The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-14


the guard was then ordered to execute
the command. and was ironed in like man
ner to the others. We five constituted
the chain gang at Dry Tortugas. We were
worked by ourselves. denied all intercourse
with everyone on the desolate island, our
footsteps always accompanied by an armed
guard and forced, in this condition, to per-
form the most mental and degrading work
upon the key.
From Nov. II until Dec. II my person
and the others were dragged here and there
from morn until night. working in degrad-
ing chains, nader In every instance that
presented itself to perform the flthiest jobs
that the provost marshal could hunt up.
EMPLOYED AS CLERK.
Things continued thus until Dec IA. when
the prisoner employed as clerk to the COM
handing officer was released from confine-
ment by order from the War Department
/ was sent for, desired to furnish specl-
men OF my handwriting, which did, and
from that date was employed as clerk In
the adjutant's Office. The noise arising
from the clanking chains upon my feet,
when walking about the office, soon grated
upon the ears of the commanding officer,
who, in consequence thereof, in special
post order, relieved me from the irons in
definitely, but kept the others still ironed
and occupied at labor, before mentioned.
had been in the Office but few days
when orders were issued which separated
me from my only companions upon the
island. / was transferred from my dun
geon to the general guardhouse, denied
communication or intercourse with the few
with whom / was individually imprisoned,
forced to dwell amid the confusion and
noise Astounding among numerous sentinels.
This was of anything but pleasant nature
to my senses. 1 could not conceive why 1
had been relieved of suffering OF one kind
to have another hcaped upon me of just as
bad nature, and determined, if possible,
to have it corrected in some way.
In a communication addressed to the COM
mandirg officer L requested to be returned
to my former place of confinement, for, al
though dungeon, it was far preferable to
the guardhouse where 1 was then confined;
that there were no consequences attending
the change of situation; that instead of be-
ing an amelioration of my condition 1
found it an aggravation. My request was
complied with and was again placed in the
dungeon with my companions. which fact
of the post adjutant by whose order 1 had
been placed there without the sanction
or knowledge of the commanding officer),
as he remarked to me afterwards, stating
that he placed me in the guardhouse to
prevent the contents Of communications
received at the office being divulged to the
inmates of my quarters.
TOGETHER ONCE MORE.
From that time out we remained to-
gether. TIE orderly accompanied me to
and fro. from my cell to headquarters, and
to every point L required to visit At re-
treat, or sunset, we were locked together
within our dungeon, remaining until car
ried out to our morning labors at sunrise.
With the arrival of the Fifth Artillery at
the post the regulations which had been in
force were changed, and cruelty became
the order OF the day. Not only were pris-
oners the recipients of it, but to a very
great extent it prevailed over the enlisted
men, recruits just arrived to fill UP the
different companies, which had been re-
duced through expiration of terms Of en-
listment. There was scarcely day that
passed but that ten to fifteen would be
seen, carrying from morning until night
heavy cannon balls upon their shoulders,
and often continuing for days as well as
nights.
To fail to salute an officer was a sure
forerunner of punishment, when, in fact, at
times 1t was impossible to distinguish them,
they not being clad in their required uni
form. The manual of arms was drummed
into the recruits with the butt end of the
musket, and the different evolutions of the
command were first learned in the regions
Of the back, legs and breast, the drilling
officer not being particular as to what part
of the body the blow was given. Our close
proximity to the guardhouse afforded every
opportunity of becoming conversant with
the many different acts of cruelty and tyr
amy practiced, which will hereafter re-
late.
DUNGEON WAS FLOODED.
We remained in our dungeon quarters
until some time in the month of February.
1866. at which period our removal took
place, arising from the woeful condition of
the quarters, it becoming 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 our confinement there, but failed
to attract the attention of our jailers until
IL UeCdiue 81 pain tilet tIlelT dll-SeelilB eyes
in all else could not fail but to notice it.
| The health of each had become very much
| impaired from confinement in this ma
| larious dungeon, and when it was an
| nounced that we were to be removed to
| other quarters we heralded the change with
| joy, feeling that we would be able to regain
| our health somewhat by coming in contact
| with the pure, fresh sea breeze.
In this, however. We were sadly disap-
| pointed. Our quarters were placed imme-
| diately over the sally port of the fort, the
| easements so constructed that We obtained
| less fresh air and ventilation than in the
| quarters we had been removed from. and
| to make Ii more confined and unwholesome
| an eight-inch wall was erected between
| the arch division dividing the easements
| thereby darkening the quarters and break
ing off every particle OF air from the sea-
On the water side, fronting our quarters
| occasionally glimpse of the sky above
| could be had. but beyond this nothing
There were three windows measuring five
| feet long and six inches in width, SET
about two or three feet in the wall, dis.
tant from the ground floor about sever
outer world and preventing the breeze, SC
necessary to health, from being obtained
| The wall here, as heretofore, was a mas,
| of slime produced from the dampness OF
| the easements.
WATER BAILED OUT.
| Often d,,rip1 our co,6,ar,a,. a., A. H..