The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1882-07-13
For The Posr.
REBEL PRISONS.
By DIR. II. RoTHRocK.

WOrus peculihriy ltS own, Wbicu, III
not new in themselves, were novel
in their Significance.
A thief, for instance, was termed
"Aanker," or o "half shave the
latter term originating in q whole-
some custom, which prevailed in
prison, Of shaving the heads Of those
who we're caught pilfering, on one
side, leaving the other untouched.
Thus they would remain sufficiently
long TO attract universal attentio u
and derision. Tho shaving was q
less punishment in itself than its
fnal consequences, for fellow with
half sbaven crown was lucky il he
escaped beating or ducking every
hour Of the day. Where thief had
the boldness to steal in open day
light, aud by q dash, grab aud run,
to get off with his booty, he was
termed a Grader" which was consi.
dered one grade above the sneaking
'hauks.'
The articles stolen were usually
looking utensils, or blankets, for
the want Of which, many a man died.
Either epithet. "aauker," or "raider, -
hurled at q fast .retreating, culprit,
would insure a general turnout in
the vicinity, TO stop the offender.
II the thief hal shrewduess, aud
was not to closely pursued, he often
assumed with his pursuers, ani
joined in the "hue and cry"
Woe to him who attracted suspi
cion by undue haste when such q
cry was raised for although his
errand might be one Of necessity or
mercy, he was sure to be hurt be.
fore it was ascertained that he wa.
not the offending person, aud his
only consolation was in the fact of
his Innocence. or the thought that
his head, if some sorer, was wiser
than before.
Scenes Of violence were continual
ly enacted in the prison. Murders
that thrilled the blood with horror
we're at Que time Of frequent occur.
rence,-of which we shall speak
more particularly in coming time,-
perpetrated 10y bIuds Of iesperaioes
who jumped Uucle Sans bounties
before they were retained in the
firm grasp of military vigilance, and
when fairly caught, rather than fight
were taken prisoners voluntarily.
Not su hour Of the day passed
without some terrible fght-often
over trivial matters-taking place in
tue stockade.
The reasons which provoked fights
were not often plain but one fact
was ever apparent, viz, that hum
ger and privatiou did not sweeten
sour tempers, or render the COM
mon disposition at all lamb.like.
A piece of poor corn bread, picked
up 10 the dirt, little Indian meal
or meatless bone, which dog or a
pig Of Northern States extractio q
!. would turn up his nose at, would
provoke violent discussions as to
ownership, in which muscle, rathe,
than equity, settled facts.
Some Of these personal encoun'
ters ended in q general fight. where
all who were desirous OF that kind
: Of recreation took part
It was quite q curious fact tha,
u when ratioHs were scarcest in prison
fights were plentiest. In the ab-
sence Of food, some took pleasure IL
beating each other.
"l've not had any thing to eat tt
day, and would like to lick some
varmint as has said q Kentucky
fellow o gaunt, half starved, bu
never responding chap"
!, I'm your man." said an Irishman
and at it they went, till Kentucky
y was beaten to his satisfaction, ant
? nowledged that "a varmiut" who
had eaten corn -dodger for breakfas
was too muoh' for one as hadn't"
!, The writer, seeing no fun in {
muss, kept out Of them. forseeing
misery enough, without q broken
: head OF nose to nurse.
d The great mass could i'll afford b
o to expend strength in such encoun'
o ters.. and it was usually easy to keel
A out Of them without sneaking out
10 I have often, however, seen mer
10 ~ho were weak with disease, ant
- weak to such q degree that they
d could scarcely stand, engage 10 pu
,f gilistic encounters piteous to con
template. I call to memory two a