New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-26
LETTER FROM THE HON. MR. ELY (PRIs-
ONER AT RICHM0NDl TO THE HON.


THADDEUS STEVENS.
The following copy Of letter recently written BY
the Hon. Mt. Ely to the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens,
will be read with deep interest:
RIcHNoyD, Nov. IS, 1861. ;
| Hon. THADDEus STEVENS, H,nc of Representditees
| DEAR SIR: L. Is uubll ly known that was or,
rested by the Confederate troops near Manassas %
the DIET Jolly l4st, aud brought 10 Richmond vs.
prisoner Of war where have been detained in closs
confinement ever since. Throughout my inprisoc.
ment now exceeding four months, l have endesvored
10 DEF ort myself in such manner as neither ny
friends nor my own Government would have caGs
to regret.
Nv object in troubling You al this time, however,
az on about entering upon your labonous duties
IN the House. Is n3t Or personal consideration 10
myself but to call your attention - the condIoa Of
oar private SOLDIERS now held here rs prisoCen VI
war The Confederates have now in their posseasioa
aud in altusl Imprisonment, 1851 officers, Don-eu.
mis- Toned officers aud priyaies ABIDE from those
parole a. | barn from reliable sources; l,IlVd
these officers and privates are stii vt isiehmond,
eo6ned in loathsome tobacco factories converted
into urisons and the remainder have been distributed
to different ioesiities 10 North aud South Carolina,
Louisiana aud Alabama.
Included amoug this number are several hundred
three months troop, whose term Of enlistment Lad
10 fact, expi,ed before the battle If Bah Ran, who
left their homes and families upon the first call Of
These men have been impris bed already more ,hac
foug mOnhs, IN the con. nt hoye that arrange.
ment would be Lidde helf Telrase, or pro-
vide, at EAST for t1eir destiiuIc condiioo. LEY
have suffered like true soldiers with patieHt ssN.
sacrifice ot almost ever. person cmfort, Until loe
poof Eel ows are lear disheartened. Could you have
witnessed with lie Io-jay FIVE hundred OF tiese troops
a. they re preparing to Gepar' for Tascaioo.a, IN
Alabama, there still 10 be Imprisoned, think, cir, Il
would have ron ID The sympatIies VI your generDas
nature. lar-- portion vi these men were, a. you
are no doubI aware, taken PRISONERS 10 m!dsumneF,
| when the weather was exceedingly hoi, and dressed
in clothing suitable 10 the seasJn aid not oIly thai
bat great numbers had thrown oil their coats on 70
ing into bait e. aud brought here IN their sbfrs
,lesy.s, They have had 10 change OF clothing for
months / have seen thea witiout shoes, SOCKS,
shirts coats, hats, or caps and Ia several Instances
With only drawers for panis--pais ana haggSfd Fou
long col hnsment. II Is con0i'ion hundreds have
been sent South to her prisons, exposed TO The gaze
of the curious aud excited ,roNds
! Senars,ed n they have been from their friends,
and embsrraesed By tie uncert inty and danger OF
Transmitting means Ia he Present state OF affairs,
they have been substantially cut on IRON I'LL pflvGte
/ resources for reliei. TIE Winter IL already upon
| ,h,m aud the necessity for clothing and blankets,
e.reciy for the prisoners IN tiis iai ude, appeaf
hut 100 earnestly TO generous Government III whose
De ense th,y have taken up arms. III no measures
are concentrated Which are likely coon TO LEAD 70 tns
release Of prisoners. these meii snoud DC supiheo
with ueedful clothiog without delay; and know
the Administration too we'll to suppose for momens
that il will safer thee brve men, after lighting the
battles OF lheir country, and falling unfortunately
into the euemys hands, continue incarcerited In
southern States de- stu;e OF tue con- 'oris OF life
The officers o. tue United States army, my ass9-
eiates and prisoners OF war, at whose request al.
1ress this communication you, are nnhec uai ted
with the views OF the Government upon the suOlecs
of AN exebauge Of prisoners, DOW somewhat stfongy
nr.ed ia different sections OF the Nofth but wnat'
ever they may be, they feel assurei, With n'yeh,
that they will not be unduy neglected by Their 10Y,
erDmeDt a1d are content, with myself, 70 ien:ia ~
imnri-onment 70 long as It promotes Tie best inter-
ests OF our country. r,rnrrv
| Very truly, our friend, ALFAIO Eli