Stockade bursted by a flood which opened the wonderful “Providence Spring”
CHAPTER VII.
WAS IT A MIRACLE?
A profound conviction has been cherished by many that the unsealing of Providence Spring was as marked an interposition of the hand of the Almighty as that recorded in the Book of Numbers where it is said, “And Moses lifted up his hand, and smote the rock with his rod twice; and water came forth abundantly and the congregation drank.” Num. 20:11.
Are they wrong in this conviction? The unwontedness of the incident admits of no dispute. In such a sober work as Rhodes History of the United States, we have the statement, “After a severe storm a spring broke out within the enclosure (Andersonville stockade) and this became one of the main reliances for drinking water.” Vol. V., p. 492.
An eye witness records: “About the first of August showers fell that beat anything I ever saw. There was one good result, for where the stockade was washed away on the north side, it opened a spring of pure water, enough to supply nearly the whole of the prison.” (The narrative of Amos E. Stearns, Co. A, 25th Regiment, Mass. Published by Franklin Pierce, 1887.)
While comparatively few of the prisoners knew of the days of prayer that preceded the storm, every one recognized that something out of the ordinary course of events had happened; and that a new spirit pervaded the camp. Before this, no one would give a dying man a drink, for water was scarce, and the scurvy in the recipient’s mouth might contaminate the cup for its owner. And indeed, not many had the strength to wait upon others. But now the dull, sombre, despairing mood was changed. The little stream of pure water, contrasted with the former slough that supplied us, murmured sweetly down through the night, and during the day it over-brimmed thousands of cups that eager hands reached forth.
In after days many of these men were gathered at Camp Chase, Ohio, and there detained until improved health rendered them presentable for return home.