The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-08-28
THE EXILES OF SIBERIA

that all those condemned, in whatever part OF
the country they may have received sentence
should pass through Moscow on their way
to Siberia the traveller who may have
CHANGED to be there during the weekly
gathering, will have little difficulty in re.
cognIz'ng facts in the following account:
On reaching that city, they are allowed
brief rest in the convict prison, their
daily Journeys being SO calculated that the
separate bands all arrive there from divers
directions each Saturday night. After rest
ing throughout the ensuing week, during
wl''ch term they are relieved of their chains,
they arc despatched in one common band
on the second Monday after their arrival.
The prison is divided into two or three
courts, each strictly guarded by sentincs.
In the first Of these, both sexes arc TO be
seen mingling indiscriminatcly, and arc
dressed alike in long loose great coats,
made of kind of grey cloth tho only
distinguishing mark is, that the men have
half their heads shaved-wlilst the women
retain their hair-a privilege also
granted to the men as regards their boards
which decoration is the pride and delight
10th Of the merchant class and the pcasan-
try. They are led thence TO n second
court, where their names are registered, rs
also their crime and history. Here they
make their petitions some soliciting leave
to travel hy the side Of a brother, fellow
exilc-a poor consolation, that, OF being
together i'll diSgracc-but the boon, If
granted, is hailed with the greatest joy
a woman will also sometimes petition TO
accompany her husband but only in rare
c:.Ses is this permitted. According to the
laws of RUSSIA, she may marry again, for
tho Punishment Of her husband cancels the
marriage bond us completely rs death but
ii Eci prayer is granted, Government pays
her expenses, and she assumes tho convict
dress, though not the tct;ers.
The examinations past, the cxilcs arc led TO
third court, where letters are placed upon
the Whole band. This is Il most cruel and
brutal affair. The fcttcrs consist of :. couple
OF heavy iron rings, one for each ankle,
united ly a Chain, not adapted to the size
of the person and his length of stride, but
of one unvarying length, about two feet
This is connected, by means Of links, from
four to five inches long, with another chain,
fastened around the waist The hoops
round the ankles are not fastened bv pad
lock, SO as TO be removed at night, but are
rlvctcd by the cxccutioner, who drives an
iron bolt through the ring, and hy strong
and careless lammcring, Qor he often mis-
ses the mark and strikes the ile,h,) nat.cns
the bolt ut both ends, i'll such way that
removal is impossible except by means of
the file; and with these chains the poor,
weary, f"otsore wrctches, arc to walk every
step OF a journey Which takes them only a
few days short Of six mouths. Meanwhile
a ascrgeant stands by, who must answer for
their security with his own life, as he takes
Charge Of them during their pilgrimage,
and he sees them properly secured ard
fastened together in fours by the wrists.
This ceremony over, the gates are thrown
open and the world ccascs to exist for them.
1t is surprising to witness the calm bearing,
the sad but resigned looks Of that mcan-
choly asscmblage. Hope is now dead
and IN its place Il dim, vague glimmer ap-
pears in the distance Of life, to which they
look, perhaps with more dreamy curiosity
than with any active feeling of terror OF
despair. The gates are thrown open, the
cxles are handed over to a strong guard,
employed exclusively on this duty, and
eacll soldier loads his gun in their presence;
there Is also mounted escort, with spears,
the commander of which carries a long
whip to lash the cavalcade into order; and
thus they move OIL, the male first, then the
carts, and lastly the females. Persons OF
rank are not treated otherwise than the
lowest serf, noblemen being compelled to
march the dreary journey on foot, aud as
heavily chained as the viest fclcn. Those
destined for the mines shut out even from
the light Of heaven, they not only lose
rank and riches, but, by refinement OF
cruelty, are deprived even of their names,
and a number given them instead, by which
the driver Of each band calls when lie has
need to address them.
~s>s$
Mornaonisns an Nev Jersey.-A cores
pondent Of the Newark Advertiser states
that Mormon church is in full operation
in Ocean County. The number of con.
verts is quite large and increasing. The
writer says:
"Tlley maintain all tile tenets of the
Mormon Church stouty. They have
preachers resident here, and priests Of a
higher grade frequently visiting them from