The National tribune., 1903-08-13

Finally, in October. / think, our Gov
| ernment and the Confederate authorities
agreed to release a percentage of the pris
oners held by each and return them to
their respective Governments. or authori-
ties, upon condition that each prisoner
should sign a parole, or agreement, not
again to bear arms, under penalty of
death, until he should be officially notified
of his exchange. The return of prisoners
| in detachments of from 200 to 500 began
at once, my turn coming in the second or
| third detachment. and as my mind reverts
to that sunny morning in October. 1862,
when | left Belle Isle, it seems to have
been the most joyous morning l ever ex-
perienced. There were about 800 wrecks
of humanity in the detachment. many of
them nearly naked. Weak and emaciated.
we were marched across the long bridge
and down past gloomy old Libby Prison
and Castle Thunder on our way to Atkins
Landing, u miles down the James River.
where we We're to meet the transports.
En- route we met n party of Confederates
returning from Northern prisons. They
wore good clothing and were looking well.
in marked contrast to our condition. When
we caught a glimpse of ODD Glory fly
ing from the masthead of a transport.
we took off our caps. that is those who
had any, and waved them and cheered,
our cheers. however. not being very loud.
When we reached the river some Con
federate officers went into n warehouse
and threw lOaves of bread at us from the
windows. The scramble for those loaves
reminded me of chickens Scrambing for
grains of corn. | got a whole loaf and hid
myself eating the whole of it without Il
drop of water to wash it down. Having
boarded the transport we were treated 10
Il fine supper of bread. broiied ham and
coffee. We then started on our journey
to Annapolis, Md, down the James, pass
ed the site Of ancient jamestown. and
many other historic PAGES. on past Fort
resS Monroe. thence through Chesapeake
Bay to Annapolis :. where We received our
pay and had Il good time. eating oysters.
Holsters and clans; thence We were or
dered to Alexandria, going into camp near
Arlington, where We remained until we
received the official notice of exchange.
While we were in camp near Arlington
we We're visited one day by President Lin
coin. his Cabinet. and a retinue of army
officers. who had come down from Wash
ingtOn on horseback. Mr. Lincoln being
mounted upon large. spirited bay animal.
He was dressed in plain back. wearing
the familiar long frock coat and high
plug hat. When we had been formed in
line for review. the cavalcade, headed by
the President. rode from one end of the
line to the other, several yards to the
front. and then slowly returned riding
close to the line. Meanwhile Mr.. Lincoln
spoke kindly and encouraginsly to us. con-
graduating us upon our improved appear
ance snce our release from prison, say
ing he hoped the terrible war would soon
be over He appeared TO be in good spir-
its. smiling pleasantly as he rode along.
The President was not a graceful rider.
hut he was dexterOus one. OF this we
had an evidence when his horse became
frightened at our cheering and reared
on his hind feet. whrling completely
around. Apparently und;smayed, Mr.. Lin
coin retained his seat as firmly as COW
boy He said: Shout away. boys:
would rather be thrown from my horse
than to have you stop shouting for it
shows that there is plenty of life and fight
in you yet" | had seen him on previous
occasions. but / never again saw him after
he rode away from our camp at Airing
ton.
This great. kind-hearted Natures noble
man. this peerless man of the people. af
ter four years of sorrow and solicitude for
the future welfare of his country and peo-
pie. was himself doomed to meet a tragic
death at the hand of n cowardly assassin.
S. W. HART. Co. II, 29th Ohio. Soldiers
Home, Danvile, Ill.