The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-08-09

Yankee dens. and hat we have cause
to congratulate ourselves upon even
such a nome at the hands of the pest
government the world ever saw.
September 3O.-Rations are served
twice a day-about 9 o'clock a. m. and
2 p. nat a long building at the
lower end Of the pen, to which the
prisoners march by divisions. Inc
ration consists, for breakfast, or a
slice of bread, (say n quarter OF an
ordinary bakers Loaf, and a small
piece of meat, Gold bacon, fresh or
pickled beef, from one to two inches
square, and a cup Of water; for dinner,
a piece of bread and meat ana a
tin cup of bean, rice or corn soup.
This is all; and no particular cieahll-
ness is observed in its preparation.
Nor is there ever any variation or the
diet, but it is dispensed with the same
nauseating regularity with which the
amiable Mrs. SQueers administered the
treacle to the woeful urchlns OF the
"~Do-the-boys' HALL" Indeed, l think
that an appropriate designation Tor
our sale a n would be "Do-the-
Rebs' Saloon; Generally the sutler is
permitted to sell coffee, potatoes, mo-
lasses, etc, but his charges are very
exorbitant, and only those, OF course,
who can obtain Federal money can
avail themselves of these advantages.
Neither plates, knives or forks are
i III l. hlId IL Nv 49, &SAAO
eaten in the fingers or taken out Of
the room to be subjected to some
extra culinary process over small fires
of chips or shavings which are allow
ed to be kindled in a certain part of
the yard.
The ents and emplOyments
of he prisoners are various. For the
sake of earning some pittance which
may contribute to their comfort, many
officers resort to what, under other
circumstances, they would consider
most humiliating expedients, while
quite a number revert to their original
caIlings in life. Shoe-mending is
carried on extensively: the
art tonsorial has it professors;
divers %1aundries wash cheap for
cash.; tailoring in all it prac-
ticable branches is a driving bus
mess; and SC on ad infnitum.
l am sorry to d that, in this micro
cosm of ours, as in the big outer
world, gambling is carried on to con-
siderable excess, and that there are
to be found dealers of faro, vingt ct
un, and other games of iniquity. l
am pleased, at the same time, to be
able to record that those who indulge
in these vices are as little respected
here, as they are among decent people
elsewhere.
October As the days Of my
Incarceration promise an almost un-
varying m~OnOntOny, | shall hereafter
| make 1t a practice to continue and
keep up this Diary only upon days
| when some incident transpires to
break the gloomy routine or the in
clination possesses me to embody some
passing thought.
October My first Sabbath in
prison! No chime of musical bells in
vited to the Holy Temple! Not here
the serene and calm sOftness that
broOds this sacred morn over town
| and country-over the haunts of men
and away down in those sweet rural
solitudes where graves are green and
daisies sleep upon the bosoms Of the
dead! Nor here the pealing g
sends forth its rich-toned diapason!
The family group is sadly sundered
this morning, and, instead Of vending
their united way, in comely trim u
| with devout intent, to the House of
God that rears its spire hard by the
dear old roof-tree, husband and
wife, father and child, brother and
sister, must worship far apart.
Apart in space, but their prisons shall
mingle around the Throne.
Among the captives confined here
are a number Of political prisoners,
embracing several ministers Of the
gospel. Prominent n o the latter
are the Rev Mr.. Kinsolvin, of the
Episcopal Church, from LOudon
ty, Va, and Rev. Mr.. Handy, a grey
haired and aged man of God, Of the
Presbyterian church, formerly from
Norfolk. Both, like Paul and Silas,
imprisoned for conscience sake! Re
ligious services are held in one or
other of the divisions frequently dur
ing the week, and always on the Sab
bath in several divisions simultane-
ously. It is a delightful custom in
each division to hold family worship
at tattoo, at night-the service being
1
of a Christian church or connection,
always accompanied by the singing Of
one of the songs of Zion. Many, fer
vent and often affecting, are the aspir-
atoms offered among these stern-lOok-
ing men for the loved ones at home
and the cause which we hold SO
sacred and dear.
There is a Christian Association of
Confederate Officers in the barracks
who do much good in the matter Of