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THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON, D. C, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1882. V I x mw OUR SOLDIERS' COLUMN. Stray Inklings of Old Soldiers' Ideas. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. Wliat Our Subscribers are "Writixig AlDout. To the Editor National Tkiitone: I congratiilato you on the success of your most valuable paper. With mo it is the paper of all papers. I would not be without it; I could not afford to. In fact, I feel proud of it for the bold stand it takes to secure justice to Avhoin justice is due. There Avas a time in the history of our country when our right as soldiers was sought after, but that right vras to leave homo and friends, shoulder arms, and go forth to defend our glorious flag. Many brave hearts and strong hands responded to the va rious calls that were made to stamp out a rebel army that was concentrated in our front. JIany wcro the promises that we received from thoso high in rank that if wo were in any way disabled we would receive a just pension; but, alas, what a change. The war is over ; re bellion is stamped out. Many noble boys never returned, and many returned wounded ; others disabled by long, tedious campaigns through the South, and still others returned mere walk ing skeletons with permanent injuries by being confined in Southern slaughter-pens for months, whero nothing but sickness, starva tion, and death stared them in the face, and were subjected to the most intense suffering by the most brutal wretches that ever disgraced God's foot-stool. There was a way by which we could escape simply by joining the bogus con federacy, but many of us chose rather to die among tho friends of our flag than to dwell in the tents of rebels for a season ; but how are our services, suffering, and loyalty appreciated to day? If we apply for pensions, we are de nounced as frauds, trying to bankrupt tho U. S. Treasury. "When I look back on our past services and sufferings for our country, and past promises for those services and sufferings, I can but say, "Consistency, consistency, thou art a big Brazilian jewel." I have received five extra copies of your great paper, and I will do all that I can to circulate them where I think they will do the most good. Continue to throw solid shot into the ranks of the enemy, and wo will support your never-tiring battery. Yours in P., C. and L., J. P. Eobey. Colfax, Ills. "WHAT IT DH COST. To the Editor National Tizibuxe: In your issue of October 19 is an cxrtact from the Philadelphia Tress making complaint about tho old soldiers. It is unnecessary to repeat any of the article, as by reference to that paper the article can be seen. The writer, who is tho Washington correspondent, seems to be jealous of the old soldier, and thinks too much attention is being paid him. He thinks it about time tho old soldier was played out, and that he has been well paid for simply doing his duty. I like tho way the Tuibune answers him, but you have left out a very important part to be considered when speaking of the sol diers being well paid for doing their simple duty in the volunteer service of our country in time of war. The character of men who go into service wo may say fully one-half of them leave occupations which would bring them from $50 to $150 per month to take the hardships and risks of a soldier's life for the paltry sum of $13 per month. Does the stay-at-home citizens think of this feature of tho old soldier's sacrifice? While he stayed athomo and made money and had all the comforts of home tho soldier was getting his royal $13 and hardships of camp life, and because he asks remuneration from tho Government for the loss of health, thereby preventing him from following the business he was capable of doing before he entered tho service, by which he earned a competence, he must be looked upon as a beggar. There is no language strong enough to characterize croakers such as the Washington correspondent of the Philadel phia Press and Washington rost, and I will ven ture to say that either one of them would be the first to apply for aid of Government if they had a shadow of a chance. An old soldier, C. K. Watt. Augusta, III. DOING WELL FOE ONE LEG. To tho Editor National Tribune: Through tho kindness of a brother soldier I J have had the use of your paper for a few mouths, and I am very much pleased with it, and don't see how I could do without it. The thought struck me, I might get up a club here in Washington, there being a good many old soldiers here. So I started out with some of tho papers to sco what I could do, and in less than five hours I had thirty-thrco names, all soldiers. All I had to do was to show them the paper, and then watch them go down in their pockets for tho money. How is that for a fel low with one leg? I will continue to solicit until January, and in the meantime would like the paper to read and exhibit. I understand you offer a copy to tho sender of ten names, so, if correct, you may forward it to me with the others, and give mc credit with tho other twenty-three subscribers. I see some fellow bets six big red apples that he can get tho greatest number of names, and another bets the grease to fry them in. Now, I want those same apples, already fried in taid grease. You will please endeavor to send the papers of the next issue, that is, this week, as I have promised them. They are anxious to got all they cm of tho "Little Bed Cap" story, several being ex-prisoners of war, and some of them of Anderson ville. We are thinking of organizing a Grand Army Post liore, and would like you to give us some instructions how to proceed; can get tho re quired number any time. J. A. Baugtoian, Formerly of Co. 1, 1st O. V. H. A. boston corbett. To tho Editor National Tribune: Boston Corbett wishes to return his thanks through The National Tribune to tho G. A. B., of Kansas, and to all of tho old veterans who were at the Eeunion at Topeka, Kan., for their kindness to him at tho Reunion, in peti tioning to have his case immediately attended to at the Pension Office. His pension has at last been granted, and ho is now provided for, and feols that justice, in a measure, has, after bo long a time, been awarded him. W James H. Fish. Late Co. H, Gth Bog. Ind. V. I. Doncoedia, Kan. don't let him forget. 'ro tho Editor National Tribune: I don't believe there is a soldier in this coun try who reads your paper who does not say to hims'-lf, "I will take that paper," and if any one would follow him up he would do eo, but ho forgets and is careless about sending his taame, and so it goes by. Our Post now nuia- hers about seventy, and is working hard to raise funds to build a memorial hall. Wo have raised about $0,000 during the past year. Our com mander, Alfred C. Monroe, is an energetic and widc-awako man, and wc consider him tho best informed man in the Order. Yours, IIexhy A. Willis. Beocktok, Mass. a word from mus. iian'Nis. To tho Editor National Tribune: I received a postal to-day from one of my hoys, and was so glad to hear that one of those under my care still kindly remember the woman who left home to do what little she could to relievo the sufferings of the bravo and noble men who fought our kittles. Will ysu kindly publish my name and hospital? I feel that through this means I will find more of the soldiers that I used to know. My name was then llattio Ilungcrford; tho hospital was Gayoso, Mem phis, Tenn. By publishing these names you will greatly oblige a subscriber. Hattie Hannib. AND FHOMjOXB OF HER BOYS. To the Editor National Tribune: I was "captured" about two weeks since by a comrade giving me The Tribune to look over and I immediately sent $1 for the paper. Thanks to The Tribune for the address of the little woman to whom I owe so much grat itude to-day for words of cheer and comfort while fclay wounded in tho hospital at Mem phis, Tennessee. But for the aid of the unseen power and tho careful nursing I received at her hands I would have found a grave in Dixie's land. A mother or sister, both of which I then had as now, could not have done more for me had they been there. This country owes a debt to thoso brave women it can never pay for their faithful services whilo wo boys fought for tho preservation of our country's honor. Success to The Tribune. Like the Stars and Stripes that float to-day over a free land so may TnE Tribune bo found in every homo that glorious flag protects. Let every soldier after reading his Tribune send it to a comrade whoni he thinks docs not take it. They will bo captured like myself and in a short time itwill swell the number to a million. Most respectfully, UlLLSBOEO, 0. M. E. BOYEELL. A HAPPY EURPRISE. To the Editor National Tribune: My husband was a soldier in tho lato rebel lion, and has wanted to tako your paper for a long time, but could not, so I thought I would send for it and give him a happy surprise, Ho has a pension claim pending, and has not heard from it for nearly a year. I think if tho good Commissioner only knew how much ho stood in need of it, that he would look to the settlement of it. Hoping s6on to greet TnE National Tribune, I remain a true friend and Avell wisher. Mrs. H. M. B. WlLLLAMSTON, MlCH. "WIKZ'S CAPTOR. To tho Editor National Tribune: "Free Lauco" has concluded his narrative, and states that Wirz, tho Andcrsonvillo prison boss, was arrested on May 7th. All right ! Tho man who arrested Wirz is E. P. Sweaucy, late of Co. K, 4th U. S. Cav., who now lives in our town. Pleaso send The Tribune to his address for tho dollar enclosed. J. W. Gladjian. Allertown, Iowa. GREETING FROM IOWA. To the Editor National Tribune : McKcnzio Post, of this place, sends greeting to tho many comrades who read The Tribune. All are loud in their praises of tho efforts you arc making in behalf of the soldier. Tho Grand Army is flourishing in Iowa. I send you a few new subscribers. Yours, J. D. Butler. SnELDON, Iowa. Answers to Correspondents. li. J. 31., St. Joseph, Mo. 1. When all require ments have been correctly complied with. 2. Ought not to bo long, but impossible to give any definite period time varies in each case. G. A., Ann street, N. Y. The officer in charge of all National cemeteries is the Quartermaster-General of .tho Army, this city, to whom you should write. IK W., Davis, III. As desired, your letter has been referred to a competent attorney, who will promptly communicate with you. T. M., McC., Grahamton, la. 1. Tho evidence to reopen must be new and material, and the claim would be re-examined upon tho princi pal points at issue only. 2. Would depeud en tirely upon the nature of the case. li. McG., Jancsvillc, IMs. Wo believe not, but you can write to the Surgeon-General of the Army, this city, who will no doubt inform you. J. IV., Sjmnhlcs Mills, 0. The "most au thentic history of the war" is contained in Scribner's series of "Campaigns of tho Civil War." " Sulseribcr," Defiance, 0. Your point is well taken, but, not owning tho copyright to the book to which you refer wo could not continue the story further without danger of infringement. The wisest way out of your perplexity is to se cure subscriptions for The Tribune of eight of your neighbors, who, like yourself, are in terested in the fato of Captain Andrews and his companions, and thus secure a copy of the book. We arc ohlifrert to answer crrtaln ininlrcs of the Mine nature In cadi tvmeof our pajM-r. While we chci-i fully furnish information to tniliM-ribprs in thin column, uo surest that much lalxr, time, finl expense may ho p.ivcm! hoth to oursHvJ-ii and to our c-orre.s;i'iiileuu, if all sul-M-ribfrs would koep a lilt Xf the imjjrr. Thiv could then, at any time, turn to the Iilo ami probably Und the very inquiry answered about which thry would have written to us. Wc trust that every euhicribcr will profit by thi8 suggettiou. Ed. A Child's Estimate of Ynlnpa. From the Sunday School Times. Values are relative. Ono person puts a high estimate on what another d cems worthless. A savage covets a showy feather or a gaudy trinket. Civilized ladies sometimes have a similar fancy ; but, again, an antiquarian would prize an old book above a bale of feathers and a barrel of trinkets. Who shall say what is the real test of value in material possessions? A little child was recently startled by what she heard said at the family tabic about a robbery in tho neigh borhood. As she learned the possibility of her own homo being entered by robbers sho trem bled for her choice possessions. "Mamma," sho whispored, "do robbers take, dolls?" Her dolls were her tratsuro. If they were in danger, life had new perils for her. "No, my dear," said her mamma. "Bobbers don't want dolls. Why should they take them? " " I didn't know but they would want them for their little girls,'' was the answer, showing the child belief that robbers were human and that their children had child longings and child fancies. With the assurance that her dolls were safe, that little girl hud less dread of robbers. What was the loss of family silver or of clothing and jewels, or of books or pictures, if dolls were to be left unharmed? After all, was that child's esti mate of values wrong or unreal; or is the trouble with the rost of us? Origin of an Old Sou. From the Courier-Journal.' A great number of W. Pcnn's friends urged him to make war upon tho Indians with tho view of getting possession of their heritages. He chose, however, the quieter method of treaty-making, and in that way "goosed" them out of their lands and tenements. Hcnco the adage, "The Pcnn is mightier than theeword." BRAVE LITTLE RED CAP. The Young Orderly of Monster Wirz at Aiiucrsonville. BRANDING A TRAITOR. Arrival of a "Very Yowig Prisoner. Continued from last icecX. Commandant Wirz had now arranged every thing to his satisfaction, so far as tho prison discipline was concerned, and one day a pho tographer arrived to tako somo views of tho stockade. I was ordered to accompany him and assist in carrying his instrument. Wo mounted one of the perches where the guards were stationed, overlooking tho entire enclos ure, and from that point of view the artist managed to get a very fair negative. It re quired four "exposures" one for each corner of the stockade to get a complete picture of thp interior, however. I have seen many drawings of Ander.5onvillo, but nothing except a photograph could possibly givo an adequate idea of its horrors, and the one taken that day did not, of course, depict Andcrsonvillo at its worst. Every day wrought somo new misery. By this timoa cook-houso had been built by Wirz's orders, and it was so situated at tho edge of the creek which ran through the enclosure, on the west side between tho two gates, that the water which we were forced to use was con taminated by the ofial and refuse. Wirz levied on tho irisoners whenever there was any work to be done outside, and placed them on parole for the timo being. Nothing so aroused his anger as an attempt to escape. The blood hounds regularly every morning mado the circuit of the stockade, and if a scent was struck, off they would go yelping like fiends incarnate, with Turner, tho keeper, and his gray-haired assistant following hard after them, mounted on mules, and armed to the teeth. It was a common thing for them to return before dusk, with from one to thrco half-naked and limping captives, and march them to headquarters to receive old Wirz's benediction beforo being sent back to tho pen. And yet, despite the dismay which such spectacles occasioned, we were al ways devising some way to get back to " God's Country," as wc used to will it. There wcro two sources of hope left to us exchange or escape. Sometimes word would reach us that an exchange had been agreed upon, and our faces would brighten up at the very possibility of seeing homo once more, and then, when day after day passed without further news, we would be plunged in still deeper despair. TIES'XELIXG TOOLS. Escape was possible only through tunneling be neath the stockade, and that was attended with great risk as well as danger. Still it was never without its allurements for somo of us. The guaids kept a very sharp watch upon our move ments, and although thero were, from first to last, somo fifty thousand men confined at An dersonville, not more than four hundred, I think, ever succeeded in baflling the hounds and getting clear away. Of this number, in deed, the majority wcro afterwards recaptured and returned to old Wirz, or sent to some other prison. Many attempts were made to scale the stockade, but tho guards were so numerous that it was impossible to cross the dead-lino without being shot. As for the gates, they wero only opened to admit new captives, or the rebel sor gcant whose duty it was to call the roll, or tho wagon with the rations. Nor was it an easy matter to dig a tunnel without being detected. Wiiz was always on tho alert, and it was a com mon thing to have the work broken up after somo poor fellow had spent weeks upon it. It was necessary to excavate for a distance of fifty or sixty feet in order to reach the exterior of tho prison, and tho lack of proper instruments made tho work one of great difficulty. Tho ends of the logs of which tho stockade Avas con structed were driven sqmc fivo feet into the ground, and there was always great danger that one of them would fall in and bury tho boys under it. I have known many a c.iso where the digger was caught in that fix, and nearly smothered to death beforo ho could bo res cued. In ono instance, the comrades of a prisoner who had met with an accident of this kind wcro compelled to call in the guards in order to effect his release. 1 remember that Wirz was highly amused by this incident. Had he been present at the time I am iuclincd to think ho would have ordered tho guards to let tho fellow die thero. Ho took a fiendish delight in our sufferings. Tho im plement generally used in the work of excava tion was a half-canteen, and it answered the purpose of a scoop very well in some respects. A canteen, as all old soldiers know, is soldered together in the middle, and the half canteens mado very handy utensils for cooking purposes as well as for digging a road to freedom. A prisoner who owned a canteen was considered a lucky fellow at Andersonville. Wo used to contrive a very good handle out of a split stick. As a rule the place chosen for starting a tunnel was somo liltlo blanket tent pitched as near tho dead-lino as possible, so as not to have to excavate for any greater distance than w:is absolutely necessary. Tho first digger would lie flat on his stomach, and as he scooped away the dirt in front of him push it back with iis hands and feet until the man behind him could reach it. The latter would thou push it back to tho man behind him, and when it reached the mouth of tho tunnel another man would scoop it up in bags mado by tying up tho legs of our pantaloons aitd carry it off to the .swamp, whero ib could bo emptied in safety. The work was extremely fatiguing, and work ing parties wcro generally organized into sec tions aud relieved every half hour. liitANDIXG A THA1T011. Wirz, as I have said, was always on tho alert to detect and break up any liltlo schemes of tin's kind, and used to hold out special induce ments to tho men to betray their comrades. Tho bounty-jumpers were very serviceable to him in this respect, but ho would sometimes .send in somo of his own men to act as spies. On ono occasion when a tunnel had been broken up through tho treachery of ono of the prisoners, the boys managed to identify the traitor and at first wero for putting him to death a fato which ho richly merited, con sidering that to prevent his fellow prisonera from escaping was not much better than mur der, li was finally decided, however, to brand the traitor with the letter T. There happened to bo a sailor among the prisoners who was a tattoo artist of considerable renown, and after consultation ho was directed to brand the traitor by burning tho top of tho letter T across his forehead and tho stem down hisnoso. It required only half an hour to do tho work but it must have seemed an eternity to the victim. Wirz was so enraged when ho heard of the punishment that had been meted out to tho wretch that ho threatened to slop tho ra tions of the wholo camp. I never knew what became of the traitor. Ho was sent outside of tho stockado and kept at tho cook-houso for some time, after which ho mysteriously disap peared. Ho must havo borno tho mark to his dying day. But if the difficulties which attended every attempt to escape from the stockado wero so formidablo what shall I say of those which had to bo surmounted on reaching tho exterior. There were the guards to be eluded, tho blood- j hounds to be bafllcd, and finally some three or four hundred miles of tho enemy's country to bo traversed before a place of safety could bo reached. No wonder that so few who risked their lives to reach "God's Country" ever found it. rrvc nuxDBED lasiies. Brutal as was tho treatment to which wo were subjected, that which the colored prison ersreceived was even more inhuman. Their wounds wero allowed to go undressed and they were compelled to do the hardest sort of work daily on tho scantiest rations. Death was tho only friend they had and ho was a frequent visitor. There wero several hundred slaves, in addition to these prisoners, working in tho vicinity of tho camp, and as they wero march ing tho colored soldiers back into the stockade one of these slaves slipped into tho ranks and tried to pass through tho gates with them. This made the rebels furious, aud they gave him 500 lashes on the baro back for that trifling pieco of disobedience. I was a reluctant wit ness of one of these lashings. During tho month of May, when both armies had taken the field aud tho campaign had re opened in earnest, thero was a very large in crease in the arrivals of new prisoners. Grant alone lost some seven or eight thousand men in that month, and every train that arrived at Andcrsonvillo brought from one to three squads of captives. They wero first taken to Wirz's headquarters, where their clothing was searched and their names entered upon the prison records the clerical work being done by pris oners detailed from tho stockade and then marched through the gates past tho rebel in fantry and artillery, drawn up in line of battle to preveut an outbreak. Among them wero a largo number of zouaves, aud wc always knew by the sizo of tho squad whether they were from Grant's or Sherman's army. The heavi est arrivals were from the former. By the end of tho month there were fully eighteen thou sand, fivo hundred men confined in the stock ado, or nearly fifteen hundred to the acre. It was now impossible to spare tho room neces sary for streets, and scarcely enough ground was left for exercise. The soil becamo inde scribably filthy, and tho men wcro forced to ncstlo together like so many pigs. Tho odors arising from tho swamp were fairly stifling, and the slimy ooze was swarming with white maggots. Yet wc had to use the water which trickled through this sink of corruption! A road had been constructed across tho swamp on the west sido along tho dead-line, whoro the stream entered the pen, and thither the ma jority of the prisoners used to go for water, which was a littlo less filthy there than else where. It was at this point that tho dead-line acquired its bloody fame, for the guards many of them mere boys were quick to fire upon any one who crossed the line, and often shot a prisoner down without any provocation or ex cuse whatever. It was simply butchery, butchery horrible beyond conception. Scarcely a day passed that some one did not fall a victim to their murderous fire. Yet the men con tinued to run the risk they had to have water, or die! Naturally, tho last comers fared the worst, for they wero unacquainted with the devilish regulations of the prison, and through sheer ignorauce exposed ihcmselvcs to the dan gers of tho dead-line. Did Wirz care? Not a whit. He was delighted with this carnage. Tho guards seemed to think thero was no more harm in killing a Yankee than in shooting a laud dog, aud Wirz was of the same opinion. One of them was overheard to say : " I heard ouhot p,, 'Yank' last night." "Yes," said tho other, "I did, and, God! but ycr ought tcr of heerd him holler!" THE YOU'N'G PRISONER. By this time I had become acquainted with ndarly everybody outside of the stockade, and, of course, was well posted as to everything that was going on. I recall ono incident that seemed strangely out of place at such a spot as Andcr sonvillo. Ono day there arrived at the stock ade a prisoner by tho namo of Hunt. He had been engaged somewhere in ferrying goods for the Union army, and his wife had been cap lured with him. They had evidently been well-oft, and were both line-looking aud accom plished. At first Hunt was confined in the htockadc, but at his wife's entreaty ho was finally allowed to occupy a littlo tent with her outside of tho enclosure. They had been mar ried but a year or so, I think, and wcro very fond of each other. I recall the circumstance becauso I was aroused from my slumbers one morning (I still slept at Wirz's headquarters) by tho cook coming into my room and calling out, " I say, what do you think of tho now prisoner?" I could not imagine what ho meant until ho told mo after a while that Mrs. Hunt had given birth to a son during the night. A born prisoner that was a novely wo had never expected to see at Andcrsonvillo. Tho baby was a fine, healthy littlo fellow, and his advent mado such a stir in the neighborhood that sev eral ladies called to pay their respects to tho mother. I wonder if ho is still living? Ho must bo npxroaching manhood by this time, and yet it seems but yesterday that tho cook asked mo what I thought of the "new prisoner." To be continued. tlnck Tars as Soldiers. From the London World. One of the difficulties of manipulating the naval brigade on shore is to get them to under stand military words of command. I can sym pathise with tho staff officer who tried, but in vain, to get a battalion of sailors to maiuouvre round tho corner of a house. He gave all tho orthodox and regulation Avords of command "right Avheel," "bring the left shouldor for ward," &c, but Jack remained obstinately fixed. At hist a naval officer, Avho AA'as stand ing by, on being appealed to, solved tho ques tion. "Get them round thathouso? Is that allyouAvant? Hero! Bluc-jaekots," he cried, "luff, and Avcather that house!" Tho sailors wcro round tho corner in a twinkling. A Wowan'.s Discovery. Woman's Avit has mado a discovery in Avinc making from which competent judges expect important results. Tho lady ha3 renown for homc-mado Avinc. The peculiar flavor of tho apricot struck hor as being superior to any flavor in tho best French champaguo Avincs. To know if the Avine Avould carry tho bouquet, sho made from fully ripo fruit a cask of apricot wine, domestic fashion, and gavo it a year's seasoning beforo bottling. From every bottle uncorked tho Avinc rushed sparkling like cham pagne, and filled tho room Avith odor of exquis ite fragrance. Sho had not dreamt that tho wino Avas a natural effervescent. It Avas sub mitted to wine men Avith requests to namo tho grapo it camo from. Consumption in its early stages is readily cured by tho use of Dr. Pierce's " Golden Med ical Discovery," though, if the lungs aro Avasted no medicine "will effect a cure. No knoAvn remedy possesses such soothing and healing in fluence over all scrofulous, tuberculous, and pulmonary affections as tho " Discovery." John Willis, of Elyria, Ohio, Avritcs: "Tho ' Goldon Medical Discovery' docs positively euro con sumption, as, after trying every other medicine in vain, this succeeded." Mr. Z. T. Phelps, of Cuthbcrt, Ga., writes f "Tho 'Golden Medical Discovery' has cured my wife of bronchitis aud incipient consumption," Sold by druggists, TRYING TO ESCAPE. Hiding in Cane-brakes and Living on Persimmons. HORRORS OF SALISBURY. Mowing Down tlie Prisoners "With. Cannon. On the 20th of September, 1SG3, 1, with many others, Avas captured at Chickamauga. Wc Averc marched to tho railroad, sent to Atlanta, robbed of pocket-kniA'es and trinkets, then sent to Richmond, and placed in the Pemberton building, a large brick across the street from Libby. Here Ave laid on the floor for about tAVO months, AA-hen avo were removed to DanA'ille, and placed in a largo brick, Avithout fire or covering. The small-pox broke out among us. Many died, many were taken out to the hos pital, aud many remained Avithout medical aid of any kind. We were fed about enough to sustain life and keep us in perpetual misery. Rico soup AA'as brought us in Avooden pails; often I have skimmed off a gill of vermin from a pail of soup. The first of April we were placed on the cars and sent to Andersonville. The scenes described thero by " Free Lance" are not overdrawn ; indeed, no language can exaggerate tho horrors and miseries of that Golgotha. Many wcro turned in there destitute of CA'cry thing but a pair of dnrwers and a shirt. Many aa'Iio walked around through the day were found dead in the morning. It wa3 one continual scene of human avoo and misery. The prisoner mentioned by "Free Lance," Avho Avas shot AA'hile dipping up Avater at the dead line, AA'as within a foAvfeet of me at tho time ho fell, but never spoke. A fine young man, Avho slept near mo on the ground, had the top of his head bloAvn off AA'hile he AA'as asleep, the guard firing into the prison for amusement. I here give tho namc3 of a feAV acquaintances I kncAV avIio died there: B. F. Bomer, William Xicholcss, Fred. Grosh, Hiram Shrigley, James Sutton, and Albert McCIurg, of the Tenth Wisconsin infantry, besides many others whom I do not now remember. In the full Ave Avere removed (a batch of about 1,G00) to Florence, S. C, and placed in an old deserted field Avhile they prepared a prison. After being there a couple of days Ave made a rush upon the guard, and about 500 of us succeeded in getting to a large swamp covered Avith cane brush. Many Averc the shots fired, but how many AAere killed I noA'er kneAA'. Myself and one other traveled together beyond tho SAvamp and secreted our selves in a fence corner for the day, wheu Ave heard Aroices, and on looking out from our place of concealment Ave beheld three soldiers with their muskets, searching for something, Ave knew not Avhat. They paused for a few mo ments and then passed on. We remained quiet until night, and then proceeded on our Avay. Our course AvasnortliAvest; our guide the North star. We traveled mostly at night if it AA'as not cloudy. We subsisted on corn, persimmons and Avhatever Ave could find. One day A'e saw a man and a negro Avoman pulling corn blades in a field, and being nearly starved, avc con cluded to call on thorn for food. As avc came up they both faced usj but the woman in the rear of the maul Wo made known to him our wants and begged for bread. He had none, but pointed to a house some distance off, and told us to go there aud avc Aould get all we desired. The negress shook her head, and this gave us to understand that danger Avas there. Wo then appealed to tho woman, Avho soon placed two Aery largo pones of bread and dozen sweet potatoes (raw) before us. It took us but a short time todeA'our them, and start npon our way. Wo had proceeded about tAAo miles when we becamo so stupid avo could go no further. Wo craAA'led into a thicket and Avent to sleep. On aAvaking a'o found ourselves refreshed, and as tho sun Avas about two hours high Ave started on our journey. We suddenly camo upon two women Avashing at a creek. We Avere now in a road Avith swamp.s aud cano brush on each side of us. Being someAvhat careless AA'e took the road and passed !iac or six houses in as many miles, in tAA'o of Avhich tho inmates AA'ero AA-atch-ing our course. Darkness came on and Ave still kept tho road. Soon aa'0 came near a small cabin by tho sido of a lane. We paused in about twenty yards of it to consult, and we heard the sound of horses feet in our rear. Quickly secret ing ourseh'cs avo saAV a man pass by and pause at tho cabin. The door Avas opened, and a man came out and said, "What is up, Douglass?" Ho replied, "A couple of Yanks have passed up the road and I am going to have them ; I AA'ill go on to toAA'n aud come back tho other road, and you bo ready, should they come along, and take them in." He then Aveut on, and after everything was quiet, AA'e cnnvled for about one hundred yards and changed our course. Soon avc camo upon another road, and felt sure this was tho ono Douglass would return on. We concealed ourselves so we had a fair view of the same. About midnight ho passed by on his return, aud as'o immediately resumed our jour ney. Wo slept in the woods, in hog-beds, in fodder-pens, and swamps. We suffered beyond expression from cold rains, frosts and hunger, and Avero recaptured after Ae got in about a day's travel of Charlottesville, N. C. Wc Avere drag ged about from ono place to another for a couple of AA'ceks, and then sent to Salisbury, N. C. ncre Avas another scene of agony and wretch edness that can never bo erased from my mind AA'hile memory lasts. There AverefourorfiA'cbrick buildings inside of the prison AA'alls, and these Avero filled with the sick and Aoundcd. When avo first Avent in there, avc Avoro confined in a house Avith about 200 bounty-jumpers from the Union army, having come there for protection. They immediately plundered and robbed tts of everything aa'o had gathered up on our trip. They soou learned avc were from Anderson ville, aud they droA'e us out of tho building and SAA'ore thoy Avere going to kill ns becauso Are had hung the six raiders thero. In a foAV days a fresh supply of prisoners from Grant's army arrived, and Ave then drove them into their building and kept them thero until thoy Avore removed. We Avero hero destitute of clothing, aud received very little food, of the most filthy kind; tho entrails of cattle AA'ere divided among us on ono occasion. I Avell remember aa'o re ceived a piece of beef tripe about thrco inches square, raAV and uncleaned, for a day's rations. Tho Avinter Avcathor AA'as cold and seA'ere. and the old prisoners died moro rapidly here thau at Andcrsonvillo; many AA'ero frozen to death ; many AA'oro to be seen cnvwling around AA'ith their feet frozen until tho flesh dropped from the bones. Several citizens volunteered their assistance to doctor and AA'ait on tho sick. Feet, hands, legs and arms AA'ere amputated daily from tho effect of frost. On ono occasion, whilo a dozen guards AA'ero in tho prison, the prison ers seized them and took away their arms; immediately tho entiro guard opened fire upon guilty aud innocent. A cannon sweeping the full length of the prison AA'as brought into ac tion and an indiscriminate slaughter of all AA'as kept up for somo time. At last I fell sick with pneumonia, and was placed in tho hospital. Hero avo lay spoon fashion in a little straw on the floor, covered, with Ywmin and filth, 1 I have seen, in that "Hole of Calcutta," men Avith their necks and scalps raw and bleeding from the effects of lice. The straw was ground to poAvdcr, and could bo seen kept in motion by vermin. Often have I found in the morn ing, three and four, and sometimes a dozen comrades lying dead on each sido of mc. I craAvlcd on my hands across the building to get a drink of Avater. I remained for a number of days, breathing in great pain, with my hand holding to the flesh on my side. I had sores eaten in my flesh by tho vermin, when I be came too weak to keep them doAA'n. God only knoAvs the agony and woo of that place. Whilo I now reflect upon the excruciating pain which I witnessed tho noble patriots enduring thero as martyrs, scA'entccn years ago, I cannot re frain from dropping tears of sympathy. Daily recruiting officers came to the gate offering a bounty in gold, clothing, and food, to those who would enlist for tho confederacy. A few en listed and left us, but the majority stubbornly refused, and often replied to their persuasive calls: " Wo will remain here and die, but neVer swear allegiance to tho C. S. A.JJ While hero I formed tho acquaintance of Mr. Richardson, correspondent of tho Ncav York Tribune. Ho and several others mado their escape. Our Government sent us shoes and clothing, but it was nearly all stolen and given to rebels. I got Avhilo hero half of a blanket given mo for my share, and some one stole that from me. About the 1st of April I was paroled, with others, and sent to Richmond, thence down tho James to our lines. I had a constitution when I Aveut into the army excelled by no one ijh Avhom I ever met, but I returned home a phys ical Avrcck, Avith a disease of tho eyes from Avhich I never expect to be free. I wish Mr. Bently had been in Salisbury along with Senator Beck and the editors of some of those Eastern journals during the war. I doubt their pursuing the course they do now. I AA'as a prisoner about eighteen months, saw and experienced AA'hat I AA'ould not again though I had to surrender life. I here wish to tender the gratitude of my heart to a confederate sol dier by the name of Richard Norton, belonging to the TAA'elfth Virginia battalion. Should ho see this he will remember the man to whom ho gavo about half a bushel of corn bread ono night AA'hile he was on guard in the Pemberton building at Richmond. I also have kind feel ings for Major Moffatt, who AA'as connected Avith ns at DanA'ille, Va., and Avhom I saw once at Salisbury. Ho there told me he would try and do something for me; but he Avas too hu mane a man to remain there long. As for Wirz, both of the Cobs, and Winder at Andersonville, McGee, and several lesser lights of barbarism, whom I recollect at Richmond, including ono Tolbert, and Brady at DanA'ille, they can never get their jnst dues this side of the infernal re gions, and there they will not be in as doleful a place as the prisoners over whom they ruled. H. T. Talbott, Co. 1, 10th Reg. Wis. Inf. Versailles, Mo. Tho Copperhead's Enemy. From the Martin Index. Under the tree lay a "copperhead" snake about tAA'o and one-half feet in length, perfectly motionless. On the other side of the reptile, about ono or two inches from its head, there Avas a large green worm fastened to the body of the snake. Its poAverful mandibles wero fastened to the neck of the snake, and its legs, Avhich Avero pointed Avith sharp, strong fangs, Avere firmly planted in the reptile's body. Evi dently, so far as the Avorm was concerned, ifc Avas an assault Avith intent to murder. Mr. Oftkea seized a stiek and dispatched both snake and worm. He informed us that he had noticed of late on hisfarm several " copperhead" snakes all disemboAA'elled, aud could not account for it, as the dead snakes bore no evidence of hav ing been killed by human beings. The cir cumstances above related convinced him that they had been killed and disemboAA'elled by these Avorms. The worm was not a centiped, but its body resembled that of a very large to bacco worm, except that its mandibles and fangs Avere different. Tackling the lVrong Freshman. From the Leiciston Journal. A littlo while since, four bold, bad sopho mores in a certain college in Maine wenfc into the room of a freshman Avhom they judged to be verdant. After the sophomores had got into tho room tho freshman asked what they Avished. " Oh, Ave've come to put you through," AA'as the reply. The freshman told them they had better not attempt anything, but they scornfully refused to listen to advice from a member of a loAver class, and made a rush for the youth Avhom they took to be green. With a blow he laid one of the bold sophs upon his back. In the melee that folloAvcd the light AA'as overturned and extinguished, when tho freshman grasped a chair and the sophomores AA'ere obliged to beat a hasty and disastrous re treat. Tho next morning the freshman was called before the president of the college, who inquired the cause of the disturbance in his room the pre cedingevening. The freshman narrated the cir cumstances of tho ease A'ery minutely, and tho president listened AA'ith the greatest attention. When tho freshman had finished, the president said: "And you cleaned them out?" "Yes," AA'as tho ansAA'er. "I congratulate you upon your success," said the president, as he took tho boy's hand and gave it a hearty shake. An Elgin (HI.) man, broke his arm AA'hile put ting on a clean shirt. Ho was unaccustomed to tho exercise. Feck's Sun. SONGS OF THE CAMP. The Ticket-Guard. "All quiet along tho Potomac," they say, " Except, now and then, a stray picket Is shot as ho walks on his beat to and fro, By a rifleman hid in tho thicket. 'Tis nothlnjr a private or tA'o, noAV and then, Will not count in thetiCAA's of the battle; Not an ofliecr lost only one of the men Moaning out, till nlone, the dcuth-rattle." All quiet nloiiK the Potomac to-night, Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming; Their tents, in the rays of the clear autumn moon Or the light of the watch-lire, are claiming. A tremulous Msli, ns the gentle night-wiiul Through tho forest-leaves softly is creeping; While etars up nbove, Avith their glittering eyes, Iveepuard for the army is sleeping. There's only-the sound of the lone sentry's tread fc As' ho tramps from the rock to the fountain, Amltblnk&oftho two in the low trundle-bed, Far iiAA-ay in tho cot on the mountain. His musket fulls slack his face, dark and grim. Grows gentle Avith memories tender. As he mutters a prayer for the children asleep For their mother may hc.iA'en defend her I The moon seems to shine just ns brightly ns then. That night when tho love yet unspoken Lenped up to his lips Avhcn loAV-murmured vows Were pledged to be ever unbroken. Then drnAving his sleeve roughly over his eyes, lie dashes off tears that are welling, And gnthers his gun closer up to its place, As if to keep doAvn the hcart-SAvelling. lie passes the fountain, tho blasted pine tree, The footstep is lagging nnd weary; Yet onward ho goes, through the broad belt of light, Toward tho sliado of the forest so drenry. Hark! Ai'ns it tho night-Avind that rustled tho leaves? Was It moonlight so Ai'ondrously flashing? It looked like a rifle "Ha! Mary, good-by !" And the life-blood is ebbing; and plashing. f AH quiet along the Potomnc to-night, No sound save tho rush of the river; While soft falls the dew on the face of the dend The picket's off duty forever! E. B.