The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-09-06
AT OLD CAMP DOUGLAS.
a "Reminiscences of War Times


Among the yarns related at the
recent reunion of John Morgan's men
at Lexington, Kentucky, was the fol-
lowing:
As the altumnal winds of 1864 began
to put on the wintry temperature of
that latitude and sweep into Camp
douglas prison from out on the lake,
and the hope of escape or exchange be-
gan to die away, feeling of despon-
aency hitherto unknown seemed to per-
Tade the entire prison. The experience
Of the previous winter was still in the
memory OF every prisoner, and the in
reduction of variety of prison rules,
he most prominent being the adoption
Of retaliatory measures in regard to ra-
lions, made the future very gloomy in
deed. The rations had been exceeding
ly short during the summer and many
Of the prisoners had become desperate
on the subject. Fried rats had been re-
garded as dainty dish for several
months, but after the barracks were
raised five feet above the ground, to
prevent tunneling, the rats had no place
to hide and sought refuge in the sewer,
out of reach of the hungry prisoners.
Occasionally they crept cautiously out
of the sewer in search of strange adj
venture" and they seldom failed to
ind it, for not one ever succeeded in
getting back to its underground home.
They were closely watched, and after
one left the sewer it was an easy matter
to cut off its retreat, and then it was
only question as to which mess would
least upon it. The writer retains a
lTivid recollection of a breakfast of fried
'ats which he relished very much, but
he meat tasted SO much like squirrel
that he never has been able to eat
iiquirrel since on account of the memo
lies the mastication of the last named
|lnimal revived. One raw, windy after
boon, when even rats were hard to OBJ
Eain, an incident occurred which crea-
FED considerable stir, not only among
the prisoners, but among the members
l5 the Illinois legislature. This was
tie sudden and mysterious disappear
ace of a sleek and fat rat-an-tan dog
tat belonged to the legislature, OF rath-
{ to member of that body. Gov.
glesby and the members of the legis-
lture were OF visit to Chicago, and
ol. Sweet, who was in command at
amp Douglas, invited them out to the
| rison to show them how well the pris-
ners were cared for, and on the after
Don referred to they filed through the
ate in twos, led by the governor and
FOL. Sweet The news of their arrival
Don spread through the prison and the
I;onfederates began to flock to the point
I)f entrance to take peep at them. A
member of Dukes I'd Kentucky cavalry
Twas strolling around with his blanket
hrOwn over his shoulders when the
|Fisitors began to enter, and he stopped
and squatted down against the corner
post of a barrack to take good look at
them as they passed. The ends of his
blanket reached the ground on both
sides of him and lay in folds at his feet.
The dog had accompanied its master on
the tour of inspection, and, being
guest, it was allowed all the privileges |
necessary to enable an animal of its in |
quisitive nature to make thorough in
spection. 1t bounded through the gate |
as if perfectly at home, and began to |
scout around at will, running first one
way then another, wherever its nose led |
it. In one of these promiscuous sallies |
1t ran right up to where the confederate |
squatted, and, as he had been a great |
admirer of canine sagacity in ante-bel-
lum days, his old affection for the spe-
cies warmed up as his memory wander
ed back to the fox-hunts of happier
times, and he spoke to the dog in kind |
tone and it ran up to him and stopped. |
He stroked it caresSingly few times,
and, finding that it was not only good
but fat, he instantly formed a
bold determination to see how it would
taste cooked. 1t seemed to enjoy his
caresses, and remained with him until
the legislative column had passed, and,
finding that it was disposed to stay with
him, he raised his blanket and lowered
t over the dogs body, and, putting his
arm affectionately around the animal,
ne arose and walked away with the dog
lnder his arm, and not member of
hat august body of legislators knew
hat one of their attendants had been
He hurried to his barrack with his
same, and found the building nearly
Empty, the prisoners having gone out
o see the visitors. Fortunately for his
,lans, he found that two occupants of
leighboring hunks, who felt no desire
0 see the lawmakers, had remained
indoors, and he whispered to one to
,ring the spit-bOx into the aisle between
he hunks. and requested the other to
harpen his knife as quickly as possible.
5oth did as requested, though totally
gnorant of their comrades Intentions.
The dog was perfectly docile, and made
10 resistance while its friendly captor
vas preparing to carry out his desper-
howed his comrades what he had un-
er it, and, directing them how to as
ist him, he placed the dogs neck
cross the spit-box, and while they held
in position he cut its throat, and the
rimson canine gore gurgled into the
eceptacle prepared to catch it. Kitch-
n discipline was very exacting and ii /
equired great caution to get it cooked
1ithout the sergeant's knowledge.
here was not, however, a hitch in the !
ntire act, and before the gloom of night
ad surrounded the prison that dog had ,
cen devoured. Several legislators and /
ome of the guards were certain that /
ne dog had entered the prison, but no
ne saw it go out, and a vigorous search ;
-as made for it, but in vain. Its head,
kin and feet had been thrown into the !
ever. The legislator advertised for it /
| the Chicago papers and offered a
trge reward for it. The guards tried ,
'r several days to get on the track of /
, and one of them interrogated the !
Ian who cooked the dog, and as the
nswers were not satisfactory the cook 8
,ceived a clubbing, but he never gave :
p the secret. The fertile brain that ,
onceived this bold stroke of policy was !
reeted by hundreds of his old COM :
ldes at the recent reunion and asked !
he had tried dog meat since the war.
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