The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-05-31

cooking outfit was n srnall-sized oyster can.
reliShed the peas, and daylight found my sack
empty and myself full to eontentment for the first
and only time during my seven months service in
Andersonville. We had been cruelty deceived
on the exchange question that there was little en-
thusiasm when passed through the unguarded
gates on the 9TH of March, on our way to the sta
ton, but when we had been loaded into the box cars
and there found something to eat-hard-taet and
ham sent by our own Governmeut-there
mad joy. Men prayed, shouted, cried, danced and
swore. And how we Toasted along the way to
Montgomery With almost fearful reluctance
left the remnants of that feast when we went on
board the boat Arriving at Selma we were
crowded into another pen and as morning dawned
and advanced, Andersonville gloom lowered over
us and the something-to-eat sensation retrred. On
the second morning we were taken to the TOIabig-
bee River and ferried to DemOpOlis Landing. There
we Were placed in and run to Meridian, Aisss-
sippl where sweet Slumber weighed down
weary eyelids in another stOckade. The morning
brought evidences of our still being in durance
vile, and we dared not hope that we were really
our way to freedom, until after had crossed
Pearl River at Jackson. At that city permission
given to all that could walk to start in the di
reetion of Vieksburg. All started. l had aban-
doned my cruteh on the route and felt buoyant
and happy, and skipped along with the vanguard.
walk of twelve miles, however, sweied my leg
frightfuly, and could not bear to let my foot
touch the ground. / got stick and bobbled on
until it blistered both hands, when laid down on
the side of the road. Fortunately, an ambulance
picked me up, and in this reached Black River
and the first sensation that convinced me that there
was yetleft within some trace OfmanloOd was in
spired by the combination ofstars and
stripes, hot coffee and the Twelfth Missouri cavalry
remember looking at the trim looking cavaliers
with a dazed sort of feeling that long, long ago
also had worn uniform and been cavalrynlan.
When | enlisted my weight 15S pounds; when
/ put on new clothes at VicksbuTg / weighed
ninety-three. No great captain statesman can
poke any philosophy down me as to the physical
condition of mankind until he has experienced
some of the muscular twinges that still hnger
with the victim of the Andersonville shrinkage
system. L have before me, at this writing two
we'll executed photographs of myseif-the first
taken when was mustered into the volunteer
vice, the second taken whenI hobbled up the river
bank to my home ut Muscatine, Iowa, May 9, IS65.
would like to show those photographs to Ken
tueky's pension-crank statesman. would give my
pension for the privilege of presenting these pic
lures in person and having thirty minutes direct
talk with Beck on the subject. THE TRIBUNE may
fall short of lis grand and noble purpose of accom-
suffered injustice against the windy politician but
bond existing among ex-volunteers who bore the
heat and burden of the struggle.
Comrades, / had faith In YOU when you stood
upon my right and left in the charge the line
repeiling attack, and from those recoec-
tons believe IN you now and though you, like
myself may receive the occasional stereotyped IN
formation that your pension claim Is still pending
and awaits the decision of the Department, and
though that claim may pend until your children
starve do not give way to the cynical feeling of
entire desertion. There is genuine sympathy. and
a warm place for you in the rank and file of THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE'S veteran corps, and am with
you to the end. GEO. w. DOLSES,
Co. h, 9Th Iowa cav.
OJTJ<r~y Irr