758 Norto Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

did they get what was denied our sons and brothers. After
General Bradley T. Johnson came he made direct application
to Governor Vance for tents, knowing probably that they
could not be obtained from the government, and the Governor,
notwithstanding he had taken steps to contribute to the relief
of the Salisbury prisoners, was compelled to answer that he
had none.

YANKEE INGENUITY IN PROVIDING SHELTER.

As they did not have enough houses or tents to shelter them
and the scarcity of tools, teams, lumber and guards for the
working parties prevented cabins being constructed, they re-
sorted to “Yankee ingenuity” to provide shelter for them-
selves. A few crowded under the hospital and other houses,
and slept there in bad weather. But the main resort was
burrowing in the earth. The whole enclosure was literally
honey-combed by these burrows. They’ were square, or round
holes dug some three feet deep, with a mud-thatched roof—a
hole being punched through to the surface at one end and a
little chimney further built up out of baked earth. Over the
entrance there was a little porch or projection that, as long
as it withstood the rain itself, kept the water from the main
burrow. But for the dampness these places would have been
comparatively comfortable—for they shielded the tenant
from the winds and rains, and required a very small quantity
of wood to make them warm. I have seen a thin matting of
shavings which had been whittled with a pocket knife, lying
on the floor of some of them. The tenant had either to sit
or lie down in them; they were too shallow for him to stand
erect. They must have been wretchedly uncomfortable and
destructive to health and life in those heavy, incessant rains
that fell in January and February, 1865. The hospitals
were so crowded, and such numbers died in them that some
preferred to linger and suffer in their sickness in these little

cells. Consequently they not infrequently died there alone,
and were not discovered for some days.

AN ACCIDENT.

Major Moffatt, who was Quartermaster to the prison, with
duty to provide shelter, ete., had a chimney begun to the large

SALISBURY PRISON. 759

building. When it had reached the third story, the unsound
brick at the bottom gave way and the whole structure fell.
Several were injured and perhaps one killed. The sentinels
were ordered to clear the building and keep everybody out—
and one, rushing back to get something, paid no attention to
the sentinel’s warning, was fired at and either killed or
wounded. Those who were injured were rescued from the
rubbish as soon as possible.

Major Moffatt found the greatest difficulty in getting
lumber for building purposes, but, having procured some, had

ordered the carpenters to put up six buildings, 200 feet in
length, 22 feet wide, and 20 feet high. When they were en-
gaged in framing these, General Winder, Commandant of
Prisons in this and other States, visited and inspected the
prison, pronounced the place unfit for a prison, declared that
he would have them moved down in South Carolina and
therefore ordered all improvements to be discontinued. Be-
fore the arrangements necessary for their removal were com-
pleted, the advance of Sherman became so threatening, and
the whole situation so critical that the project was abandoned.
Tt was also contemplated to move the prisoners to a more com-
fortable site on the Yadkin, but the place in view, on exami-
nation, proved ineligible. The Confederacy was in its last
struggle—its resources all gone, and therefore though the
ecndition of the prisoners was wretched and appalling, there
was no way to ameliorate it. They were in a miserable
plight when they came. Large numbers of them were una-
tle to walk and had to be carried from the train to the prison.
Those who had been confined elsewhere for a long time were
pale, emaciated and dejected. Many of them were very
filthy and ragged. Some were without hat or cap or any
sign of shoes. The clothing of many was very meagre and
of summer texture. A very large portion had no blankets.
Such being their condition it is evident that their sufferings
in the cold weather were intolerable. . Situated as they were
the allowance of wood, according to army regulations, was
insufficient. Yet as to fuel most energetic efforts were made
t+ supply them. A train ran regularly on the Western Rail-
road to transport wood. Fifty or sixty of the prisoners went