Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-01-27
THE EXILEs OF SIBERIA.

ever part of the country they may have
received sentence. should pass through
Moscow on their way TO Siberia; the trav-
eiler who may have CHANGED 10 be there
during the weekly gathering, will have
little difficulty in recognizing facts in the
following account:
On reaching that city they are al
lowed a brief rest in the convict prison,
their daily journeys being 50 calculated
that The separate bands sll arrive there
from divers directions each Saturday
night. After resting throughout the en-,
suing week, during which term they are
relieved of their chains, they are des
patched 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 FIST of these both sexes are to be
seen rlingling indiscriminately, and are
dressed alike in long loose great coats,
made of kind Of gray cloth; the only
distinguishing mark is, that the men
have half their heads shayed-whilst the
women retain their long hair--a privilege
also granted to the men as regards their
boards; which decoration is the pride
and deligh. both of the merchant and
the reasantry.
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-but the
boon, if granted, is hailed with the
greatest joy. A woman will also some
times petition to accompany her husband
but only in rare cases is this permitted.
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
be granted. Government pays her expen-
ses, and she assumes the convict dress,
though not the fctters.
The examination past. the exiles are
led TO third court, where letters are
placed upon the whole band. This is a
most cruel and brutal affair. The fet
ters consist of coupla of heavy iron
rings, one for each ankle, united By
chain, not adapted TO the size of the per-
son and his length of stride, but Of un-
varying length, about two feet. This is
connected. by means links, from four to
five inches long, with another chain fast
ened around the waist. The hoops
round the ankles are not fastened by ,
paddock, 30 as TO be removed at night,
but are riveted by the execuliontr, who I
drives an iron bot through the rings and /
by strong and careless hammering, flor 7
he often misses the marx and strikes the I
flesh, flattens the belt at both ends in .
'uch a way that removal is impossible, &
except by means Of the file, AID with i
hese Chains the poor, weary. foot sore |
Tretches. are 10 walk every step of a C
ourney which takes six months. Mean a
While a sergent stands by, who must an c
wer for their security with his own life !
IS he takes charge of them during their 81
pilgrimage. and he sees them properly b
ecured and fastened together in fours VI
" the wrists. ci
This ceremony over. the gates are NJ
brown open and the world ceases 10 ex- Sc
II for them. 1t is surprising to witness ca
he calm bearing. the sad but resigned in
'oks of that melancholy assemblage.- in
lope is Iow dead; and in its place dim &c
hgue glimmer appears in the distance ma
life' to which they look, perhaps with G.
more dreamy cur iosity than with any tn
'tive feeling of terror and despair. The sh
ates are thrown open, the exiles are 20
lnded over TO strong guard, employ es
exclusively on this duty, and each
ldier loads his gun in their presence; vi
ere is also mounted escort, with rel
ears, the commander of which carries | a
long whip to lash the cavelcade into mi
der; and thus they move on, the males
st, then the carts, and lastly the fe- de,
ales. Person of rank are not treated
nerwise than the lowest serf, noblemen
ing compelled tom arch the dreary Jour
on foot, and as heavily chained as
; vilest felon. Those destined for the oui
nes are shut out even from the light mar
heaven; they no! only lose rank and on
hes. but, by refinement of cruelty,
} deprived even of their names, and a scfl
mber given them instead, by which iaSi
driver Of each band calls when he III
) need 10 address them. seie