The National tribune., 1897-10-28


ever knew; he's always foaming mad"
This was nearly the truth. | meyer
saw Wirz when he was not angry: if
not violently abusive, he was cynical and
sardonic. Never in my little experience
with him did | detect CLINT of kindly,
generous humanity; if he ever was
moved by any sight Of suffering its ex-
hibition in his face escaped my eye.
If he ever had even wish to miti-
gate the pain or hardship Of any man,
the expression Of such wish never fell
on ny ear. How "a man could move
daily through such misery as he encoun-
tered, and never be moved by it except
to scorn and hooking is beyond my linn
tied understanding.
Davis vapored great deal, swearing
big, round oaths in the broadest OF
Southern patois; he was perpetually
threatening to "Open on We wild de
Artillery" but the only death that |
knew him to directly cause or sanction
was that / have described in a previous
chapter. He would not put himself out
of the way to annoy and Cypress pris-
oners, as Wirz would, but frequently
showed even disposition to humor
them in some little thing, when it could
be done without danger or trouble to
himself.
By-and-by, however, he got an idea
that there was money to be made out OF
the prisoners, and he set his wits to work
in this direction. One day, standing at
the gate, he gave one of his peculiar
yells that he used to attract the atten-
ton of the camp with:
"Wh-ah-ye!"
We all came to attention., and he
announced:
Yesterday, while | wuz in the camps
Ga rebel always said camps, some of you
prisoners picked my pockets of $50 in
greenbacks. Now, | give you notice
that III not send any noah rations till
3he moneys returned to me"
This was very stupid method of ex-
tortion, since 10 one believed that he
had lost the money, and at all events he
had no business to have the greenbacks,
as the rebel laws imposed severe penal
ties upon any citizens, and still more
upon any soldier, dealing with, or having
in his possession any Of "the money Of
the enemy" We did without rations
until night, when they were sent in.
There was story that some of the boys
in the prison had contributed to make
up part of the sum, and Davis took it
and was satisfied. | do not know how
true the story was.
At another time some Of the boys stole
the bride and halter off an old horse
that was driven in with cart. The
things were worth, at liberal estimate
one dollar Davis cut off the rations Of
the whole 5000 of us for one day fol
this. We always imagined that the pro
ceeds went into his pocket.
A special exchange was arranged be-
tween our Navy Department and that
of the rebels, byewhich all seamen anc
marines among gus were exchanged
Lists Of these were sent to the different
prisons and the,men called for. Abou
three-fourths Of them were dead, bu
many soldiers divining the situation O
affairs, answered. to the dead men,
names, went away, with the squad an(
we're exchangedsoi
Much of this was through the conniv
ance of the rebel officers, who favored
those who had ;ipgratlated themselve
with them. In many instances money
was paid to secate this privilege, and
have been informed on good authority
) that Jack Huckleby, of the 9Th Tenn.
l and Ira Beverly, Of the Tooth Ohio
: who kept the big sutler shop on thu
North Side at Andersonville, paid Davis
$500 each to be allowed to go with the
sailors. AS for Andrews and me, We
had no friends among the rebels, mol
! money to bride with, SO we stood nc
show.
The rations issued to us for some time
after our arrival seemed riotous luxury
to what we had been getting at Amber
! sonyille. Each of us received daily q
halfdozen rude and coarse limitations Of
Tour fondly-remembered bareback. and