第19章

Therewaslittlechanceforanyonetoaccumulatefleshontherationswewerereceiving。IsayitinallsobernessthatIdonotbelievethatahealthyhencouldhavegrownfatuponthem。Iamsurethatanygood—

sized"shanghai"eatsmoreeverydaythanthemeagerhalfloafthatwehadtomaintainlifeupon。Scantyasthiswas,andhungryasallwere,verymanycouldnoteatit。Theirstomachsrevoltedagainstthetrash;

itbecamesonauseoustothemthattheycouldnotforceitdown,evenwhenfamishing,andtheydiedofstarvationwiththechunksoftheso—

calledbreadundertheirhead。Ifoundmyselfrapidlyapproachingthiscondition。Ihadbeenblessedwithagooddigestionandatalentforsleepingunderthemostdiscouragingcircumstances。These,Ihavenodoubt,wereofthegreatestassistancetomeinmystruggleforexistence。Butnowtherationsbecamefearfullyobnoxioustome,anditwasonlywiththegreatesteffort——pullingthebreadintolittlepiecesandswallowingeach,oftheseasonewouldapill——thatIsucceededinworryingthestuffdown。Ihadnotasyetfallenawayverymuch,butasIhadnever,up,tothattime,weighedsomuchasonehundredandtwenty—

fivepounds,therewasnogreatamountofadiposetolose。Itwasevidentthatunlesssomechangeoccurredmytimewasnearathand。

Therewasnotonlyhungerformorefood,butlongingwithanintensitybeyondexpressionforalterationofsomekindintherations。

Thechangelessmonotonyofthemiserablesaltlessbread,orworsemush,fordays,weeksandmonths,becameunbearable。Ifthosewretchedmuleteamshadonlyonceamonthhauledinsomethingdifferent——iftheyhadcomeinloadedwithsweetpotatos,greencornorwheatflour,therewouldbethousandsofmenstilllivingwhonowslumberbeneaththosemelancholypines。Itwouldhavegivensomethingtolookforwardto,andrememberwhenpast。Buttoknoweachdaythatthegateswouldopentoadmitthesamedistastefulapologiesforfoodtookawaytheappetiteandraisedone\'sgorge,evenwhilefamishingforsomethingtoeat。

Wecouldforawhileforgetthestench,thelice,theheat,themaggots,thedeadanddyingaroundus,theinsultingmalignanceofourjailors;

butitwas,veryhardworktobanishthoughtsandlongingsforfoodfromourminds。Hundredsbecameactuallyinsanefrombroodingoverit。Crazymencouldbefoundinallpartsofthecamp。Numbersofthemwanderedaroundentirelynaked。Theirbabblingsandmaunderingsaboutsomethingtoeatwerepainfultohear。IhavebeforementionedthecaseofthePlymouthPilgrimnearme,whoseinsanitytooktheformofimaginingthathewassittingatthetablewithhisfamily,andwhowouldgothroughtheshowofhelpingthemtoimaginaryviandsanddelicacies。Thecravingsforgreenfoodofthoseafflictedwiththescurvywere,agonizing。Largenumbersofwatermelonswerebroughttotheprison,andsoldtothosewhohadthemoneytopayforthematfromonetofivedollars,greenbacks,apiece。Aboywhohadmeanstobuyapieceofthesewouldbefollowedaboutwhileeatingitbyacrowdofperhapstwenty—fiveorthirtylivid—

gummedscorbutics,eachimploringhimfortherindwhenhewasthroughwithit。

Wethoughtoffoodallday,andwerevisitedwithtorturingdreamsofitatnight。Oneofthepleasantrecollectionsofmypre—militarylifewasabanquetatthe"Planter\'sHouse,"St。Louis,atwhichIwasaboyishguest。Itwas,doubtless,anordinaryaffair,asbanquetsgo,buttomethen,withallthekeenappreciationofyouthandfirstexperience,itwasafeastworthyofLucullus。Butnowthisdelightfulreminiscencebecameatorment。HundredsoftimesIdreamedIwasagainatthe"Planter\'s。"Isawthewidecorridors,withtheirmosaicpavement;

Ienteredthegranddining—room,keepingtimidlynearthefriendtowhosekindnessIowedthiswonderfulfavor;Isawagainthemirror—linedwalls,theevergreendeckedceilings,thefestoonsandmottos,thetablesgleamingwithcutglassandsilver,thebuffetswithwinesandfruits,thebrigadeofsleek,black,white—apronedwaiters,headedbyonewhohadpresenceenoughforamajorGeneral。AgainIreveledinallthedaintiesanddishesonthebill—of—fare;callingforeverythingthatIdaredto,justtoseewhateachwaslike,andtobeabletosayafterwardsthatI

hadpartakenofit;allthesebewilderingdelightsofthefirstrealizationofwhataboyhasreadandwonderedmuchover,andlongedfor,woulddancetheirroutandreelthroughmysomnolentbrain。ThenI

wouldawaketofindmyselfahalf—naked,half—starved,vermin—eatenwretch,crouchinginaholeintheground,waitingformykeeperstoflingmeachunkofcornbread。

Naturallytheboys——andespeciallythecountryboysandnewprisoners——

talkedmuchofvictuals——whattheyhadhad,andwhattheywouldhaveagain,whentheygotout。Takethisasasampleoftheconversationwhichmightbeheardinanygroupofboys,sittingtogetheronthesand,killinliceandtalkingofexchange:

Tom——"Well,Bill,whenwegetbacktoGod\'scountry,youandJimandJohnmustallcometomyhouseandtakedinnerwithme。Iwanttogiveyouasquaremeal。Iwanttoshowyoujustwhatgoodlivin\'is。Youknowmymotherisjustthebestcookinallthatsection。Whenshelaysherselfouttogetupamealalltheotherwomenintheneighborhoodjuststandbackandadmire"

Bill——"O,that\'sallright;butI\'llbetshecan\'tholdacandletomymother,whenitcomestogoodcooking。"

Jim——"No,nortomine。"

John——（withpatronizingcontempt。）"O,shucks！Noneofyoufellerswereeveratourhouse,evenwhenwehadoneofourcommonweekdaydinners。"

Tom——（unheedfulofthecounterclaims。）Ihevteenstudyin\'upthedinnerI\'dlike,andthebill—of—fareI\'dsetoutforyoufellerswhenyoucomeovertoseeme。First,ofcourse,we\'lllaythefoundationlikewithanice,juicyloinroast,andsomemashedpotatos。

Bill——（interrupting。）"Now,doyoulikemashedpotatoswithbeef？Thewaymaymotherdoesistoparethepotatos,andlaytheminthepanalongwiththebeef。Then,youknow,theycomeoutjustasniceandcrisp,andbrown,;theyhavesoakedupallthebeefgravy,andtheycrinklebetweenyourteeth——"

Jim——"Now,Itellyou,mashedNeshannockswithbutteron\'emisplentygoodenoughforme。"

John——"Ifyou\'detsomeofthenewkindofpeachblowsthatweraisedintheoldpasturelottheyearbeforeIenlisted,you\'dneversayanotherwordaboutyourNeshannocks。"

Tom——（takingbreathandstartinginfresh。）"Thenwe\'llhevsomefriedSpringchickens,ofourdominickbreed。Themdominicksofourshavethenicest,tenderestmeat,better\'nquail,adarnedsight,andthewaymymothercanfrySpringchickens————"

Bill——（asidetoJim。）"Everydurnedwomaninthecountrythinksshecan\'sprychingfrickens;\'butmymother———"

John——"Youfellersallknowthatthere\'snobodyknowshalfasmuchaboutchickendoin\'sasthese\'tinerantMethodis\'preachers。Theygive\'emchickenwherevertheygo,andfolksdosaythatoutinthenewsettlementstheycan\'tgetnopreachin\',nogospel,nornothin\',untilthechickensbecomesoplentythatapreacherisreasonablysureofhavin\'oneforhisdinnerwhereverhemaygo。Now,there\'soldPeterCartwright,whohastraveledoverIllinoyandIndiannysincetheYearOne,andpreachedmoregoodsermonsthananyothermanwhoeversetonsaddle—bags,andhasetmorechickensthantherearebirdsinabigpigeonroost。Well,hetookdinneratourhousewhenhecameuptodedicatethebig,whitechurchatSimpkin\'sCorners,andwhenhepasseduphisplatethethirdtimeformorechicken,hesez,sezhe:——I\'veetatagreatmanyhundredtablesinthefiftyyearsIhavelaboredinthevineyardoftheRedeemer,butImustsay,Mrs。Kiggins,thatyourwayoffryingchickensisaleetlethenicestthatIeverknew。Ionlywishthatthesistersgenerallywouldgetyourreseet。\'Yes,that\'swhathesaid,——\'aleetlethenicest。\'"

Tom——"An\'then,we\'llhevbiscuitsan\'butter。I\'lljustbetfivehundreddollarstoacent,andgivebackthecentifIwin,thatwehavethebestbutteratourhousethatthereisinCentralIllinoy。Youcan\'tneverhevgoodbutteronlessyouhaveaspringhouse;there\'snouseoftalkin\'——allthepatentchurnsthatlazymeneverinvented——allthefancymilkpansan\'coolers,can\'tmakeupforaspringhouse。Locationsforaspringhousearescarcerthanhen\'steethinIllinoy,butwehevone,andthereain\'tabetteroneinOrangeCounty,NewYork。Thenyou\'llseedomeofthebiscuitsmymothermakes。"

Bill——"Well,now,mymother\'sabossbiscuit—maker,too。"

Jim——"Youkinjustgamblethatmineis。"

John——"O,that\'sthewayyoufellersoughttothinkan\'talk,butmymother————"

Tom——（cominginagainwithfreshvigor）"They\'rejestaslightan\'fluffyasadandelionpuff,andtheymeltinyourmonthlikearipeBartlettpear。Youjustpull\'emopen——[NowyouknowthatIthinkthere\'snothin\'

thatshowsaperson\'sraisin\'sowellastoseehimeatbiscuitsan\'

butter。Ifhe\'sbeenraisedmostlyoncornbread,an\'commondoins,\'

an\'don\'tknowmuchaboutgoodthingstoeat,he\'llmostlikelycuthisbiscuitopenwithacaseknife,an\'makeitfallasflatasoneo\'

yesterday\'spancakes。Butifheisusedtobiscuits,hashad\'emoftenathishouse,he\'ll——justpull\'emopen,slowan\'easylike,thenhe\'lllayalittlesliceofbutterinside,anddropafewdropsofclearhoneyonthis,an\'stickthetwohalvesback,togetheragain,an——"

"Oh,forGodAlmighty\'ssake,stoptalkingthatinfernalnonsense,"roaroutahalfdozenofthesurroundingcrowd,whosemouthshavebeenwateringoverthisunctuousrecitalofthegoodthingsofthetable。

"Youblamedfools,doyouwanttodriveyourselvesandeverybodyelsecrazywithsuchstuffasthat。Dryupandtrytothinkofsomethingelse。"

CHAPTERXLVI。

SURLYBRITON——THESTOLIDCOURAGETHATMAKESTHEENGLISHFLAGABANNEROF

TRIUMPH——OURCOMPANYBUGLER,HISCHARACTERISTICSANDHISDEATH——URGENT

DEMANDFORMECHANICS——NONEWANTTOGO——TREATMENTOFAREBELSHOEMAKER——

ENLARGEMENTOFTHESTOCKADE——ITISBROKENBYASTORM——

THEWONDERFULSPRING。

EarlyinAugust,F。Marriott,ourCompanyBugler,died。PrevioustocomingtoAmericahehadbeenformanyyearsanEnglishsoldier,andI

acceptedhimasatypeofthatstolid,doggedlybraveclass,whichformsthebulkoftheEnglisharmies,andhasforcenturiescarriedtheBritishflagwithdauntlesscourageintoeverylandunderthesun。Rough,surlyandunsocial,hedidhisdutywiththeunemotionalsteadinessofamachine。Heknewnothingbuttoobeyorders,andobeyedthemunderallcircumstancespromptly,butwithstonyimpassiveness。Withthecommandtomoveforwardintoaction,hemovedforwardwithoutaword,andwithfaceasblankasasideofsoleleather。Hewentasfarasordered,haltedattheword,andretiredatcommandasphlegmaticallyasheadvanced。Ifhecaredastrawwhetherheadvancedorretreated,ifitmatteredtotheextentofapinchofsaltwhetherwewhippedtheRebelsortheydefeatedus,hekeptthatfeelingsodeeplyhiddenintherecessesofhissturdybosomthatnooneeversuspectedit。Intheexcitementofactiontherestoftheboysshouted,andswore,andexpressedtheirtensefeelingsinvariousways,butMarriottmightaswellhavebeenagravenimage,foralltheexpressionthathesufferedtoescape。Doubtless,iftheCaptainhadorderedhimtoshootoneofthecompanythroughtheheart,hewouldhaveexecutedthecommandaccordingtothemanualofarms,broughthiscarbinetoa"recover,"andatthewordmarchedbacktohisquarterswithoutaninquiryastothecauseoftheproceedings。Hemadenofriends,andthoughhissurlinessrepelledus,hemadefewenemies。Indeed,hewasratherafavorite,sincehewasagenuinecharacter;hisgruffnesshadnotaintofselfishgreedinit;

hemindedhisownbusinessstrictly,andwantedotherstodothesame。

Whenhefirstcameintothecompany,itistrue,hegainedtheenmityofnearlyeverybodyinit,butanincidentoccurredwhichturnedthetideinhisfavor。Someannoyinglittledepredationshadbeenpracticedontheboys,anditneededbutawordofsuspiciontoinflamealltheirmindsagainstthesurlyEnglishmanastheunknownperpetrator。Thefeelingintensified,untilabouthalfofthecompanywereinamoodtokilltheBugleroutright。Aswewerereturningfromstabledutyoneevening,somelittleoccurrencefannedthesmolderingangerintoafierceblaze;

acoupleofthesmallerboysbegananattackuponhim;othershastenedtotheirassistance,andsoonhalfthecompanywereengagedintheassault。

Hesucceededindisengaginghimselffromhisassailants,and,squaringhimselfoff,said,defiantly:

"Domyercowardlyheyes;jestcomehatmeonehatatime,handhI\'llwollopthe\'oleganguvye\'s。"

OneofourSergeantsstyledhimselfproudly"aChicagorough,"andwasasvainofhispugilisticabilitiesasasmallboyisofafatherwhoplaysintheband。Weallhatedhimcordially——evenmorethanwedidMarriott。

Hethoughtthiswasagoodtimetoshowoff,andforcinghiswaythroughthecrowd,hesaid,vauntingly:

"Justfallbackandformaring,boys,andseemepolishoffthe———fool。"

Theringwasformed,withtheBuglerandtheSergeantinthecenter。

ThoughthelatterwastheyoungerandstrongerthefirstroundshowedhimthatitwouldhaveprofitedhimmuchmoretohaveletMarriott\'schallengepassunheeded。Asarule,itisaswelltoignoreallinvitationsofthiskindfromEnglishmen,andespeciallyfromthosewho,likeMarriott,haveservedaterminthearmy,fortheyarelikelytobesohandywiththeirfistsastomaketheconsequencesofanacceptancemorelivelythandesirable。

SotheSergeantfound。"Marriott,"asoneofthespectatorsexpressedit,"wentaroundhimlikeacooperaroundabarrel。"Heplantedhisblowsjustwherehewished,totheintensedelightoftheboys,whoyelledenthusiasticallywheneverhegotin"ahotone,"andtheirdelightatseeingtheSergeantdrubbedsothoroughlyandartistically,workedanentirerevolutioninhisfavor。

Thenceforwardweviewedhiseccentricitieswithlenienteyes,andbecameratherproudofhisbull—dogstolidityandsurliness。Thewholebattalionsooncametosharethisfeeling,andeverybodyenjoyedhearinghisdeep—tonedgrowl,whichmischievousboyswouldincitebysomepettyannoyancesdeliberatelydesignedforthatpurpose。Iwillmentionincidentally,thatafterhisencounterwiththeSergeantnooneeveragainvolunteeredto"polish"himoff。

Andersonvilledidnotimproveeitherhistemperorhiscommunicativeness。

Heseemedtowanttogetasfarawayfromtherestofusaspossible,andtookuphisquartersinaremotecorneroftheStockade,amongutterstrangers。Thoseofuswhowanderedupinhisneighborhoodoccasionally,toseehowhewasgettingalong,werereceivedwithsuchscantcourtesy,thatwedidnothastentorepeatthevisit。Atlength,afternoneofushadseenhimforweeks,wethoughtthatcomradeshipdemandedanothervisit。Wefoundhiminthelaststagesofscurvyanddiarrhea。Chunksofuneatencornbreadlaybyhishead。Theywereatleastaweekold。

Therationssincethenhadevidentlybeenstolenfromthehelplessmanbythosearoundhim。Theplacewherehelaywasindescribablyfilthy,andhisbodywasswarmingwithvermin。SomegoodSamaritanhadfilledhislittleblackoystercanwithwater,andplaceditwithinhisreach。

Foraweek,atleast,hehadnotbeenabletorisefromtheground;

hecouldbarelyreachforthewaternearhim。HegaveussuchaglareofrecognitionasIrememberedtohaveseenlightupthefast—darkeningeyesofasavageoldmastiff,thatIandmyboyishcompanionsoncefounddyinginthewoodsofdiseaseandhurts。Hadhebeenablehewouldhavedrivenusaway,oratleastassaileduswithbitingEnglishepithets。Thushehaddoubtlessdrivenawayallthosewhohadattemptedtohelphim。

Wedidwhatlittlewecould,andstaidwithhimuntilthenextafternoon,whenhedied。Wepreparedhisbody,inthecustomaryway:foldedthehandsacrosshisbreast,tiedthetoestogether,andcarrieditoutside,notforgettingeachofus,tobringbackaloadofwood。

ThescarcityofmechanicsofallkindsintheConfederacy,andtheurgentneedsofthepeopleformanythingswhichthewarandtheblockadepreventedtheirobtaining,ledtocontinualinducementsbeingofferedtotheartizansamongustogooutsideandworkattheirtrade。Shoemakersseemedmostindemand;nexttotheseblacksmiths,machinists,moldersandmetalworkersgenerally。NotaweekpassedduringmyimprisonmentthatI

didnotseeaRebelemissaryofsomekindabouttheprisonseekingtoengageskilledworkmenforsomepurposeoranother。WhileinRichmondthemanagersoftheTredegarIronWorkswerebrazenandpersistentintheireffortstoseducewhataretermed"malleableironworkers,"toentertheiremploy。Aboywhowasmasterofanyoneofthecommonertradeshadbuttomakehiswishesknown,andhewouldbeallowedtogooutonparoletowork。Iwasaprinter,andIthinkthatatleastadozentimesIwasapproachedbyRebelpublisherswithoffersofaparole,andworkatgoodprices。OnefromColumbia,S。C。,offeredmetwodollarsandahalfa"thousand"forcomposition。AsthehighestpriceforsuchworkthatIhadreceivedbeforeenlistingwasthirtycentsathousand,thisseemedachancetoaccumulateu4toldwealth。Sinceamanworkingindaytimecansetfromthirty—fivetofifty"thousand"aweek,thiswouldmakeweeklywagesrunfromeighty—sevendollarsandfiftycentstoonehundredandtwenty—fivedollars——butitwasinConfederatemoney,thenworthfromtentotwentycentsonthedollar。

Stillbetteroffersweremadetoironworkersofallkinds,toshoemakers,tanners,weavers,tailors,hatters,engineers,machinists,millers,railroadmen,andsimilartradesmen。Anyofthesecouldhavemadeahandsomethingbyacceptingtheoffersmadethemalmostweekly。

Asnearlyallintheprisonhadusefultrades,itwouldhavebeenofimmensebenefittotheConfederacyiftheycouldhavebeeninducedtoworkatthem。ThereisnomeasuringthebenefititwouldhavebeentotheSoutherncauseifallthehundredsoftannersandshoemakersintheStockadecouldhave,beenpersuadedtogooutsideandlaborinprovidingleatherandshoesforthealmostshoelesspeopleandsoldiery。ThemachinistsalonecouldhavedonemoregoodtotheSouthernConfederacythanoneofourbrigadeswasdoingharm,byconsentingtogototherailroadshopsatGriswoldvilleandplytheirhandicraft。ThelackofmaterialresourcesintheSouthwasoneofthestrongestalliesourarmshad。Thislackofresourceswasprimarilycausedbyalackofskilledlabortodevelopthoseresources,andnowherecouldtherebefoundafinercollectionofskilledlaborersthaninthethirty—threethousandprisonersincarceratedinAndersonville。

Allsolicitationstoacceptaparoleandgooutsidetoworkatone\'stradeweretreatedwiththescorntheydeserved。Ifanymechanicyieldedtothem,thefactdidnotcomeundermynotice。Theusualreplytoinvitationsofthiskindwas:

"No,Sir！ByGod,I\'llstayinheretillIrot,andthemaggotscarrymeoutthroughthecracksintheStockade,beforeI\'llsomuchasraisemylittlefingertohelptheinfernalConfederacy,orRebels,inanyshapeorform。"

InAugustaMaconshoemakercameintogetsomeofhistradetogobackwithhimtoworkintheConfederateshoefactory。HeprosecutedhissearchfortheseuntilhereachedthecenterofthecampontheNorthSide,whensomeoftheshoemakerswhohadgatheredaroundhim,apparentlyconsideringhispropositions,seizedhimandthrewhimintoawell。

Hewaskeptthereawholeday,andonlyreleasedwhenWirzcutofftherationsoftheprisonforthatday,andannouncedthatnomorewouldbeissueduntilthemanwasreturnedsafeandsoundtothegate。

TheterriblecrowdingwassomewhatamelioratedbytheopeninginJulyofanaddition——sixhundredfeetlong——totheNorthSideoftheStockade。

Thisincreasedtheroominsidetotwentyacres,givingaboutanacretoeveryonethousandsevenhundredmen,——apreposterouslycontractedareastill。Thenewgroundwasnotahotbedofvirulentpoisonliketheoldshowever,andthosewhomovedontoithadthatmuchintheirfavor。

Thepalisadesbetweenthenewandtheoldportionsofthepenwereleftstandingwhenthenewportionwasopened。Wewerestillsufferingagreatdealofinconveniencefromlackofwood。Thatnightthestandingtimberswereattackedbythousandsofprisonersarmedwitheveryspeciesofatooltocutwood,fromacase—knifetoanax。Theyworkedthelive—

longnightwithsuchenergythatbymorningnotonlyeveryinchofthelogsabovegroundhaddisappeared,butthatbelowhadbeendugup,andtherewasnotenoughleftoftheeighthundredfootwalloftwenty—five—

footlogstomakeaboxofmatches。

Oneafternoon——earlyinAugust——oneoftheviolentrainstormscommontothatsectionsprungup,andinalittlewhilethewaterwasfallingintorrents。Thelittlecreekrunningthroughthecampswelledupimmensely,andsweptoutlargegapsintheStockade,bothinthewestandeastsides。TheRebelsnoticedthebreachesassoonastheprisoners。

TwogunswerefiredfromtheStarTort,andalltheguardsrushedout,andformedsoastopreventanyegress,ifonewasattempted。Takenbysurprise,wewerenotinaconditiontoprofitbytheopportunityuntilitwastoolate。

Thestormdidonegoodthing:itsweptawayagreatdealoffilth,andleftthecampmuchmorewholesome。Thefoulstenchrisingfromthecampmadeanexcellentelectricalconductor,andthelightningstruckseveraltimeswithinonehundredfeetoftheprison。

TowardtheendofAugusttherehappenedwhatthereligouslyinclinedtermedaProvidentialDispensation。ThewaterintheCreekwasindescribablybad。Noamountoffamiliaritywithit,noincreaseofintimacywithouroffensivesurroundings,couldlessenthedisgustatthepollutedwater。AsIhavesaidpreviously,beforethestreamenteredtheStockade,itwasrenderedtoofilthyforanyusebythecontaminationsfromthecampsoftheguards,situatedaboutahalf—mileabove。

ImmediatelyonenteringtheStockadethecontaminationbecameterrible。

Theoozyseepatthebottomofthehillsidesdraineddirectlyintoitallthemassoffilthfromapopulationofthirty—threethousand。Imaginetheconditionofanopensewer,passingthroughtheheartofacityofthatmanypeople,andreceivingalltheoffensiveproductofsodenseagatheringintoashallow,sluggishstream,ayardwideandfiveinchesdeep,andheatedbytheburningraysofthesuninthethirty—seconddegreeoflatitude。Imagine,ifonecan,withoutbecomingsickatthestomach,allofthesepeoplehavingtowashinanddrinkofthisfoulflow。

Thereisnotascintillaofexaggerationinthisstatement。Thatitiswithintheexacttruthisdemonstrablebythetestimonyofanyman——RebelorUnion——whoeversawtheinsideoftheStockadeatAndersonville。Iamquitecontenttohaveitstruth——aswellasthatofanyotherstatementmadeinthisbook——bedeterminedbytheevidenceofanyone,nomatterhowbitterhishatredoftheUnion,whohadanypersonalknowledgeoftheconditionofaffairsatAndersonville。Noonecansuccessfullydenythattherewereatleastthirty—threethousandprisonersintheStockade,andthattheoneshallow,narrowcreek,whichpassedthroughtheprison,wasatoncetheirmainsewerandtheirsourceofsupplyofwaterforbathing,drinkingandwashing。Withthesemainfactsadmitted,thereader\'scommonsenseofnaturalconsequenceswillfurnishtherestofthedetails。

Itistruethatsomeofthemorefortunateofushadwells;thankstoourownenergyinovercomingextraordinaryobstacles;nothankstoourgaolersformakingtheslightestefforttoprovidethesenecessitiesoflife。Wedugthewellswithcaseandpocketknives,andhalfcanteenstoadepthoffromtwentytothirtyfeet,pullingupthedirtinpantaloonslegs,andrunningcontinualriskofbeingsmotheredtodeathbythecavinginoftheunwalledsides。NotonlydidtheRebelsrefusetogiveusboardswithwhichtowallthewells,andbucketsfordrawingthewater,buttheydidallintheirpowertopreventusfromdiggingthewells,andmadecontinualforaystocapturethediggingtools,becausethewellswerefrequentlyusedasthestartingplacesfortunnels。

ProfessorJoneslaysspecialstressonthistunnelfeatureinhistestimony,whichIhaveintroducedinapreviouschapter。

ThegreatmajorityoftheprisonerswhowenttotheCreekforwater,wentasnearaspossibletotheDeadLineontheWestSide,wheretheCreekenteredtheStockade,thattheymightgetwaterwithaslittlefilthinitaspossible。Inthecrowdsstrugglingtherefortheirturntotakeadip,someonenearlyeverydaygotsoclosetotheDeadLineastoarouseasuspicionintheguard\'smindthathewastouchingit。Thesuspicionwastheunfortunateone\'sdeathwarrant,andalsoitsexecution。Asthesluggishbrainoftheguardconceiveditheleveledhisgun;thedistancetohisvictimwasnotoveronehundredfeet;heneverfailedhisaim;thefirstwarningthewretchedprisonergotthathewassuspectedoftransgressingaprison—rulewasthechargeof"ball—and—buck"thattorethroughhisbody。Itwasluckyifhewas,theonlyoneofthegroupkilled。MorewickedandunjustifiablemurdersneverwerecommittedthanthesealmostdailyassassinationsattheCreek。

Onemorningthecampwasastonishedbeyondmeasuretodiscoverthatduringthenightalarge,boldspringhadburstoutontheNorthSide,aboutmidwaybetweentheSwampandthesummitofthehill。Itpouredoutitsgratefulfloodofpure,sweetwaterinanapparentlyexhaustlessquantity。Tothemanywholookedinwonderuponit,itseemedastrulyaheaven—wroughtmiracleaswhenMoses\'senchantedrodsmotetheparchedrockinSinai\'sdesertwaste,andthelivingwatersgushedforth。

Thepolicetookchargeofthespring,andeveryonewascompelledtotakehisregularturninfillinghisvessel。ThiswaskeptupduringourwholestayinAndersonville,andeverymorning,shortlyafterdaybreak,athousandmencouldbeseenstandinginline,waitingtheirturnstofilltheircansandcupswiththepreciousliquid。

IamtoldbycomradeswhohaverevisitedtheStockadeofrecentyears,thatthespringisyetrunningaswhenweleft,andisheldinmostpiousvenerationbythenegrosofthatvicinity,whostillpreservethetraditionofitsmiraculousorigin,andascribetoitswaterwonderfulgracegivingandhealingproperties,similartothosewhichpiousCatholicsbelieveexistintheholywaterofthefountainatLourdes。

ImustconfessthatIdonotthinktheyaresoveryfarfromright。

IfIcouldbelievethatanywaterwassacredandthaumaturgic,itwouldbeofthatfountainwhichappearedsoopportunelyforthebenefitoftheperishingthousandsofAndersonville。AndwhenIhearofpeoplebringingwaterforbaptismalpurposesfromtheJordan,Isayinmyheart,"HowmuchmorewouldIvalueformyselfandfriendstheadministrationofthechrismalsacramentwiththedivinerflowfromthatlowsand—hillinWesternGeorgia。

CHAPTERXLVII。

"SICKCALL,"ANDTHESCENESTHATACCOMPANIEDIT——MUSTERINGTHELAME,HALT

ANDDISEASEDATTHESOUTHGATE——ANUNUSUALLYBADCASE——GOINGOUTTOTHE

HOSPITAL——ACCOMMODATIONANDTREATMENTOFTHEPATIENTSTHERE——THEHORRIBLE

SUFFERINGINTHEGANGRENEWARD——BUNGLINGAMPUTATIONSBYBLUNDERING

PRACTITIONERS——AFFECTIONBETWEENASAILORANDHISWARD——

DEATHOFMYCOMRADE。

Everymorningafterroll—call,thousandsofsickgatheredattheSouthGate,wherethedoctorsmadesomepretenseofaffordingmedicalrelief。

ThescenethereremindedmeoftheillustrationsinmySunday—Schoollessonsofthattimewhen"greatmultitudescameuntoHim,"bytheshoresoftheSeaofGalilee,"havingwiththemthosethatwerelame,blind,dumb,maimed,andmanyothers。"HadthecrowdswornthefloutingrobesoftheEast,thepicturewouldhavelackednothingbutthepresenceoftheSonofMantomakeitcomplete。Hereweretheburningsandsandparchingsun;hithercamescoresofgroupsofthreeorfourcomrades,laboriouslystaggeringundertheweightofablanketinwhichtheyhadcarriedadisabledanddyingfriendfromsomedistantpartoftheStockade。Besidethemhobbledthescorbuticswithswollenanddistortedlimbs,eachmoreloathsomeandnearerdeaththantheleperswhomChrist\'sdivinetouchmadewhole。Dozens,unabletowalk,andhavingnocomradestocarrythem,crawledpainfullyalong,withfrequentstops,ontheirhandsandknees。Every,formofintensephysicalsufferingthatitispossiblefordiseasetoinduceinthehumanframewasvisibleatthesedailyparadesofthesickoftheprison。Asoverthreethousand（threethousandandseventy—six）diedinAugust,therewereprobablytwelvethousanddangerouslysickatanygiventimedaringthemonth;andalargepartofthesecollectedattheSouthGateeverymorning。

Measurably—callousedaswehadbecomebythedailysightsofhorroraroundus,weencounteredspectaclesinthesegatheringswhichnoamountofvisiblemiserycouldaccustomusto。Irememberoneespeciallythatburneditselfdeeplyintomymemory。Itwasofayoungmannotovertwenty—five,whoafewweeksago——hisclotheslookedcomparativelynew——

hadevidentlybeenthepictureofmanlybeautyandyouthfulvigor。

Hehadhadawell—knit,litheform;darkcurlinghairfelloveraforeheadwhichhadoncebeenfair,andhiseyesstillshowedthattheyhadgleamedwithabold,adventurousspirit。TheredcloverleafonhiscapshowedthathebelongedtotheFirstDivisionoftheSecondCorps,thethreechevronsonhisarmthathewasaSergeant,andthestripeathiscuffthathewasaveteran。Somekind—heartedboyshadfoundhiminamiserableconditionontheNorthSide,andcarriedhimoverinablankettowherethedoctorscouldseehim。Hehadbutlittleclothingon,savehisblouseandcap。Ulcersofsomekindhadformedinhisabdomen,andthesewerenowmassesofsquirmingworms。Itwassomuchworsethantheusualformsofsuffering,thatquitealittlecrowdofcompassionatespectatorsgatheredaroundandexpressedtheirpity。

Thesuffererturnedtoonewholaybesidehimwith:

"Comrade:IfwewereonlyundertheoldStarsandStripes,wewouldn\'tcareaG—dd——nforafewworms,wouldwe？"

Thiswasnotprofane。Itwasanutterancefromthedepthsofabraveman\'sheart,couchedinthestrongestlanguageathiscommand。Itseemedterriblethatsogallantasoulshoulddepartfromearthinthismiserablefashion。Someofus,muchmovedbythesight,wenttothedoctorsandputthecaseasstronglyaspossible,beggingthemtodosomethingtoalleviatehissuffering。Theydeclinedtoseethecase,butgotridofusbygivingusabottleofturpentine,withdirectionstopouritupontheulcerstokillthemaggots。Wedidso。Itmusthavebeencrueltorture,andasabsurdremediallyascruel,butourherosethisteethandendured,withoutagroan。Hewasthencarriedouttothehospitaltodie。