The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1882-09-14
For The Posr.
REBEL PRISONS.
ny DIR. II. RoTHRoCK.

Tho moro the prisoners were
abused, the more fondly did their
thoughts turn to the old flag, under
which they had fought, and which
was the symbol Of happiness and
plenty at homo. "Wo have confi-
denco in our government" was o re-
mark ofton made in reply to accusa-
tions by tho rebels that our govern
ment did not care whether we starv-
cd or not. When I consider that
this was tho common language Of
men suffering under miseries rarely,
il ever, parallelod in history I can.
not DO astonished that the Union OK
lists to day.
| I feel conscious Joy that there
was no act Of mine, during q bitter
imprisonment, to disgrace that dear
old flag. In referring to the North,
as distinguished from the South. il
was often spoken Of rs Gods conn
try" and the old flag as Gods
flag" Such was the halo Of glory
with which all its associations seem
ed surrounded.
Incidents were of such frequent
occurrence pathetically illustrative
of the prisoners devotion to the
glorious Stars aud Stripes, that I
will here relate one expression made
by q color-Sergeant Of one of the
regiments captured at Lookout
Mountain, who died some time 10
August.
While bis companions wero rom
dering tho last services to him-that
rude preparation for tho grave al-
ready described, they discovered his
regimental flag, which he had so
often borne In battle, wrapped about
his person.
lie had placed IL secretly there to
shield it from traitor hands. He
could not bear that his loved symbol
Of his oountry's glory should DO dos.
ecrated by the hands of traitors.
Reverently his comrades gazod upon
its folds, aud silently, with fearful
eyes, again restored it, as q fit COW
ering for his noble breast, to be
buried with him, hero was genuine
patriotism. Aud was q glorious
winding sheet for q patriot Dying
men clnng to little mementoes, such
as miniature flag, or the badge Of
their army corps. But it was the
general constanoy with which mon
ever olung through all their misery,
with love TO their country aud its
cause, which spoke moro eloquently
than any mere incident OF their do
votien, and the triumph OF princi.
lples 0vor circumstances OF misery.
Hero as in other prisons, o fear ~
ful epidemic reigned, termed by old
prisoners Exchange on the brain.
Frequent rumors of exchange were
circulated dssignedly by the rebels,
for the purpose Of quioting desperate
men, and preventing the formation
Of dangerous plots for release and
escape.
Citen these rumors seemed tc
: have some foundation. once TIE
priest who had charge of the spirit.
usl development Of the prison com
msnder, Wirze, came into prison
and read to o large concourso o.
prisoners, gathered to hear, extracts
froma paper purporting to give
news Of an exchange about to take
place at Savannah. Prisoners com,
ing in from Shermans army brough,
news of raid under Stoneman ant
McC9ok.
The next news we heard was, tha
Stoneman's cavalry was fighting
around Macon and then again i
was announced that Stoneman ant
! his whole army was captured ant
made prisoners of war. This wa
partially confirmed by men belong
ling TO his force, coming in as cap
: tives. They informed us of th,
siege OF Atlanta, and reiterated the
. former news Of an exchange agreed
upon but when and where il wa,
to take place, they had no informa-
ton.
When stoneman was raidine 70.
wards us, with evident intentions oi
releasing the prisoners when ru'
} mors oame Of his having arms fol
the prisoners, which I have since
: ascsrtained was trus.-our bearti
bsat high with glorious hope.
! Those who had previously had
tsndsneiss Of exchange on The brain.
vent isarfully wild with the ilies oI
t.~l>~~~ l. Sh> ~>~ .~lo-> L.