The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-02-21


Won will find an account Of visit 10 the
Camp Ford Prisop-grounds, near Tyler,
Tex, on Christmas day, 1894, by Comrade
A. J. Swanger, Co. K, Tooth Ohio. He Wis
tied the old prison for the purpose ef secur-
ing a correct survey of the premises and
surroundings for his forthcoming his
tory of the prison. We invite any Of the
former inmates to send him sketches or
"reminiscences of their experiences while
there.-JoHN A BERING, Major, 4Sth Ohio,
Lynchburg, 0.
The desire after the lapse Of many years
10 revisit the scene of either a great joy or
great sorrow is almost universal 1t actu-
ated me on Dec. Is, 1894, when procured
o ticket from my home in northern Ohio TO
Tyler, Tex; for the purpose of visiting the
spot that had been so memorable to me.
On the evening of the 22d arrived at
Tyler. The city is four miles from Camp
Ford. The next morning party volun-
teered to take me to the old prisoD-site
Although living within this short distance
of its historic grounds they had never yet
seen the place aud did not know juSt where
ii was.
The next morning a coach was driven to
The hotel where / was stopping, and away
we went northward four miles. Finally i
called halt; was once more on familiar
ground All there is the old spring, God
bless! it and with tears falling from my eyes
I picked up an old gourd and drank deep
OF the pure cool water that was verify as the
water OF life to us poor fellows 30 years ago
] did the honors of the occasion, and IN
yited nv friends all up TO take drink out
Of the old spring. The water appeared to
taste Just as il did in olden times. A great
gully has washed out near where the stock
ade stood, along the west side.
] soon found the southwest corner, near
the spring. aud, looking east along the
spring run, came upon the guard-beat ana
bottom of the old stockade on the south
side. where it had been rotted off at the
ground. The ditch that was dug at the end
OF the run to the corner, and along the east
side. is plainly seen. This was eight or 10
feet deep constructed to prevent US from
tunneling underneath.
] found few Of the old pOst-bottoms
along the east side, and followed along upon
the hill. The ground had been planted in
corn. and the fertility of the coil at that
point indicated the northeast corner. Then
j went west to the road, thence running
south along the road about goo feet; then
down along the front side, and found one OF
the main gatt-posts. went 10 the south
west corner, and sighted north in line with
the old gate TO the road at the northwest
corner; took a correct measurement with
o tape-line, AID no one can get more
correct measurement than did.
About two-tbirds OF the grounds are
farmed in corn the south part is grown up
IN small pines and willows. A large per-
simmon-tree has grown up near the center,
in front of the main gate. 1t had been
quite full OF fruit, but the opossums had
gathered most of ii. picked up handful
Of seeds 10 bring home with me.
in surveying the peaceful scene, it was
difficult for me TO realize that 30 years ago
it was ore of the most remarkable examples
Of mars inhumaniiy to mai" that modern
history has any record of and VIII Oh during
those dark days made countless thousands
mourn"
] found many pieces of our old Dutch
ovens. which j retained SIS relics. picked
up a pockel-kniie, spoon, aud thimble near
where were the quarters Of the 48th Ohio /:
brass letter Of Go. II; gold plated eagle
button pieces Of pipes; concaye bullets the
size OF minie-balls, and many more little
relics
located many places where the different
regiments were quartered during imprison-
ment. I found many OF the bony reminders
of our scanty raiions OF beef scattered
around. The red clay or dirt still shows
every dugout constructed by US. The old
chimney stu remains as a monument of the
rebel Headquarters near the hospital: but the
dOg-konnel in which the hounds were kept
and the pine-trees which stood near it, are
things Of tie past though the oak-trees
eiill remain.
TIE location Of the old graveyard is still
plainly visible, but the bodies have all been
removed TO the National Cemetery al Alex
sndria, La. The situation OF each grave can
atill be easily traced. ] found lew of the
whiiened bones of these martyrs to patriot
ism still lying uDburied, and gathered them
mp tenderly, resolving that they should find
resting place lar from the scene of their
suffering.
had a very interesting conversation with
aman who had the pleasure Of guarding me
during the last three months of my stay in
prison. He had afterwards helped TO remove
the dead bodies and haul them 10 Marshall,
Tex, TO the railroad, 20 miles.
lie iDl0rmedme that il was difficult work
Is they were Compelled to use shoyels to
gather up the remains and place them In
small boxes, furnished by our Government
I'd removing the bodies two of the collins OF
boxes were found 10 contain nothing bat
logs Of wood. lie remarked that IL had al
ways been a mystery TO him why those log
hal been inferred instead OF bodies anC
asked me If j could explain il.
Fortunately ! was in full possession Of thu
information required, and soon satisfied biz
curiosity. presume many OF the survivors
OF the old prison will remember, with me
why VIC buried those logs, while the corpses
they represented were making lively effori
10 reach Gods country and the shelter O
the Stars and Stripes.
in walking over the burial grounds or
Christmas Day found large watermelon
in one Of the excavations where grave haC
been. 1t was IN state OF good preservation
owing TO the leaves having blown over il
and brought it home as an interesting me
Dento Of the time and place.
found little nursery of young, thrifty
fruit trees on the very spot where our gar
den grounds used TO be, where, by hitchin,
mp ~ OF as Yanks, we plowed the sever
acres and planted it in vegetables for III,
sick in the hospitals.
] brought six of the young trees HON,
with me for my children and thinking per
hsps some of my comrades would like 10 pos
sees a tree from the old prison grounds madr
arrangements TO supply them 10 all will
may wash 10 secure a memento Of this kind
About go rods from the main gate a hons
has been built. ] put up with the family
there during my three days stay, and tool
my Christmas dinner not 30 rods from " her,