The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-06-01

A CASE OF SCURVY.
After crowdiDg as many prisoners as could
be slowed in a box-car, the doors partially
closed, with the sentry standing in the space
that was lefr, we started from Andersonville.
and after a suffocatiug ride of "a hours ar
rived at Savannah.
The depots and streets were crowded with
negroes: very few whites were to be seen.
The
NEGROES LOOKED THEIR SYMPATHY,
but dared say nothing: indeed, no one was
allowed to talk with the prisoners, the
guards strictly keeping back any person
who seemed desirous of Interviewing the
Yanks.
No one who had the least feeling could
look cn these men as they were hustled from
the cars but 10 sincerely pity them. Most
of them had been prisoners for six months,
and some of them for over a year. Black
with pine smoke, which it was impossible to
wash off without soap, aud that was an arti-
Gle that was never issued to them; ragged
and dirty they were, for the most part over
run with lice, sick and famished, tired and
thirsty, discouraged and hopeless
Very few, as might be seen, as they fell
into line, but were crippled in some way
short an arm. leg, or hand, with wounds on
all parts of the bedy, which, having no care,
were growing worse instead of better. Here
and there one bent nearly double with
cramps, caused by seurvy Of the stomach
and bowels. Others had become moon blind,
or lost their mind. and were led or assisted
by comrades who had not as yet arrived at
that state where their british surround
ings would Gallons all feelings of fcomradeship
or humanity. Many were without shoes or
hats, and very few possessed of, together,
pants, blouse, and shirt.
After getting into line ready to march we
were told that there had been a storm the
night before, and that our transports were
driven off the coast We would therefore
be obliged 10 go into camp for short time,
and await their return. The majority were
greatly disappointed, but TO many this was
not unexpected.
One of the great enjoyments looked for
ward to when we could first reach our trans
ports was that we should at once be rio of
our dirty, lousy garments, aud take a bath
where soap was plenty. If we could have
had the opportunity of washing our clothes
and persons frequently with soap and warm
water, it would have gone long ways to-
wards alleviating the horrors and sufferings
of prison life.
We were marched though the city to the
Fair Grounds, where about six acres had
been inclosed by a rough board fence. As
we passed through the gate the officer in
command said
Boys, the water-pipes are not quite up to
the grounds yet, but by tomorrow you will
be supplied with all the water you wantn
We had then been without water for "a
hours.
After getting settled here, we were very
well pleased with this camp. It was new,
never having been occupied by prisoners.
The location was good, with pleasant sur
roundings. The grass was untrodden, and
everything was clean, but the greatest bless
ing was pure air. We had inhaled the pol
luted atmosphere so long that ii seemed like
new lease of life, and no doubt it was.
We understood at the time that the city
fathers were much opposed to having their
beautiful city made harbor for lousy
YaBks.
The sentries were posted on a raised plat
form built on the outside of the fence, and
walked their beats aud called the hours at
night the same as at AndersonvilIe.
The "dead-line" was not forgotten either
Stakes were driven at short intervals and
at % feet from the fence, and strips nailed
on the top about breast-hign. The dead
line was a necessary arrangement in all
pflsOns.u We fonnd no fault with it, and
no prisoner would voluntarily cross or seek
TO eysde the rules in regard TO it. At
AndeIsonEille it was made an excuse for
shoating many prisoners who inad yertentIy
leaned against OF laid their hands on it.
j read the order hanging on the wall al
the headquarters of Capt. Wirz, and il
promised the guards at Andersonville 80
days fnIlough for wounding, and 60 days
for
KILLING A PRISONER
who approached the dead-line.
The Ta:iOns for the first few days after
bur arriyal at Savannah were so much better
in Quantity and quality than we were in the
habit Of receiving that we felt quite en-
couraged, but they soon fell into the old
way, aud we got no more than at Anderson
vile. We received soft wheat bread in
iieu Of corn bread, and soTgum molasses in
place OF beans. II Was not so bad TO be
quartered here. We could hear the roar OF
~
and many things reminded Us OF ciyiliza-
ti6a.