The National tribune., 1900-02-01

with men that the ground could not be seer
anywhere. The unhappy occupants
mostly later arrivals in the prison from the
Army of the Potomac, were in as incessant
had shelter of any kind. Most had been
robbed of everything but two or three
necessary garments in the long Journey
from Richmond through Virginia, North
and South Carolina and Georgia, to Ander-
vile. They had nothing in which to
draw their rations, nothing to shelter them
from the burning sun, nothing on which to
lie down, no settled place for lying down
They simply wandered back and forth, as
long as their strength lasted, stopping
wherever they could find vacant place,
until driven from it by the arrival of the
rightful owner Of that particular plot.
Many We're absolutely naked, and hun
dreds could be seen in this state, lying on
the bare sands exposed to the full fierceness
| of the burning sun and the drench OF the
dashing rain deluges, with their emaciated
| bodies horribly contorted by the scurvy
and dropsy, and slowly dying through
comrades to care for them. Either they
/ were the only ones captured from their
regiments or their comrades had died, and
left them friendless. Everybody else had
all he could do to take care of himself and of
the boys Of his own company and regiment.
He could do nothing for men who had no
little clear space around where these miscr-
able unfortunates lay, like that around
some perishing beast, for the ground was
so vile with filth and vermin that it was
avoided even by those who could find no
where else to lay their heads. The only
care the poor wretches got was from band
of devoted Christian workers, whose love of
Christ and their fellow-man was so strong
that they shrank from no duty, no matter
how noisome and repugnant, that should
be performed in His name. These made
occasional rounds to the poor, friendless
ones, washed their faces, helped them turn
into more comfortable positions, cleansed
away portion of the swarming, devouring
vermin that tormented them, and whatever
other offices that were in their meager
power.
Sights Of this kind were stirring Shorty
to think of something else than his wrath,
as he made his way down the crowded slope.
and scanned the swarming wretchedness
for some signs of his poles and blanket.
Near the bottom of the slope the crowd
thinned out. There the ground began to
be very damp; it was overfowed by the
washings of the higher ground, every time
the rain came down in torrent, and the
would Stay there who could possibly find
any other place.
Shorty's rage famed up again, as he saw
at little distance in this "pauper district
of the prison d new tent" made by hoist
ing blanket on poles. He recognized the
blanket as his by its having one. corner
burnt off in peculiar way. The poles were
freshly-cut, and green, and there could be
no doubt that there was his property.
He stIode fielcely over there through the
crowd of abject unfoltunates, with 81 and
the rest following. He had torrent of
angry .vituperation fuming at his lips for
the thieves, and his fists doubled to ad-
nj IGtl a iSbr o,,f
AS he drew near, two tall, giant boys, their
eyes looking preternaturally large and
bright in their Sallow faces, their livid
gums protruding beyond their lips, from
the first horrible effects of scurvy, rose,
picked up clubs made from the remaining
portions of the poles, and offered battle in
defense of their home. The only clothing
of each were a shirt and pair of drawers.
worn and soiled from lying on the bare
ground, and their thin, bony limbs showed
through the rents. Their expression
showed that they had expected the dis
property, but were ready to fight to the
death to prevent it.
The torrent of curses died on Shorty's
lips, as he stopped and surveyed them.
what do you fellers want?" screamed
one Of them, brandishing his club as de-
family as his little strength would permit.
Don't you dare try to steal om blanket.
Well mash your brains out if you do. You
can't raid us. you whelps! Our partners
in there, mighty sick, and he mustn't be
disturbed. Go way. before we make you.
You raiders have taken everything else we
had, but you shan't take this. We'll kill
you if you try it. Go way, we tell YOU"
shorty looked at them pityingly.
"You say your pardners in there mighty
Sick?" he inQuil ed, in gentle voice.
"Yes," said the man, relinquishing his
menacing attitude, for the sympathetic tone
disarmed him, and tears came into his
eyes. "Look in there, and you kin see him
for yourself; but don't say nothin'. He's
awful weak. and the least excitement
may kill him."
Shorty and ST looked In. There, lying
on the damp ground, was a tall, slender
man, older than any of them, as indicated
by the long growth of silky beard. In spite
of the distortion of the scurvy the face was
seen to be one of education and refinement.
The long, tangled hair fell over a broad,
full forehead, and the large, brown eyes
opened with an expression of deepest
pathos.
Come over here a little ways where he
can't hear" said the man, "and I'll tell
you all about him. That mans one o.
the best God ever made. He was just
ordained in the ministry when the war
broke out, and was minister to church
in our town. He enlisted, and was Orderly
Sergeant of our company. There couldn't
be better soldier or a better man. He's
as gentle as woman, and as brave as q
lion. There was eight of our company
taken the first day in the Wilderness, and
we're all that's left. The Orderly'S wore