The National tribune., 1892-09-29
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
SAILS BURY PRISON.

T-r was my misfortune to become prisoner
of war on the 18th of October, 1864, while
on picket near Cedar Creek. We num-
hered in all about 40 men, y of whom were
members of my own company. We were sur
prised in the night aud so completely sur
rounded that not man escaped. / tried my
luck at it, but before / had gone many rods
was seen and ordered to halt. | glanced over
my shoulder to see what my chances were, and
locked into the muzzles of FIVE rifles in the
hands of as many rebels and concluded it was
better to be live prisoner for the time being
than n dead Yankee SO / with much reluctance
halted.
We were marched to the rear about two
miles. and there they improved their first op-
portunity to search and strip Us OF all money,
clothes. watches and everything else that was
of auy value 10 us. / had lost my watch some
time before, but had some little money about
me- and saw that was what they appeared TO
want most / had about 81 in change that
left in my pocket for bait, ard SO greenback
that | rolled under the wristband of my shirt
of course, they took the change. but were not
sharpwitted enough TO find the greenback.
That has something of history that will re-
late further on.
We were then taken up the Valley, should
Judge about 10 miles. Here we were halted,
guards changed. and we were again searched.
We were taken by twos into cid barn, and
there given thorough search, my greenback
still undiscovered, but had in my possession
a small pocket album which con ntained pictures
of my father and mother and several friends.
/ valued it very highly. The brute that
searched me could find nothing else, SO he took
that. argued, but TO no avail. lie said had
stolen il from some house, and could not have
it. then went TO the officer in command OF
the guard. and TO my surprise and delight he
ordered him to return it TO me. | carried 1t
all through my prison life and have one of the
pictures still in my possession.
After they had nearly stripped us of all we
bad-in fact had barely enough remaining to
cover my nakedness-they started US on an
other tramp for number of miles to place
near the main Valley road and we there went
into camp where we stayed all that day and
night We were told We might write to our
friends to inform them where we were, but
that we must not seal the letters. Quite q
privilege, when there was neither paper, pen
or pencil st hand. Some OF US managed In
some way to secure material to write to the
dear ones at home; but we had our trouble for
nothing for they never reached their destina-
tion, probably never left the rebel lines.
The next morning, the 18th of October, We
were aroused bright and early, as we supposed,
70 start up the Valley en- route to Richmond.
We could hear the roar of cannon and rattle OF
musketry, for the battle of Cedar Creek was
on; but for some reason unknown to Us We
were started down the Valley. OF course our
hopes rose somewhat we thought of an ex-
change but soon changed to disappointment
when we found our boys were being routed and
many taken prisoners.
After going down the Valley we were halted,
and before night were reinforced by several
hundred more prisoners. Just at the edge OF
evening we were started up the Valley again.
tired, heartsck, and hungry, bound for the land
of rebeldom where SO many had gone before US
never to return. Scarcely a word was spoken,
but doubt not that many, like myself, were
thinking of home and loved ones, and wonder
ing If we should ever see their dear faces again.
We were put on a forced march all night. for
fear of recapture as the tide of battle had
turned and the enemy were on the retreat In
the morning we were halted for about an hour
to rest, or rather that they might rest. Each
man received small cup Of wheatfour for the
day; nothing to put 1t in, nothing to cook 1t
In but we wet it the best we could and baked
il in the Goals. Some were fortunate enough
TO find an old cup or can, and they stirred up a
paste and cooked that. That was all we should
have for that day, and this was our bill of fare
for three days. On the third day we arrived
IN Staunton. There each man received six
hardtacks, to last until we reached Richmond.
After receiving our rations We were packed
like sardines in box cars, and sped away for
the Confederate Capital, which we reached
during the day, and were marched to the ware
houses opposite the famous Libby Prison. As
we fled up the stairs we were counted off and
ordered to keep in line. When we reached the
third floor an officer came in to take all money
or valuables, telling Us they would be returned
10 us when released. But we had heard too
much Of that old trick, and it would not work.
So when he found that he was not making
anything by that offer he changed his tactics.
He went out and soon returned with two men,
and ordered US TO fall in again and told us we
had another chance 10 turn over all money
about US and If we did not every man would
be searched We had expected something Of
this kind when he went out the first time.
All this time my greenback had been slowed
away in its binding place, but ] felt hardly
safe with it there, SO / took Billy Tanner, Of
my company, into my confidence, and told him
] thought ] had trick that would beat any
search they could make. 1t was this: Before
they returned would take the bill and lay it
on the window-sill and let, the window down
on it and then LET them search. The search
was made, and when they were through | took
my money and put ii IN its old hiding place.
We shall hear from it again later on.
The place in which we were now confined
was q depot for keeping prisoners for q few
days only awaiting transportation TO other
points, SO we did not have much idea of real
prison life in the four or five days that we re-
NAMED there, Is food and quarters were much
better than the prisoners in the city were re.
ceiying So when we were put on the train for
Salisbury little did we know TO what we were
going. IL was well for US that God in His
mercy hid it from US.
On the train / learned that one of the guards
was exchanging Confederate money for green
backs. j found out who he was and went to
strikes bargain with him. He was ready TO
exchange, but said be must be very careful
about il, as il would not do for him to be found
cut. lie agreed to give me five for one, and
that he would bring il to me soon, and TO have
my money all ready. So again took my "t ten
spot" from its hiding place, and parted company
with him for $50 in Confederate scrip. Two
months later one dollar in greenbacks Was
worth so Confederate dollars; but we had the
good Of it then. 1t supplied us with some COM
forts that otherwise we should not have had.
After days ride over a very rough road we
ETrived Just at dark at Salisbury, and as we
unloaded from the cars the sight was dismal
enough. The rain came down in torrents Il
was cold and dark, mud ankle deep, and most
Of US not more than half clothed; wet TO the
Gkin. I was barefootcd, as they had taken my
boots. And in this condition we were thrust
into the famous prison. -pen-God only knew
how many never TO come out again, only as they
were carried out in the dead-cart. But here we
were and must make the best of IL. My friend
Billy Tanner had blanket which for wonder
bad not been taken from him. There was no
use 10 look for quarters that night, so we
selected spot as free from mud as possible
and stretched ourselves On the wet ground to
pass the night as best we could.
j said TO Billy: This is tough, and II is @
fght for life; they mean to kill us If they can,
but j am going home again. do not intend