Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-02-12
PRISON EXPERIENCES.
NO. z.

NO. z.
Arriving at the depot, we found a
freight train of box cars awaiting us,
into which we were very compactly
packed; so many in a car that some
of us were obliged to stand because of
the lack of space for all to sit down at
once. The cars were dirty, the air in
side soon became impure and the heat
oppressive, and altogether it was any
thing but comfortable. This journey,
however, was only the initiation into
the Southern mode of transporting
federal prisoners and as it only lasted
about four hours, it was as nothing in
comparison with what we were to ex-
perience further downin Dixie's land.
The train proceeded cautiously, stop
ping every now!and then to give an
opportunity for the guard to make
observations and several times the en-
CINE was uncoupled and sent on ahead
to examine the road. We saw several
places where the track had been torn
up by our cavalryl and stations and
water tanks destroyed. There was
good deal of speculation among the
BOYS as to where we were going and
the probability of how long we should
be kept prisoners. Some of the guard
told us we would be paroled in few,
days and sent back to our lines.
Others told us frankly that after we
arrived att Richmond we would be
sent further south, to Georgia.
The one and only thing we saw en-
route which we coveted were patches
of delicious blackberries which grew
in abundance eachTside of the track,
and seemed to be going to waste and
which at the risk of being shot we were
almost tempted to jump out and
gather, for, 'although1as yet we had
only been two days without rations,
our bowels had already commenced to
grumble and growl at our stomachs,
which in turn were gnawing away at
our inwards for the want of something
more substantial to nibble on. These
parts of our anatomy soon learned
better manners than to grumble over
such diminutive annoyances.
"Whoa, Emma" said one of the
boys as we came to stand still for
the last time on this road. "Get out
o. this" shouted the guard, and we
were soon in line on the track in front
of the train, and marching "on to
Richmond" AS we entered the sub
urbs we were greeted by a ragged lot
of urchins who shouted ooh, here's
more Yanks," and whose ranks were
rapidly augmented as we drew nearer
the city proper. AS we turned down
King Street, men, women and children
say nothing of the darkey-joined
the urchins and paid US their respects
by such utterances as, SIS this the way
you take Richmond?" "Where's your
flag, ,boys?" 'EWhat have you done
with your guns?" s'How's old Abe,
and old Ben Butler?" etc., etc. A
young lady, very pretty and "dressed
to KILL" came out on the veranda of
fine residence, waved a-rebel flag in
our faces and chirped ''Oh Pm so
glad" an expression more contemp-
tible to US than significant. To their
sneers and taunting sarcasms we paid
little attention, following our guides
in silence thinking more of our own
misfortune than of their reproaches.
'Halt,' shouted the commander of
our escort, and we stopped in front
of Hotel de Pemberton, an old tobacco
factory nearly opposite what had for
merly been Libbey & Sons, now ''The
Old Libbey Prison." The signboard
was still on the corner; Libbey &
Sons, Ship Chambers and Grocers."
Through the windows we could see
half naked and half starved men and
boys who looked as though they had
been more than two days without
rations. We knew by their anxious
faces that they would be glad to hear
from our lines, but we were allowed
to hold no communication with them.
Forward" sang the conductor,
and we filed up one flight of stairs
into the second story of the building.