New-York daily tribune., 1861-11-09

however, that none of the prisoners con.d be bad
on II those crowded Ill the caselnates on Cas'ls
William were not. aud therefore report of ths con
dilon In which found them may properly serve ~
sufficient reply TO all 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
!cordion, for week or two very trying and almost
nhuman Ill clothed, already sick from the voyage
aN previous exposure, they were suddenly precip-
ltatSh upon post not prepared to receive them
when there was neither adequate room clothing, nor
medical force; but these unaN Oidalle deficiencies
were supplied with all the exredion possible; all
alacIity was shown, it appears, by the Command
ant and lis Surgeon, and other officers, to meet the
Gaze. In very short time bedding,
blankets, sufficient food, and suitable medi-
cal attendance, were furnished to all. As
saw them they We're IN q better condition, in al
respects than half our own men in the field; not so
crowded as most soldiers in tent, with as abundant
food, with as good Blankets and more devoted medi
cal attention. There was nothing 10 complain OF
except the unavoidable fact that classmates, although
here quite roomy, furnish very roor ventilation and
are in 40 case comfortable quarters.
The men complained of nothing (although gave
them ample opportunities TO do so except the oss Of
liberty. They spoke kindly of their physicians and
the officers IN command. TIE climate seemed their
chief objection to this region. 1t went sore with
them TO be sent stil further North. They wanted
to stay where tley had made friends, knew their
prison and their keepers. and where they were
nearer TO synpathizers and to home
The casemaies were sipguarly clean. purposely
went uDannodnced, and found The floors bright and
sweet. Every man had lis own bed and adequate
blankets. In addition to the Government supplies,
the Stale Of North Carolina had been permitted TO
send some comforts to tie prisoners and oisntsresed
beneicence IN NewYork had cone something more.
could really find TO add anything from the
stores Of the Sanitary Commission.
The hospitals were humanely and tenderly admin
stered by Surgeon Swain. and Assistant Surgeon
Peters. Tie sick men looked perfeoly comfortable
in the regular hospital, and IN the temporary hosGi
tails as casemaes permitted. Medicines Of the best
kinds in limited quantities. and necessary siimuhn's
IN abundance, were supplied to the sick Several
very desperate cases OF typhoid bad been saved 10y
the assduiiy Of the physcians. TIE low spirits Of
all the prisoners are of course highly favorable 20
couvalescence and doubtless the lick -t and tie bill
of mortality seventeen had died) were hoth larger
than they would have been had not hone-eekles'
very much rrevalled.
The men were usually rcluctsnt either TO wash or
TO exercise. They had 10 be driven TO bath Pains
were taken TO compel them to be in the open ar sew
eral hours each day. They were not confined within
narrow bounds, but Lad many acres for play
ground.
IRE Surgeon told me he had seen only one tooth
brush in nee among the rank and file. They were
evidently carele's In personal habits, difty, ana
sluggish. Tie officers were perfectly comfortable
for IiiFouers and complln,d Of nothing. cav, on
the whole, abundant evidence OF the Unreasonable
ness Of the complaints made OF the treatment oi
these men.
IL would be n source Of great conFolson 20 believe
that prisoners were treated by the Rebels half "a
well. Very respectfully yOurs,
iENhI' W. BELLOWS,
President Of the u. 5. saui.afy Coinni',ion.
Hon. W. H. Seward, Secretsry q S's'e.