Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-14

u7IlrsG uniform. The manual OIL ARM:
was drummed into the recruits with tbs
butt end of the musket, and the different
evolutions Of the command We're 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 proNl-
nifty 10 the guardhouse afforded every
opportunity of becoming conversant with
the many different acts OF cruelty ana
tyranny pracIiced, which | will hereafter
relate
DUNGEON WAS FLOODED.
We remained il our dungeon quarters
until some time in the month of Feb
rpary. 1S66. at which period our removal
took place arisir. from the wceful con-
diiion Of the quar- IS. ii becoming flood
ed with water to the depth in places of
one foot. created by the rains and Leak
age through the walls. This had been
so more or less. ever since our con1ine-
ment there, but failed TO attract the
attention of our jailers until ii became
so plain that their al-seeing eyes in all
else could. not fail but to notice it. Tire
health of each had become very much
impaired from confinement in this mala-
rious dungeon, and when-it was announc-
ed that we We're TO be removed to other
quarters we heralded the change WITH
JOY. feeling that we would be able to re-
gain our health somewhat by coming in
contact Win TIE pure. ilcSii Stfi ~ e''He-
IN this, however we We're sadly disap-
pointed. Our quarters were placed imIne
rliateIE over the sallN-port of the fort the
casem entS so constructed that We OBJ
tanned less fresh air and ventilation
than III the quarters we had been re-
moved from. and to make II more
confined and unwholesome, an eight-nch
wall was erected between the arch divi-
sons. dividing the easements, thereby
Ia,,l..a inc he uli1
every particle of air from the sea.
On the water side, fronting our quar-
ters occasionally a glimpse of the sky
above could be had, but beyond this
nothing There We're three. windows,
measuring five feet 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 of all
view to the outer world, and preventing
the breeze. so necessary to health. from
being obtained The wall here, as here
tofore was mass of slime. produced
from the dampness Of. the caseIna ess.r.--
WATER BAlLED OUT.
Often during our confinement in tire
place. buckets We're used 10 bail out the
collected water. it having been found
necessary to dig deep holes and cutters
to catch the water thereby preventing
our quarters becoming focded' ali over
For anonths-yeS, over a year We're we
quartered III this filthy place, having as
companions III our misery every Insect
known TO abound on the island. IN the
shane of mosquitoes bedbugs, roaches.
and scorpions. by which. both night and
day, we were tormented. Our limbs
drawn il, different shapes by rheumatism
contra eli ed from the dampness, though a
wreck my iron constitution outllved 1t ali.
When asking that an, ameliora unE
change be made, no notice was taken
thereof: in fact it grew worse, If posi-
bic. for the mind Of man 70 conceive, s'tt5a
10 be possible. guard stood at our
doorway constantly preventing the APP
proach of any one 10 our quarters. except
ing when accompanied by the officer. OF
the day, the commanding officer or, the
surgeon of the post. We We're m5dc q
show or when any Nabob or officers game
upon the island, 10 whom we were not
permitted to speak, standing like so many
statues in their presence.
Officers whose minds should have been
clear. to a ct with justice, We're rerellns IN
Intoxicating beverages. and frequently 20
such an extent that they dwelt on earth
AS a In :; dream, relentless!y carrying to
extremes visionary orders under an as
sumed authority when laboring nnderAlE'-
paired functions. produced through too
copious draughts upon the bottle, Inc
prisoners and soldiers received the full
benefit of their wandering minds. me
emaciated prisoner could be seen per-
forming his daily labor, weighted down
in chains. with heavy balls attached, An
other, for some supposed derelict1on OF
suty could be seen marching around
ring under Sthe toTrid heat of-.the sun.
weighted down by monster cannon balls
upon his shoulders.
FELL WITHIN THEIR TRACKS,:
IL have seen them fan within their