New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-10-23
The Treatment of Prisoners.

To the Editor of the Richmond H2ig-Certainly
no army was ever organized, possessing the same
patriotism, bravery, and that stern determination
to conquer or to die, as that of the Confederate
States. As to how the Southern people have re-
sponded TO the call for volunteers, let facts speak
for themselves. As large as our army is atthe
present time, offers of regiments and companies
have been refused time and again at the War
Office. If it were not large enough for present
contingencies, the force might be doubled in a few
weeks. Why is there this eagerness for volunteer
ing for the war in the south, when mere is a cor,
responding tardiness exhibited at the North? 1t
is because every citizen of the south feels that
personal interest, that pride in this war, which
would make him sacrifice every dollar, and shed
the last drop of blood, before submitting to the
North But, it is to be feared that this pride, this
glowing patriotism, is being daily weakened.
Many man having left behind him, 70 engage
in this war; his family, his quiet, happy home, his
comforts and luxnries--even if they be but the
humble clay pipe, his ease, and the afternoon nap,
or the more aristocratic havana, silk dressing
gown, embroidered slippers, and an "uncut
magazine lis made to experience, through the
coarseness and brutality OF superors-ln military
rank ony---a feeling of degradation ard dsap-
pointment, enough to dampen the. purest and
hoest patriotism. Men, socially their equals, are
insulted without prospect OF obtaining satlsfac-
ton; are kicked and cufed about--exhlbltlng the
patience of martyrs under the infiction, by up
starts shielded by parchment and shoulder straps,
and armed with swords. It is a notorious fact,
that negroes, when made oyerseers of, become the
hardest masters; and SO it IS with men IN our
army, who, by political influence, or by accidental
relationship to officer in an Influential position,
get into some office requiring commission. The
natural instincts and feelings of the man are soon
exhibited, generally speaking, in, the form Of
dOmineering air to interiors, and disgusting
toadyism to superiors.
1t is all nonsense to bring up West Point disci-
plne aud attempt to establish it in such an army
as ours. The two systems are totally different, as
playing with doll. babies is from practical house
! keeping. What was the D1ateriel of the regular
| army of the late United StatesH 1t was com
posed for the most part of the debris of the foreign
population, and the very worst OF the native
When q man had committed the worst crimes
when, by misfortune or laziness, he became down
at the heel, or by the faihessness of some woman
he became miserable, he enlisted-not until every
! avenue closed to him did he enlist. He enter
| ed the army craven wretch accustomed TO De
| kicked and ordered about. Not so with our vol
unteer; accustomed from infancy to all the sur
roundings of civilization and refinement, accus
| toned to command, he offers his services to his
country to risk his fe if it need be, in the defence
of its honor asking the appreciation OF his country
as the only pay.
Such an army as ours never before existed. The
ndomitable pluck of the nlen the stolid determin
alton to stand the hardships of camp life the self
sacrificing spirit has no paraelin in history. Butwher
a man comes to understand that he is nothing but
machine-or had as well have no name, but bs
| designated by a number, like galley slaVe-tha
| his life might be sacrificed at any moment to ad
| vance the selfish ends of superior; when com
mand is never given him unless accompanied by al
oath when no attention is paid to his comfort
when he is left to sleep on the bare ground, willis
his superior officers may revel in the luxuries Of
| feather bed and comfortable chamber; his hear
grows sick and weary his thoughts revert to hi
| happy home, to his wife and little ones. Many
poor soldier puts up with itreatment and hard
ships, rather than complain. He often does no
complain for reason of the very pride he takes il
| being q soldier. He thinks it is better to stan
these things for while longer-his time will soo
be out but when it is out, he will have an accoun
to settle with Capt. This or Col. That; there viii
be no commission or c6urt-martal to skulk behin
|fthen.
There is scarcely a man in the army who has 40
been made to feel degraded, disappointed-ay
crushed-by tie rough treatment of superiors, in
attentive TO his comforts, aud by the total disre
gard of his individuality as nlan.
| See the poor wretches when they are aboutsom
of the Departments-sick or perhaps wounded
Cross replies to reasonable question-frequentl
no answer at all the difficulty of finding the off
GERS with whom they have business the obstacle
thrown in their way generaily-eause them to be
|come 80 bewildered as to be almost on the Verg
of distraction.
Unless these evils are corrected the army wi
be demoralizea-ruued. EXPERIENCE.