The National tribune., 1886-02-25
FLORENCE.
A Christmas in the Gloomy Prison Made JOyial
with Ness of Peas.

Christmas In the Gloomy PrIS0n Made J0yial
with Ness Of Peas.
To THE EDITOR: Your editorial calling at
tenton to the Christmas Days of '6l ., . and 4
has caused my mind to run back over them.
well remember all those eventtul years, but
my mind rests on the Christmas of 1864 most
vividly. There was at that time about 5000 of
US in the stOckade at Florence, having been
sent there from Andersonvile, and many of US
much reduced. When Winter set in Col. Iver-
son, then in command, had detail made from
the prisoners, and they were taken out on
parole to cut and carry wood for the prisoners
l well recOllect when the Lieutenant came in
to make the detail of those most fitted for the
work. AS the wood had to be cut, split and
carried about half mile it was no easy task
for the weak and emaciated ones yet the
thought of pure air and the extra ration was a
great incentive, beside the relief and benefit to
those suffering in the stockade for want of fuel.
tried for some time to put myself in his way,
SO that l might be put on the detail, but
he took no notice of me. So, mastering up
my courage, l asked him if he could not
take me. After carefully looking me over he
replied that he only wanted strong Western
men who were used to cutting wood. l assured
him l was a Western man and accustomed to
the use of the AK, but that my stay at Ander-
sonville had in some degree changed my West
ern appearance After again being assured
that was Western man, he took my name.
AS we were allowed the range of the camp out
side for two miles, felt sure the change and
what foraging l could do would greatly
strengthen and build Up my shattered cOnstitu-
tion. But not to detail the work of our pa
rolled life, l will come at once to our Christmas
and its dinner. had provided my mess with
sufficient timber to cover them dugout, and
wild grasses for bedding, and resolved to furnish
peas for Christmas dinner. So Oh the day before
l worked hard and got my task done before
night, and went in quest of forage / soon
found corntied in which was good supply
of peas, which l proceeded to appropriate for
the dinner. / tied string around my ankles,
thus securing my drawers from leaking, and
filled them to the knees; then filling my pock-
ets started for camp, but to my dismay found
the detail had gone in with one marked miss
ing, thus making me liable to search as we'll as
such insults as they might see fit to impose;
but as good luck would have it l fell into the
hands of Lieut. Lawrence, who demanded an
explanation. Now do not mean to say that
was my first nor my last lie, but did lie then.
l told him my task was so heavy did not get
it done IN time to get in with the rest. He
scanned me from head, to foot, then punching
my well filled pockets, said: HWhat's this you've
been out stealing?" Il protested, telling him
had taken them out to cook for my dinner,
but not having time was going in with them.
lie looked incredulous, but with sharp repri-
mand and the warninglif caught again | would
be sent in the stockade to stay, got safely
in with my treasure. L told my comrades of
my success and narrow escape. They were
highly delighted at the prospect of SO royal
Christmas dinner. We slept but little, and by
early morn had borrowed a kettle and were
soon busly engaged in cooking our peas. and
by noon we had well-filed kettle of steaming
hot peas, with no bread, no SALT 10 meat
nothing but black COW peas ana the only
seasoning or relish was the ,yer-rccurring
thought of the good things at homo; yet how
we did eat peas and talk of the Christmas at |
home. But this being the first full meal for
six months, there was more Joy and satisfaction !
over it than could be obtained from many |
more sumptuous repast under other circum-
III. w.