The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-15
ATROCIOUS TREATMENT OF OUR
PRISONERS.

A number of our soldiers who were taken pris-
oners at .he battle of Rich Mountain, on the 18th
OF June last, arrived here yesterday from their
place of imprisonment in Ohio, having passed tho
lines ut Norfolk under flag of truce
Mr.. David Comfort, one of the number formerly
resident of Charlotte Court House, in this State,
gives us an intelligent and deeply interesting
count of the atrocous treatment in Ohio Of a
number Of the prisoners taken at the Rich Noun
tain and released on PAROLE with the distinct un-
derstaading that they were to be sent home.
MIR Comfort, with fourteen Of his fellowprisoners
released on parole, after being detained for a long
time at Beverley were at last sent into Ohio, sup
posing that they were to be returned home On
arriving at Columbus, Ohio they were all arrested
and imprisoned by the order of Gov. Dennson.
The place of their imprisonment was at "Camp
Chase" about four miles from Columbus, where
large pen, closely planked up with sentinel towers,
made to serve as prison. Within .his enclos-
of plank which was about sixteen feet high,
two long sheds had been erected as places Of con-
fnement. These were divided into mere stalls
without doors, and without one single article of
furniture, not even bedding or blanket. Into
these mere partitions resembling stalls for CATTLE
our soldiers trust The sufferings inflicted
upon them almost exceed belief. They were fed
on scaDty rations of crackers and mess pork
Sometimes they were paraded as often dozen
times day to be shown to visitors. Many of
these were Ohio ladies.
Besides the prisoners on PAROLE among whom
was Mr. Comfort who we're thrust into this vile
and brutal place Of confinement, il was already
occupied by over one hundred citizens of Western
Virginil, captured by the army, besides some
twenty-five soldiers taken in the various engage
ments in the West. $50 30
In giving US relation Of the sufferings of the
prisoners, Alr Comfort mentioned incidents of the
brutal and savage treatment of our wounded
calculated to affect the hardest heart Owing to
the want OF transportation, many of our poor
wounded soldiers had to be carried in tho arms OF
their comrades. The surgeon at Camp Chase
refused to supply bandages when they were asked
for, and those of their comrades who attended the
wounded are said to have been unable to procure
soap to wash their wounds
Ore of these wounded soldiers taken at Rich
Mountain, had been shot BY ball through the
mouth, fracturing his jaw after he had surrender
ed As he was standing among his Yankee captors,
Federal Colonel road up to him with cooked
pistol, demanding, with fearful oath, "if he was
one Of the id rebels who had been shooting at
his men" The soldier did not reply, when the
brave Yankee officer, with another brutal oath,
discharged his pistol in his mouth.
The release of the paroed prisoners from Camp
Chase was finally procured, after weeks Of great
suffering and worse indignty through the inter
who had commanded the Federal forces Of Rich
Mountain, aud had engaged to send our prisoners
home. Dir Comfort had written to Gen. Mcclellan
of their imprisonment in Ohio, and an order was
procured for their release from Gov. Dennison on
Saturday last.
Mr. Comfort heard nothing on the route of the
defeat of the Federal forces in Virginia, beyond
report at Wheeling that some general officer on the
Federal side had been mortay wounded. This is
the only foundation learn for the wild report
brought to Norfork, aud given with such heedless
extravagance by the press of sweeping and
decisive victory on the Big SeweIl Mountain.
On passing through York, Pa, one of our
prisoners was approached BY respectable looking
person. The man whispered to his ear that cit
would be death to speak his sentiments, but TO tell
the people in Virginia that the Yankees were
going to hell as fast as they could" This was
she only evidence of ga Northern man with South
ern principles" encountered by our soldiers in all
of their soiourn and travel in the North.-Rich-
n.ond Eraminer, 4h 9ssf
ABoUT RIGHT.-We once heard ofa preacher
,yho ,was o.ilaA nron hu aoron of hi1