St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-03
ADDITIONAL ST. PAUL NEWS.
WAR "REMINISCENCES
By Col. y. III. Davidson and Rev.
Clay MacCauley.


Clay MacCauIey.
The lecture-rOom of Unity church was
comfortably filled last evening by the mem
bers of the Unity club and their friends,
who always make up a pleasant sociable
crowd and who always succeed in making
their literary and social entertainments sue
cessful affairs. War was the topic of the
evening and several war songs preceded and
succeeded the talks of Col. j. III. Davidson
and the pastor. Rev. Clay MacCauley, both
of whom gave some of their prison expert
ence during the war.
Col. Davidson related In an interesting
manner his experience AT Union prison, of
which he was in command, during a part of
the year lS65.
in the spring of 1865 il was apparent, from
the relative conditions of the two sides, that
large numbers of Confederate soldiers would
fall into the hands of the Federals, and prep
arations were made for their accommodation.
The speaker had been detailed TO select a site
for prison.and later one was begun at New
port News, near Fortress Monroe, il being
an eligible location on account of
safety, bealthfulness and proximity TO
the Confederate line. Before IL was half
completed, 5000 prisoners were brought in
i'm an exhausted and deplorable condition.
They were half clad, half sick, disc outraged,
disappointed and hopeless. A complete rec
ord was made of each mans condition, resi-
dence, etc., and list made of each man S
property. Every two prisoners were pro-
vided with n wedge tent, food was plenty and
good, and they were allowed to battle in the
surf along shore. Every care and attention
was paid TO the SICK and many little comforts
and Injuries were provided by the authorl-
ties and friends in the North and
South. Stin they died like sheep
through exhaustion, the sense of de-
feat, hopelessness and sheer inconsistencies.
Newspapers were furnished them and they
were allowed 10 receive letters and presents
after inspection. Guards were not allowed
TO abuse or insult prisoners. They provided
themselves with many little comforts and in
dulged in sports TO some extent. During this
time the news of President LincOln's death
was received and the regret and sorrow man.
ifested by officers and men was as deep and
sincere as that at any bed OF mourning.
When the flag was placed at half-mast in the
prison yard and the prisoners learned the
meaning of the proceeding, not a word was
uttered expressing satisfaction or exultation,
but on the contrary, many realized that il was
really blow against the Confederacy and ex-
pressed their regret for the deed.
None of the rising generation" said he.
lean have any conception of the horrors OF
war. Ii has a wonderfully hardening effect
on men with all the elements of kindly,
humane natures with warm sympathetic
hearts and generous impulses"
Rev. Clay MacCauleys experience was OF
a different kind. He was among the Union
men who tell into the hands of the rebels at
the battle of Charlottesville on Sunday
morning, Nav 3, 1868, going without food
until Thursday evening, when they reached
Libby prison.
During their march TO the prison a little in
cident happened which showed ''the loyalty of
Southern women" AS they were on the
march, a little woman with black eyes and a
pretty face came running down path 10 the
road. and shaking her little fist. cried: 80,
colonel, kill 'em all! kill 'em for met After
enduring the terrible life of the prison for
some time, they were exchanged, and after
passing, hungry, weak. ragged and exhausted.
! from under the rebel flag TO the government
transport, where every comfort was provided
for them, n fine banquet spread for them and
| they sat down TO rest and enjoy the general
| spirit of liberty and rejoicing, the change
seemed like passing from purgatory TO para
| disc.