The national Republican., 1861-11-09
REBEL PRISON RS.

The following is the report of the United
States Sanitary Commission, upon the condi
ton of the prisoners in the forts at New York:
New York, Oct. 81, 1861.
SIR: With your permission l visited the
prisoners OF war and Of State at Governor 3
Island on Monday last.
l should have extended my visit the next
day to Fort Lafayette and Ellis Island, where
smaller portions were placed, had | not
learned that they were all to be removed the
next day to Boston harbor. l suppose, how
ever, that none of the prisoners could'be badly
off If those crowded In the classmates OF Castle
William were not and, therefore, q report Ct
the condition in which | found them may
properly serve as sufficient reply to ali the
complaints which have appeared in the New
York papers
No doubt the circumstances under which
these men were brought to Governors Island
made their condition for u week or two very
trying, and almost inhuman. Ill clothed, al
ready sick from the voyage aud previous ex
posure, they were suddenly precipitated upon
post not prepared to receive them-when
there was neither adequate room, clothing
nor medical force but these unavoidable de
6ciences were supplied with all the expedition
possible. All alacrity was shown, 1t appears,
BY the commandant and his surgeon and other
officers to meet the case. In a very short ii ne,
bedding, blankets, sufficient food, and suitable
medical a.tenlion, was furnished to all. AS |
saw them they were in better condition, in
all respects, than half our own men in the field.
Not so crowded as most soldiers in tent, with
as abundant food as good blankets, and more
dev oted medical attention. There was nothing
to complain Of, except the unavoidable fact
tina. casemates although here quite r .omy-
furnish very poor ventilation, and are in no
case comfortable quarters
The men complained Of nothing, (although
| gave them ample opportunities to do SOY ex
cept the loss OF liberty. They spoke kindly OF
their physicians, and the officers in command
The climate seemed their chief objection to
this region. 1t went sore with them to b
sent still further North. They wanted to stay
where they had made friends knew their
prison and their keepers, and where they were
nearer to sympathizers and 10 bOme
The classmates were singularly clean.
purposely went unanuounced and found the
| floors bright aud sweet. Every man bad his
own bed, and adequate blankets. In addition
to the Government supplies, the State of North
Carolina had been permitted to send some
comforts to the prisoners, aud disnterested
benefcence in New York had done something
more. | could really find no room to add any
thing from the stores of the Sanitary Commits
sion.
The hospitals were humanely and teuderly
administered by Surgeon Swain and Assistant
Surgeon Peters The sick men looked perfect
ly comfortable in the regular hospital, and il
the temporary hospitals as comfortable as case
mates permitted. M'dcines 6f the best kinds
in unlimited quantities, aud necessary stimu
lants in abundance, were supplied to the sick
Several very desperate cases Of typhoid haG
been saved by the assiduity of the physicians
The low spirits of all prisoners are, OF course
highly unfavornbla TO convalescnce, AMI doubt
less the sick list and the bill Of mortality (sey
enteen had died) were both larger than they
would have been had 10! home. sickness verl
, much prevailed.
The men were usually reluct ant either I,
wash or to exercise. They had to be driven t,
both Pains were taken to compel them to b.
} In the open air several hours each day. The,
were not confined within narrow bounds, bu
. had many acres for play ground.
The surgeon told me he had seen only on
toothbrush in use among the rank and file
They were evidently careless in persona
hibts, dirty, and sluggish. The officers wer
perfectly comfortable, for prisoners, and com
planned Of nothing. saw, on the whole. abund
ant evidence OF the unreasoDablcness of tn
: complaints made Of the treatment of thes
men.
1t would be source OF great con ISOLATION Il
believe that our pris lners We're treated by tn
rebels half as well.
Very respectfully, yours,
HENRY W. BELLOws
: Prest. OF the U. S, Sanitary Commission.
Hon W. II. SEWARD,
Secretary of State