The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-01-30
der that had went through many
battle and hcrdShipS and was good on

der that had went through many a
battle and hcrdShips and was good on
the Skirmish line, would not lay down
his life for naught. One time about
500 were engaged in tunneling out of
AnderSOnyille, and the night before
the tunnel was completed one of the
men turned traitor. Now all hopes
of getting out were frustrated. Had it
not been for the timely arrival of rebel
troops, the traitor would have been
mObed.
Another instance worthy to mention
was one of the heaviest rain storms
ever witnessed in my life. The stock
ade was washed out at two places,
and the rebels got scared, fearing the
prisoners would make break for life
and liberty, for there were at least
80, 900 prisoners in the pen at the time.
Before the storm was over and we
knew that the Stockade was destroyed
the guard commenced terrible can
nonading over the prison pen till they
could make the repairs after the
storm was over and the clouds had
! passed away.
About three quarters Of the prison
erS were without shelter. All got a
|
found fine spring of fresh water on
the hill side, large enough to supply
the whole camp.
The same spring of water, | am
told, is still in MISUNDERSTANDING out
of what was once dry hill side. One
more event that took place in '64, was
the hanging by our own men of six of
our comrades. These men were hung
for committing depredatiOns, and do
ing all kinds OF mischief in the camp.
There was an organization OF desper-
ADDE'S and thieves that watched
day and night, and whenever new
prisoners came in those fellows would
surround them and rob them of all
their money and valuables. But as
some men will not be robbed without
defending themselves, it so happened
that several were killed in those rows
and buried under the tent of those
belonging to the organization. The
rebel guard came in and arrested
them and took them out and had them
cOurtmartialed by our own men,
! Delivered them inside the StOckade
! and our own men executed them.
! When Sherman marched to the sea
| the rebS seemed to be well scared and
/ hurried all the prisoners into differ
ent localities at once. | was one of
1000 that were taken to Savannah.
/ This move was beneficial to ALL A
/ change of climate and food was lust
what we all needed. At Savannah.
the ratiOnS were better, being partly
! furnished by the citizens. Marching
| through the city several union flags
were exhibited from upper windows
and from the roofs of houses by ladies'
In four weeks we were moved to Mel
Ion, Georgia, where they intended to
make the rendezvous OF all union pris-
Oners. A place well adopted for the
situation. They were building brick
back ovens and different kinds Of very
substantial improvements. In four
weeks Sherman came SO near the
! prisons we were moved in a hurry.
| We could hear the cannonading by
! Sherman all morning. But did not
know what was going on. Now we
were moved to Blackshear, eighteen
miles from the Florida line, and
guarded in the pine forest, without
any stOckade. Here we remained four
weeks, when the order came TO march
back to AndersOnyille. Our men
came very near capturing us. but
missed us, and we had to march back
to that miserable pen. The march
/ was very severe on most of us, as our
clothes were very poor and most of
/ the boys were barefOOted, so, that
travelling over rough roads was almost
impossible. The spring OF fresh June
water, was still ready TO furnish all
the good water that was needed.
All seemed to be more discouraged
then at any time before, as the flu
! ture prospects to be exchanged looked
! dark and gloomy. But soon the
clouds passed away-and our hopes
frightened up-that the war would
soon be over. For every day we heard
all kinds Of conflicting news in regard
to both armies, knowing that General
| Sherman had been successful in his
march to the sea. We knew well
that our army was gaining territory
fast and the end could not be far
away. The hopes to be soon with
our friends and loved ones frightened
up our minds, souls and bodies. The
guard seemed to be discouraged and
cared little about what was going on.
The time soon came when the cruel
war was over and about 1000 poor,
ragged, half-Starved, barefOoted boys
were marching to Camp Fisk, four
miles from Nicksburg, to be delivered
to our men. At Camp Fisk our gov
ernment and the sanitary committee
received us with plenty of everything
TO make us happy and comfortable.
In few days we sailed up the Miss
issippi river to st. Paul, where | was
discharged.
I'll