Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1880-01-22
Recollectlins of the Rebellion.

There was once an episode during my
life at Andersonvllle that stands out in
my memory above all others. No man
can conceive of the decentralization that
comes upon men confronted on all sides
with so much misery. The greatest lux
ury 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 COM
forts. A gang of robbers was organized,
who went around the camp at night and
tore the blankets and clothes off of sick
and diving men, kicking and beating
those who made any feeble attempt at
resistance. In little while the robber-
ries become so fcequent as to be the
worst of our troubles. A perfect reign
of terror existed, and we did not know
what to do, Finally, after consultation,
we asked permission of Writ to 1nvesti-
gate and see who were the perpetrators
of these outrages, and punish them.
Writ granted 1.-THE only kind act he
ever did, believe, for the Union prison
ers 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 of the stockade under the Con-
federate guard. A judge, jury, prosecut-
ing attorney, and clerk were appointed,
| together with a counsel for the defence.
Evidence was heard from many of the
prisoners, and the accused we're all iden-
titled as among the parties found guilty
Of the robber1es. A verdic of guilty
was returned, and they were sentenced
to be hung. The proceedings were ap-
proved by Writ, who ordered the lum.
Der to be furnished us for scaffold. We
built one sufficient for our purpose. Il
consisted simply of a cross-beam sup
ported by two uprights. A platform wa!
constructed about three feet from the
ground, the first plank, laid at RICH
angles with the upright and parable
with the cross-beam directly above it
being 80 adjusted that it could be with
drawn from Its position at momenti
notice. The six condemned men were
escorted to the scafold by guard o
about three hundred prisoners, armed
with sticks and clubs. They were placed
on the plank. In lieu of the customar,
black caps, their heads were encased il
-four sacks.
Notwithstanding this absen ce of cere
mOny the scene was an impress one
The gallows stood near the top of tn
hill, and nearly all the thirty eight thous
and prisoners were gathered to witnes
| the execution. Trey maintained perfec
silence, retaining from any, insults t
the condemned, but their hollow eyes
: pale, pinched faces, their savage express
: ion of countenauce, were sufficient in
dication of their determination that n,
one should escape. The ropes were care
2 fully adjusted with the knot in each Cas-
under the left ear, and, by signal, tn
the board was withdrawn from beneat
. them. There was a drop of three fee
8 and the bodies swung about foot fror
the ground-all but one. The sixth ma
: a former sailor in the navy, was perceiN
t ed to have fallen to the ground. tn
rope had broken.
:. In an instant he was on his feet. b
r started to run down the hill. The GROVE
z compromising his intention to escap
e followed with wild yell in pursuit.
= was fight for life. He had the start b
few seconds, and made the most by it.
" never saw man run aS he Q1O. he wei
e down to the morass with nearly thirt,
I eight thousand men close upon his heel
I Not finding him there, we looked up an
saw him running ON the other side of IL
" hill. We followed. He made for one
u the huts or sheds, but as soon as he heal
US coming, got out and again started {
j, the run. Widoing the distance betwe.
n us, he again sought refuge in dugou
ID and second time had to abandon it
we came up. 1t was twenty minutes b
ID fore we had him fast. He begged pill
lie ously for his life, but he had no mere
We We had to drag him down the hill thu
e, the sand, thence through the swan
Il and up the other hill to the scaffold.
IN was held by three men on the platfoI
y while the moose was adjusted the seeol
r. time after we we had spliced the rol
II; He trembled IN every limb. At the q
IT, en- moment the men pushed him fro
~ the scaffold, and he swung clear fro
W the ground two feet. Robberies ne,
occurred again.