Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-09-20

iorcibly impressed with the difference
In the mon guarding us. The rebel
soldiers who had been performing that
service, had been sent to the front, and |
we were put in charge of the rear I,
guard, or rather old planters and |
sons, and the change was one very
much to be regretted l assure you.
There was also very different class OF
citizens. At Atlanta we could OCCASION
ally see friend among the many who
visited us but ut Columbia none were
visible.
A man fighting for n principle, be 1t
ever so contrary to our opinion of right
and wrong, we still have respect for
that man when he Is willing to fnce
death, and If necessary lay down his
life for that principle. But none are
so contemplate us those who profess to
be what he dare not stand up for and
defend to the best of his ability; an
utter lack of manhood.
Our present guards were of this class;
they were willing to hold their muskots
ever ready to shoot down the defense
less prisoners, and heap abuse upon
their heads, simply because they had
the opportunity. We were subjected
to every conceivable annoyance.
After remaining Mt Columbia n few
days, we were put on board of cars for
Richmond by the way of Raleigh, N.
G. 1t was most unenviable ride across
three states on old freight cars, some of
us inside and others on top. Unfortun-
ately was one of those who was des-
tined to ride on the top perch, in
company with comrade Wood. In
order to get some sleep and not roll of
the cars, we used our canteen, haver-
sack and one old blanket and tied our
selves to the boards lying on top and
lengthwise of the cars, and our lives
depended on the security with which
we made the fastenings.
We stopped at all towns OF any inn
portance along the route in order to
give the guards an opportunity OF dis
playing their treasures and boasting
Of their prOwess, when the lying
towards had never seen blue coat
until we were captured and sent many
miles to the rear where there was no
danger. am telling what l know to
be true, not what surmise, rs many
of my comrades can vouch for.
We gave our tormentors as much
uneasiness as possible on the journey,
until we arrived in Richmond. A
threat to disarm them and then throw
them out of the car was sufficient to
keep them from going to sleep at least.
AS we neared the rebel stronghold,
we were subject to all sorts OF rumors
as to our destination but the general
belief was that we were to be exchanged.
II such had been the case, many now
sleeping in Southern graves might now
be in northern homes enjoying the
peace for which they had suffered and
finally laid down their lives. Instead,
most of the prisoners were put on Belle
Isle, and others went TO Pemberton
and the officers in Libby.
My lot was cast with those in Penn
berton, just below and across the street
from Libby. On the night OF our ar
rival, one of the rebel soldiers said 4:
"Be of good cheer boys; you will be in
Abraham's bosom in a few days." II re-
mark that will never be forgotten, for
If it had been true, many lives would
have been saved.
Our Imprisonment Mt Richmond
lasted about three months, and during
the first few days we managed to enjoy
ourselves in n manner that was not
pleasing to the enemy. While we
were well and strong, the boys on the
different floors of the prison would
form in by twos and march around the
rooms on double quick time. AS we
neared an outside window, some one
would call out Justify, "Hold on, boys,
don't jump until we are all ready
The detail of rebel guards on the
ground floors would instantly fall in
line and rush into the street, down to
and in front of Libby, and get force
of battery guns in readiness for the
supposed break. The boys would then
take hearty laugh nt the rebels ex-
pense. Strange rs it may appear, just
rs often as these demonstrations were
made, Just so often would our captors
go through the same routine. The
only fear we had was that old Pember-
ton might not stand this shaking up,
and come tumbling in upon us.
This fun, however, was of short dur
alton; the small quantity of food given
us was so far from satisfying the craving
OF the stomach, that we soon found our
selves too weak to exert ourselves for
this kind of sport, and we had not am
bition enough left to do moro than we
were compelled to.
In the capital of the confederacy, in
1868. there were very few who had
money; but those who were fortunate
enough to possess it, could readily
exchange one dollar of it for from fifty
to one hundred dollars in confederate
script. Very nattering to the rebel
system OF fnancering.) With plenty
OF this money We could buy little meal
or bran. distinctly remember giving
fifty dollars for one loaf of corn bread,
and same amount for one peck OF bran.
None of the boys will forget how we
ate bran. We mixed the bran in old
pans, and put in little salt and that
was the extent of the culinary work. II
the reader has never dined on suited
bran, and very inferior bran, too, let
him make one meal OF it, and / will
venture to say that he will declare
that it tastes as near like nothing AZ
anything he could imagine. We did not
eat 1t because we liked it, but simply
4 II 4.