The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-08
PRISONERS OF WAR.
How Some Poor Fellows Lives we're Saved at Ra-
leigh, N G.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In the latter
part of February, 1865 the officers who had
been held as prisoners of war at Asylum Camp,
Columbia, S. c., were en- route from that place
TO Wilmington, N. C., for exchange Tor, lest
some cOmrade rises mp TO offer an amendment,
III be more explicit and say to pass through
the lines at North East Bridge, near Whining
ton, on parole). We were detained at Raleigh,
n. c., few days. One day train loaded with
enlisted men was run back from Goldsboro
and the men turned out TO grass-that is, into
a lot-and guard placed over them. All ex-
prisoners know how it is. The empty cars
were brought near the depot, and some of the
officers (who were quaTtcred in lot near by
on looking around found several OF the poor
fellows in the cars who when the others got
out had been unable TO do so, and were in a
fair way 10 die there, as no one in authority
had been near them. They were assisted out
of the cars, and the soft planlls of the depot
platform were substituted for cots. BY their
color one would have taken them to belong to
the u. S. G. T., but their features were Cauca-
sian.
fire was started and water heated In tin
cups, and commissioned officers for the time
being were nurses. Soap and warm water and
perseverance soon removed the green pine
smoke from their skeleton faces and from the
aforesaid nurses scanty stores something to
eat was being prepared, when colored man,
bearing a tray. approached and said twas
"suflin' TO de sick Yankees" card on the
tray read Compliments of Miss Eta Mon
tague; for the sick Federal prisoners of war"
The tray contained an earthen pot of hot tea,
sugar, hot biscuits and butter, and sweet po-
tatoes.
I've seen connoisseurs smack their lips over
their choice vintage; the old topper carry to his
parched lips with trembling hand the dram
that bad been given him, but their enjoyment
was nothing compared to that of those starved
and emacated sufferers from rebel prison-pens
when they received that tea.
"0h, Captain" sometimes it was Colonel,
Major, etc., "do, please. give me little more
Just a swallow" Its the best thing I've
tasted since left home" 1t tastes as good as
that my mother used 60 make" Just little
more, Colonel; that tastes like Gods country"
were some of the expressions; and these tea
grounds were thoroughly washed before they
were satisfied.
The bathing and tea gave them a new lease
Of life, but they were still very weak and un-
able TO bear the transpO. tation on the cars TO
exchange Some Of the cisizcns of Raleigh, in
Gliding a Capt. Garricker q think was the
name), of the Home Guards interested then-
selves in behalf of the poor fellows, aud we had
the satisfaction Of seeing them aboard an am
bulance bound for the hospital, with little
money aud some provisions, including pair
of chickens, procured by contributions 10y the
officers Tor their special use, which we were as
sured they should have. / have the cannes of
FIVE Of them, aud il this meets their eye or that
of any of their friends, should be glad to hear
from them through THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
or by letter: Serg't John +. Arminger, Pnrnell
Legion, Baltimore. Md; Hiram V. Woeott Tor
Malettl, 18th Ohio, seven miles southwest of
Columbus, o.; Alex. Bland, lst Ky. Cav, Gar
rett County, KY; John L. McKee, 30th or 3lst
No., Jefferson County. No.; +. z. Black. Co. c,
9th n. Y, Scio. n. VI. ID. PHELPS, Ex-
Prisoner Of War, Captain, Co. X, 9Th Pa. Cav,
Holland, Conn.