The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-03-07

city were filed with vehicles carrying curl
ous and ubiant citizens to the bnttletields,
and the conversation between these people
and our line of weary, dusty Yankees was
very spirited and frequently called Tor tho
intervention Of our guards to preserve the
peace.
Arriving in Richmond, we were COMPEL.
ed to wait in the street in front OF the Penn
berton tobacco factory until the building
could be fitted for our reception. This time
wasspent in animated discourse with crowd
of citizens who were certain that Lincoln's
Government was busted
In the prison we removed the fastenings
from the tobacco presses. divided the pro-
ceeds and took a general "chaw." A trap
door leading to the cellar was lifted one
night to permit scout Of the premises, with
the result that n quantity OF black strap
molasses was discovered and impartially
divided. Pending the arrangement of toilet
conveniences, we were passed across the
street to Castle Thunder as necessity sug
gested, arranging the waiting candidates in
line near the door to pass at stated intervals.
This plan would have been satisfactory a.
atemporary expedient had IL not been for
the fact that the "black strap moved the
previous question with more candidates
than the 1ylers could provide for.
Of course gray backs abounded and their
extermin alton became a daily duty.
: picture of those rows of men seated ON the
tioor. with their backs to the wall and
OF the ordinary pilgrim with poetry. but 1t
would sharpen the memory and stir the
blood of many Of the old boys who were
there.
The cooking for Pemberton was perform
ed in Libby. The details of men from each
floor appointed TO serve our repasts and
carry the soup buckets were provided with
the wooden yokes common in the sugar
woods OF the North. The passage Of the
soup bearers between the prisons on their
return trip was severe on The Hies but added
variety to our frugal meals.
Rumors OF u speedy exchange were cur
rent every day, and the prison officials were
loud in their denunciation OF the delinquen-
cy OF Lincoln's Government. AT last the
announcement was made one morning
that the first 100 men in line would be the
fist off, How we scrambled for the covet-
ed places in that line. and as we received
messages from the loved ones in the North,
how we pitied the boys to be lett behind.
do not think that ! would have exchanged
my place in that line for the best farm in
the country.
Passing out of the prison we turned up
the river instead of down, us we should do
to reach Narina Landing. where the ex-
change boats were. Coming to bridge,
the situation was made clear that we were
| to cross he river and take the train to City
| Point Further speculation was soon cut
short by our arrival on Belle Island, which
we were Informed was to be our home as
well at that OF our comrades in the city as
soon as the camp was prepared to receive
them, We were simply detail to clean up
the grounds.
Well, boys, 1t Is all over now, but never
want to try TO choke down quite so big .
lump Of disappointment as | swallowed
that day. One comrade who was in that
| squad writes me that he did not have any
thing 10 eat that day. Jared better, for
when we got tired of waiting for the Com
missary Sergeant TO come over and issue
our grub and charged the pile of bread on
the river bank, secured a chunk as sweet
as pie,
But must quit right here. would like
| 10 stir up the memories of life on Belle
Island, our elections and debates, but space
| is limited and we old boys .are garrulous.
| Ii any of you come this way we will go
down into the woods and fry little bacon
and drink a cup Of black 'Old Government
lava. f. FAULKNER, in National
Tribune"