The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-31

and the Federals. admiring his bravery,
did not punish him. but only required
him to promise not to try to escape again.
There were other escapes which | do not
recall or have not time to give the de-
tails.
Among the 1000 prisoners in Camp Nor
ton there were many of q high order OF
talent, who, though dressed In the ordi-
nary prison garb. had been men OF high
order of culture at home One of the
most unassuming of these was Lieutenant
James A. Cory of the Southern engineer
corps He was native OF Georgia. Plain,
modest and unassuming, he preferred to
pass as a common private, but little by
little his comrades became awe,S, of his
talents and his Christian fortitude and
upright conduct won the respect and
warmest friendship of all his comrades.
have often wondered IL his relatives
knew of his death Thy pneumbnia) in this
far-off prison home.
We had preachers among us, and under
the shade trees of Camp Morton many
sinners came to n knowledge of their Sa-
vior.
tyrannical men. and kept the prisoners in
a constant state of fear by their threats
Lieutenant Markham would strike them
with brass knucks, and Sergeant Baker
shot three prisoners to death with scarce
ly shadow OF excuse. Yet many of the
guards were gentlemen and did many
kindly acts for the prisoners, as their
opportunity offered. Colonel a. A. Ste
phens. the commandment, was pleasant and
courteous to the prisoners The prisoners
were so pressed by hunger that when
citizens allowed their dogs to follow them
into the prison the dogs were often en-
trapped, killed and eaten. This constant
hunger often drove some men to steal
each others rations. To stop this Colonel
Stephens allowed us to organize court
to try the offenders and intlict punishment
for theft The usual punishment was
forty lashes, save one. on their bare
backs the prisoner being bent over d
barrel. The culprit had the advantage
of witnesses and fair trial by Jury. The
days ahead. A powerful South Carolinian
stole a ''duffer," and many of the pris-
oners thought he would never submit 10
the punishment without force. but after
studying over tho matter he said the
punishment was just, and submitted.
When hunger pinched many would COM
init petty acts of theft who would have
been honest under other conditions.
Governor Morton and the legislature
visited us in February. 1865. AS they
drove by in carriages and viewed the long
line of prisoners called out for inspection
the governor was heard to say: What
a hne looking body of men," We hardly
had now been in prison about eighteen
months, and the meager fare and prlva
lions We're making serious inroads on my
health | wrote to an uncle-Grsen Pax
ton--ln Louisville that did not think /
could live much longer in prison. Through
his friends he succeeded in getting a re-
lease for me from President Lincoln on
condition that should remain a nom
combatart till exchanged. Ano her man, /
Vi 1fs-f n r.
leased with me. He was from Louisiana
but his father lived in Indiana. We
walked down to the city, and this man,
having a few dimes, We enjoyed our first
meal for many months. Through my
trends father We met a member OF the I
Indiana legislature, who provided us with
tickets to Louisville, which we reached
next morning. This member was very kind
10 US. asking US many questions about our |
PRISON lie and expressing sympathy for u.s.
am sorry to have forgotten his name
Arriving at Louisville my companion
took the train for his home out in In LLAMA /
ana hunted up my uncle. My uncle re-
celVed me cordially, took me to barber
shop, where I enjoyed a good bath ami
shaVe, also gave me the incest suit OF
clothes l ever had and took me to his
home TO rest and recuperate from nv
eighteen months Imprisonment. All this
tine was in state of bewilderment and (
could scarcely realize what was passing. | |
mad suffered from confinement, hunger ami
was poorly clad in prison and could scarce
~ realize that / was free to 20 at will
and was respectfully clothed and hal
plenty of wholesome food. Passing into
lhe parior OF my uncle's house ! caught
lhe rejection of myself in mirror and
enough there was something familiar abou,
me image. l actually did not know NV
self, but thought 1t was an older brother.
nut by degrees the idea dawned upon me
mat 1t was myself
AS came to realize the great change In
NY iiie ana thoughts OF mother, home and
oVeq ones came into my mind droppel
INTO chair and shed tears. My aunt OBJ
serving that ] often stopped before a mir
ror asked me If thought myself pretty.
Told her no, that / was trying to renew
acquaintance with myself
some few weeks after my release Gem
'ral Lee surrendered and the war came
o. close. little while before this met
'ou for the last time In front of the Louis
ME hotel. You recognized me and told
ne some OF your plans about surrendering
'ut never saw you afterward | came
o Texas In 1866, married and settled in
fannln county; remained there until 1891.
ynen removed to my present location in
ones county. near Arson, which is my
'ostoffice. have met the following Camp
Norton prisoners since coming 10 Texas:
ohn w. Thomson, James Haley. w. j.
,rown and Jacob H. Rockwell. all from
aissouri. except Brown. who is Texan. !
James Haley was drowned many years
go In Timber creek. north of Bonham.
Fapnin county. ]. II. Rockwell live,
lear Panhandle City, In Carson county,
where ] accidentally found him quite late i
y. and have had the pleasure OF visit
his ranch. His memory is unimpairei
nd ] enjoyed my visit very much. HsI
eryed In the First Missouri cavalry unds Ter +
General Joe Shelby This In brief dear 1
omrade. Is few of my memories of I
amp Morton and my experiences after
eaving them. It Is a dismal pare in my
fe's history and refer to it only when t
ONE circumstance like your communica4 .
ion tosthe News calls them up. Bevcni y
ne fact that ] was in Northern prison !
~ children knew nothing OF my exreri- =
noes then I'll short time ago have !
moderate competence and hope to be !,
hle to spend the balance Of my DAYS
nth children and friends about my own
ouse. shall always enjov meeting and ,
caring from my Camp Morton COM :
lander. Your friend and comrade.
James Paxton. d