The National tribune., 1893-06-15

4 REBEL GUARD.
oDer attempting to leave his place in line.
Twice 10 my recollection they kept US in
line this way all day, and without rations,
and once they kept rations two days trying
to find who the men were that flanked from
one ninety" to the other and drew double
rations. They never issued any back IA
tiOns, so we were ont just so much, and no
extra amount to make it up with.
Just imagine what this meant to US. We
were on the verge of starvation when receiv-
ing "full" rations; then 10 be without en-
tirely for 4S hours and fall back on the same
amount as before. Why, it did not seem, after
devOuring at once all they gave us, that we
had had anything to eat at all, it gave so
little satisfaction.
From the south gate clear across the
prison grounds ran wide street, which by
common consent was not encroached upon
by any "shebang" or shelter. This was
the main promenade, business street. and
market combined. Here the rations were
issued In bulk by the rebs to the Sergeants
of the divisions, and here all the trading
and gambling was done.
The street was generally lined by traders
Of ali descriptions. The most that any one
trader could show as his stock was a few
beans, sweet potato, half a teaspoonful of
salt, plug Of tabaeco, and perhaps an
onion. Some would have the beans cooked.
and would sell the soup. No matter in what
style or shape you wanted any of the rations
We received served Hp, there you could find
1t; and no matter what you had to trade,
tobacco or grub, little or much, there you
could find your man.
Among the traders were the gamblers, or
"chuck-luck" men; they would sit all day
with the boards across their knees. with
figures from ! TO marked upon them,
inviting all to try their luck. You placed
any amount you chose in cash on any figure
represented, and then shook the diee-box.
lfthe figures you bet on came up you won
the lace Of your stake, but if not you
LOST YOUR STAKE.
There was considerable money floating
around camp, and these "chuck-luck men
managed in the end to secure the most of it.
This street was crowded at all times, and
the cries of the different business men sing
ing the praises of their goods, eompanied
by those wanting 10 trade this for that. was
deafeDing; but at O'Clock in the afternoon.
when raiions were issued, it was pande-
monium indeed
The personal appearance Of the individu-
ais Of this crowd would be hard 10 describe.
Begrimed with pitch-pine smoke of months.
which water without soap could not re-
move and probably with the majority had
not been tried; clothing of such scant
quantity That shirt and drawers would be
considered an extensive wardrobe; shoes
and stockings a luxury that not one in
thousand could boast Of Take them as a
whole, they were the most forlorn-looking
lot of Creatures that could be imagined.
Scattered among the crowd, and stretched
ont on the ground mot only here but all
over the camp, were men in the last stages
OF disease, generally that of the bowels and
other kindred complaints As the coarse
food that was issued to the prisoners only
aggravated complaints Of this kind. which
were the most prevalent, the prisoners died
by bHndreds. 1t was such q common oc-
currence to see men dying in all manner Of
places and conditions that it was looked
upon with indifference and caused no re-
mark5. 40 was part and parcel of the place
and sfe bad become SO accustomed TO it that
we thought nothing of it.
Down by the branch at any time of the
Gay or night men by the score could be
found dead or dying. They would crawl
as near 20 the water as they could get, and
then, being too weak to get over the filth
that bordered and blocked the stream.
would give up in despair, after irving
IN vain TO reach the water; being too ex-
hzusted 70 60 back where they started from
they would, after terrible suffering, give up
he ghost.
The dead were picksa mp every morning.
arried to the gate and laid out in a row.
eady for the dead-wsgon TO draw them out.
3eFy few bodies would be left with any
clothing on them; il would in the majority
# cases be stripped from them before the
'reath had LETT the body.
Many were the fights for dead mems RAGS.
Il was pitiable TO view the naked dead as
ahey were pitched like cord-wood into the