The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-11-09

tinued to dig tunnels and undertake all sorts
of schemes of escape they We're never able to
enlist them in the work. These were gloomy
days with us. One morning word was brought
me that comrade of mine had died during
the night and made a last request that | should
cut lock of hair from his head, which he
wished me to give to his wife and family
should | ever be so fortunate as to be exchanged
or make my escape-with the message that he
had gone to heaven. l clipped the lock and
carefully preserved it, but it never reached its
destination, for reasons that ] will tell you
before l reach the end of my story. This long
ing for home was a disease with us. We used
to dream Of it nightly, and / have heard many
a poor fellow say in the morning: "We1, was
at home last night for a while, and you just
ought to have seen the good time that we had"
As l think how many lad awoke from that
sweet dream only to find death at his side beck
oning to him with his icy fingers, the tears
again fill my eyes, and l can scarcely see the
page upon which these lines are scrawled. All,
me! it was a positive relief to us sometimes
when they died, for in their delirium they
would mistake us for wife Or sweetheart or
father or mother, and would talk to us in tones
that would drive us distracted.
BIRDS OF PREY.
The Plymouth prisoners, as l have said, were
well provided with clothing cooking utensils,
and money, the result of which was that very
lively trade sprang up in the stockade. Our
circulating medium was increased it was va
riousy estimated from twenty to one hundred
thousand dollars, and of course all sorts of
devices were employed by the older prisoners
to get a share Of it. The prison regulations
forbade the guards to deal in the money of the
enemy" but there were few of them who
were not willing to sell anything they had to
secure some of the coveted greenbacks. The rate
of exchange was about three to five in favor Of
our money, and the staple articles of trade were
molasses, tobacco, meat, beans, flour, onions
and wood. The latter was supplied by q little
fellow from Baltimore named Selden, who also
furnished the goods which the prison suffers
Ira Beverly of the One Hundredth Ohio, and
Charlie Huckelby, ofthe Eighth Tennessee both
Of whom l knew well-retailed to the prisoners
at their shop on the north side of the enclosure.
The prices were of course eXOrbitant. Common
black sorghum InOlasses was dollar lin green
Backs pint. Selden had been quarternaster
at the time of the establishment of the prison,
but had been removed to make room for one of
old Winder's sons, Richard. He was a drunken
little rascal, and on one occasion his fellow
confedcrates rode him on a rail, to the great
amusement Of the camp. Beverly and Huck-
eiby made a good thing out of their sutlership.
In the course of their dealings they bought
lot of securities, on the chance of their turning
out to be genuine and learned afterwards, at
Annapolis, Nd, whittier we went together on
being paroled, that they realized handsomely
on their investment. Their profits were esti-
mated all the way from $4,000 to $4,000.
REDDY, THE GAMBLER.
Aside from the legitimate trading. which
made business brisk at this time, there was al
ways certain amount of gambling going on.
Dice, cards, huck-a-luck boards, and many
other games, were resorted to by those who
were versed in sporting matters to better their
fortunes, and | well remember one man in par
ticular as having made some lucky strikes at
these games. The boys called him Freddy" !
He had little blanket tent close to the north |
gate, and he was very fond of giving exhibit |
tons of his gymnastic accomplishments. | /
daresay many of the readers Of THE TRIBUNE
have either seen or heard of him. The last |
time met him was at Cumberland, Md, some |
six years ago, under circumstances which led |
me to believe that after leaving AndersonviIIe |
he resumed his old profession. He was not a |
bad fellow at heart, but he could not control |
his nimble fingers
To be continued