The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-22

authorities by a traitor OF our number
and we abandoned the idea.
1--WE left Morris Island on the 2lst OF
October. and on the I'D landed at Fort
Pulaski. Ga. This was nice prison.
commanded by a Colonel Brown, OF New
York a klnd-hearted officer who allowed
US the grounds in the fort for exercise
and good rations were furnished.
I'm the bringing In TO prisoners OF
barrel Of hard tack, barrel OF brown
sugar was brought by mistake and before
tho error could be remedied the sugar
was devowed by the ofhcers VINO had
not tasted anything sweet for long
time.
"On November 18th about one half OF
Tho 600 we're taken 20 Hilton Head, >. g,
arriving there the next day. Here retaha-
lion was practiced in its most cruel form
Our ratlons for forty-five days consisted
Of five ounces corn meal and hair pint
Of braoklsh water per man. ana OCCASION
ally some sour pickle.
"The sufferings were intense ana many
died. Wharf rats were caught ana eaten
,rbe barracks were framed buildings
bout aoxq0 feet. no windows, and hunks
OF nine poles. one blanket 70 four men
"I,amps were burning all the time and
tho rats were cooked over them. Afteh
the rats were all consumed dogs ana cats
which came In the way We're caught ana
eneedilv devourcd one old bob tan grey
cat long escaped. but was finally caught
and a feast made over 1t.
Lieutenant S. II. Halves, OF Richmond
narrowly missed a feat on TAT oos'
which came about thus:
Some Of his comrades boosted or nav
ind had rat stews and he ala nave an
invitation 10 a cat supper. a MissouIlan
and cooked II for his mess Of four. one
~ the mess. as a special favour sent
lieutenant HAYES an invitation 10 the
feast and he accepted TO the extent OF
looking at them as they ate. IT was VeiS
Kind 10 invite him. but no couldnt 20
cat II WAS suggested that as be was
en- eouearmish about cat. maybe ne Woulu
take some "Ponto" stew If onered'
"Ponto" was a beautiful half-grown'
well-fed. fat setter puppy, belonging 10
the Federal officer in charge OF our Suafu)
This young dog came 70 our quarteI9
every dav to have n frOlic with the prls-
oners Uawes agreed to accept invitation
and 10 eat some of the dog supper when
prepared, for the puppy was young cie"h-
ly-washed, fat and healthy
perkins thereupon agreed TO eaten ana
kill 'Ponto and prepare the feast me
next morning the dog came bounding INTO
the prison yard as soon as the gate was
opened. as was his habit, but most posi-
tivelv declined all OF Perkins advances
Notwithstanding his friendship hereto
fore. AS soon as he looked into Perkins
eyes doubt took possession OF MN.
'"Ponto' shifted danger in the air, tuck
cd tail and ran for the gate, and forswore
his nrison friends ever after. His unreas-
| oning suspicious prevented the feast
Captain r. y. Frayser, also OF Rich-
rnond was the most active man in the
| grapevine telegraph business. what
news he couldn't bring in wasn't worm
knowing His having been in the Sisnai
Corps possibly accounted for his success
IN that line ..,...,
Grapevine news was terribly twisted
and rarely straight
Nevertheless it gave US something 10
talk about. no..
meat and bread were brought in and
wood needed for cooking, utensils fur
nished and the men were allowed all they
wanted TO eat
After such a long deprivation, many
Killed themselves from over-eating. Inc
meal was old and wormy but II had 10
! he eaten Those who had survived the
irving ordeal through which we passed,
were taken from Hilton Head on the 0th
of March. 1865, and carried to Fort Mon
roe on the Sth OF March, after a very
| rough trip at sea.
prom there we were taken to Fort
Wool. and on the 18th Of March. sailed for
| Fort Delaware, where we landed on the
| 18th. next day.
"Of the GOO whose names were caled at
Jobnson's Island on the 9th Of February
! 1864 only 2g3 of the number answered the
call at Fort Delaware on their return after
months Of perils. trials. sufferngs and
| tribulatiOns.
| Fort Delaware. taken altogether was
the dlrtiest. nthest and most unhealthy
prison | ever saw. and l was there three
times during my captivity. The remnant
of the 600 remained at Fort Delaware I'M
iii the general exchange in June 1850.
Il. G. BARNES.
/ m ~ ~ uerieuep.