The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1882-10-05
FOR The POsr.
REBEL PRISONS.
by DIR. X. RoTHRoCK.

oeen uuuseu iot nhuy weary tnoutus
met the eye with refreshing pleas
antess. The situation was better
than we had anticipated, though we
were disappointed in not being plac.
ed down on tho islands, where we
could see the fash Of friendly artil-
lery, or perhaps the dear old dag,
for no one who has not had such ex-
perience can understand the longing
Of our hearts for the old flag, aud
for familiar sights. But our great.
est disappointment was in not being
put into our transports. and taken
TO our homes where our wives and
little ones we're awaiting Us with
rapturous hearts. and joyful antici
pations. and indeed, beyond OK.
preston.
The fair ground proper, when
seen under favorable circumstances,
must have been q beautiful spot.
II contained an area OF about forty
acres, surrounded by dense overhang-
ing trees, interviewer by ivy, laurel,
and honeysucklo, forming an almost
impenetrable foliage. Aside from Q
distant view, we were not allowed
any Of the enjoyments which such
shade and beauty could confer.
We we're placed 10 the centre Of
the Fair Ground, with no shade or
habitatious, except such - We might
construct from our governments or
ragged blankets but there was a
cosl breeze from the ocean, and the
sound Of bells and the rattle over
pavements came pleasantly TO our
ears.
The sight Of green foliage refresh-
ed the gaze Of miserable men, for o
long time unused to pleasant sights
and sounds. The night Of our ar
rival, three "bard-tack" were issued
as rations. for twenty-four hours, to
each man, and We were in tho third
heavens in anticipating such luxur.
ions rations each day.
That night, after devouring two
Of my "hard-tack," lay down 10
rest with the remaining one 10 my
lin pail, under my head, for my
mornings breakfast. | found it
impossible to keep my mind from the
hsrd-tack long enough to get to
sleep, supposing some one would
steal it while was slumbering /;
tho thought was maddeniug. Vainly
l eudesvored to divert ny mind
from craving hunger, by repeating
the multiplication-table. II was mo
CO."
That hard tack was 80 iascinatingl
Hunger, and fear Of losing the hard
tack, got tho better Of the contest
with sleep, and could bear it no
longer. Arousing myself, I devour-
ed that infantry square, iu one
time and several motions, not done
in the regular order Of the tactics. l
never remember Of enjoying any
food, however luxurious, as I did
the bard. tack.
mention this incident, insignifi-
cant in itself, as illustrative of how
little il took to elate or depress mon
in our condition. That night, how-
ever, I met with the great misfor-
tune Of my imprisonment, Some
vagabond stole my little tin pail,
which, l may say without oxaggera.
ton, had been my best friend during
the proceeding months Of my cap
tivity.
II had been such convenience to
myself aud companions. that few,
who have not been prisoners, can
understand how great loss it was.
Used by one and then another,
sometimes IL was not of o fire dur
ing the day, except long enough to
chsuge hands.
I wss reduced, by this misfortune,
thenos forward through my impri-
sonment to the unpleasant alterna-
live OF borrowing cooking utensils,
or eating my rice, -four. or Indian
meal raw. II took 20 little in pri-
son to make ones circumstances in
iesoribably miserable. that this real.
y wa . sad misfortune. II appears
vou will And thieves In Ill places.
The loss Of . fortune at home
,oald not have % affected ny wsll-
being or ,"good standing among |
From one aocustomsd
% confer isvors on Others. I be-
'ams dspsudeat. and begging and
,uuting. often for whole days for
'ous one willing 70 loan nsa un