andersonville-第103章
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out on boxes and planks at different places； and the signing went on
under the superintendence of a Rebel Sergeant and one of the prisoners。
The squad of M's selected me to superintend the signing for us； and I
stood by to direct the boys； and sign for the very few who could not
write。 After this was done we fell into ranks again； called the roll of
the signers； and carefully compared the number of men with the number of
signatures so that nobody should pass unparoled。 The oath was then
administered to us； and two day's rations of corn meal and fresh beef
were issued。
This formality removed the last lingering doubt that we had of the
exchange being a reality； and we gave way to the happiest emotions。
We cheered ourselves hoarse； and the fellows still inside followed our
example； as they expected that they would share our good fortune in a day
or two。
Our next performance was to set to work； cook our two days' rations at
once and eat them。 This was not very difficult； as the whole supply for
two days would hardly make one square meal。 That done； many of the boys
went to the guard line and threw their blankets； clothing； cooking
utensils； etc。； to their comrades who were still inside。 No one thought
they would have any further use for such things。
〃To…morrow； at this time； thank Heaven；〃 said a boy near me； as he tossed
his blanket and overcoat back to some one inside； 〃we'll be in God's
country； and then I wouldn't touch them d…d lousy old rags with a ten…
foot pole。〃
One of the boys in the M squad was a Maine infantryman； who had been with
me in the Pemberton building； in Richmond； and had fashioned himself a
little square pan out of a tin plate of a tobacco press； such as I have
described in an earlier chapter。 He had carried it with him ever since；
and it was his sole vessel for all purposesfor cooking； carrying water；
drawing rations； etc。 He had cherished it as if it were a farm or a good
situation。 But now； as he turned away from signing his name to the
parole； he looked at his faithful servant for a minute in undisguised
contempt； on the eve of restoration to happier； better things； it was a
reminder of all the petty； inglorious contemptible trials and sorrows he
had endured； he actually loathed it for its remembrances； and flinging it
upon the ground he crushed it out of all shape and usefulness with his
feet； trampling upon it as he would everything connected with his prison
life。 Months afterward I had to lend this man my little can to cook his
rations in。
Andrews and I flung the bright new tin pans we had stolen at Millen
inside the line； to be scrambled for。 It was hard to tell who were the
most surprised at their appearancethe Rebels or our own boysfor few
had any idea that there were such things in the whole Confederacy； and
certainly none looked for them in the possession of two such poverty…
stricken specimens as we were。 We thought it best to retain possession
of our little can； spoon； chess…board； blanket； and overcoat。
As we marched down and boarded the train； the Rebels confirmed their
previous action by taking all the guards from around us。 Only some eight
or ten were sent to the train； and these quartered themselves in the
caboose； and paid us no further attention。
The train rolled away amid cheering by ourselves and those we left
behind。 One thousand happier boys than we never started on a journey。
We were going home。 That was enough to wreathe the skies with glory； and
fill the world with sweetness and light。 The wintry sun had something of
geniality and warmth； the landscape lost some of its repulsiveness； the
dreary palmettos had less of that hideousness which made us regard them
as very fitting emblems of treason。 We even began to feel a little good…
humored contempt for our hateful little Brats of guards； and to reflect
how much vicious education and surroundings were to be held responsible
for their misdeeds。
We laughed and sang as we rolled along toward Savannahgoing back much
faster than the came。 We re…told old stories； and repeated old jokes；
that had become wearisome months and months ago； but were now freshened
up and given their olden pith by the joyousness of the occasion。 We
revived and talked over old schemes gotten up in the earlier days of
prison life； of what 〃we would do when we got out；〃 but almost forgotten
since； in the general uncertainty of ever getting out。 We exchanged
addresses； and promised faithfully to write to each other and tell how we
found everything at home。
So the afternoon and night passed。 We were too excited to sleep； and
passed the hours watching the scenery； recalling the objects we had
passed on the way to Blackshear； and guessing how near we were to
Savannah。
Though we were running along within fifteen or twenty miles of the coast；
with all our guards asleep in the caboose； no one thought of escape。
We could step off the cars and walk over to the seashore as easily as a
man steps out of his door and walks to a neighboring town； but why should
we？ Were we not going directly to our vessels in the harbor of Savannah；
and was it not better to do this； than to take the chances of escaping；
and encounter the difficulties of reaching our blockaders！ We thought
so； and we staid on the cars。
A cold； gray Winter morning was just breaking as we reached Savannah。
Our train ran down in the City； and then whistled sharply and ran back a
mile or so； it repeated this maneuver two or three times； the evident
design being to keep us on the cars until the people were ready to
receive us。 Finally our engine ran with all the speed she was capable
of； and as the train dashed into the street we found ourselves between
two heavy lines of guards with bayonets fixed。
The whole sickening reality was made apparent by one glance at the guard
line。 Our parole was a mockery； its only object being to get us to
Savannah as easily as possible； and to prevent benefit from our recapture
to any of Sherman's Raiders； who might make a dash for the railroad while
we were in transit。 There had been no intention of exchanging us。 There
was no exchange going on at Savannah。
After all； I do not think we felt the disappointment as keenly as the
first time we were brought to Savannah。 Imprisonment had stupefied us；
we were duller and more hopeless。
Ordered down out of the cars； we were formed in line in the street。
Said a Rebel officer：
〃Now； any of you fellahs that ah too sick to go to Chahlston； step
fohwahd one pace。〃
We looked at each other an instant； and then the whole line stepped
forward。 We all felt too sick to go to Charleston； or to do anything
else in the world。
CHAPTER LXVI。
SPECIMEN CONVERSATION WITH AN AVERAGE NATIVE GEORGIANWE LEARN THAT
SHERMAN IS HEADING FOR SAVANNAHTHE RESERVES GET A LITTLE SETTLING DOWN。
As the train left the northern suburbs of Savannah we came upon a scene
of busy activity； strongly contrasting with the somnolent lethargy that
seemed to be the normal condition of the City and its inhabitants。 Long
lines of earthworks were being constructed； gangs of negros were felling
trees； building forts and batteries； making abatis； and toiling with
numbers of huge guns which were being moved out and placed in position。
As we had had no new prisoners nor any papers for some weeksthe papers
being doubtless designedly kept away from uswe were at a loss to know
what this meant。 We could not understand this erection of fortifications
on that side； because； knowing as we did how well the flanks of the City
were protected by the Savannah and Ogeeche Rivers； we could not see how a
force from the coastwhence we supposed an attack must come； could hope
to reach the City's rear； especially as we had just come up on the right
flank of the City； and saw no sign of our folks in that direction。
Our train stopped for a few minutes at the edge of this line of works；
and an old citizen who had been surveying the scene with senile interest；
tottered over to our car to take a look at us。 He was a type of the old
man of the South of the scanty middle class； the small farmer。 Long
white hair and beard； spec
