The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-13

We arrived in sight of Fort Jefferson,
Dry Tortugas, Fla, on July "A, 1865 When
nearing the grim-looking walls signal
gun was fired from the gunboat, which was
responded to by the officer in command OF
the fort, and soon the officer of the day
made his appearance on board and was in
formed of the object of the visit of the boat
etc. Within a very short time we were
placed within a small boat, were conveyed
to the fort and placed within one of the
many classmates existing there.
The officers who had us in charge re-
manned at the fort a sufficient length OF
time to have as it is called. a lark. After
three months of torture both of body and
mind we thought that We had at last found
a haven of rest, although in a government
! bastile, where shut out from the world,
we would dwell and pass the remaining
days of our life. 1t was a sad thought, yet
| ii had to be borne.
We were now left under the charge OF
| Col Charles Hamilton. One-hundred-and-
| tenth New York Volunteers, who was at
that period commandant of the post. He
| gave US instructions relative to the rules In
force, stating the consequences which
would attend any breach of discipline,
there was a dark and gloomy dungeon
| within the fort to which Offenders against
the rules were consigned, over whose en-
trance was inscribed the classic words:
.eWhoso entereth here leaveth all hope
behind"
We asked him if there were any special
instructions relating to us, to which ne re-
Piled mo, you have the same privilege OF
the island any person confined here no
instructions to the contrary having oeen
furnished by the War Department in your
cases." Our bed that night was constituted
of "a soft plank" and in fact, so continued
! for months, until, through our own exer-
tions and means received from home, we
were able to purchase pieces of canvas.
| wherewth 10 nail up rudely-constructeo
| SPANGLER A HANDY MAN
Spanger's trade was a godsend at this
| time. and proved so on more than one oc-
| casion afterward. The next morning we
walked around the Enclosure of the fort and
| toward evening strolled around the break
water wall for the purpose Of forming some
idea of our desolate condition. The Dry
| Tortugas is a small island isolated In the
| Gulf of Mexico in about 25 degrees north
| of tie equator comprising in all seven and
a half acres of land, and lying directly be-
| meath the rays of a tropical sun. 1t is To-
Gated sixty-hve miles northwest from Key
| West, ninety-five miles north from Cuba
| and about 200 miles directly south from
Tampa, Fla, this being the nearest con-
| Meeting point with the mainiands of Florida.
Upon its limited area was erected huge
and massive structure. hexagon shaped. of
| brick and mortar, in an unfinished condi-
| ton, called Fort Jefferson. When COM
| pleted If ever, it would mount $50 guns On
the outer side Of the fort there existed
| wide and deep moat to prevent the surging
| of the sea from washing against the main
| structure itself, and intended at the same
time as a defense against assaulting col
| umns. 1t is ocean grit on either side,
strongly protected by coral reefs and in
| tricate channels of approach.
On our arrival the island was entirely des-
titute of vegetable matter with the excep-
ton of some few bushes of small growth,
and about O dozen cocoanut trees which
had been planted many years back by the
hand of man. Beyond this there was naught
to gaze upon inside save the white. glitter
ing coral sand, which had very injurious
effect upon the eyes in many cases. causing
| men to become totally blind after dark, a
disease known there and of frequent occur
| renee termed moon-blind.
MANY FEDERAL PRISONERS.
There were upward of six hundred fed
eral prisoners confined there for various
offenses against military rules and laws.
who were compelled to labor daily, from
morn till night, upon limited and loath-
some sustenance. Without exception, 1t
was the most horrible place the eye Of
man ever rested upon, where day after
day the miserable existence was being
dragged out, intermixed with sickness,
bodily suffering, want and pinching hunger,
without the additional acts of torture and
inhumanity that soon / became a wit
ness Of
Around about the fort there were several
small keys, termed. respectively, Sand,
East, Bird and Loggerhead keys. Sand
key, very small in area, lies in a north
easterly direction, distant about half a
mile, upon which had been erected a hos
pital for quarantine purposes and to be
used in case of any epidemic occurring at
the fort. Every foot of its space Is now
peopled with the dead. many of the bodies
having been washed up by the surf of the
sea. and the hospital building having been
torn down for the purpose of erecting a
theater at the post.
Bird key, the largest in area, is distant
about five miles from the Dry Tortugas,
upon which. in the summer season, sea gulls
in dense flocks congregate to deposit their
eggs. These were gathered by the garr-
son and used for food. East key lies in a
southwesterly direction, distant about one
mile from the fort, and used as a
cemetery for the dead. Loggerhead key
lies northerly about three and one-half
miles from the fort upon which is erect
ed lighthouse of great height, used as a
guide to ships to prevent their running
upon the reefy beds which abound
Those were all the points of land visible,
all else the deep and briny ocean.
i looked long and intently upon all the
surroundings of the place, and asked the
question: lis this, indeed, to be my home
for life?"
PLACED IN A CASEMATE.
When we had returned from our walk
around the breakwater wall we We're placed
within our dingy casemate for the night.
Food issued was horrible in the extreme
Many were suffering dreadfully from
scurvy and chronic troubles. The bread
was disgusting TO look upon. being a mix
ture of -four, bugs sticks and dirt. Meat