The National tribune., 1900-07-26

of the Unionists whom they had previous
ly captured. The cavalrymen said:
If We dared to we'd tell you to go
on"
They belonged to the Holcomb Legion.
The Captain was taken back to Libby.
Notwithstanding the fact that he had been
walking SO much, he was compelled TO
march one and half miles to the out
post, then 10 miles to the reserve. that
night. lie had eaten only two ounces Of
bread from the time he escaped.
At daylight he started with his captors
for headquarters, at Bottoms Bridge,
Chickahominy River, II miles farther.
The rebel guard let him ride his horse
most of the way. Here he obtained the
first good meal he had eaten in n long
time. 1t consisted Of corn bread and fresh
three other officers who had been recap
tured. They reached Libby Sunday at
p. m, having marched % miles and trav-
eled ID miles by cars.
After their return to Libby the recap
tured officers were kept in close confine-
ment for some time on bread and water.
The time in prison was spent in various
ways. All sorts of games We're indulged
in, such as cards, chess, checkers, etc.
Jackstraws was one OF the most popular
games. Much fine work was done, beef
bones being used, the tools consisting of
q penllnife and little piece of slate.
There We're classes in everything-in
Latin, French, Spanish and dancing. !
newspaper was published every Thursday,
called the Libby Chronicle" and some
cne was appointed to read it. Another
paper, known as the Libby Local" was
issued irregularly. Negro minstrel con-
certs were given every week in Winter.
The Fourth of July was duly observed.
A flag was made out of flannel shirts and
placed on some joists. The commandant
Of the prison, learning about the flag, ap-
peared on the scene and said:
Take that thing DOWN.
But not man moved. 1t was then
taken down by the Confederate officer. 4
meeting was organized, songs sung and
Col. Strcight made a speech, about an
hour and a half being devoted to dis
play Of patriotism.
When the officers first entered Libby
n four ounce loaf of bread day and very
little meat were issued. These We're af-
changed to corn bread. The
quantity was increased, but the quality
was execrable. Finally they were de-
prived of meat, turnips being substituted
for it for short time. Then few cow
peas We're occasionally issued, also meal.
The prisoners had to do their own cook
for that purpose, for which they paid
$500. Each one had to furnish his own
lights, which had to be extinguished at 8
p. m., candles being used. Provisions
sent from the North were not always de-
ivcrcd. Gov. Morton and the Sanitary
sent clothing. The c. nfeder
ate authorities refused to deliver the blan-
icta forwarded.
Capt X. J. Fisher, of the 18th Mo-,
with a pen drew on coarse paper chart
yf Libby Prison. 1t was 9 feet ~ inches
1y 2 feet in dimensions. 1t contained the
names of all the prisoners, written in the
most attractive manner. On the corners
md margin We're views of Castle Thun-
Ter and Belle Isle, a scene in Libby and
/ front view of the prison, also picture
IF an officer and an enlisted man, and a
soldier and sailor. The names of all the
States to which the prisoners belonged
md the places where they were captured
were also given.
One of the most solemn scenes wit
lessed in Libby was when IS officers were
lrawn up in line, so that lots could be
lrawn for two of their number to be taken
nut and hung in retaliation for two spies
)r guerrilla executed by Gen. Burnside.
Capt. Phelps was one OF the 70 on that
nomentous occasion. The lot, as is well
Known, fell on Flynn and Sawyer. Pieces
IF paper containing the names of all the
Dfficers were placed in a small box, and
prisoner was blindfolded and instructed
o draw forth two names, which he did, |
IS stated. This disagreeable task fell
lpon a Chaplain.
Capt. Phelps was removed from Libby |
o Macon, Ga, then to Charleston aud
There he and his fellow prisoners were
arriving at Wilmington, n. |
J., March /, homeward bOund.-VET- |
cRAN