The National tribune., 1910-05-26

When Col. Mosby's men were cap
tured and shot for their inhuman dep
relations II was announced that the
Confederacy would retaliate by shoot
ing the same number of prisoners.
One day an officer went thru the
prison calling out the name of John
Fulton, and thinking that he had been
selected as victim for revenge. ]. then
under 81 years of age. remained silent
until assured of better treatment When
making known his presence he was
asked to serve as master of the Prison
Hospital, on the corner Of Carey and
22d streets, as I had thoro knowledge
of drugs. I remained in that position
until Feb. 21, 1864, when Maj. Hopkins,
in charge, transferred me to the dis
pensary, where I compounded from 200
to 800 prescriptions daily from a. m.
to IL D. m.
It was very seldom that members of
the regiment were seen after the sepa-
ration, as they were distributed among
various prisons in the South. In my
diary is recorded this passage: while
looking out Of a window Of the hospi-
tai on Nov IL, 1883, Adj't White was
observed at window in Libbey Prison.
across the street We recognized each
| other, but could not make any demon
stration." On another occasion tho
AdJutant was seen when he returned
1
attempt to escape thru the famous tun-
mel which was discovered on Feb. ~.
1864.
The experiences of hospital life were
varied and interesting. During Novem-
Der, 1863. the meager fare was rcplen-
ished by a bountiful supply OF provi-
sions sent thru the y. s. Sanitary Com
mission. and It was some satisfaction to
see the famished patients relish the
| food to which they had not been accus-
toned since leaving homo.
The boys at the front who still sur
vive will always remember these life
saving gifts of the Sanitary Comnis-
sion, and were It not for the whole.
some food and necessary clothing sent
ons the death roll would have been
much larger.
Gen. Morgan, the celebrated Confed-
crate raider. while prisoner in Column
. bus, o., had heard considerable com.
J plant about the treatment of Unior
, prisoners at Richmond, and he resolved
to see Justice done at the first oppor.
, tunity. After his escape from the peni-
tentiary in the latter part of 1853 ht
commenced an investigation, and woult
not be satisfied until the leading repre-
] sentatives OF the Confederate Govern
ment accompanied him on tour of thu
Southern prisons. The commission o
investigation was composed Of himself
Jefferson Davis, Gen. Ben Hill, Johl
Mitchell. the famous Irishman, and th'
editor Of Richmond daily paper and
, several other prominent persons.
was then acting as wardmaster o
the Prison Hospital When The distin
/ guished visitors called on their tour o
investigation, Jan. 8, 1854, It devolvet
, upon me to escort them thru the hos
Z pital Gen. Morgan made earnest in
G-fz 81 tr.a 80 10, &c
:. and the latter invariably asked 70
= more food. which provoked jeff Davi
c to remark: Did you ever know a Yam
kee to be satisfied? ?' It was found tina
s the hospital had been without fire 0
3 fuel during the entire season, and tha
:. the inmates had been living on one
n third of the required rations.
= At that time the James River wa
almost frozen over, and the weathe
: was said to have been the coolest 70
: 20 years.
e Gen. Morgan preferred charge
I against the Commissary Department a
d the result Of the tour. and the subse
e lquent official inquiry disclosed the fac
II that the Quartermaster had appropriat
n ed to his own use the money paid b
: the Confederate Government for tn
d care OF Union prisoners. He was re
n lieved from duty. and when a Senat
q committee visited-the Richmond pris
2. ons the Improvement was very notice
: able.
y At the time when Senator Hill had
d wordy tussle with James G. Blaine an
g the latter found 1t necessary to max
n his famous speech in the Senate tn
s circumstances. as related above, prove
h to be good ammunition in the hands @
r Mr.. Blaine. The little bit OF htstor
: was transcribed from my 1iary, swor
d to before notary, and given in charg
8 of Hon. Amos Clark, Jr., who was the
2 serving his second term as Congress
man from the Sd ~. J. District. II
X carried the affidavit to Washington an
l. rendered 1t to Mr.. Blaine, who was pro
= fuse in his thanks for such valuabl
d material, as it answered his opponer
e better than any other argument.