On the morning of the 24th the surgeons were notified to be ready to leave in a few moments, as the Confederate soldiers had arrived; they were also ordered to disgorge the letters they had concealed about their persons; only a few of them, however, did so. We afterwards learned that they were searched down stairs, but with what result we did not learn.
Letters were concealed about their persons in a variety of places; in the lining of hats, coats, pants and boots, under shoulder straps, bandaged around sore legs, twisted up in small wads, and carried loosely in the pockets, concealed in plugs of tobacco, loaves of bread, etc.
Maj. White, 67th Pennsylvania, hired a surgeon to let him go in his place, which he did. It being afterwards discovered—some Federal officer having divulged the fact—notice of it was telegraphed to City Point. The Major was stopped, and we were notified that unless we designated the surgeon left behind, our rations would be stopped. Some craven-hearted coward pointed him out. The next day Major White was brought back, but was not punished.
And such was life in Libby. It was not safe to trust any-one, save your most intimate friends and acquaintances. Volumes might be written of the brave things that were done in that terrible place, and then, again, of mean and cowardly things, done by men, whom at home were brave men and gentlemen. The only wonder is that every spark of manhood was not utterly crushed out of those so unfortunate as to be confined within its walls. Modern warfare presents no parallel in the treatment of prisoners, as devised and perpetrated by the chivalric gentlemen who managed the affairs of the so-called “Confederacy.”
But enough has been told to convey some idea of our condition while prisoners—the many hopes deferred! the long, weary waiting, that made the heart sick nigh unto death.
It is needless to follow our officers and men to other prisons, where many of them were sent, when our forces got in close proximity to Richmond. It would be the same old story, in some cases, perhaps, a little more revolting, but in the main, one Rebel prison was a sample of all the rest.
One thing more that should be mentioned in connection with our life in Libby: On the 6th of July, 1863, all the Federal captains, then in Prison, were ordered to fall in—there were seventy-two in number. They were then taken down stairs, into a large, vacant room in the same building and formed in a hollow square, when Capt. Turner read an order from Gen. Winder, directing him to select, at once by lot, from among the Federal captains in his custody, two for immediate execution! Each captains name was then called, and, when answered, a slip of paper, containing his name and regiment, was placed in a box. We were then given permission to select one of our chaplains, if we desired, to draw out two names. We selected Father Gray, who, after offering up a prayer, with a trembling hand and tears standing in his eyes, drew out two slips and handed them to Captain Turner. That moment was one of anxious suspense to those seventy-two men who were awaiting the result. Capt. H. W. Sawyer, 1st N. J. Cavalry, and Capt. Flinn, 51st Indiana, were the unfortunate men. We all thought, at that time, that they would surely be executed. They were confined in the dungeon a few days, and, our Government taking prompt action in the matter, by holding Gen. Lee and Capt. Winder as hostages for our men, the rebels soon relaxed their rigor, and permitted them to come back with the other prisoners.
CHAPTER XI.
MUSTER-OUT ROLLS.
In making up these rolls great care has been exercised in endeavoring to have each name spelled correctly; that such a result has been attained is not to be expected. Proper names are arbitrary at best, and when the copy from which they are taken, passes through two or three hands, errors are very likely to occur. The following are copies of the original Muster Out Rolls of each company: