Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-03-23
THE LAST DAYS OF THE ALIEN
ANDRIA ARTILLERY.

On the second day OF April, lSbo the
Alexandria Artillery was attached to
the 18TH Battalion, Richmond defenses,
having some mouths previous turned in
our guns, and were doing infantry and
heavy artillery service. We occupied
the position on the line near Drewry's
Bluff, on the north side of the James
river. Our rations, consisting Of one
pint of corn meal and five ounces of
bacon. had not reached us that day. A
report came into camp that our lines on
the right had been forced and We would
probably have to evacuate our position
and 60 on march. My Comrade, An
drew 5. suggested we SHOULD go on in
front aud cut piece from a mule
which had been killed by stepping on d
torpedo line placed fer one protection
We went, cut off abou. 4 pounds
brought it into camp, boiled it in
camp kettle and divided it. We were
then ordered to form our company and
report at the majors headquarters,
where the battalion received orders to
leave our lines. We crossed James
river about S p. m. above DIrewy's
Bluff, where we halted for two hours.
We were then joined by portion of
The officers ard men from the sunhost
fleet, about ten minutes after. When
lying on the ground we were aroused
by loud report, and on looking up
saw the guuboats apparently lifted ouo
of the water and going TO pieces
in the air The different magazines on
the banks OF the river were being
blown up, the quartermaster and COM
missary department were in blaze,
1t was ouc Of the most awful sights l
ever witnessed during the war. We
again received orders to form our
column and march, our destination be-
ing Lees army, from which we were
entirely separated. We were all the
following day on the march and on the
third day we reached Amelia Court
house, where we came up with the rear
gu RI of Lees army. The next day
We were formed in line of battle, in
which position we stood for half an
hour, when the enemy appeared in
front. We received orders to fire at
them. After being engaged for some
time and the enemy surrounding US on
three sides (truely we were in the very
laws of death), we received the order
10 cease firing. Everything became still
and we laid down our arms and became
prisoners of war. What was left OF us
was carried to Clusters headquarters,
where we stayed until morning. We
found there many of the men of the
Seventeenth Regiment, Pickett's Divis-
ion, vino had been engaged in the same
battle. We were formed in column and
with more than 1000 prisoners of war
were ordered to follow in the rear, which
we did until April 9th, the day of the
surrender. We were then countermarch
ed to Prince Edward Courthouse end
were kept there until it was decided
whether we should be prisoners of war
or included in the surrender. 1t hav-
ing been decided we were prisoners
OF war, we were marched to City Point
where we were put on steamships and
taken to the prisons of Point Lookout
and Newport News. We reached
Point Lookout at 5 o'clock, were form
ed in line, our brass buttons cut OIL and
strict search made OF our persons.
They never found one cent oD the
writer. We were then marched to the
pen and placed in the Sth division.
The next morning we were marched up
TO receive our rations for the day,
which consisted of one pint of bean
soup and eleven ounces of wheaton
bread and as much water as we could
drink. On such water; when allowed
to set for short time black scum
would rise to the top. The State of
MARYLAND has monument erected to
the memory of 8, -l46 men who died in
that prison. After being there
four weeks the order came for the
writer and his brother to be taken to
Washington. We were carried under
guard to the provost marshals office,
where we were informed we would be
placed under bond of 81 900 each to
keep the peace. We were then carried
to the Cd Capitol prison until the next
day. Our father came with an order
for our release. On taking the oath of
allegiance we were set free. Adjoining
the prison was restaurant into which
l went and got large drink of spirits
what the boys used to call clutch
mson." This closes my career with the
Alexandria Artillery, and from that
hour until my dying day will be q
good whitewashed rebel.
THE OLD SERGEANT.