Milford chronicle., 1883-08-17
THE ELMIBA BARRACKS.
How the Confederate Soldiers were
Treated in Captivity.

The thriving little City of Elmira liei
on the picturesque banks of the Che
mung river, a few miles north of the
boundary line between New York anc
Pennsylvania It contains population
of 25, 900 inhabitants, and is a bustling
busy trade center, with nothing especi-
ally to distinguish it from other cities Of
like size but the fact of its being the sum
mer home of Mark Twain and the proposed
site of a monument to our general an
cestor, Adam. But about twenty years
ago Elmira occupied a prominent place
in the eyes Of the public. 1t was then
an important military post, and its
streets echoed to the tread of 80, 900 sol
diers. Lying at the intersection of the
Erie and Pennsylvania railroad systems
it was one of the most important recruit
ing stations of the North, and thousands
of troops were here equipped and sent
out. Here it was, too, that in 1864 was
established one of the most famous
rebel prisons. On the banks of the
river in the northern suburb of the city,
nearly two miles from the then business
center, lay Barracks No. 3. The en-
closure contained about thirty acres,
gently sloping toward the south and was
surrounded by high, tight fence. At
thenorthern end were several large build
ings used as officers barracks. These,
with one exception, have all been re-
moved and the whole space built up
with cottages. Some twelve thousand
captive Confederate soldiers were con-
fined here from the latter part of 1864
until the close Of the war. Along the
top of the fence surrounding the prison
ran a platform several feet in width.
Along this, at stated intervals, paced
armed sentinels, while guards were also
stationed at points around the outside.
The barracks were in the western end
of the enclosure, and were made fully as
comfortable for the prisoners as they
had previously been for the soldiers.
About sunset on the sultry evening Of
July 7, 1864, the first detachment of
rebel prisoners arrived in Elmira, vic
Erie Railway, from New York. They
had been captured at Point Lookout,
and were mostly from North and South
Carolina and Virginia. They were
a tall, hardy lot of men, ragged and
travel stained, but in general good
spirits. They were mainly from the
rank and file, few officers ever being
consigned to Elmira Every few days
for the rest of the year saw additions
made to the first detachment of 700 on
the 7th Of July, and the beginning Of
the new year, found above 8, 900 men in
Barracks No. B. On July 16, the third
consignment of Confederates arrived
over the Erie road. The train which
bore them had met with frightful ac-
,ident. Between Lackawaxen and
5hohola, the train, laden with 800
prisoners and their guards, had been
run into by coal train and wrecked.
Fifty men had been killed outright and
LOO others badly wounded. The suffer
srs were brought and placed in the hos
oital and well cared for. The rules and |
governing the prison were Of
,he most rigid character. AS fast as
hey arrived at the barracks a careful
of their numbers with the |
.olls which accompanied them was
made, and the men divided into COM
Danies for the better preservation Of or
Ter. A ''prison fund.- was created, to
De used in the purchase of additional |
able delicacies, defraying the expenses |
If washing and mending, etc. This
und was principally made up from the /
Inference between the prison rations
md those allowed the United States
oldiers.