Prison Life in Andersonville

ion of the hand of the Almighty as that recorded in the Book of Numbers where it is said, "And Moses lifted up his h

Rhodes History of the United States, we have the statement, "After a severe storm a spring broke out within the

for where the stockade was washed away on the north side, it opened a spring of pure water, enough to supply nearly the

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, despa

amp Chase, Ohio, and there detained until improved

e given to the effect that the breaking out of the spring at Andersonville was a distinct answer to prayer and a convincing fac

Providence Spring a miracle? Would the saving relie

the many wells which were partially sunk, but filled, by order of Capt. Wirtz, because tunnels therefrom were dug for escape. The vein of water which issued in Providence Spring doubtless flowed from time immemorial, and being unable to work upward through a too great overpress of clay, had found a lower s

prevailed at one time; aggravated by irritation to stomach and intestines from the practically uncooked food. The awful unsanitary conditions which prevailed can be described, but respect for the sensibilities of the reader forbids. Suffice it to say that the need for fuel was urgent, that a number of the stronger captives would

th clear water. This fact was a mystery until after the spring was opened; then the conclusion was reached that the spring water followed

g for a well was not permitted; it therefore remained undiscovered. The out-of-plumb position of the stockade timbers had existed for a long time, but was not noticed by the officials until the time when prayer began to be offered for water. As the petitions of Esther and Mordecai,

ench by digging away the ground to afford the

and release the life-giving fountain. The slaves removed quite a depth of the earth directly over the unknown reservoir

r, as it was located on the forbidden margin, any prisoner reaching under or over the dead-line

ayer, was that the hardness of Capt. Wirtz would be relaxed to the extent of allowing the pr

ilion built over the spring by the Woman's Relief Corps, remarks, "The waters flow strong and sweet with a never-ceasing stream into the marble basin. It is said to b

he town, who had been a member of the staff of General Grant, showed him a bottle of water from Providence Spring which nine year

ack this spring were cracked or broken open by a lightning bolt and the waters gushed forth. No one ever believed that it was a sort o

which human and divine forces cooperate to a beneficent end, and the r

d prayer for relief from water-famine was not ostentatiously announced at the time, and was l

and gladness, such as prevailing prayer

inates with the moral force of prayer, as in numberless instances such convergence occurs in history. Nevertheless, this explan

existed in an abundant, although unknown supply. The Almighty, by the ag

ough Moses went beyond the Divine command, and struck with a rod instead of speaking with his voice, yet the Divine goodness was not withheld, "and the water came abundantly." So

co-operation. Surely then, the prayers of the Andersonville prisoners for water were incited by Him who saw their dire nece

s of the Grand Army of the Republic and to many others. Gentlemen of scientific and Christian attainments have said

on the spot of a granite pavilion which is appropriately n

ntain Er

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National

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ion Was Er

s Reli

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and die

Prison at An

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cry of thirst ra

with his thunde

sweetest waters

ted 1