The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-15

mitted TO write letters of more than six lines
each TO the
"so-CALLED UNITED STATES"
and not more than one letter per week, and
that 10 be handed TO the Sergeant on Monday
morning The one universal thought that pre-
dominated in prisoners mind from the time
he entered Hotel de Libby" as the boys face
tiously termed it, until his release, was, How
soon will we he eXchanged?"
When we first made our advent into that
highly popular institution, it was certainly
thought that we would not possibly remain
longer than 10 days or two weeks. At the end
Of that time we were still there, and remained
there for nearly nine months before any officers
were exchanged. excepting Chaplains and Sur
geons. Who was TO blame for this. TO us, un-
accountable delay We could not tell, situated rs
we were. The rebels continually said it was
the fault of the Federal authorities Exchange
rumors were very abundant. The slightest
foundation suiliced for the most extravagant
reports. One day our hopes would be raised
TO the highest point, the next they would be
away below zero. The rebel authorities publish
ed a statement that they had made a certain
proposition 10 our Government, which was so
plausible on its face that we thought il would be
immediately accepted rs a matter OF course; but
something intervened 10 prevent the exchange.
And so it continued. First would como the
report that the Surgeons and Chapans were
were TO follow Immediately. That would be
at once succeeded by the report that the Com
missioners had disagreed and there would be
no more exchanges during the war. The next
report would come from the hospital TO the
effect that clerk in the War Department had
Just been in to sec friend there and told him
that there was boat up. and that the Chap
lains and some of the officers would 20 off on
il. This was reliable, because il came through
Maj. White or Douglas. Next day ii was re-
ported that Maj. Norris, who was connected
with the Exchange Bureau, had been up and
told his friend, DIR. Worthington, that there
was no boat up, and that il was probable there
would be no exchange for some time as our
Government would have TO back down
ON DIR. RUCKER's CASE FIRST.
As soon as one of these reports was announced
il would be followed by bets freely offered on
either side AS 10 its correctness and vocierous
cries Of Get ready Pack upi Pack up"
came from all parts of the prison, and the in
mates would gather in crowds TO discuss IT.
One man would give it as his opinion that 1t
was certainly correct, for ii came from relia-
BILE gentleman. The next man was little
doubtful. while the third one declared he wonld
hardly believe we were exchanged. even If
Mai. Turner was 10 come up himself and an
nounce the fact. This constant excitement,
followed by depression, affected the health of
many, and in at least one or two very plain
cases caused the death Of officers confined in
Libby. To keep the mind of this subject all
imaginable plans were devised To employ the
time either benefeiaily or for amusement.
Glasses were organized in variety of branches,
and capable teachers we're readily found.
Those who were skillful with the knife and
file employed their time in carving trinkets
out of bones taken from the meat furnished us,
and some very handsome specimens were the
result OF their labors. Card-playing was an
almost universal pastime, and many became
very proficient at IL. While the Chaplains re-
maiued with US prayer meetings were regu-
larry held. The writer has seen prayer meet
ing and two or three faro tables in opera
tion at the same time in one of the large
rooms. There were also some very fine chess
players among the prisoners. One Lieutenant
j remember became so proficient that he could
play two and even three games mt the same
time, blindfOlded. Amateur tbeatricais were
indHlged ia 20 some extent. Performers blacked
as minstrels went under the name Of the
LIBBY BURLEsoOE TROUPE"
and their entertainments became so interesting
on some occasions that even the rebel officials
and their friends came in as spectators.
Saturday morning, Oct. II. they announced
I in their program that they would appear for
/ the last time that evening, owing 10 their hay-
4 ing an engagement in Washington 20 fill for
which purpose they expected to leave on next
! fag-of-truce boat They exhibited TO a crowded
house of Yankees, with few rebels included
( The performances were very good, considering
I the imprOmptu manner IN which they were
gotten up. They consisted Of songs, dances
limitations Of roli-calis and other acts Of the
prison officials and guards. closing with the
reading OF the Libby Ir0nieal." intended aE
a burlesque on the Libby Chronicle" the
/ weekly issne Of which had been read the fore.
noon previous.
Some things that would be thought ridicu-
lous elsewhere caused great deal OF fun in
prison. One evening. attracted by loud laugh.
1 ter in one OF the rooms rushed to sec wha;
was the matter, aud fonnd an officer in the
center of the crowd, standing bent over, while
another held a hat closely under his eyes
Suddenly someone in the crowd hit him
I sounding slap on his posterior with the open
/ palm OF the hand, when the other, promptly
springing erect, would glance over the spec
tators, and If he could point out the man wbt
struck him that one would have 10 take hi,
place, and the same formula would be again
gone through with. One Of the officers wht
was most active in this performance saw mex
1 morning with his hand 20 swollen he eoult
not close IT,
DURING THE HOT WEATHER
| OF July and August, the variety displayed Il
| the costumes Of the inmates was decidedl,
| amusing. Here you would see a man will
| nothing but shirt and drawers on; there on,
with drawers minus the shirt, while close by wa
another one with the shirt minus the drawers
and still another with nothing on but lont
linen dusteT: his clothes were out being washed
no doubt This kind OF dress was no doub
very comfortable during that kind of weather
but when the cold weather of Winter came 4
was rather unpleasant 10 be compelled 10 &
around without socks or drawers aud only on,
shirt, which valuable articles yon were Oblge'
70 dispense with occasionally for the purpos
Of having them washed The supply OF biAp
kets was quite sufficient during the warn
weather, bat when the cold nights set in I
was soon discovered that while some had 81
abundant supply of them others bad only one
and great many had none at all Repeate,
complaints having been made 10 the rebel Off
eials, Inspector Turner made disappearance on
Sunday morning, and proceeded 10 call for
/ division Of the house, prisoners in one room
aud blankets in another. and then gave 10 eacI
man as he passed into the other room two oil
l.. S. blankets; but the supply not being sufii
cieBt for the purpose, the remainder Of tn
men had 10 do without, and on application aftei
wards 70 the authorities, were Informed tina
they bad no more blankets consequently eoul
give US none Commissioner OuId hOweyel
stated that he Was expecting supply By Tia
next lAR-Oi-truee boat from our Government
The bedding aud clothing surnshe for our sic
. IN the hospital was supplied by the United State
6anitary Commission. On the 4tl Of July a
attempt was made 10 get up little impr0mpt
celebration. a flag was constructed by tearin
up some shirts OF the proper colors, and whe
: completed we fastened IL up in the ceiling
the third story room, and commenced on
D speeches The rebels soon detected what wa
: going On, and sent up au officer with orde,
10 Hg 10 take the flag down huf t,nt "a uPisnn,