The National tribune., 1882-09-02
BRUTAL MURDERS AT BELLE ISLE.
the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
I am an ex-soldier of the late war; was a
member of company Z, Ringgold cavalry, Penn
syIvania volunteers, afterwards company F,
Twenty second Pennsylvania cavalry volun-
teers. Enlisted when but sixteen years of age,
for three years; was taken prisoner, after serv-
ing one year, at Moorefeld, West Va Septem-
ber !, 1868; was shortly after ushered into,
and partooll Of the hospitalities of Libby
Prison" and subsequently was transferred to
"Belle Isle" where l remained over eight
months, and saw and endured the cruelties
perpetrated there. l became reduced to a
mere skeleton through starving and exposure.
While there l saw the rebel Lieutenant Bois-
seux. in charge of the prisoners, set three mon
on what resembled a sawhorse, sharp edged,
with legs about eight feet high; each were
bucked and gagged, their hands tied behind
them, a rope attached to each ankle, and then
a man at each rope stretched their legs apart
to the utmost limit and then tied the ropes to
pegs driven into the ground, and the officers
hellish heart allowed them to remain in that
position until two of them fell off dead. 1t
matters not what they had done, such brutal
ity was uncalled for. Wewere powerless how
ever, and l must tell the way we, revenged
ourselves. The Lieutenant had pair of white
bulldogs which he thought q great deal of.
They mystericusly disappeared, and we hungry
fellows actually ate and relshed the steaks
sliced from their hams. l wonder if any of my
fellow-conpanions that ate some of those bull
dog steaks are in the land of the living. If
there is one, whose eyes may catch these lines,
for the love Of the memories Of 1861 and 1865
he viii drop me line.
There was at the same time I was taken
prisoner three others with me, and in few
days after eight more of our company were
added to our number, and nine of the twelve
paid the debt of their lives in those loathsome
dens. No costly marble monument marks their
resting place. The dead were piled in trenches,
and no ceremony took place to solemnize the
occasion. 1t was southern rule, a rebel boast,
that no soldier should leave prison in a condi-
ton that would permit him to do active service
again, and this rule they invariably kept. They
did what they could to weaken our armies by
starving poor, helpless prisoners to death.
Are not those men who, through the effects
of long term Of confinement as much entitled
TO pension as those who were but slightly
wounded and well cared for in our hospitals?
Did the thousands who starved to death in those
miserable dens suffer less than those comrades
who were shot down in the many hard-fought
battles? Pensions for ex- prisoners? Yes!
They cannot be repaid for the sacrifices they
have made. Old veterans the passing years
are fast thinning our ranks; let Us bask in
each others halo of "reminiscences while we
tarry, standing shoulder to shoulder, not ex-
Guiding the Johnnies for we are now all under
the same dear "Old Flag"
1 am well pleased with THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE, and all ex-soldiers should take an
interest IN II, and write some Of the adventures
they were engaged in IL that great struggle for
freedom. l am a member Of Post No. 10
6. A. r., an order that is growing rapidly in
this State, and hundreds Of old soldiers are
1Ocking into its ranks. 1 am doing all I can
10 advance the interests Of those who served
their c,uutryi IN her hour Of danger, and hope
the day viii soon come when justice and equity
viii he mcteL out to them.
Yours. JOHN ". MANNING,
Late Of Co. T, RiuggOld Cav, Pa Vols.
EALIEEvILLE, o., August j..