Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-22
UNION Ex-PRIsoNERs OF WAR.
They Hold . Pleasant Reunion I'm Thoma,
Tent.

Aney hoid . Pleasant Reunion In Thorn
Tent.
This morning, in the Thomas tent at Grand
Army Place, the men who starved and wasted
in the prison pens Of the south, the Union e,-
Prisoners Of War, gathered together to renew
the acquaintances made in those dark days and
TO relate their sad experiences. The meeting
was set for O'Clock, but an hour or more was
consumed in making inquiries from the stand as
to the whereabouts Of fellow prisoners. Many
mon then met who had not seen or heard Of
their companions since they parted generation
ago. Tears were shed the old veterans
clasped each others hands and recalled their
sufierings. The most affecting meeting Of
former companions was the one which
followed the inquiry: "Are any of the
Belle Island prisoners here who helped to eat
the lieutenant's dog In 1868" When the laughter
which the inquiry aroused had subsidized Com
rades E. L. Oviott Of Tate Neb.. c. L. Church
of Wellington, Ohio. and W. H. Baker of Okla
homa territory quickly made their way TO the
stand and clasped each other in their arms, and
told how one day the big dog of the confed-
crate lieutenant wandered into their quarters
and was quickly dispatched by the starving men
and eaten. Some of them did not wait TO cook
the dog, but ate il raw. Others told how thew
were punished for killing and eating the lieu
tenants pet.
A little after 10 O'Clock Secretary L. p.
Williams called the meeting TO order, saving
that through tho kindly consideration of those
in charge Of the present G.. A r. the Union ex-
Prisoners Of War for the first time in their his
tory had at Washington been accorded the re-
cognition they deserved.
After the assemblage had enthusiastically
sung the hymn "Glory. Glory, Halieluiah, +"
Chaplain John S. Ferguson invoked the divine
blessing and Secretary Williams introduced
- ID, AZ. L.
fellow companions in misery bv re-
calling 20 them the sacrifices mnde in
those days. He told them il the first time
he had been called upon 70 address a crowd of
convicts, but rs he had. was one of them. he
could not disregard them. and he assured them
that not until death claimed him would he re-
linquish his efforts in their behalf
S. NJ. Lowell of Lockport. n. Y, WIS next pre-
sented, and he kept his hearers in a continual
roar Of laughter by assuming the role OF an ex-
cited German veteran
Capt. Jack" Adams of Boston then stepped
to the front and briefly told how glad he was 10
meet his old companions he told them to for
give If they could, but never TO forget
Miss Mamie Little. daughter of an ex-pris-
oner of Cincinnati. then entertained the assem-
blage by reciting in charming manner The
Weeds Of the Army" and in response 10 an en-
thusiastic encore recited "Ihe Common Sol
der"
Gen. r. S. Northcott, now of West Virginia.
formerly of Tennessee, Gn old veteran SEVENTH
four years of age, told how he, although q
southern man. fought and starved for the old
flag. Then Gen. W. II. Powell of Illinois babe his
companions an affecting adieu. He was fol-
lowed by Miss Flossie Leo. a little daughter of
an Iowa ex-prisoner, who beautifully recited
1.-THE Old Coffee Kettle That Hung on the
Pole
Comrade r. T. Powell. who enlisted from
West Virginia when but thirteen years of age
then related his experiences in the Anderson
vile prison pen. He was one of fifty out of
$50 prisoners sent there at one time who lived
to return. There he had seen the death list in
crease from one to 273 day. He had seen
men SO wasted away By hunger and disease
that they were barely able to breathe.
yet, when dying, spurn every offer of release
from death through allegiance with the con-
federacy. He then gave several pen pictures
OF the scenes which occurred there. the tears of
his hearers testifying to the emotions they
aroused.
The reunion was brought to a close by brie.
remarks by Comrades J. @. Kilgore of New
York, b. Franklin Fisher of Philadelphia and
President Marion I. Andrews. Chaplain Fer
guson pronouncing the benediction after Rally
Around the Flag, Boys" had been sung.