The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-10
sIIYLOCk IN A PRISON.
Money Lenders Operations Among
Union Prisoners.
From the Chicago Times.

From the Chicago Times.
Los Angeles. Cal, Jan. 27.-"Whenever
I see a steamer approach the Southern
Pacific wharf out there said a former
officer in an Iowa regiment, now an in
mate of the soldiers home at Santa Mon
lea. 81 recollect an incident in the war
was one of 800 union prisoners sent from
Macon to Charleston in 1864. We were to be
placed under the fire of union batteries,
which were then Smelling Charleston. We
were never in great personal danger. for
shelling 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
uncomfortable to do business within
the danger line and citizens found it con-
venient and comfortable to move out of
the dictricts of the city reached by Gill
rnore's messengers. The union officers soon
got used to the situation, and l do not
think one of them lost any sleep after
the first day or two on account of the
bombardment. Not one of them was in
jured during his stay.
But all of them got very hard UP for
money. When they were in Richmond in
Libby prison, communication with the
north was comparatively easy to those
who had friends willing and able to send
provisions or money. In Charleston it was
very different. The prison fare was very
poor and the medical attendance was 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
gone. There were many among us who
were the sons, brothers, or near relatives
Of those in the north who had plenty of
money, but they were cut off from COM
munication with US Many people in the
north sent gold to friends in prison. but it
never reached US.
There then appeared among US a new
prisoner. He was, he said, a union officer
from d New York regiment. He had very
little Of the soldier about him. lie rather
reminded you of whisky drummer or a
Chatham street clothing dealer. But he
had a charm. He had money to lend-con-
federate money. The money would not
buy much but it would buy something. a
dollar in gold could be sold for about $40
in this currency outside the prison. We
did not have any gold but he did not de-
nard gold. He lent his confederate
money for northern drafts at double the
rate Of gold IN the Charleston market.
THAT is. he would give you $1,000 IN con-
father. brother. wife, or son, in any OF
the great northern cities. lie said he
would take the risk of collecting the
drafts. and plumed himself on his gen
crosby. He soon had customers and did
q fine business. From officers he took
notes inGorsed by other officers. For these
he charged at the rate of $500 in confed-
crate money for note of Sl09-four
times the rate for gold in the Charleston
market
ne was a shrewd fellow, and picked
his customers with as much care as a
curbstone broker. IL was soon discoV-
cred that he had an unlimited supply of
confederate money, and 1t was also dis
covered that he was favorite prisoner.
for he seemed able TO come and 50 on
parole at Will. He visited the hospital
frequently, and there he found his best
customers. --e took from each Of the
sufferers a letter to friends AZ rome de-
s.erinins- the privations OF the sick From
all Of The officers not ia the hispital he
took letter Of TRANSMITTED with the