The National tribune., 1881-12-24

prisoners against the blighting evils of intem-
perance, and it is but just to the generals elo-
quence and to my comrades to record that dur
ing the remainder of their stay at the confed
crate capital no cases of intOxicatiOn occurred
among them. While the general was prisoner
his cotton mill at Portland was burned, and one
of the Richmond papers copying the news from
the Northern journals substituted for the word
mills" the word "distiliery," cruel joke upon
the earnest general A debating society was
formed and all manner of subjects was discussed,
bringing to light a goodly number of really elo
quent speakers, who have since achieved fortune
and distinction throughout the country. form
of amusement at night when the lights were out
was what was termed the "catechism,' which
consisted of loud questions and answers, MINI
icries and cries, which, when combined and
in full blast made pandemonium compared
with which mad house or boiler foundry
would have been a peaceful refuge, and such
cries as Tead, of Reading y" Pack up" who
broke the big rope?"" Who stole Mosby's hash?"
and "WhO shaved the nigger of the truck?" all
as unintelligible as ChOctaw to the INITIATED
were pointed and plain enough to those who used
them, alludng as they did to events and persons
]
tins at whom they were aimed.
In each of the large rooms ut night the pris-
oners covered the floor completely, lying in
straight rows like PROSTATE lines Of battle. 1t
was, of course inevitable that among such a large
number of sleepers there should appear the usual
aiflictiOn of loud snorers, whose involuntary dis
cord at times drew terrific hroadside of boots
tin-cans and other convenient missiles, which
invariably struck the wrong man with the most
deadly precision. Among our number was one
particular officer, whose unfortunate habit Of
grinding his teeth secured him larger share Of
room at night than was commonly allowed to a
| single prisoner, and inspired his comrades with
| the unanimous hope that special exchange
might restore him to his family, for certainly he
was man who would be missed from wherever
he had lived, certainly wherever he had lodged
On one memorable night when this gentleman was
entertaining us with his customary tooth solo,
| one of our comrades who had been kept awake
for the previous three nights, after vainly and
| peatedly shouting to the nocturnal minstrel to
Shut up, for Ged's sake" arose in his wrath and
picking his steps in the dark among his PROSTATE
comrades, arrived at last near form which he
felt certain was that of the disturber of his peace
and with one mighty effort he bestowed kick in
| the ribs of the victim that was distinctly heard
in every part Of the room and hurriedly retreated
| to his place. Then arose the kicked officer, who
was not the grinder, and amid the silence Of the
night made an eloquent address to his invisible
asSailant, employing terms and vigorous adiec-
tives that | certainly do not remember to have
seen in the revised edition of the New Testament
and vehemently declaring in his brilliant perora-
ton that he'd BE banked blanked if it was not
outrage enough to be compelled to spend wakeful
nights beside man who made his life burden
| to him, and his nights hideous with tooth sere-
! nades but it was little too much to be kicked
for him." and resumed his hard bed amid thun-
derous applause, during which the grinder was
awakened, and was for the first time made aware
of the cause of the enthusiasm
The inherent spirit Of Yankee enterprise under
difficulties was well illustrated by the publica-
| ton of a newspaper in the prison by the ener-
! getc chaplain Of New York regiment. 1t was
! entitled the Libby Prison Chronicle. True there
| were no printing facilities at hand, but un-
! daunted by this difficulty, the editor obtained
and distributed quantities of manuscript paper
| among the prisoners who were recognized leaders
in their several professions, and in fact wherever
! it was likely to do the most good 50 that there
was soon organized an extensive corps of able
! correspondents, local reporters poets punsters,
and witty paragraphers that gave the Chronicle a
! pronounced success. Articles were contributed ON
| all conceivable subjects of interest Pursuant to
| previous announcement the Editor on q stated
day of each week, would take up his position in
the centre of the upper east room, and surrounded
| by his audience, seated in every available space
! would read in their proper order the articles
| contributed during the week. The discussions
! through the columns of the Chr0nicle BY the
ministers, doctors, lawyers, and professional men
| of the subjects treated upon were striking able
and Spirited and bore the unmistakabe imprint
of cultured and brilliant minds Naturally the
cussed exhaustiyely, particularly our own war
and the chain Of political events and disturbing
questions that gave rise to the revolt of the
Southern States. Considering the absence of
| books Of reference the writers showed marvellous
familiarity of the subjects with which they dealt
The presence Of such a great number of men Of
wide experience and travel at home and in
foreign lands made their narratives deeply in
teresting. Their sketches Of personal adventure
by flood and field, if preserved as it is hoped
they have been, may yet enrich the literature of
the war.
"The Libby Prison Minstres' were deservedly