Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-08-12


ed IN whatever part Of th" country they may
have received sentence. should pass through
Moscow on their way 10 Siberia. The traveller WIN
, may have ohaneed Ia be there during the weekly
,AtherinR will have little difficulty IN recogniz.
ing facts IN the following account:
On reaching that city, they allowed brief
rest ia the convict prison. their daily journeys
being so calculated that the separate bands all
arrive there from divers directions each SAtur-
day night. After resting throughout the ensn-
ing week. during which term they relieved
al their ehnins. they are despatched IN com
mon band on the second Monday after their ar
rival. The prison is divided into two or three
court. each strictly guarded by senliDels In
the tir-t ut these, both sexes 10 be ming.
ling indiserimuaely aud are dressed alike IN
Iong loose great ceHts made of n kind Of gray
cloth; the only distinguishing mark Is TINT the
men have half their heads shaved -Whil.t the
women retain their long hair--a privilege also
granted 10 men regards their boards; which
decoration Is the pride aud delight both Of the
merchant class mud the ppasnntry. They are
led thence TO second Court whore their mines
nrs registered, also their crime aud history
Hero they make their petitions soliciting
leave 10 travel by the side Of "A brother fellow
eAe-a poor consolation. that, of being togplh
or in disgrace hut the boon. if granted. is hailed
with tue greatest joy. woman will also some
limos petition 10 accompany her hn sband but on
~ IN raro cases Is this permitted According to
the laws Of Russia, she may marry again, for the
Punishment Of her husband cancels the lnai rage
bond rs completely drnlh; but if her prayer
i granted, Government pays her expenses, and
she assumes the convict dress, though not the
letters.
The examination past, the exies are led to
third court, where letters placed upon the
whole bind. This l. "A most cruel and brutal af-
TAR The fetters consist of n couple OF heavy
non rings, one for ench ankle, united b n chuin,
not ndnI,t 10 the size of the person aud his
leuglh Of stride, but of one unvarying length,
obput two feet. This is connected by means Of
links, from four 10 five inches long, with another
chain. fastened around the waist. The hoops
round tho ankles nre not fastened by IA paddock,
~ rs IL be- removed III night but are rycicd by
the txecniioner, who drives IN iron bolt through
the rings. aud by strong and careless hnmmering.
tior he often misses the mark and strikes the
ilesh,) tlnttens the bolt at both ends, in such II
way that removal is impossible except by means
Of the file and with these chains the poor. wen
~, foot sore wretches. are to walk every step Of
a journey which takes them only few days short
Of six months. Meanwhile II sergeant stands by,
who must answer fni their security with his
life, rs he takes charge Of them during their pill
grimnge, md he sees them properly secured and
fastened together in folrs by the wrists.
THIS ceremony over, tho Rates are thrown open
ana me w"i'u ceases TO exist Tor them. IL Is
surprising 70 witness tue calm bearing the sad
p,t resigned looks Of INIT melancholy assem-
e"g'' Hope 'sn"" dead aud 'nits place a d'n
vague GUNNER appears IN The distance oil hle' to
"hich th"y look. perhaps with more dreamy
curiosity than with any active feeling of terror
ar despair The gntes are thrown open, the ex.
lies are handed over to "A strong guard, employed
exclusively ON tbs duty and caeh soldier loads
his gun IN their presence th"reis al 50 u mounted
escort with spears the commander OF which
/ q lunp Whip 10 lash ilt Cuynlph1p -