New-York tribune., 1889-12-25
"REMINISCENCES OF LIBBY PRISON.
AN OLD PRISONER TELLS OF MS HARDsHIPs
AND HOW HE PASSED THE TIME THERE.

| AN OLD PRISONER TELLS OF MS HARDsHIPs
AND HOW HE PASSED THE TIME THERE.
! The recent purchase of Libby Prison by people
in Chicago and its subsequent partial destruction in
a railroad wreck while in transit from Richmond 10
It's new site has attracted attention anew TO that den
set apart by the Rebels for the torture of patriotic
Union soldiers. "The Tribune tramp recently met
an old veteran his walk who served as an officer
In the Union service throughout the and is now
pensioner who recalled some of his own experiences
In old Libby Il was one Of those who were taken
prisoners at the battle of Cedar Mountain on August
O. 1862 he said. Our cry had beea 'on TO Rich
aiond' and we were way there under the
escort Of the graybscks. After we had crossed the
James River into Richmond. we were marched down
Cary-st until we came brick building, with IT'S
windows heavily barred and on its corner sign.
Libby Son" from which It took Its name. 1t was
1875 feet long and wide three stories in height
on the street and four stories the side next TO the
river. while under the ground on Cary-st. was row
Of cells
"We were marched into the building and the door
was shut and barred between us and the outside
world. There nine large rooms which we're so
infested with vermin that we were literally up
bv them and called it the Libby Lce-lsee-em
But this was not the worst thing we had TO endure
The notable who relgned supreme at the prison, and
10 whom we were early introduced, was Dick Turner
His first duty seemed be to take into bis possession
our spare clothing haversacks, our canteens and
our greenbacks For each dollar of the latter we could
readily get FIVE dollars in Confederate notes. provided
Of course, that could secrete them from turner's
scrutiny To dispute his right 10 rob us would re-
suit in brutal treatment from him and confinement
In one Of the underground cells. My meals on the
first day in Libby were like all Of the Others. For
breakfast ! had twelve ounces OF bread and three
ounces of meat-the latter often alive with msggots
A. pfoh I
soup enriched with bacon that had an exuberance
OF life II was of such kind and brought to us In
such nauseatng vessels that to get II down al all
we had 10 do II with our eyes closed our noses pinched
and our palates down. 1t all we had TO live
upon and the prisoners were literally starved
The guards over us Of the same pattern as
Turner The officers in command were most of them
drunkards and tyrants and how could II be expected
to be anything different with such man in com
mand as General Windey. always swapping and snar-
ing and swearing and more often drunk than sober
If a prisoner stepped the window 10 looh out
he ordered TO step lack or he was hred upon |
We seldom went near the windows except upon the |
approach Of new prisoners. when there Wono DO
rush toward the windows and cry OF Fresh fish |
But these fellows were welcome arrivals ana ey were
besieged for the latest news We were PACKED Ike
5ardncs I'm box except that we lay IN rows on the
bare floors for there we're cots N sleep H. Anothcr
prison for Union soldiers was Penbert0n Casue'
across the way from Libby. and II possible IN even
worse sanitary condition The water we drank
came from the James River and was often as thick as
DOrrtdge with mud especially after ram 81, ,os,
Would you Ike TO know how we passed tne hours
Night and day succeeded each other with the same
scenes, the men ard worn % oM win Ise utii t
nonotony of prison life the ffutless longing iof
liberty A morning newspaper was luxury, IN S spits
of the un,rustwOrthy news OF ulc Wit uu. We o o.
1nly get IL upon the payment OF 90 cents a copy
Every man who possessed knife spent ms I'm, unc
IA ashioniae the meat bones into crosses heh's sArs
nd ring We had debates mock trials and lectures
and then we published The Libby Chronicle; nol ~
ypo but In manuscript. Then TOO. W. ma nan @ cIssS- ~
N photography, arithmetic. etc. ana tetc WeIc 80
many chsplsns that they took turns IN holding ser