The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-27
A WAR PRISON sHYLOCK.
RascaI1y Operations of Money
Lender Among Union Prisoners.

Los Angeles Letter in New York Sun.
Whenever / see a steamer approach the
Southern Pacific wharf out there" said
inmate Of the Soldiers Home at Santa
Monica, Il recollect an incident in the war.
] was one of 800 prisoners sent from Macon
to Charleston in 1864. We were to be placed
under the fire Of the Union batteries. which
never in great personal danger, for Smelling
a city at a distance of four or five miles
was not then very. effective and probably
never will be so far as killing people is
concerned. The shells made it uncomfort-
able to do business within the danger line,
and citizens found it convenient and COM
Portable to move out of the districts OF
the city reached by Gillmore's messengers.
The Union officers soon got used to the sit
uation, and / do not think one of them
lost any sleep, after the first day or two
of the bombardment Not one of them was
injured during his stay.
But all OF them got very hard up for
money money When they were in Richmond, in
had friends willing and able to send pro-
very different. The prison fare was very
poor, and the medical attendance as
bad as could be- In the cradle of secession
the people seemed to be very poor Before
we had been there very long the money
even of the richest of the prisoners was
the sons, brothers or near relatives of those
in the North who had plenty#of money, but
they were cut off from communication with
us. Many people in the North sent gold
to friends in prison, but it never reached
US
- here then appeared among us new
prisoner. He was he said, Union officer
f fn New York regiment. He had very
little Of the soldier about him. He rather
reminded you of whisky drummer or a
Chatham-street clothing dealer. But he
had money to lend-Confederate money. The
buy something. dollar in gold could be
sold for about $40 in this currency outside
he aid not demand gold. He lent his Con-
federat- money for Northern drafts at
double the rate of gold in the Charleston
market. That is, he would give you LOCO
in Confederate money for draft for 800
on 2 father, brother, wife. or son in any
of the great Northern cities. He said he
would take the risk of collecting the drafts
and plumed himself his generosity. He
soon had customers and did a fine business
other officers. For these he charged at the
rate oil $500 in Confederate money for note
of $10'-four times the rate for gold in the
ssHe was a shrewd fellow, and picked his
custom with as much care as curb
stone broker. 1t was soon discovered that
he had ali unlimited supply of Confederate
money, and it was also discovered that he
a favorite prisoner, for he seemed able
to come and go on parole at will. He visit
ed the hospital frequently and there he
found his best customers he took from
eacn of the sufferers letter to friends at
home describing the privileges of the sick.
From all the officers not in the hospital he
setting forth that the bearer had done them
great service in cashing the draft. and ex-
pressing the hope that It would be paid. -.
"These operations occupied about SIX
weeks. Altogether the man had secured
drafts to the amount Of about S9o,OO IN
gold, for every draft stipulated that it was
to be paid in gold. Gold was then at a big
premium in the North so the draft for 500
would be worth $50 or perhaps a,a SRoo In the
lator intended to make money both ways
If he could collect all he would have from
$4,000 to 100000 in greenoacks Tor his
Sone day two. Union soldiers were ,ex-
One Of the lucky fellows was the money
lender The other was cavalry officer
who had been prisoner for many months.
The latter had long watched the perform,
apce of the money lender and had resisted
all inducements to borrow. The two Went
Stewart l.. Woodford the Acknowledgement
of the Department Of the South. They
steamer Arago government transport
bound for New York. The Arago was or
dered to stop at Fortress Monroe to let the
two exchanged prisoners and dispatches
from General Gilmore go thence. to Wash
ington The money lender and the cavalry
officer had occupied the same stateroom on
their northern voyage. During the voyage
the money lender became confidential, and
the cavalry officer became convinced that
he had nevef been an officer in the Union
army, but that he was simply put into the
prison at Charleston to work the prisoners
''As the Arago steamed up the bay toward
the dock at Fortress Monroe, the money
II
small satchel. This was his only baggage.
The cavalry officer had only the clothes
on his back, and those he had borrowed
from General Woodford. The two went on
deck The money lender pushed his way
eagerly to the forward deck and stood by
the capstan. Near him stood the cavalry
officer, amid the crowd of passengers who
were watching the shore and participating
in the excitement of a landing after a
three days sea voyage Some incident of
the occasion produced a sudden rush to
the vessels side. In that instant the money
lender let go his grip on the satchel. Quick
as thought it was seized by another hand
and quietly dropped into the waters of the
Chesapeake bay.
mo one saw it done for it was dropped
over the side of the ship where none were
looking. The cavalry officer was calmly
leaning the starboard rail contemplate
ing the beautiful expanse OF Hampton roads,
apparently caring nothing for the stir and
clamor of the landing. The money lender
exclaimed at his loss, and offered a reward
for the return of the satchei and its con-
tents, but one could offer him any
comfort He went down TO the pier a very
sad man, and one seemed TO sympathize
SO deeply with him as his comrade of the
Second Cavalry
1T is needless to say that none of the
drafts ever turned up to plague the Union
prisoners after their return, although some
of them received letters from the money
lender in after years asking for a settle
ment. Some doubtless paid, but the maj ority
concluded that such losses as that of the
ChxIn m ha tpd