The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-24
A PRISONERS STORY.
Experiences That Are Net Within the Power OF
Language to Describe.

Language to Describe.
To TIE EDITOR: Your excellent paper has
been regular weekly visitor in my household
for nearly one year. and it has become an al
most indispensable adjunct IN the entertain
ments Of the family circle. I regard it very
highly as medium Of communication between
the boys-a kind of central HEADQUARTERS camp
fire. around which we may have weekly gather
ings 10 compare notes, relate incidents and
speak Of " feats of broil and battlep / have
been particularly interested in the sketches of
prison life at Andersonville and elsewhere in
the Ccnfederacy. ! fully coincide with the
opinion expressed in THE TRIBUNE Of JAM 10
by Comrade Geo Scott, that there was no bright
side 90 prison life inside the gates of the Ander-
sanviile stoekade. The only feature to which
can look back with any degree of compla-
cency Is the intimate personal relationships
formed for they seem stronger and more sacred
than mere friendship and cemented under
such adverse conditions and circumstances
There is secret, sympathetic chain whose
links were forged in that crucible Of suffering
which binds together in one indissoluble band
al those whom the misfortunes of war con-
signed 10 that living tomb.
/ am not contestant for the honor Of being
the first man who entered the stoekade as
prisoner, but j was hard after hin1 being In
the 1Fst consignment of prisoners that entered
the stOekade; and WAS in the third detachment
OF the first division, and portion Of the time
had charge Of the detachment performing the
duties usually assigned 10 the First Sergeant in
the service.
was in the first detachment of prisoners
sent from Andersonvilie 90 Savannah, under
command Of Lieut.. Davis in September, and
witnessed the first tragedy enacted there in the
shooting OF prisoner, by order OF that official.
because he stepped cut of ranks contrary 10
orders. Our treatment there, however. was
less rigorous and brutal than under the infa-
NOUS Wirz
We remained in Savannah about one month
and were then transferred TO Miilen. where
again was in the first division.
The commapdant Capt. Yowles) was q strict
discipiinarian, and exacted prompt obedience
70 hls orders, yet i never knew of any prisoner
being subjected TO punishment for attempting
te escape; but tie same cruel means were en-
ployed here as at Andersouville TO secure the
capture and return Of all whose love Of liberty
prompted them 70 hazard race for life After
about one months confinement at Millen. l.
with number Of other prisoners, was paroied
and exchanged, being transferred to SaYsnnah
for that purpose.
On the 10Th Of Nov, 1864, after having been
a prisoner il months, we rushed across the
plank from the rebel steamer to the deck of the
Geo ii LeaIy, and found ourselves again IN
der our own Stars and Stripes
Of the condition and treatment Of the prison.
ers at AudersonyilIe were not exaggerated and
oyerdrawn- ! answer that you must find a
language more forcibie and expressive than
the English, in order to convey TO the mind
an adequate conception Of its horrors
Volumes have been written, exhibiting vivid
portraits Of destitution and misery. but there
Is an unwritten personal history engrGven in
the hearts and memory Of those who endured
those miseFies and destitutions, that can never
De transferred to paper. AS well might the
artist attempt 20 paint death groan, as the
writer 70 express those contending emotions of
/ the heart and mind which constituted, per-
haps, the most poignant part Of our suferings.
] could add numerous interesting incidents.
but sorbear Tor the present.
BY reference to my diary, I find the follow
Ing appended names Of comrades who died in
my ward in the Anderscnyille Hospital:
Aug. 1s S. Cox, Co B. 9TH Pa Cav: II ". Mo.
] Cord, Co. q, 9TH N. y. Art; II, X Cline CO. u.
/ IIlth Ohio; p. T. Bush, Co. D. Goth n Y NJ: 2s
! r Alderman, Co. II, 18th n. Y. Cav; % n Ma
theuy, CO. A, z2d Ind 81, q. 4. GasweIl Co C. zIss
Ohio; 81, Q. y. Jumps Go. Z. Ist Mich. s. s.
Sept. /, J. Thomas Co. G. 9Th Cllio T. Jes Hs1a-
sell, Co. J. 18th Mich; g. J. Mcknight Co. J. 1sth
Pa. Cav. 7. }. White, -, 7lh Tenn Cav.
w. G. hALIss, Co. e, 18th Ohio, Tama City.
Iowa.