Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-08-05
CITY ITHA6s.

TIE FKDKRAL PkIsoxKRs.-Three large tobacco fac
tories on Main street, near ash, are nov occupied by
the prisoners brought from Manassas. We have not
been furnished with permit" TO visit the interior Of
arv Of these prison depos but whilst In pursuit Of IL
formation have INDUCED il the privilege common to
all of an outside view The first thing which will ar.
rest the attention Of pssserby is the presence of
numbsr Of soldiers moving lsziy about 10 squads
slsfing upon the sidewalk with their backs against the
fences whilst sCntnes pacing up and down. in front
Of and alongside the factories The inner hoe Of the
narrow brick pavement Is the limi. within which no
one IS allowed 10 pass, without "permi". II you do
but stop minute, and project your toe over the line the
sentinel will require retrograde movement Of your foot
Such is the discipline The force present employed
in guard duty is composed Of the B. YGs (Buck CHAM
Yancey Guard and odiers OF the "Proysioua Army"
The windows OF the first and second stories Of Harwoods
factory furnished with lew iron bars The viii
dows in the upper stories, well as those in the other
factores have such attachments The prisoners
cept when they sleeping eating constantly
gazing out of the windows. They are not allowed TO
hold conversation with outsiders, but chat freely with
each other.
On Saturday, We observed four of the prisoners en-
gagged in game Of cards near one Of the windows At
another one Of them was smoking pipe, aud seemed
20 be quite contented with his lot We mention these
lite facts TO indicate that the Yankees" they
tarmed) are treated with that rgor which some have
supposed On the street. squad Of ten fifteen
Of them mostly ZouAves were engaged with spades, in
| QtEglng trench carly vi inc OtucI5 Wcfc
"totng" water in tubs, from spring near by. Three
or four have been detailed to wait upon the wounded,
and these we're allowed to the street from fac
tory to another unattended by . guard Most Of the
prisoners seemed cheerful but some looked haggard and
d iected During stay two fine hearses drew up at
the front door Of Harwoods factory. Each contained
coffin, which removed into the building. On inqui'
~ We learned that OF the prisoners bad died from
wounds received in the battle Of the 2st u and their
bodies about to be sent 70 the burial ground The
prisoners crowded the front windows to witness the
removal Of their departed comrades bu. curiosity rath
than sympathy, depicted upon their counteusn-
/ ces
Everybody s asking "whats to be done with the pris-
onerssH Some suggest that they be "down South
to Fort Sumter and elsewhere to be taken of until
Lincoln Is ready 20 exchange Oilers think the bcst be-
hayed among them should be sent home in order that
they may impart their experience 70 the deuded people
If their section, upon the same principle that singsd
rat sometimes turned loose TO brighten away others
|, ia stated that the shoemakers among them will be
qured earn their grub" making shoes for the Con-
/ federate army.
We hope that while the prisoners are kept here their
spiritual welfare will not be neglected. John Randolph
apy remarked . certain occasion, THE Heather
al your doors" The remark ia applicable these
prisOners and conveys hiatt 70 Missionary Societies
which should DOT be disregarded. Why compass
aud land 70 make one Proseyte, when we have among
us large number Of men who have beeh accustomed
to the doctrines Of DEVILS" preached to them by toe
Beechers and Cheevers of the North that the Gospel Of
Jesus" Is absolutely unknown TO many Of them We
would not require them to listen to DISCOURSE or read
A tact, in which the truth proclaimed but they
should be invited 10 attend divine service every Sunday
az the Bethel church. some other convenient place
which nigh, be fitted up for the purpose and thus have
an opportunity Of hearing profitable and wholesome
sermon, founded upon the word Of God.
/, might not De smss to furnish them with copies Of
the Declaration Of Independence printed that the
"selEevdent truths OF that imperlshable instrument
would be brought conspcuously to their attention. If
their minds not totally blinded by prejudice aud ig
noralce they would not fail TO perCsSe tbat the people
the South are indicating, While the North Is opposing
that fundamental principle asserted the 4h OF July
1870 4that to life, liberty, and the pursuit Of
happiness governments are instituted among men, drir-
ir.g Asir sst pOsr. ro he eOassnt Of TIE governed"