The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-07-19
Camp Chase and the Rebel Prisons.

These rules were but few, short and not griev-
ous The prisoners were informed that if they
would turn over what money they had they
should have receipts for it, and that it would
be returned to them whenever they should be
released or exchanged. If not so turned over,
any money found about them afterward would
be confscated. This generally, though not al
ways, brought the money out. A book was
kept and receipt given, showing the amount
IN greenbacks and in Confederate money re-
spectively. When it was returned to them it
was the same AMOUNT and of the same kind as
that taken and reeeipted for, and often have
seen them shake their heads when offered back
their Confederate money and ask to have it all
in greenbacks. They were told that that was
the kind they were fighting for and this was
the kind they were fighting against, and they
could not complain.
/ never knew any punishment inflicted
upon any OF the prisoners by the camp or
prison officials The prisoners punished one
OF their own men by compelling him to
march back and forth with a stick of cord
wood on his shoulder and placard on his
back, on which was printed in large letters the
word Thief" Newspapers were not allowed
to the prisoners, aud the only news they had
from the outside world was what they got from
the incoming prisoners, or fresh fish" as they
were called. l have had them shake SIS in
greenbacks at me for single newspaper. This
shows that they did not always turn over all
their money, and yet this money was not con-
fscated.
They were the most sanguine people ever
saw. Whilst their army was giving way inch
by inch, as it were, they were always sure
they were getting us just where they wanted
us; and when they should succeed in getting
US away from our support etc, then they
would give us Hail Columbia"
They had religious services regularly by the
Chaplain, but they preferred one of their own
kind to preach to them, and Col. Hawkins,
Tenuesseean, preached it to them in its purity.
This Col. Hawkins had camp parole by an
agreement between the two Governments, his
business being to look after contributions to
the prisoners from their friends.
When the news came of the assassination of
President Lincoln the boys put the Stars and
Stripes over Col. Hawkins's Office door. The
Colonel ordered it down. 1t would not come
down. Then he was going to take it down
himself; but the boys told him if he would
take it down he would never live TO take down
another flag. Then he appealed to Gen. Rich
ardson. The General told him he was not the
kind that ordered or took down the American
flag. 1t was humiliating, but the naughty
Southron had to pass under that flag every
time he entered or left his office.
On the day of the Presidential election in
1864 the rebs went through the formalities of
an election voting direct for the President, not
OF the Confederate States but of the United
States. An overwhelming majority voted for
Abraham Lincoln. The sick had good medical
attendance. The dead were buried by their own
comrades IN very neat cemetery about quar-
ter of mile from the prison. / may be in
error, but my impression IS that there were less
than 400 graves, or about as many graves there
from first to last from, say, the Winter of 1861
'62 to 1865, as were made at AndersonYiile in
three or four days Amusing instances of ex-
hibitions of ignorance were quite frequent.
Among the officials of the camp was one
Joseph Galloway, or, as he was familiarity
called, "Old 10. Galloway" He represented
the Government in some capacity that caused
frequent summoning of individual rebels before
him. After attending to the business in hand,
Old 10. would ask all manner of questions. On
one occasion he asked the Johnny in what
County in Virginia he lived. The rebel told
the name of the County.
"Why," said Galloway, "that is the County
George Washington lives in. Do you know
bim2"
Yes, know him." said the rebel; " but his
County jines mine"
well" said Galloway, what is Mr.. Wash
ington doing theseytimes?"
"Oh!" said the rebel, he is bushwhackng
little"
l have had them tell me the day and date in
which the Abolition Congress at Washington
struck the word white" from the Constitu-
ton of the United States.
Finally, when the collapse Of the Confederacy
came and Lee surrendered there was general
rejoicing. We told them that we were going
to Columbus to have q jollifcation, and that
nearly ali the S9th would leave camp to take
part in the jubilee Only few guards would
be left, but that it would be folly for the pris-
ouers to go out and try to find their way home
on foot, alone and without money, when, by
waiting only few days, they would all be re-
| leased and each mans transportation paid to
! his home. On our return we found them all
snug as bug in a jug" awaiting release and
| transportation. The time was unexpectedly
! prolonged, and by July 3, 1865, they had all
| left the prison and we had left Camp Chase
| John Morgan was not in the prison at Camp
| Chase, but'was confined in the penitentiary at
! Columbus, four miles from Camp Chase Nor
| gan escaped from the penitentiary by reason of
an oversight on the part of the State and Gov
eminent officials. The State officials omitted
/ TO notify the Government of the fact that when
the convicts were locked in their cells at night
/ the citizen or State guards were taken off the
outer wall. When Morgan and his men were
/ locked IN their cells the military guards on the
wall were also relieved for the night
There is an air-chamber" under the peni-
| Tertiary, aRd Dick Morgan's cell was the first
/ cell over this air-chamber and John Morgan's
| cell was over Dicks. Dick went to tunneling
| and found this air chamber. As but the one in
the lower cell could go out, it,was thought by
| them that John was the right one to go. When
they were to be locked in their cells the next
night they quietly changed cells, John going
into the lower cell. Then the coast was clear
After getting out he went TO the railroad sta
tion and boarded train. Day was breaking
as the train pulled out Of Columbus and past
the penitentiary. Morgan pointing TO the
penitentiary, remarked TO a stranger who sat
beside him, /" suppose there is where they
keep John Morgan 2" Yes" said the stranger
land l hope they will keep him there" As
the train got well down toward Cincinnati
Morgan went out on the rear platform of the
rear car and turned on the brakes
The brakeman demonstrated but Morgan
told him he understood his own business, ana
when the train slowed down so it was safe tx
jump off Morgan leosed the brake Jumped of
and struck south across the country and across
the Ohio River. When it was made known
that Morgan had escaped from the penitentiary
there was thorough search of every nook anC
corner in the city in which man could con
ceal himself or be concealed. We searched al
day, but not with lanterns as did Diogene
search the streets of the city of Athens; but
then, we were searching for different kind o
a man.-DAvID OGLEyIE, Sergeant, Co. /, SStl
Ohio, HarrisOnyille, Mo.
|
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