO
pass away the dreary hours for
fear OF plots.
81 fear we will never see our
dear old home again" said Jesse !;
with an effort to suppress his !
tears. last night" he contin- f,
ued, 81 dreamed that we were
at home. The thought Of being
free again, and once more re- !
ceivipg the fond ceresses of our
dear mother aud friends so az i,
fected me that awoke. | never :
shall forget my feelings when | !:
became conscious that il was only :
a dream. | would give fortunes ;
i in my possession to make it h
real.' Here his feelings quite O. J
vercame him. jim who had been
writing, gszed vacantly out the :
hole in the wall which served
them as a window, While a tear
stole down bis cheek and blotted !
the half written page "Jesse,"
be said, after their emotion had
somewhat subsided, "it really
seems that death only awaits Us
here; and judging from the fate of
others, we would only hasten ii
BY, attempting to escape" "Let ,
US make one more effort if we /,
perish" replied jesse resoluiely.d
"There are but few difficulties
that patience and perseverance, {
will not surmouni," returned the
other.
The aboye conversation took
place in a small room which was
joined to barrack number ten. 1t
had previously been occupied by
Others, Tut death bad relieved !;