The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-07-05
comrade cIyne's Recollections of Andersonyllle

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
/ belonged TO the Sixty third New York s. W,
Second brigade First division, Second Army Corps,
and was captured at Petersburg, Va June 16, 1864,
at that terrible charge The forts was confined
in tobacco warehouse in front of the foundry and
machine shop by the covered bridge. On the 18th
of June, General Lee and his whole army came
this bridge and passed up the street il front
of the window where lay, and saw nearly, if not
all of the rebel army They were rather tired and
jaded lot OF men. On the Odd of June we were
loaded in cars and sent TO AndeTSonvIlle 1t was q
tedious Journey and several of the prisoners died
the way. As each one died his body was laid
on the platform of the first station which the train
happened 10 stop at. We arrived in AndersonviiIe
on june 18th. and one, except those who were
there can form any idea what my feelings We're
when we We're ordered into line in front of the
stocSade by Capt Wirz, the commander of the
prison, who took our names company and regi-
Inent We were then all marched through the
south gate of the stockade. shall never forget the
sight which presented itsefto my view. Men with
nothing on but pair OF worn-out drawers, bare
headed In a broiling sun, and reduced to living
skeletons, ioeiSed around US to inquire what was
the news III Gods country" how the Union
army was getting along, or if we had chew of
tobacco, or a button for thenl-for buttons with
shanks were highly priced by the guards a shud-
der went through me as l glanced around, and
wondered if ever ! should be wreteiled as my
questioners. As stood ponJiering what to do and
how TO act, poor fellow, with eyes sunk in his
head and staring like maniac came up to me and
asked if wanted to tent with him. his mate had
died that morning and he would share his place with
me. eheerfuily accepted his offer, and when we
-. -.
Tompkins squad, it almost made me laugh, for it
consisted of piece of old undershirt stretched
on two poles. 1t was full of holes, and not large
enough to shelter dog. AS looked it over he no.
tieed my iperedulous look and remarked j." Pard,
this tent IS good in comparison with in here
lie asked me my name, and in return told me his
which was Henry Durand, of Fon Du Lac, Wis. If
ne Is alve to-day or If any one who knows him sees
this, should like TO obtain his address, and would
be glad to open a correspondence with him. Thos.
Marshall, of Berlingreen Wis was also tent mate
with and we had some pretty hard times and
once IN while little fun-buS the latter was
scarce. The following are the names of some with
whom j became acquainted while in Anderson
vile: Joseph c. Ariit. Charles Rodgers, Dennis
Welsh, Charles Goss, John Morgan, Marion steven
son, John Cummings, Ed. Goble Samuel West Ed
McKentire, Chas. Philips Jack Crayton John
ttackeny, Henry Baleook. Hugh Mack srson. Mack
Davidson and Chas Pursell. Our Fations consisted
oil one pint OF eorn-nleal and ground cob and this
had to last us twentyfour hours. We did not faften
much on this you may be sure. When was taken
prisoner weighed 165 pounds, and when came
out weighed ninety-siy pounds, and was con-
sidered stout compared with some SAW there. 1t
was claimed by the guards that there were 81, $50
prisoners In the prison during July and August,
1854. The death rate considerably over two
hundred per day, and many died from actual star
walton. just think of i'll L $50 human beings died
III Andersonvie during thesummer of 1861, accord
ing to George Atwaters report. The rebel sergeant
VINO came into prison every morning to call the
roll IN my squad was nice man, and q
Unionlst at heart. His was Hutchersen. When
we left, few of signed certificate stating that
he was worthy of the best treatment at the hands
of all the soldiers he met and that they should do
all IN their power TO aid and assist him, should he
ever need their assistance. One morning, as l was
going TO the stream to wash counted twelve poor
comrades dead Some were III a sitting posture.
their faces their knees and leaning forward as If
asleep. 1t was the sleep of DEATH They all be-
longe.i to the fwenty-scventh detachment.
a s CLYNE, esd n. Y. SV.
WAwAsIyG, ULSTER Co. N Y