The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-22

they betray the trust we were compelled TO
place in them.
gREFNBACKs SOON BEGAN TO INCREASE
IN VALUE,
or. perhaps more properly speaking, Con-
federate money began TO decline. so that
before was released we could get IA for
one. For awhile the exchanges were effect
ed through the sentinel on guard at the
stairway: but two or three having been
caught al it and arrested, stop was put to
that manner of procuring 1T, and another
but less dangerous plan was adopted.
A hundred dollars would be raised In
rreenbaclzs and sent out by one Of the negro
boys Belonging to the establishment, who
would exchange il with some citizen and
bring us back the Confederate rags.
We had occasional lectures on different
topics-One or two on medicine that l re-
call; two on temperance, by Brig.-Gen. Neal
Dow. which we thoroughly appreciated, for
we were then living in the strongest Prohl-
bition locality we had ever been in. Until
the Chaplains were exchanged we had fire.
ouent religious services. After their de-
parture several prominent rebel divines
oficiaied for our benefit, but this occasioned
one or two mass meetings 20 decide whether
we Rould have loyal preachers or none.
They were finally permitted TO continue
their services. but the attendance was not
very large nor enthusiastic. On one occasion
we were all marched into one room, while
the other rooms were thoroughly searched
for money. hatehets. knives, saws and files,
we having accumulated quantity OF The
three latter 10 use In the manufacture of
homework We had received an intimafien
Of the proposed search some days before,
4 1rrH 1aa n xF.Fld vvufpb that /
then had in the bottom OF large wooden
spiftoea that was filed with sawdRst, where
il remained for more than a week. My
money ut this time ] carried concealed be-
tween the outside leather and stiffening of
pair OF old Government brogans was wear
ing.
DRAMATIC SCENE
On Jelly c. 1883, there occurred one of the
mcst dramatic scenes / ever witnessed or
participated in. Although more than 20
years have elapsed, believe that to-day
would rather take the risk OF the most Sc
we're battle / ever saw than 10 go through
with the same ordeal again. All the Fed
eral Captains in The pris0n-75 IN number
were ordered 10 tall in line, were marched
downstairs and into a large vacant room,
where We were formed IN one rank IN
hollow fguare, and remained there for some
moments before we knew what was 10 take
place 4 sabie was brought IN and placed
in the center, and box similar To an ordl-
nary baiiol-bax was placed on It. An order
was then read from Gen. WinGer, command
ing the u. Tsartraent of Richmond, addressed
10 the Caulniaadant Of Prisons, IN substance
rs follows:
Yen are ordered 10 select 1t once, by lot,
from among the Federal Captains in your
charge tsyB Tor immediate execution
SeTeuty-dve slips Of paper, each having on
il the name 0f one oficcE. were deposited IN the
box. We wcre then informed that we could
select one of our own number or one OF the
Chaplains up-siaiEs 20 draw cut two OF the
sips Father Gray, a Chaplain, was chosen.
he made short prayer, alter which he closed
his eyes
AID WITH TEAEs STREAMING DOWN. BIS
CHEEKS
be drew ont two slips and handed them 20 the
reiel cificer IN charge. who read the nHnes
alODd The officers selected were C2pis. Saw
yer. q the lsi n. J. Cav. and Finn. of the 5lst
Ind We were marched hack 20 orr quarters
and the EEo Captains were taken 20 Gen.
Winder's headquarters. This scene was one OF
the most trying ordcais Of NY lifeT the few
nOmcHfs IL occupied seemed like years, and ]
DO not thIIE there was a single one Of the 20
bUt Hhat EoRld have gladly preferred to kaye
met the eneiBy faoe 70 face in hattie dszen
bines IN PrelernncH TO cnee drawing lots ia this
b manner Tor bis life. Fortunately Tor the two
Captains. they were not immcdizfely executed.
bat were placed in dungeons In the basement
oi Libby, where tBey were kept about two
weeks. During this deiaT, cur Government
besug notified II the zctiOn Of the rebel auttoTi-
ties. at once lad Gen. W. IL r. Lee q nephew OF
Gen. &oteTt Z. Lee. and Cspt. WiRder, son OF
Gen. AinGcr. placed in clese confinement with
them At once On receipt Of oficial notification
hat CaPss- Sawyer aud Finn had been exc
suited This pTsmpl action on the part of the
FedeEai auth8rities brought the rebels TO time
md sitter aisgHt two weeks close confinement
Sawyer and Elinn were restored to their old
quarters with the other prisonerN
Dec. y. l553 the New England Captains &C
IN number. were required 70 draw lots for three
PeTs0ns- 20 be placed in close confinement at
Salisbury. n. G.. ss hostages for three rebel
Captains. ~ that time confined at Alton, Ill
Ihe unfortunate men selected were Capts
Chase, Litcb3eld and Keuneft. On one ac-
sasion Capt KING was confined two days ia
Bell for splitting on the floor
Oct. q. "GeOrge"-a prison policemau-
without any proVOcstion. drew a revolver on
bDe Of the prisoners. when Lieut. Reed, Of the
Dc Ohio wounded officer, told hin be must
not attempt that there. For this OfIeHse Iieut
Reed was taken down 10 the cell and kept three
lays, the FIRST night without = blanket.
At one time a cage. about six feet by ten was
Constructed in one Of the lower rooms, and four
DAlcsrs-
WHITE EEs OF coLOEED REGERENTs-
we're confined 10 IL with several negro soldierr
~ an extra punishment FOR being guilty Of
eommaacing negro troops.
Occasionally an officer would escape fron fhe
prison. Maj. Huston. who had been I'm the
hospital-fhen IN the lower east rosm-for
some time, and was a tailor by trade. was
employed by a rcbei Surgeon 10 make q uniform
tOr him. which be did, but when completed
Instead Of given IL 70 the Surgeon he donned
she uniform himself and about dusk one even
ing walked out ar " the Surgeon" and suc-
seeded in passing the guards without difficulty.
This escape 80 alarmed the rebels that they
s0ok possession OF the lower east room, locating
the hospital ln the room above mailing M the
nOOr between that and the other urper rooms
EDc then they gave us the lower middle room.
taxing the PsecSutlOn 70 nail up the windows
IN the F00Eo, and double the guard on the s,it
side Of the building. An officer who was In
Citizens dress while EfbeBding " "sicl,-csl -
One morning Ga fhe Grst lSor, appzreutly un-
c01cerDenig walked oRt past the guard and
E1ccee6ed IN making his escape. Mai. White
Of tie 61ih Pa, az the time the Surgeons were
released, arranged with one OF them 70 90 IN
has place, but Eas detected before they Syere
transferred az City Point, brought back ana
placed in 9 reil and we were ordered TO divulge
the name OF the Surgeon or 20 without rationg
The Surgeon WAS found, bot claimed that hs
waE left on account Of ill health. On snothe,
occasion Col. A. u. streght aud Capt Reed made
Hn AttenIh 10 escape, were caught, and as !