Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-09
Exiles in Siberia. :

The laws of the Russian Empire 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 Glanced to
be there during the weekly gathering, will have
little difficulty in recognizing facts in the fol-
lowing 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 Satur-
day night After resting throughout the epsu.
ing week. during which term they are relieved
of their chains, they are despatched in ore COM
mon band on the second Monday after their ar
rival. The prison is divided into two or three
courts; each strictly guarded by sentines. In
the first of these both sexes are to be seen ming
ling indiscriminately, and are dressed 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 merchant class and the peasantry.
They are led then to second court where
their names are registered, as also their crime
and history. Here they make their petitions;
some soliciting leave to travel by the side of
brother, fellow exile-a poor consolation that
of being together in disgrace-tut the boon, if
granted, is hailed with the greatest joy. A wo-
man will also sometimes petition to accompany
her husband; but only in rare cases is this per-
mitted. According to the laws of Rnssa she
may marry again, for the Punishment of her
husband cancels the marriage bond as complete
ly as death but, if her payer be granted, Gov
ernment pays her expenses, and she assumes the
convict dress, though not the fetrers.
The examination past, the exiles are led to a
third court where fetters are placed upon the
whole band. This is u most cruel and brutal
affair. The fetters consist OF couple of heavy
iron rings, one tor each ankle. united by a chain
not adapted TO the size OF the person and his
length of stride, but Of one unvarying length,
about two teet This is connec ed by means of
links, from four to five inches long, with anoth-
er chain fastened around the waist The hoops
around che ankles are not fastened by paddock,
So as to he removed at nght, but are rivited by
the executioner, who drives an iron bolt through
the rings and by strong and careless hammeriDg
(for he often misses the mark and strikes the
fesh,) flattens the bolt at both ends intuch
way that removal is impossible except by
means of the file; and with these chains the poor
weary, footsore wretches. are to walk every step
IL
short of six months. Meanwhile a sergeant
stands by, who must answer for their security
with his own Life, As he takes charge of the,n
during their pilgrimage, and he sees. them prop
erly secured and fastened together in fours by the
wrists.
This ceremony over, the gates are thrown O.
pen and tile world ceases To exist for them. Its
surprising TO witness the calm bearing, the sad
but resigned looks OF that melancholy assem-
blage. Hope is now dead and IN its place
dim vague glimner appears in the distance of
lite, to which they look, perhaps witha more
dreamy curiosity than with any active feeling of
terror or despair. TIE gates are thrown open,
the exies are handed over to a strong guard
employed exclusively on this duty, and each
soldier loads his gun in their presence; there il
also mounted escort with spears, the com.
mander Of which carries long whip to lash tho
cavacade into order and thus they move nm
the males first, then the carts, and lastly the fe'
males. Persons of rank are not treated other.
wise than the lowest serf, noblemen being com.
PEELED to march the dreary journey on foot. and
as heavily chained as the vilest ielon. Those
destined for the mines are shut out even from
the light OF heaven, they not only loose rank
and riches, but by refinement of cruelty, are de-
prived even of their names, and number given
them instead, by which the driver of each band
calls out when he has need to address them.