The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-11-28
LIFE IN A
FEDERAL PRISON
The Writer Quotes a Veteran
Who Fared Badly in a War
Time Prison
Time Prison
U3y III. /. CRUMPLEIs, New Bern,
n. CT

n. ca
a few DAYS ago the writer had the
pleasure of talking with Mr. }. b.
ErnuI. of Vanceboro, n. c., who was
among the great number of boys OF
81 and IS who donned the gray ana
fought for the right as they saw II.
Mr.. Ernul tells in a graphic way OF
several of his experiences during lne
war, and people from all over the
State visit his home for the purpose
of listening to his interesting anec-
dotes. In speaking Of some Of his
experiences, he said:
In the spring Of 1861, while the
men and boys were gathering at
every crossroad and station to enlist
as soldiers, to drive out those who
were depressing the South, l became
anxious to cast my lot with the 9TH
ers, so | obtained the consent Of my
parents and Joined Company l., 10Th
n. c. Regiment of Artillery, but later
on was transferred to the infantry.
On March 18th, 1862, I got my first
experience in reai war, but as | am
relating mainly of my life in prison
camp, Point Lookout, n how l was
captured by a Yankee, III go back
to March Z, 1865.
1T was reported that Schofeld's
army corps was advancing. We
marched to a creek to investigate
and found the enemy in full view.
They shelled us pretty lively all that
evening, but made no attempt to
charge. Our commanding officer de-
cided that we had better get in their
rear, SO we started to the real of the
Yanks, about an hour before day to
play tag with them for a while. we
found them about sunrise and were
received right warmly. After much
tagging on both sides the 'Yanks'
ave way and we captured some two
Or three thousand of them. I was
wounded in my leg, and seeing a pool
of water I thought I would battle
my leg and stop the flow OF blood.
poked a 'Yank' and said, Johnny, you
are mine. Come with me and l will
take you to a sunme resort. We
have been room enough for all. We
went to his generals headquarters.
When we arrived, the aide went into
the tent and the genera came out,
made a slight bow and I saluted him..
He asked me many questions con-
corning the troops in his rear, then
asked II my leg was paining me, and
called a doctor who examined my
wound and sal there were several
small pieces Of bone in the wound
which made amputation necessary. l
noticed a 'Yank' who winked at me,
came closer and whispered, Don't let
that d. butcher take your leg off,
I was then told to take off my equip
ment. They took my belt, at which
/ objected. 1 told the general that
if I was going to a summer resort
there might be ladies there and I
would not present a very pleasing
appearance If I was compelled to
hold up my trousers with my hands.
The general then told a soldier to
return my belt. The firing then be-
gan near us. I was thrown on a
horse and all moved of at a lively
pace for q mile or more. We came
to a place where some 'Yanks' were
- o~1 u
dismounted and were treated very
kindly by III captors. The follow
ing morning seven other prisoners
were brought into camp l think
they were Georgians, and no, slow
on the eating line either. / heard
the Johnnies were as good fighters as
they were eaters, Schofeld had bet
ter retreat lively.
I'VE lay around for a short time
playing cards and eating with the
'Yanks.' Their food became scarce.
were put on board a transport anu
started for the summer resort, there
being about eight hundred Of US
prisoners After we had gotten out
to sea they began to issue rations
Of raw picked beef and bareback to
us, OF which we ate heartily. The
Sea was awfully rough, the waves
rolling high, and soon it was evil
dent that almost every prisoner was
suffering dreadfully with sea-sickness,
while their cries for water were pitt
full to hear. After several days we
arrived at the summer resort. We
were taken from the barge to the
headquarters OF the officers. There
were many ladies present. I suppose
they were members Of the officers
families. I saw several OF the ladies
pointing at US and r~emarking, l sup
pose, about our appearance. Some
Of us were barefoted, others h
hats. while our pants were worn off
on the bosoms and knees, the legs
were heavily fringed, d~enoting long
and hard service. We were required
to give our names and our COM
YnandS, names of States from which
we came, after which we were
marched to the bull pen.' On the
way to the pen I saw a big pile OF
collins and Wondered what they could