The Rich Hill tribune., 1908-04-09
PRISON LIFE.
Letter Written N 1884 By Capt. Porter
70 Nal George Vanderbilt Appears.

Letter Written IN 1884 b. Capt. Porter
70 Nal George Vanderbilt Appears.
Like a voice out Of the past a LET.
ter written In 1854 By a union pris-
oner al Charleston. S. C.. has come %
light which tells graphically Of the
sunerings Of ths men confined in the
confederate prison there. II was
found among the effects OF the late
Mai. George Vanderbilt. u. S. A.. who
died In Washington last August Mai
Vanderbilts son. George Vanderbilt
OF this city. deciphered the document
which is written on a scrap OF paper
in a penciled hand 90 small that g
requires a magnifying glass 10 read II.
The letter was written by Capt. Bur
ton .. Porter Of G. company, Tenth
New York cavalry. Capt Porter 10
the early stages Of the war was first
lieutenant Of L company and a close
friend OF Maj. Vanderbilt at that
time the commander Of company l.
The letter he wrote to Capt Wander
bilt from the prison follows:
Charleston. s. c.. Sept IS. 1864.
Friend Van-Yours Of the 3lst of
August came TO hand a day OF two
since and S. the only one I have re-
ceived since 1 have been in the con
federacy. You cap hardly conceive
how glad 7 was 20 hear from you. or
Capt. Page know nothing. and think
he must be dead or in the hospital.
Tell Jim Reynolds I am happy 30
learn of his promotion. Our boys are
all well except Bliss who Is in the
hospital. but getting better / send
this VIA underground in gumboat-
mans boat
God only knows when I viii get
away from here We are halt starved.
Those who have no money land I am
one OF the numberi are almost always
hungry. Our rations have been cut
down Of late. The "Rcbs" are getting
very despondent. and some of the
citizens tell us that the people here
were never so low IN spirits as az
present Old men and little boys are
guarding as. We are under Fosters
FIRE night and day. and once in about
90 minutes a shell comes screechlng
over as. Some pieces have struck
the building and In the yard.
Fifty cases OF yellow fever in the
city this morning No cases among
the prisoners that ! know Of Two
thousand officers and 10000 enlisted
men are confined here. The enlisted
men are dying fast They are only
I half fed. with no shelter My God.
Van. TO be in one continual aght day
I and night Is heaven 20 this miserable
! prison lie,
/ want you to DO me favor by buy
( ing up all the "Reb" money you can
and send Il 90 me which will az least
prevent me from starving My health
Z Is anything but good but I hope 10
/ live d through. Tell Pratt. Jim Rcy.
uolds and any of the boys, % write
I who o. killed wounded. etc.
The "Rebs" look 90 the election Of
Mac for president with great anxiety.
1 For the countyy's sake re-elect Abe
I Lincoln. and it viii be just the thing
the "Rebs' don't want Their last
armies are in the field Clean them
out and the rebellion Is played out
Moray. Johnson. Geiman and all are
in this place They did not escape
/ My respects 10 all
when you take drink think OF
Z me. Remember me 60 ALL aud God
grant that you and may meet again
I some day George. are sou golug ou'
OF the service when your time @ up
Z HAS Seeker been back Go the regl
{ mcnt yetg You told me last spring
about him Read this letter 20 ali my
boys and acquaintances-
Capt Porter was taken prisoner al
the battle of ST. Marys church "a
Virginia Twice be broke through N,
confederate lines but was rccapturcd
on the third attempt he succeeded g.
Joining Gen shcrmans army on Feb
ruay %. 1855.