Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-02-23
Echoes of the Rebellion.

EtHOtS Vi aic UbbCiiiOb'
During the STAY at the Orange County
hotel the past few weeks of 5. NJ. Dufur oil
Richford, a cousin of III. M. Dufur, the
noted ex- wrestler, who Is also here much
OF the time because OF mis- connection with
the Chelsea Electric Light company, the
atmosphere around the hotel stove has
been OF the campfire order, due to old
"vets" dropping In and swapping war sto-
ries with Mr.. Dufur. He was a member
of the famous First Vermont Cavalry and
was engaged with 1t in most OF the hard
service which 1t saw during its long term
of enlistment. In addition, Mr.. Dufur
had many experiences that did not fall to
the more fortunate lot OF the other mem
bers. He was wounded and victim OF
typhoid fever for several weeks. He was
with Fitzpatrick on his famous raid tow
ard Richmond, when the rebel capital
came so near falling into the hands OF that
leader. 1t was at this time that he was
shot in the leg and fell into the rebels
hands. He was taken to Libby prison and
with five others was ordered to be shot for
taking part in the raid which so fright
ened the Confederates. He begged for a
pair OF crutches to support him, but was
told by Dick Turner, the keeper of the
prison, that be 'would be in hell long be-
fore he would need them" He was not
shot, however, and managed to get in with
lot OF prisoners who we're being sent to
Andersonville. For three days in Ricn-
mond he had not a mouthful to eat and
expected TO be lyDched at any moment, as
the rebel populace was greatly excited
over the raid and the destruction OF prop
erty that had been effected.
He was in Andersonville seven months,
from spring until fall. OF the horrors of
this prison pen be has most vivid Iecol-
lection. When he arrived, there were
thirteen Vermonters with him who agreed
to stand by each other, whatever came.
When he left, only one beside himself was
living. He once escaped and was gone
eight days, being recaptured by blood
hounds. Especially interesting is his ac-
count OF he villainous deeds and the trag
ic fate OF the gang OF thugs among the
prisoners who had an organized system
by which they robbed and sometimes muir
de ed their fellow prisoners, living them
selves like princes on their ghoulish plum
der. The incidents are a part OF prison
history. This gang was composed OF city
rouRhs who enlisted as bounty jumpers
and finally landed at Andersonville. For
months they hello the prison under reign
OF terror. They were bold in their acts
and such was the fear they had inspired
that the feeble prisoners Jared III when
they offered resistance and did not dare TO
reveal the robbers 10 the prison authori-
ties because they mistrusted the protec-
tion that would be afforded them from the
vengeance OF the gang.
But day OF reckoning came at last.
One day some new prisoners were brought
in aud robbed almost in the face OF the
guards. Mr.. Dufur describes graphically
the events that followed. Capt. Wurtz,
the prison commandment, came in st once
with detachment OF soldiers and, ad-
dressing I he prisoners, promised any one
ample protection and special favor who
would point out the culprits. Mr.. Dufur
says this was the only good thing this
cruel man ever did. Ia spite of his assur-
ances, none dared TO name the thugs,
though they were we'll known. Finally
little drummer boy came forward and said
he could point them out. Others then
piucked up courage and at once l20 OF the
rogues we're taken and placed in irons.
The question then was what to do with
them. Our government was communi.
Gated with and said they should be tried
by a Jury OF their fellow prisoners and
punished as they should determine.
trial lasting several weeks ensued. Six OF
he ringleaders were sentenced to be hung
and the others punished in other ways.
Mr.. Duiur witnessed the execution, which
took place within the prison, in the pres
ence OF thousands OF prisoners and with
the consent OF the rebel authorities.
palloWs was rugged up and six nooses held
the neeks OF the victims. One OF them, a
big, powerful fellow, broke away from the
guards and ran into the prison swamp,
where ne was taken and brought back.
When the trap fell, one rope broke and
the poor fellow had TO be hung over. II
was an awful scene In the midst OF awful
surroundings, but it served TO break up
the deviish practice ofrobbery among the
prisoners, who Jared III enough when they
had all that was allowed them.
Mr. Dufur is much broken in health, but
enjoys meeting the old boys and spinning
yarns with them, though he is modest in
recounting his own story. He has done
some lecturing at camphras and would do
more IL his health permitted.