The National tribune., 1883-06-14
RecolIections of. Tyler Prison.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Som efi1ne acrf / sa,u a aafl f,,. O hisior,


Sometime ago 1 saw call for history of Tyler
prison, and, with your permission, viii endeavor
10 give my experience there. was taken prisoner
the 18th OF May 1864, and exchanged on the 18th
of February 1865 period of ten months nine of
which l spent In Tyler prison. Together with
others | was captured at the battle of Marks
Mill, Ark, about forty miles from Pine Bluff.
From that place we were marched back to Cam
den, and confined IN an old cotton press. While
there we were robbed of everything we had left
money, knives, pocket-books, watches and rings
The rebels even traded boots, hats, coats, pants
shirts, and socks with us. Well does every man
remember that filthy hole. From the cotton press
we were marched to Fort Tyler, crossing the Red
River at Shreveport, La. Colonel Allen WAS in
command when reached there, but was soon
relieved, Colonel Sweet taking his place He in
turn was relieved before long by Colonel Borders.
do think that he and his adjutant, Mccain, were
the most tyraInicil men in the Confedetacy or, at
least on the western side of the Mississippi. They
would ride into camp and abuse the men in every
conceivable way that their devilish dispositions
could suggest. One of their orders posted in the
camp was that every man who attempted to escape
should be shot by the who captured him.
There were many plans made for escape among
which was the dirt cart which has been much
written about. Iunnellng WAS also tried, but few
ever succeeded IN that way. Their plans were
either reported TO the rebels or the rain flooded the
tunnel. Something always happened. When tun-
mel was discovered, made to dig the hole out
while the guards watched over us to that it
done properly. omeforged passes and went out on
them, and some bought their way out with the
buttons oil their coats In fact it WAS not so hard
10 get out Is it was 10 travel to Fort Scott Little
Rock Ark The, rations very light at the
best, being one pint OF corn-Ineal day with once
IN q while quarter of pound of beef. At one
time we were three days without anything to eat,
and at the end of that time they gave us half a
pint of corn-meal. Some of the boys boiled it and
some parched it, while others ate It raw swat
lowed mine as soon as got it. The rebels often
swept the floor OF the mill and gave the dirt
with the corn-Ineal, which, of course we could not
eat. Some of the prisoners kept their share and
brought IL home, and suppose have it yet. / do
not think IT would wear out-dirt never grows lessl
/ saw Captain Read stationed on barrel head for
trying to escape, and forced to stand there all the
Fourth of July, in the hot sum- bare headed and
bare footed. We invented amusements of various
kinds, among which were mock lawsuits. The
Johnnles shot prisoners every occasion without
the least provocaon, and they We're often promoted
for such acts of bravery. The doctors said we had
good water. twas good, perhaps, when it LEFT the
spring, winch was on the outside but ii filthy
by the time 1t reached us from the fact that il
into some boxes in the stockade which We're SINK
10 the level OF the ground. Tobacco harsi TO
get and expensive, small twist bringing s. in
greenbaeks, while Confederate money would not
buy II at All. have known army blue pants TO sell
for s2S IN greenbaeks. Three potatoes would sell
fer 81 which was the smallest amount that any
thing could be bought for. The scurvy killed
hundreds. / have seen mems legs turn black and
the ilesh drop of ID great humps, until death put
END TO Their misery. Nermn, too, were thick and
caused much distress, CHAPLAIN
Co. Z. 43d Ind. " l.