South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-06-04
Prison Life During the Late War.

Some ex-Federal soldier has recently
published book upon his prison expe-
riences n Andersoaville and elsewhere.
dilating upon the horrid crueltics prac-
ticed by the unspeakablc rebels upon tho
Union braves. We suppose that this
book has been brought out in this cleo
ton year IS much with q view of infiu--
encing the Presidential election as of re.
cording the truth Of history. This whole
story Of prison life, indeed, is one of.
singular interest, as showing how much
better people the Yankees are than the
Rebels. We ourself were In several Of
the Northern prisons during the last year
OF the war. and can testify to the broad
and philanthropic plan upon which these
delightful resorts were carried on. How
IL was elsewhere VIC do not profess TO
know, bot at Fort Delaware, Morris Is
land and Fort talsski. things were pref.
ty much the same With the prisoners as
they would have been at tirst.class
hotel. The only trouble was that eating
too much, with TOO little exercise, caus.
ell the death OF several prisoners from
surfeit. The barracks wore built in the
most scientifically correct style ofarchi.
4 eNSSaASp W oc w SOnOAHS DCAut1 I'll aDs
pearaIce with commodiousness and n.y.
gienic excellence. In oil buildings over
two stories high the most elegant cleya-
tors were provided for the use OF pris-
oners. The finest linen and the most
deecy blankets were provided for the
beds and several laundresscs were exc
cuted at Fort Delaware, during our SO.
journ there, for falling to do up shirts
according TO tho regulation style OF ele.
gance. The breakfast bell was ruug
every morning at seven O'Clock in sum-
mer, and one hour later in winter. The
prisoner, upon rising. found his boots
nicely BACKED, his shaving water ready,
and CHEEKY fire blazing briskly in his
grato. Ii he chose TO breakfast in his
apartment he had only to ring his bell,
send for tho gentlemanly sergeant in
charge of the diningroom aud his toast
and oysters or porter house steak, or
fresh shad las the case might be) were
at once sent in 10 him.
3lost of us, however, preferred break
fasting at the table dho,c for the sake OF
the company both OF our comrades, and
that of tho heightened and gentlemanly
Federals hdndred-Gays' men and bounty
jumpers whose duty 1t was to wait upon
us. The dinners were always excellent
although there was occasionally com
plant made by some OF Arkansans or
Missourians OF the quality Of the wines
| furnished by tho authorities. These
misguided men preferred corn whiskey
as dinner drink, to the Amontillado
sherry or Clos Vougeot which were the
regular thing on the prison table. Some
men arc SO hard 10 satisfy. Upon re-
! icrring the matter TO the secretary OF
war (thc sainted Stanton) be forced them.
with unparalleled brutality. 20 take
French brandy instead Of whiskey. For
this instance OF oppression to prisoners
he has been severely reprehended by the
more humane of his courtrymen. The
cooking was done by o small army OF
assistants, under he direction OF n
French chef de cuisine holding the as
simulated rank of Lieuten ant. Colonel In
the Commissary Department. Among
the arrivals there was always some com.
plant about the methods OF preparing
food. CT first they pre!erring the old-timo
Southern ways OF cooking to the unac-
customed 9tews, ragouts, entrees, &C. OF
the French chet They would soon be-
come recoBciled however, and we have
learned that since the close OF tho war
nearly every Individual Confederate who
was an inmate OF a northern prison, has
either employed a French cook or Join.
ed the STAFF OF some hotel kept in The
European style.
VI evenings after tea, we were requir-
cd TO assemble in the prison parlors IN
fui! dress, 20 listen TO the private con-
certs there provided for us. The post
quartcrmasters were made TO furnish
swallow tails, white ties and white kid
gloves TO such Of the prisoners as did
not have these articles on OF the time OF
their capture. ON fine days, fishing ex-
cursions, picnics and volts % places OF
interest in the neighborhOoi OF the re.
spective prisons at government ex-
pease, added another charm 10 this idyl.
lie existence AS . result Of all this.
when peace was declared il was With
great difficulty that ex-rebel prisoners
could bc made to return 70 their homes
and to their former modes Of life. The
humane Spirit Of the officials ia CHARGE
OF them OF course forbade resort TO siren.
uou5 means TO accomplish this desired
end. and 10 was only after the discon-
tinuance Of oil picnics, excursions, &C.,
and the taking away OF wine from tie
daily bill! OF fare that these misguided
people could be induced 70 return 10
their homes. In fact, some OF them
never did leave. In marked contrast 10
this was TIC manner in which the Union
braves wero treated by the brutal rebels
We have not space 20 20 into this sub
ject as IL should 10 gone into, but havo
TO refer our readers % books that have
been published in tho North upou the
subject. This article Is written in the
interests oftruth. and with no reference
20 the Presidential election
The Pittsburgh Poa thinks Il nothing
| a.rAnro That Mr. and Mrs IInrna -