The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-15

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what part of the body the blow was
given. Our close proximity to the
gUardhouse afforded every opportunity
Of becoming coaversant with the many
different acts of cruelty and tyranny
practiced, which 1 will hereafter re-
late.
DUNGEON WAS FLOODED.
5, We remained in our dungeon quar-
tiers until sometime in the month of
February, 1866, at which period our re-
moyal took place, arising from the Woe
full condition OF the quarters, it be
coming flooded with water to the depth
in places of one foot, created by the
rains and leakage through the walls.
This had been so, more or less, ever
since cur confinement there, but failed
to attract the attention of our Jailers
until it became so plain that their all
seeing eyes in all else could not fail
but to notice it. The health of each had
become very much impaired from con-
finement in this malarious dungeon.
and when it was announced that we
were to be removed to other quarters
we heralded the change with joy, feel
ing that we would be able o regain
Jul UCcILA SOIl4SWIi<1I ny COlAllA1S5 AA4 WA
tact with the pure, fresh sea breeze.
In this, however, we were sadly dis
appointed. Our quarters were placed
Immediately over the sally-port of the
fort, the easements so constructed that
we obtained less fresh air and ventila-
| ton than in the quarters we had been
| removed from, and to make it more
confined and unwholesome an eight
inch wall was erected between the arch
division, dividing the easements, there
| by darkening the quarters and break
| ing off every particle of air from the
sea.
| On the water side, fronting our quar-
tiers, occasionally glimpse of the sky
/ above could be had, but beyond this
nothing. There were three windows,
measuring five fet long and six inches
in width, set about two or three feet
in the wall. distant from the ground
| floor about seven feet, completely
breaking off all view to the outer world
and preventing the breeze, so neces-
sary to health, from being obtained.
| The wall here, as heretofore, was
mass of slime, produced from the
dampness of the classmates.
WATER BAILED OUT.
Often during our confinement in the
place buckets were used to bail out the
collected water. it having been found
necessary to dig deep holes and gut
tiers to catch the water, thereby pre-
venting our quarters becoming flooded
all over. For months-yes, over
year-were we quartered in this filthy
place, having as companions in our
misery every insect known to abound
on the island, in the shape of mos
uuitoes, bedbugs, reaches and scor-
pions, by which, both night and day,
we We're tormented. Our limbs drawn
in different shapes by rheumatism con-
tracted from the dampness, though a
wreck, my iron constitution outlived it
all.
When asking that an ameliorating
change be made, no notice was taken
thereof; in fact, it grew worse, If pos
sibIe, for the mind of man to conceive
such to be possible. A guard stood at
our doorway constantly, preventing the
approach of anyone to our quarters
excepting when accompanied by the Of
ficer of the day, the commanding Off
Ger or surgeon Of the post. We were
made a show of when any Nabob or Of
ficer came upon the island, to whom we
-, were not permitted to speak, standing
like so many statutes in their presence
Officers whose minds should have
been clear to act with justice were
. reveling in intoxicating beverages, anC
> frequently to such an extent that they
dwelt on earth as In dream. relent-
| lessly carrying to extremes visionary
: orders under an assumed authority
when laboring under impaired func'
: lions through too cop.ous draughts up
+ on the bottle. The prisoners and sol
+ diers received the full benefit of theil
wandering minds. The emaciated pris
p, oner could be seen performing his daily
labor weighted down in chains, Will
heavy balls attached. Another, fol-
some supposed dereliction of duty
could be seen marching around rims
: under the torrid heat of the sun
T weighted down by monster cannon
: balls upon his shoulders.
a FELL WITHIN THEIR TRACKS.
. I have seen them fall within thei
t tracks unable to perform the inhuma1
- duty exacted, from sheer exhaustion
to be then thrust With ma dungeon, t.
r remain until strength was sufficient!
= restored to resume the barbarou
o task. / have seen them suspended be
tween heaven and earth by thei
e thumbs, and every species of inhuman
e ity that the mind of man could inven
= was heaped upon both prisoners ant
t soldiers, slaves beneath the petty ty
e rants control This and much more
e which | will in due time disclose, wa
e practiced within that stronghold, bull
= to protect freemen and uphold liberty
J. whilst our statuary banner waved ma
It iestically in the breeze, emblem Of lib
n erty to the world as seen from afal
= but beneath which tyranny prevailed
Y devising means to surpass the crueltie
= inflicted in barbarous ages,
: Our condition remained unchange
i until sometime in the month of Feb
!, ruary, 1866, when a communication wa
5, received from the War Department
: asking to be informed whether or no
- DR.. Mudd, as reported by his wife, wa
g working in irons and, if so to reliev
= them at once. Orders were receive
that night to discontinue the irons
and from that period out we were a
released from that uncalled for and ur
= sanctioned cruelty and fndignityl This
- with other communications heretofor
- mentioned, conclusively established tn
- fact that base subterfuge had bee