The National tribune., 1882-11-02
SOUTHERN PRISON LIFE.
Free Lance Free--HOme Again From
Wilmington.
XVIII.

our DlY0uaC at NoldSoOlo WAS III JNS NVphS
and we suffered very much from the cold, fo1
a chill rain was falling ell the while we were
there-that is, from the Doth TO the 25th OF
February. We had no shelter and no fires
and many died. Bunsey, of my regiment
went insane and would have been killed but
for me. lie started 10 wander across the dead
line and a guard had levelled his musbct Ia
fire, when ! ran between them with my right
hand thrown up and begged the rebel not 10
shoot. "Thc man is perfectly crazy l cX-
claimed, and [ grabbed Buuscy and dragged
him back to safe ground. For the first time
since my capture l began To grow utterly dis
hcartened. Our ratious consisted of corn
meal and picked beet, and were somewhat
more liberal than we had been accustomed TO.
A citizen also gave me nice lunch ono day.
Too much food did not agree with me, and my
health failed rapidly. On the 25th We were
all ordered to sign parole papers, but refused
10 do 50, believing that we were merely TO he
humbuggcd again. The D;ghJ 0ur division left
Florence, after we had marched out of the
stockade, rebel colonel got upon a stump:
and commenced TO read u, 20 dispatch from
Richmond ordering Us All he sent to the
Yankee lines, but we dgor;ngd his voice with
hoots and yells, and, with an oath. he rolled up
his document and got down from the stump.
So, at GoldSboro, we were again sleptical, and
not until skirmish line drove Us up to the
tables, at the point of the bayOnet would we
sign. Zone month from that day Sherman
was in Goldsboro with his whole armyI. We
marched down TO the railroad, in the evening,
in the midst of drenching rain. As we
crossed some stream, walking on the railroad
ties, a member Of our mess dropped through,
and. although he shrieBed for aid, he was left
TO drown. At the depot we were crowded
upon platform ears. Nobody believed we were
going to Wilmington. We believed that
dreaded Salisbury was our destination. When
the trains finally started perfect silence pre-
vailed. For a long time we watched with III
tense eagerness to see what road We were
taking When we at last perceived that we
Were really moving toward Wilmington, wild
cheers rent the darkness of night The tceblcst
invalid made an effort TO express his JOY. We
had a cold, miserable Journey, however. The
trains moved -iowlv and often stopped. Many
men were dead in the morning. On the after
noon of February 26th we passed through q
rebel line of battle. The soldiers shouted to
Us that we were actually on our way home,
and bade US tell the people of the North that
the soldiers Of the South were sick of the war
and wanted peace. At about sunset we reached
the Union picket-line near the North East
River, about ten miles from the city, but not
until we plainly saw General Terry sitting on
his horse in full uniform, with about twenty
armed soldiers in line behind him, did we really
believe that there was no deception in our
promised liberation. He rode out to meet Us,
and said that ambulances would soon arrive to
take away all who were unable to march. All
of US who could possibly travel, however, got
off the cars with immense alacrity. We pro-
posed to take no chances on any hitch in nego-
tiations which might possibly occur started
at once for the picket-linc, and never halted
till I got well inside Of it, and had both
hands full Of hard crackers which the picllcts
gave me as passed. l admired their bright,
clean uniforms and thought they were the
most magniicently attired soldiers l had ever
seen, and felt almost tempted TO borrow a
musket and take a farewell shot at the rebels
who had brought US down from Goldsboro.
How differently those strong, robust Union sol
diers looked from US! They seemed like men
of another race. The moment we bvouackcd
in the military camp, countless negroes passed
among Us, dealing out hot coffee, the best of
cooked rations, and whisky by the bucketful.
Blankets were also freely distributed. drank
about three tablespoonfuls Of whisky, but il pro-
duced no apparent effect on me. Ny system
seemed to rcqurea stimulant. What a gorgeous
banquet, and whatan excellent time we had that
night | can't describe it. Like weary children
we went early to bed. slept well. The next
morning, on waking, arose to my feet, but,
much TO my surprise, found myself PROSTATE
on the ground in another instant. A soldier
came up and told me that I was very sick, and
had better lie still on my blanket. Soon after
wards l was carried Oh board beautiful steamer
aud became inscnsible. When l next became
conscious we were at the Wilmington wharf,
which was black with Union soldiers and
brass band was playing:
"Well all drink stone blind
When Johnnie comes marching home"
I was brought TO this hospital, and for days
was delirious with brain fever. Then be
gan to mend rapidly, and, although am still
very weak, consider myself all right, and re-
turn earnest thanks to the unseen Power that
preserved me from prisoners grave in Dixie.
Adieu 10 Georgia crackers" and the clay
eaters " Of South Carolina.
March 20h.-Thc surgeon and chaplain pro-
hibited us from leaving the hospital grounds,
but we arc rebcllious, and 20 down town when
we please. We have been prisoners long
enough. Great numbers oil the prisoners who
came in with US have died. Poor fellows
They die SO easily that they are zone before wa