The National tribune., 1899-08-31

hours work to empty the building. but it
was several days before the cotton was
hauled away.
Many of the teams that came for the cot
ton brought into camp loads Of lumber.
From the lumber We made, first, rough bed
steads, 40 of them, some wide enough for
two, but the greater number intended for
single patient. Straw was placed on the
board bottoms and covered with sheets, we
had not and could not get stuff enough to
make ticks. The greater part of the lum-
Der was used in constructing-what shall
call them-they were really series OF three
story berths, the lower one a few inches
above the ground, the others with spaces OF
nearly four feet between, the whole sur
mounted by roof not water tight, but as
nearly so as the lumber would admit of, and
they made comparatively comfortable sleep
ing places for upwards of a thousand men:
It was Maj. Hardee who furnished all
the materials and tools, though the prlS-
oners did the work. A brook that flowed
Just beyond the fence he allowed us to turn
into camp. He bought hogsbeads for us
to sink ipto living springs, and thus secured
us ample water for drinking and cooking
purposes.
HARDEE A STRICT DISCIPLINARIAN.
He was a strict disciplinarian, and
cleanliness was his first law. He organ
ized us into companies of 100 each, and
appointed from amorg our own non-com-
missioEe1 officers Captain and two Lieu
tenants TO each company.
Alter breakfast each morning each COM
pany was formed into line, and there was
an inspection OF men and of cooking uten-
sis made by the Captains, but the Major
and his Officer of the Day was always
somewhere on our side Of the line during
the time, and there was no telling what
company they might visit.
We were expected TO keep our camp and
quarters in good order, and men were de-
tailed from each company every day by our
own commanders TO do the police duty of the
camp, watch the springs to see that they
were not polluted, and that there was no
avoidable dirt anywhere, to fill up old and
dig new sinks-to do what a good COM
mander would have had us do in our own
regimental camps.
Every company had its sicl,-call, too
If allowed, many perhaps most, OF the priS-
oners would have remained in their hunks
during the entire day. Exercise is neceS-
sary to health. Maj. Hardee appreciated
that, and as a sanitary measure he ordered
an hours drill every morning under the
immediate command Of our own appointed
officers; we went through the facings and
marchings of ordinary company and squad
drills, and two or three times he marched
us for half an hour as battalions. Some
men kicked about the drill, but it was in
tended, and really was, for our good.
Mai. Hardee hired the physician and
bought the medicine; know he paid SS at
one time for an ounce Of quinine, and at
another time S12. He bought the lumber
and nails for the berths. He bought soap
for all the men; he bought chickens and
eggs, milk, rice, prepared barley, wheat
flour, lellieS, and brandy for the sick, as
well as medicines of all kinds. To my
knowledge he spent over 81 900 for things
he deemed, and that really were, necessary
for the welfare Of us prisoners, but which
his Government would not supply.
He was an honest Secessionist; he be
lieved that his State had right TO with
draw from the Union. He was fighting
for that right, and hoped to win. Ht
recognized us as enemies politically, bu
personally he acted the part of our friend
] have never seen him since he left lis al
Macon, and he was only allowed TO remain
there a few weeks; but, on different sides a.
we were, ! have always looked upon Mai
Hardee as one of the best men ever saw
respect no man more highly than him.
But l have sadly wandered from my
story. ] always do when j attempt to tel
an incident OF army life; every such Incl
dent Is surrounded by so many others. Il,
go back to Solomon Loney.
After our conversation in Memphis tn,
matter was never referred TO by either
When we reached Macon, and the littl,
building was set apart for a hospital,
asked Loney to help carry the first patien
to it. He picked the poor fellow up ant
carried him as a mother carries a child, ant
ne then volunteered as nurse, saying tha
he was jrang enough TO lift any man il
camp in and out of bed, and that he though
II one man could do il alone it would b,
easier for the sick. His offer was promptly
accepted.
While We then had but one utterly help
less man, almost every one of us had los
/ flesh and strength. Even before our capt