Year: 1878

There was an episode during my life
at Andersonville, says a correspondent
of the st. Louis Post, that stands out in
my memory above all others. No man
can conceive of the generalization that
comes upon men confronted on all sides
with so much misery. The greatest lux
ury that could be enjoyed by prisoner
was a warm blanket. Yet men were
found among the prisoners base enough
to rob their fellows of even these COM
forts. A gang of robbers was organized,
who went around the camp at night and
tore the blankets and clothes off from
sick and dying men, kicking and beating
those who made any feeble attempt at
resistance. Money was also taken from
the prisoners, or anything ofValue that
could be found upon them. In time the
robberies became so frequent as to be
the worst of our troubles. A perfect reign
of terror existed, and we did not know
what to do. Finally, after consultation,
we asked permission of Wirtz to investi-
gate and see who were the perpetrators
of these outrages and punish them.
Writ granted 1.-THE only kind act he
ever did, believe, for the Union prison.
ers there, and thank him for it to this
day. We picked out six men for trial
before a tribunal of our own selection.
1t sat outside of the stockade under
Confederate guard. A Judge, jury, pros
ecuting attorney, and clerk were ap-
pointed, together with a counsel for the
defense. Evidence was heard from
many Of the prisoners, and the accused
were all identified as among the parties
guilty of the robberies. A verdict of
guilty was returned, and they were SEN
fenced to be hung. The proceedings
were approved by Wirtz, who ordered the
lumber to be furnished us for scafold.
We built one sufficient for our purpose.
1t consisted simply of a crossbeam, sup
ported by two uprights. A platform was
constructed about three feet from the
ground, the first plank, laid at right an
giles with the upright and parallel with
the crossbeam directly above it, being so
adjusted that it could be withdrawn from
its position at a moments notice. The
SIX condemned men were escorted to
the scaffold by a guard of 300 prisoners,
armed with sticks and lubs. They were
placed on this plank. In lieu of the
customary black cap, their heads were
encased in -four sacks.


Notwithstanding this absence of cere-
mony, the scene was an impressive one.
The gallows stood near the top of the
hill, and nearly all the thirty-eight thou
sand prisoners were gathered to witness
the execution. They maintained perfect
silence, refrainiAg from any insults to the
condemned, but their hollow eyes, pale,
pinched faces, their savage expression of
countenance were sufficient indication
nf fhnIT. Hpforr1,T &hof
should escape. The ropes were careful
ly adjusted, with the knot in each case
under the left ear, and, by signal, the
board withdrawn from beneath them.
There was drop of two feet, and the
bodies swung about a foot from the
ground-al but one. The sixth man,
former sailor in the navy, was perceived
to have fallen to the ground. The rope
had broken.


In an instant he was on his feet. He
started to run down the hill. The crowd,
comprehending his intention to escape,
followed with wild yell in pursuit. 1t
was a flight for life. He had the start
by few seconds and he made the most
OF 1t. L never saw man run as he did.
he went down to the morass with near
ly thirty-eight thousand men close upon
ms heels. Not finding him there we
looked up and saw him running up the
side of the other hill. We followed. He
made for one of the huts or sheds, but as
soon as he heard US coming got out and
again started on the run. Widening the
distance between US, he again sought
refuge in dugout, and a second time
had to abandon it as we came up. 1t
was twenty minutes before we had him
fast. He begged piteously for his life,
but we had no mercy. We had to drag
him down the hill through the sand,
thence through the swamp and up the
other hill to the scaffold. He was held
by three men on the platform while the
moose was adjusted the second time, after
we had spliced the rope. He trembled
in every limb. At the given moment
the men pushed him from the scafold,
and he swung clear from the ground two
feet. The robberies never occurred
again.