CHAPTER XXX.
JUNE--POSSIBILITIES OF A MURDEROUS CANNONADE--WHAT WAS PROPOSED TO BE DONE IN THAT EVENT--A FALSE ALARM--DETERIORATION OF THE RATIONS -- FEARFUL INCREASE OF MORTALITY.
After Wirz's threat of grape and canister upon the slightest provocation, we lived in daily apprehension of some pretext being found for opening the guns upon us for a general massacre.

Bitter experience had long since taught us that the Rebels rarely threatened in vain.

Wirz, especially, was much more likely to kill without warning, than to warn without killing.

This was because of the essential weakness of his nature.

He knew no art of government, no method of discipline save "kill them!" His petty little mind's scope reached no further.