Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-10-02
THE ExILEs OF SIBERIA.

The laws of Russia require 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 recognizing 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 sepa-
rate bands all arrive there from divers direc-
tions each Saturday night. After resting
throughout the ensuing week, during which
time they are relieved of their chains, they
are 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 sentinels.
In the first of these, both sexes are to be
seen miuging indiscrimnately, and are dres-.
scd alike in long, loose great coats, made Of
kind of grey cloth ; the only Distinguishing
mark is, that the men have half their heads
shaved-whilst the women retain their long
hair-a privilege also granted to the men as.
regards their boards; which decoration is
the pride and delight both of the merchants
and the peasantry.
They are led thence to second court,
where their names are registered, as also
their crime and history. Here they make
their petitions some soliciting leave to tray
ell by the side of q brother, fellow exile
poor consolation, that, of being together
in disgrace-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 cases is this per-,
mitted. According to the laws of Russia,
she may marry again, for the banishment of
her husband cancels the marriage bond as
completely as death; but if her prayer is
granted, government pays her expenses, land
she assumes the convict dress though not the
fetters. j
The examination past, the exiles are led
to third court, where fetters are placed up
on the whole band This is most cruel
and brutal affair. The fetters consist of a
couple of heavy iron rings, one for each
ankle, united by 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 by q paddock, go
as to be removed at night, but are riveted
by the executioner, who drives an iron bolt
through the rings, and by strong and care
less hawmering, (for he often misses the.
mark, and strikes the flesh, } fattens the bolt
at both ends, in such way that removal is
impossible except by means of file; and
with these chains the poor, weary, foot-sore
wretches, are to walk every step of the jour
ney which takes them only few days short
of six months. Meanwhile sergeant stands
by, who must answer for their security with
his own life, as he takes charge of them du.
ring their pilgrimage, and he sees them
properly secured and fastened together in
fours by the wrists.
This ceremony over, the gates are thrown
open and the world ceases to exist for them.
1t is surprising to witness the calm bearing,
the sad but resigned looks of that melan-
choly assemblage. Hopeis now dead; and
in its place dim vague glimmer appears in
the distance of life, to which they look, per-
haps with more dreamy curiosity than with
any active feeling of terror or despair. The
gates are thrown open, the exiles are handed
over to strong guard, employed exclusive
ly on this duty, and each soldier loads his
gun in their presence; there is also mount
ed escort with spears, the commander OF
which carries long whip to lash the caval-
cade into order; and thus they move on, the
males first, then the carts, then lastly the
females. Persons of rank are not treated
otherwise than the lowest serf, noblemen
being compelled to march the dreary journey
on foot, and as heavily chained as the vilest
felon. Those destined for the mines are
shut out even from the light of heaven, they
not only lose rank and riches, but, by a re-
6nement of cruelty, are deprived even Of
their names, and a number given them in
stead, by which the driver of each band calls
when he has need to address them.