The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-01-12

around
The strang gers face seemed familiar, but did
not know him at first; but his face was on
broad grin, and he said pleasantly: "Ain't you
Mr.. -, that was out in Texas last Winter
with Mai. J-?"
He was one of a regiment that had been or
ganized in that part of Texas in which had
spent the Winter preceding the war, and had
probably only known me there by sight, as
stranger in those parts is always an object of
curiosity.
When mildly denied my identity, he pleas
antly apologized, his companion suggesting
that it was mistake
gave my fictitious name, and introduced the
Colonel as a sort of indorser to my statement.
As did not care to take any risks of meeting
with any of my Texas Uncle's friends who
would know Of my part in the Fort Pickens
affair in the role of a Texas boy, we parted
without stopping longer.
This little incident finally settled for me any
indecision l had felt about the expediency of
putting on gray uniform.
/ must either leave the city or join the army;
aud before we returned TO bed that night we
found Elkton, who had the necessary papers
for me.
Being further assured positively that the bat
terry was to be sent at once to the front, /, with
a trembling hand aud doubling heart, and with
a strong mental reservation, signed my fctl-
SAAeNN ~
came
A BoNA-FIDE REBEL SOLDIER.
derived great comfort from the fact that it
was distinctly understood that was to be made
a Corporal and as such it would be my duty TO
sight and fire the gun Of our section. / deter
mined fully that if the occasion should arise
before l could get away from them that gun
would never be pointed in a way to do any
damage.
1t had now settled into regular Virginia
Winter, and it was impossible for either
army to move, the city soon filed with officers
on leave and men on furlough from their COM
mands at Manassas, with the usual army of
straggleTs and hangers-on of an army.
Richmond 1T this time was not an orderly
city. Ia fact, during those Winter months the
respectable portion Of the inhabitants were be-
sieged in their own houses. IL was scarcely
safe for lady to venture out alone in daylight
even, while at night the mob had complete pos
session. There was apparently no scarcity Of
money, and the supply of whisky was abundant
l was living in quite comfortable barracks in
Camp Lee or the Old Fair Ground. in the ex-
treme northwestern section of the city, furthest
from Libby Prison, Roekett's Wharf, and those
other interesting places where ! had spent most
of my time during the days of my GONZALES
cence.
One Sunday morning I obtained pass from
our Captain TO attend church in the city. /
went alone, because desired to visit the prison
ers IN Libby before l should return to camp.
Perhaps l may have been feeling little blue
that morning, because the evening before our
beautiful Maryland Capitoa had gone back
on me for our gallant and good-looking Lieut..
Claiborne. But this is not love story.
AIy walk into the city was by way of Frank
lin street which Is the aristocratic residence
thoroughfare of Richmond.
GEN. LEE LIVED on THIS STREET,
] l. .zzs. 4 l. l.. L
blocks from the Capitol grounds
| A block below, toward the Capitol, is st.
/ Pauls Episcopal Church, which President Davis
and Gen. Lee both attended regularly. That
morning / stood on the porch Of the Fountain
Hotel, directly opposite, to await the arrival of
| President Davis at the morning service. Mr..
Davis, though regular attendant there during
! his earlier days in Richmond, did not unite
with the church until some months after, and
| / think it was the very morning of which
write that he was formally baptized and con-
/ frmed.
had expected to see him come in carriage
with his family, and was surprised when be
came suddenly and alone, dressed in his usual
] plain way. had looked for him to come from
his home, but he had apparently spent some
time in his Office, as he walked up from that
direction. He spoke pleasantly to the few
| people about, and passed on into herhurch.
Mr. Davis always impressed me with certain
! indeseribable magnetism. His face was thin
his cheeks seemed somewhat sunken, and ht
! wore a general air Of melancholy. ] wa.
close TO him frequently, and was always i'm
pressed with the feeling that he was having
hard time of it.
| have often wondered in the years that
have passed if Mr.. Davis entertained for mo
meBt, even, the thought or fear that his Iif,
/ Was in danger.
After seeing that the President was safe il
church, Iounged of toward Libby Prison.
by early acquaintance of the rebel guart
was not on duty that morning, but some of hi
friends told me that he would be there afte
dinner. Under prstense Of waiting for him,
lounged around carelessly, SO that could get
good view Of
THE ANIMALS" As THEY CALLED THE PRIs
OSERs.
Libby Prison has been so often described
thai ] need not attempt any further account o
its appearance. All these large, barn-lize build
ings were constructed much in the style OF on
bonded warehouses, and all the windows hat
bars or shutters iron.
At the time Of which write the prisons wer
full, and most Of the boys had been there s
long that they had become ragged, while al
insignia OF rank had disappeared from thei
tattered garments. There were always tw
seHiries and an officer on guard at the mail
dcor, while along the pavement in front addi
tional sentries paced their beats. 1t was i'm
possible TO have any communication with ther
without being discovered
If there had been signal officer or an exper
telegrapher among the prisoners inside coul
have readily aud rapidly communicated wit
them by the use Of the "wg-wag" Of the in
dez fingers, or in many other ways, whic
would not have attracted the observation G
the guard. We could have easily communi
Gated over the heads Of the sentries, if th
prisoner stood back q little from She windol