The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-09-13

We were elated and at the same time scared at
the success of the undertaking.; glad to know
we had the meat, but at the same time fearing
that if the Ranger found out who had robbed
him il would cost some of us our lives and
were careful to say nothing about it. The
next morning the same prisoner that had in
formed US of the meat, came down into our
hole and demanded his share, which was re-
Iuctantly given for fear he would tell. He
also related how the Ranger raved when he
discovered his loss fairly turning the air blue
with invectiyes; threatening death to the per-
son who stole his meat, If he ever discovered
who had robbed him. it was not long after
ward that he was hiding from the vengeance
of the Vigilance Committee for the crimes he
and his gang had committed.
The mortality among the prisoners was still
very large, but the places thus made vacant
were filled by fresh arrivals whose fate could
easily be foretold by the appearance of those
who had a few months previous been in as
good health as they. 1t was like a mill fed
with the bodies of brave men, which kept
grinding the life out of them, all the while
being fed with new victims.
LETTERS FROM HOME.
One day we heard that there was a mail
from the North, friends and kindred of US poor
God-forsaken prisoners, and sure enough it was
a fact We were told to assemble in front Of
the house next TO the large building, and should
a name be called a letter would be received.
There were several barrels of them, and those
who had the task Of acting as postmasters took
them to this building and called out the names
Name after name was called, but very few
among rs answered. As the name was called
you could hear such remarks as ooh! he's
dead long ago" Occasionally some one of the
prisoners would answer TO his names and
receive a letter, which had invariably been
opened by the rebel authorities before delivery.
He would go to some secluded spot, or make to
his hole IN the ground, and there devour what
his hungry soul had been longing for. That
was the first, last and only mail for the prison
ers that I heard of, and it was the cause of
much woTriment among them.
DISTRIBUTION OF CLOTHING.
There was also distribution of clothing
which our Government had sent down for the
prisoners, consisting of blankets, bouses, pants,
etc, which had been culled over before reach
ing Salisbury, so much so that | did not see a
blanket or pair Of pants given in the prison, as
the rebels bad taken them all for their own
use. There were a few blouses, but so few that
each company had to draw straws to see who
should get one. was lucky enough to draw
the shortest straw and secured the prize, which
alterWard came in good play, enabling me to
give my old blouse TO one whom / never ex-
pected to see alive again, and especially where
! did.
TIE FESTIVE GRAYBACK.
With no water with which to wash and no
clothes to change, is it to be wondered that our
bodies and clothes became covered with YER
min, millions Of them, that seemed to thrive
and multiply as our miseries increased? These
aggravating, pestiferous and persevering little
pests kept Us continually skirmishing and
scratching, while they worried the life out of
many who could not stand the drain upon
their strength. There was considerable fun
made over these little temper aggravators, as
some of the prisoners would rave and swear
about them. while others would laugh and be
merry and make them the subject of some very
I funny stories; others again would pay no at
/ tention and let them roam over their bodies
and clothes at their own sweet viii. / must
I say that for perseyering disturber of repose
when che is inclined to sleep an ordinary saw
backed Salisbury grayback which generally
+ perambulates up and down the legs of the trou-
/ sers with his rough back to ones body, leaving
I a ticklish sensation as he slowly drags himself
along, makes it an utter impossibility to secure
! rest. The night seems to be his fav0rite time
/ for business, and ii cannot be said that he in
any way neglects an opportunity Of letting one
/ know where he may be found Some Of the
scurvy-suffering prisoners were terribly atfiict-
ed with these pests, and in one case q prisoner
was found lying in a hole, groaning with
scuTyy pains, and the prisoners went down and
carried him out, much against his viii, begging
IN the name of God TO be let alone, as it was sc
painful for him to move. He had lain in
huddled-up position so long that his joints had
become stiff and sore, and or his hips shoul
ders and kneejoints were large raw sores
which had liberated, around which, sticking
with their heads buried around the edge, wer'
thousands OF these graybacks eating the very
/ life-substance out Of the man. 1t was the wors
sight ] ever saw, aud the poo7 sufferer had ~
strength or inclination to remove them ] be
lieye his comrades cleaned him up after letting
him lay in the sun for awhile, but / doubt j
he ever got out Of the pen alive These thing
were going on continually. Virgins and
kept occasionally Of nights working on tb
tunnel which work was certainly beneficial {
our health, and also to keep our spirits up, a
our minds were occupied.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL PLAN TO ESCAPE.
One day Virgins came running up to rne quit
excited and said, Get your quilt and haver
sack quick" asked why, when ne said, 'Ther
is plot to overcome the guards aud make
break for liberty, aud if you want to be in 20
had better be prepared" So we both wen
down to our hole, and Virgins rolled the quill
and / took the haversack and we went out t
watch our chance if a break should be made
I Up 10 that time the rebels had stationed sew
eral guards inside the prison. These guard
were relieved at regular intervals. These
with the regular fence-gUards that were con
stantly overlooking the prisoners in the pei
were the ones 10 be attacked.
The plan, which was good one, was whe
the guards came into the pen to relieve thos
on duty, to overpOwer them by force and tax
their guns from them, and with these driv
the guards from the fence and then rus
through the big gate and take possession Of th