The National tribune., 1899-07-20

street. Never again did the Confederate
relax their vigilance SO as 10 give us the
least opportunity.
The weeks dragged slowly along. The
cornmeal was worse; it was ground cob and
all, very dirty and often sour. The cow
peas were "last years CROP" musty, with
more bugs than peas. Exchange seemed
farther off than ever, and the daily papers
were denied us. One day l saw Captain
of an Ohio regiment trying to rid hiS cloth
ing of the vermin that infested the Jail. The
man had been shot through the right arm, a
fearful wound, and was wholly unable to
move his right hand. He had pulled off
his shirt, and with his left hand was awk-
Wardly picking the graybackS from his
garment. AS he caught each offending
pest he laid it on little fiat rock by his side,
and with a smooth round pebble smashed
it fiat. 1t was a comical and at the same
time a piteouS sight. Cap" said, that's
mighty tough; I'll skirmish for you," and
completed his task for him. [ washed his
clothing for him. and with an old flat-iron,
without any handle on it, pressed out the
seams of his underwear and made it possible
for him to live little more comfortably.
cared for him for some time He was very
grateful. An exchange was to be made
of wounded men, and my Ohio Captain was
among those selected. He offered to carry
any letter that might write. Our letters
that were sent via flag of truce were limited
to six lines.
SMUGGLING A LETTER THROUGH THE
LINES.
/ had long desired to write letter to a
certain girl way up North. | communi-
Gated this desire to the Captain, and he told
me to write the letter and he would Smuggle
it through the lines. The letter was writ
ten-a long one. A bandage was wrapped
around the Captains wounded arm, then
the letter was wrapped over the bandage.
then another bandage wrapped over the
letter, and the whole thing wet with cold
water.
The letter went through the lines, and
was received by my sweetheart. She still
preserves it, precious relic OF those war
time days.
Cold weather was coming on and many
of us were almost naked; we had no blan-
| kets, and were growing weaker every day.
| One day, the last of November, my name
| was called at the door. l rushed eagerly
| forward, hoping for letter and the long
expected remittance. Capt. Lewis and a
| Confederate LieutenantC Colonel stood at
the door. Capt. Sem said: This is the
officer"
The other officer surveyed me for a mo-
ment and then said: "Please step down into
the guard-room." / followed and was
taken to the office. Even now, after lapse
| of "a years, ! can see the expressions OF
horror, dismay and sympathy that were
expressed ON the faces of my fellow pris-
oners. 1t Was their unanimous belief that
! | had been taken out to receive the death
penalty. Arriving at the office the Lieu
| tenant-Colonel motioned me to take a seat;
the others left the room. In very pleas
ant manner the officer began: You are, |
| believe, an officer IN the United States
Colored Troops"
My heart sank at this question, but
answered firmly, "Yes, sir; | am"
Did you pass the examination before
Gen. Casey's Board?'
Had you any military experience before
your examination"
81 had, sir"
| "Well Lieutenant" said the officer, "the
matter stands like this: Your Government
cares nothing for you men; your Generals
refuse to exchange prisoners with us.
Your men are dying fearfully at Anderson
| vile, more than 200 daily. Even II an
exchange was arranged, our Government
would never release you gentlemen who
are officers in negro troops. Now, don
have any such prejudice myself, but the
Confederate Government does. l recog-
meet him. What l want to say to you is
this: am organizing what is known as the
| Foreign LEGION for service in the Con-
federate army.
"They are to guard bridges. depots and
stores. They will not be sent to the front:
| altCi IIlC wal Ii oSCl. tIlCy Will DO
as part of the Regular Confederate army.
| Most of the men are recruited from your
men who are prisoners. Some of the Off
GERS are Southern gentlemen, and some are
to be taken from you gentlemen who are
| prisoners. Now, you are young, we'll
educated, and, l should Judge, very eff
cient officer. Capt. Sem informs me that
you are very high-spirited one, and
admire your pluck. l will make you this
offer: Upon your taking the oath of
allegiance to the Confederate Government
| will give you a Captains commission in
the Foreign Legion, full uniform, sword,
| belt and revolver, a servant to wait on you,
| and 5000 in Confederate money. Now,
think over this matter seriously before you
| answer"
| Remember, reader, that this was an offer
to boy not 10 years of age, to one who was
prescribed by reason of his being an officer
in black regiment, weak from hunger and
disease, AID with little prospect of any
| thing but death before him. | thought the
whole matter over in moment. thought
of the armless Sergeant waving the blood
stained flag in the hall in Worcester; of the
men who died by my side in the Petersburg;
Crater; of my soldier father, of my mother,
whose only child l was; of the dear blue
| eyed girl way up In Massachusetts, whose
only brother was with the old Sixth Corps,
and didn't need to think any more, and
rising said: Colonel, cannot entertain
your Offer"
He was disposed to argue the matter, and
said some things that were very offensive,