Life and Death
in
Rebel Prisons
Rare original 1865 first edition of “Life and Death in
Rebel Prisons” by
Robert H. Kellogg, Sgt. Major, 16th Regt. Connecticut Volunteers. Printed by
Wiley, Waterman and Eaton. Book contains 423 very interesting pages of the
detailed History of the Inhuman and barbarous Treatment of Our Brave Soldiers by
Rebel Authorities Inflicting Terrible Suffering and Frightful Mortality,
Principally at Andersonville, G. A. and Florence, S. C. describing plans of
escape, arrival of prisoners with numerous and varied incidents and anecdotes of
prison life. Includes twelve illustrations. There
is also an appendix on the trial and execution of Wirz, the Demon of
Andersonville. Book is in good condition for being 147 years old and measures 5″
X 7 1/2″. Original brown cloth. All pages appear to be present.
The book is
dedicated to the Widows, Children, Fathers, Mothers, Brothers and Sisters. Of
the thousand of brave men who have left their homes in the morning of life;
sundered family and social ties; abandoned cherished enterprises and business
schemes, for the purpose of maintaining the laws of freedom inviolate, and in
the faithful performance of their duty, have been captured by the enemy, and
down to untimely graves through unparalleled sufferings, is the volume most
respectfully dedicated.
PREFACE
No chapter in the
history of our unhappy civil war, is so well calculated to enlist the sympathies
of the people, as the one enumerating the sorrows of our brave soldiers who have
been so unfortunate as to fall into the hands of the enemy, as prisoners of war.
The multiplied woes of the
battle-field; the sufferings of the sick and wounded in Hospitals which our own
Government has provided, are almost the enjoyments of Paradise, in comparison
with the fearful and prolonged agonies of Prisoners in Rebel Stockades.
Sad and mournful as it seems
in the former case, there are mitigating circumstances which tend to soothe the
feelings as we contemplate them. Their sufferings are comparatively short, and
during the season of their continuance they arc surrounded by those who are
assiduous in effort to provide comfort and relief. Agents of the various humane
societies can reach them and do them good ; but in the latter case, they
have passed the line which bars them from all these things.
“We are even
forced to believe, by the treatment to which they have been subjected by their
captors, that it was their deliberate intention to destroy them, and that too in
the most aggravated manner. They have allowed them to become so reduced in
clothing as to have scarcely rags for a covering; they have condemned them to
hunger and thirst, pain and weariness, affliction and misery in every
conceivable form, so that the helpless beings have looked upon the approach of
the King of Terrors as the arrival of a welcome messenger that had come to bring
them a happy release.
When we consider these things, and our interest
in, and relation to the cause which led them to peril their lives in this way,
we can but feel that the public at large have a deep concern in these recitals.
In the preparation of the
present volume, we have had an eye, not so much to a literary production, as to
a simple, truthful story of prison life; one which the survivors thereof should
recognize as just, and the people of the country could accept as reliable and
honest.
It is no place for brilliant
fiction and exciting romance. These have been scrupulously avoided, but
nevertheless, there are things which are as strange as the former and
stirring as the latter.
If there are things which
seem incredible, it is to be borne in mind that hitherto we have had but slight
knowledge of what is meant to be a prisoner at the far South, and that these
things come to us almost
as new revelations.
Not an incident has been
given but what can be confirmed on good authority; no coloring has been given
to anything but what known facts would justify.
The author has gone fully
into detail of every day life at Andersonville, as here was the spot where the climax of
rebel barbarity was reached.
It was the original design to
have adopted a similar plan with reference to some other prominent Prisons, but on consultation
with different parties who had been discharged from these various points, it was
found to be substantially the same, and would therefore be only repetition.
The short sketches which we
give of these, will enable the public to form a correct idea of the general
system of treatment applied by the rebels to our soldiers who fall into their
hands as prisoners.
The spirited and striking
illustrations which were obtained expressly for these pages; the plans of
prisons, &c., &c., are executed in a credible style, and form an
attractive feature of the whole.
As the author had only a short
furlough of thirty days, it became necessary to obtain a person accustomed to
such work to prepare this manuscript for the press, and attend to the reading of
the proof. In changing the style of the journal to a running narrative, the
language is often different from the original, but the facts are strictly
observed.
Contents
CHAPTER
1
Situation of Plymouth
The Garrison ; Forts and Naval
Fleet
Sabbath Attack of the 17th of April
First appearance of
Cavalry Pickets in Town
The Federal Forces holding the Town ; Attack
upon Fort Gray
Wives of Loyal North Carolinians sent to Roanoke Island
Wounding of Captain Burke
Effect of National Airs at the BreastworksSinking the SouthfieldThe Rebels charge upon Plymouth RedoubtsGen. Hoke demands surrender ; the Federal Officer refuses, and the capture of his men is the resultMarch to Secessia ; Camping-ground at NightTreatment of the 35th N. C. Regiment, as GuardsArrival at Williamstown, N. C. The Soldiers send letters NorthEntrance into the yard of a man who had taken the oath of allegiance to Uncle SamReflections the first Sabbath after the captureThe ranks searched for Rebel DesertersYankee Trades to satisfy hungerPrisoners sent to Goldsboro, N. C. The remainder sent from Tarboro Miserable Fare at WilmingtonImmense Fire kindled by a Soldier
CHAPTER II
The First of May in Charleston
Reception of the “Plymouth Pilgrims,” The Georgia Central Railroad ; Arrival at Macon The Regiment reach Andersonville ; manner in which they were classed and divided
Fearful spectacle on entering the PrisonRations; efforts to procure shelter ; Death’s exchange
Warnings of the old Prisoners concerning the “Dead Line” Gen. Cobb’s Visit of Inspection ; Plan of Escape ; Blood-hounds put upon their track
Narrow escape from Death
The Lawless Gang, called “Mosby’s Raiders,” in Prison
The Lifeless Bodies of Ten Men lying at the Gate
A Sick Man’s Bath in the Prison Stream
Demonstration at a Sham Fight
Treatment of Prisoners by Rebels and Federals contrasted
The cruel suspicions forced upon menTrue spirit of the Union Soldiers
Hopes excited by the Promise of ExchangeAccount of the Battle between Grant and Lee, by the “Macon Telegraph,” A Rebel Officer calling for a Sergeant who could write his name
The Thirteen in a Hospital Tent
Rebel Forces sent to Dalton to oppose Sherman
Arrival of Prisoners ; slight attention to comfort
CHAPTER III
The Rebels discover a Tunnel ; threats in consequence,
A Secret Organization to devise new Plans of Escape,
A Picnic among the “Johnnies,”
New Prisoners robbed by the Prison Marauders
Richmond History, called “The Second Year of the War”
The Messenger Rainbow
Sabbath in Rebel Prison
A Cripple shot for going inside the “Dead Line”
Death again in the Tent of the Thirteen ; a Prayer Meeting
Punishment for Violation of Orders
Captured Men from Resaca
Enlargement of the Prison Limits
The Stockade undermined
Disclosure of the Plot to Capt. Wirtz
Notice of Captain posted upon the Prison Gate
The Men from Grant’s Army robbed of Coats, Blankets, and
Haversacks
Energy of Character necessary for the Prisoner
Rebel Effort and Yankee Ingenuity
Manner of Distributing the Rations
Camp Raiders and False Promises
Tile “Old Dutchman”
Entrance of some of the 1st Mass. Regiment into Prison
The “Modus Operandi” of Tunneling
A severe Rain Storm
Jeff Davis asking for an Armistice
Visit to the Woods
Agitation of the Rebel Element
Camp Surroundings
The caving after being sunk ninety feet
Hints concerning Retaliation
Measures to Retain Activity of Mind
Question raised by suffering from Cold and Exposure
CHAPTER IV
Prisoners from Butler’s and Grant’s Army, with the Dog “Trip,”
A Yankee TraitorConfidential Talk with a Union Man
A Man buried alive ; two Men wounded ; Gen. Sturgis
Gold News from New York ; Corporal B
Reward for Shooting a Soldier
How the Remedies for the Sick were obtained July 7th, the promised Day of Exchange Prisoners who had been Robbed, sent to Gen. “Winder for settlement
Going for Wood; Story of the Lost Knife
An exciting Robbery ; one Man Killed
The Rebel Quartermaster and Limber Jim
Completion of the Addition to the Stockade
Night efforts of the Prisoners to obtain Fuel
A School for Patience
Discouragement leading to Insanity
Prison Celebration of July 4th
Visit of the Catholic Priest
Meeting by the Brook-side
Death of J. Hoskins
Suffering for the want of Good Water
Sentence of Death by Hanging ; Escape of one of the Victims ;
His Re-capture
CHAPTER V
Building a Mud Stove ; Capt. Wirtz declaring a new Outbreak disclosed
Sudden Marshaling of the Rebel Forces
Preaching by Elder Shephard
Last Hours of D _____, of the 16th Regiment
A Petition of the Prisoners, urging the President and Governors of States to procure release for them Within and Without
Men caught while at work in a Tunnel
Bartering a Gold Pen for Food
A Vote upon the “Petition” called for
Early’s Cavalry Prisoners
White Flags
Attempt to entice Prisoners to make Shoes for the Confederate Government
Conversation with one of the Rebel Guard
Peculiarities of Southern Dialect
Views of a Kentucky Surgeon upon Slavery
Service of a Confederate Chaplain
Thunder Storms
Victim of Insanity in the Prison Stream ; Various Forms of Derangement
A Living Man devoured by Maggots
Lines on a Blank Leaf of a Bible
Sentiments of a ” Secesh ” Young Lady as written to her Lover
The Rebel Flag
Lieut. Strains and his Party
Organization of the Regimental Church
Corporal Flower, of Hartford, Ct.
A Prisoner accidentally shot
A Terrific Rain Storm
Risking Life to obtain Wood
CHAPTER VIConfidence in the GovernmentHuman Nature as manifest in the Confederacy Taunts of a certain Officer of the Day Intensity of Home Longing Jimmy B______ , of Company A,
Photographic Artists from Macon,
The appearance of Scurvy
Joy at news of the arrival of Northern Letters
Effcet of Peace Sensation Stories
Sickness of Capt. Wirtz; Character of his Successor
Visit of ft Confederate Captain
Personal attack of Scurvy
New Regime instituted by Lieut. Davis,
Rebel Boastings of Prison Representatives
Queries upon conditions of Exchange
Return of the Prison CommandantKind Act of Gen. WinderDemise of Orderly Sergeant L , of Co. C,
Desire of the Prisoner to die at Home
The Day of Deliverance hailed with Joy
The dying Message of Evans
Loyal North Carolinians
“Flanking out;” Orders to be ready for moving
Sorrowful Thoughts induced by leaving,
CHAPTER VII
Wide felt Interest in the Hospital
Its situation at Andersonville,
Reluctance of the Men to enter so wretched a place
The miserable condition of the Sick,
A Sacrifice seemingly useless
Loyal Men treated like ConvictsCharacter of Physicians
The Sick-callA Prisoner Shot while warming himself
Cruel manifestation of selfishness
Rations for the SickLiving Skeletons — variety of disease Fearful working of Gangrene, The Sick Men tormented with Vermin Rebel Testimony respecting Hospital Treatment Tenacity of Life Incident in the life of D. S, Birdsell The Dead-House, Marking and Numbering the Dead ; Manner of carrying them out
Place of Burial
Want and Woe leaving Devotion to the Union Cause unimpaired
CHAPTER VIII
Departure from Prison
Delight at beholding the Green Earth again, The Soldiers’ Reception at Augusta ; Kindness of Mrs. O’Donnell
Interview with a Rebel Soldier Entrance into Charleston ; the Men told it was but a hurried removal
The Race Course appropriated as Camp Ground
Disappointment of the Men ; A New Organization
No escape from the ” Dead Line,”
Call of a Rebel Officer for Volunteers to do Service for them
Sisters of Charity
My admission into the Hospital
The reasonings of Faith to inspire Courage
Act that savored of Inhumanity to the Men
A Scene in the Room for Amputation
The Rebel Sutler and his Prices
A Rebel Soldier’s Disobedience of Orders
Anecdote of the Young Surgeon Union Song
Shelling of the City by Union Soldiers
Appearance of the Yellow Fever; Humorous Incident
Journey to Florence; Story of the Man who feigned Death
The Darkie Woman and her Bread
CHAPTER IX
Night Entrance into Florence ; Emotions at sight of the Stockade
Oath of Allegiance to the Confederacy
Admission to the Florence Hospital through Dr. Strother
Detailed as Hospital Steward; Signing Parole of Honor
Sentiments of Assistant Surgeon, Junius O’Brien
Supplies from the Sanitary Commission
Insufficiency of Medicines
Dr. Garrett and the Plantation Burials
The Doctor who was an Original Signer of the Secession Act,
Exchange of Cotton for potatoes
Excitement at the Presidential Election — Ballots and Beans
Barbarous Punishment at Florence for attempting to Escape
O’Brien’s Instructions to the Prisoners
Amusing Trade of a ” Johnnie,”
Employment of Slaves
Religious Element of the Negro
Character of their Songs ; Rev. Mr. Gardner, of the I36th Ohio
Regiment, a Victim of Death
Sad Reduction of Rations at the Hospital
Cruelty of Lieut. Barrett
Thanksgiving Day as a Prisoner
Signing the Parole
A Stolen Interview of two Rebels Introduction to Savannah ; A Wealthy Cotton Factor ; The Pie Woman
Saying of Dr. Orme to Steward Reed, of the 12th N. Y. Regiment, as he was leaving What was felt at Sight of the Old Flag Receiving and Clothing Ship The Feeding Ship Crescent
Manifestations of Joy by the Released Prisoners
Meeting with a Naval Vessel
Weighing Anchor at Annapolis CHAPTER X
Situation of Libby ; its Name synonymous with Terror
Abusive Treatment
Men Shot for looking through the Window
Description by E. Kirke
Associations of Castle Thunder The distinction made by Southerners between Gentlemen and
Common People
Glimpse at Belle Isle
Story of Howard Leedom
Men Frozen to Death
The Natural Consequences of War
Original Design of Salisbury Prison
Testimony of Mr. Richardson Description of it as viewed by Mr. Brown lmperfect Idea of Southern imprisonment
Raleigh a comparatively Favored Place, Kind Attention of the Union Ladies
Surroundings of Millen Prison
Number confined there
The fearful Mortality of the Place Rations – their quantity and quality ; Inducements to join the Confederacy
Excitement at the Presidential Election
Humanity of the Guards ; Barbarous Act of a Rebel Surgeon
Reason for a Hurried Removal
The Country’s Sacrifice
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Midnight Storm Our Miserable Lodgings
Stockade at Andersonville
Blood Hounds Capturing Prisoners
Mode of Dealing Out Rations
Hanging Union Prisoners
Break in the Stockade
Plan of Hospital, Andersonville
Interior View of Hospital
Plan of Stockade at Florence
Hanging by the Thumbs
View of Libby Prison
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