The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-02-14
One of the First Prisoners at Belle Isle.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
VIII YOU allow an old TYPO" and one of the
" Bows in Blue" about 'stic&iul" or SO of
space in your most valuable paper TO shoot
oil" an answer TO an article which appeared in
Pittsburgh paper recently, to the effect that
railroad engineer, by the name of George Mead
vile, was the first prisoner of war on Belle
Island, and also the fiji at Andersonyilie
The article stated further t Comrade Mead
vile had seen several years service before he
was captured. There appears something wrong
about this statement-some mistake. / was
taken prisoner on the 9th of June, 1861, at
Gaines Mills, in Virginia, along with my whole
regiment with the exception of one company
and a detail of two men from each company 10
guard our knapsacks while we went in"
And / tell you Mr. Editor, truly. that we were
not engaged in cooling coffee while we were
taken, either We relieved the 4th New Jer-
sey infantry on the afternoon Of the 9th, but
before coming into action, we had to lie down
for considerable length of time, subject to a
fire from the enemy, which we could not re-
turn, waiting for our orders 10 advance. We
exhausted our supply of ammunition, ard,
while waiting for our relief, We received a gall
ing fire from the rear. Some mistook the force
for our relief and shouted Don't fre-they
are cur own menu But only very few min
utes sufi ed to satisfy us that we were their men
their prisoners. And right here would like
TO know why twas that we were left fighting
in that woods without any protection for our
rear. and relieving regiment that was also
captured Immediately behind us. Somebody
| higher in rank than division commander was
evidently in error Well, we were marched
to Richmond that night, and arrived there
about daylight the morning Of the 25 that Is
the squad / was in}. While being escorted
along some street Carey street, think, was
aDeered not little by hearing some women al a
window shout 10 US as we went by: This is
another way to take Richmond" We were
taken direct to Libby prison and assigned
| quarters in the third story, and found quite a
number Of prisoners who had been taken in
other engagements. Enough already has been
said about prison bars, treatment, &c, by
Others, and / viii not attempt TO describe ouI
treatment while there. Early in July / was
standing near the guarded door Of the prison
/ when rebel officer appe2rd, and said he want
ed some " Ianks"-I don't remember the mum
ber-to 90 TO Belle Isle to assist in putting VI
tents, &c, ard arrange the Island for the bulk
OF the prisoners, who would be transferred from
/ Libby and the other prisons in Richmond tbs
next day. / volunteered, only too glad t
get out Of that hoTTid hole,-and when tbs
officer got a sufficient number from Libby, We
were marched down Carey street, when VIZ
met another squad larger than our own
drawn up in front of another prison. judge
our number was over a hundred Before start
ing for the Island we were given each loa
Of bre ad-small-sized bakers loaf-as extra
rations for the labor which we were expected
to perform. / assisted in putting up one tent
"a Sibiey,-and succeeded III capturing par
of another, which was too rotten to put up
and assisted in occupying said Sibley while
remained on the Island So Mr.. Editor, vii
claim that i was one of the first that went OF
Belle Island as prisoners Of war.
Respectfully, yours,
GEORGE w. KREMEg,
Co. T, 1lth Pa. z. V. C.