Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-15

From the Richmond Dispatch
Three large tobacco factories on Main street,
near Twenty fifth, are now occupied by the
prisoners brought from Manassas. We have
not been furnished with permit to visit
the interior Of any of these prison depots, but,
while in pursuit Of information, have INDUCED
in the privilege common to all, OF an outside
view. The first thing which will arr. st the
attention of passer by is the presence of a
number OF soldiers moving about in squads
or sitting upon the sidewalk with their backs
against the fences, while sentnels are pacing
up and down in front of and alongside the fac
tories. The inner line CT the narrow brick
pavement is the limit within which no one is
allowed TO pass without permit" Ii you
but stop minute and project your toe over
the line, the sentinel will require a retrograde
movement OF your foot. Such is the disci-
pine. The force at present employed in guard
duty is composed OF the Il. Y. G's (Buckng.
ham Yancey Guard) and soldiers of the pro
visional army" The windows OF the first
and second stories of Harwoods factory are
furnished with a fe iron bars. The windows
in the upper stories, as well as those in the
other factories, have no such attachments
The prisoners, except when they are sleeping
or eating, are constantly gazing out of the
windows. They are not allowed to hold con.
versation with outsiders, but chat freely with
each other.
On Saturday we observed four of the prison.
ers engaged in game of cards near one of
the windows. At another, one OF them was
smoking pipe, and seemed quite contented
with his lot. We mention these little facts to
indicate that the yankees" las they are
tcrmed) are not treated with that rgor which
some have supposed. On the cross street a
squad OF ten or fifteen Of them mostly Zouaves,
were engaged with spades in digging a
trench to carry off the rain. Others were
"toting" water in tubs, from a spring near
by. Three or four have been detailed TO
wait upon the wounded, aud these were
allowed to cross the street from one factory
to another, unattended by guard Most OF
the prisoners seemed cheerful, but some
looked haggard and detected During our
stay two fine hearses drew up at the front door
OF Harwoods factory. Each contained a cof-
I'm, which was removed into the building On
inquiry we learned that two of the prisoners
had died from wounds received in the battle
OF the 2lst ut., and their bodies were about to
be sent 10 the burial ground. The prisoners
crowded to the front windows TO witness the
removal of their departed comrades but curl
osity, rather than sympathy, was depicted
upon their countenance.
Everybody is asking, "Whats to be done
with the prisoners 2" Some suggest that they
be sent down south" to Fort Sumter and
elsewhere to be taken care of until Lincoln is
ready 10 exchange. Others think that the best
behaved among them should be sent home, in
order that they may impart their experience
TO the deluded people OF their section, upon
the same principle that a singed rat is some
times turned loose to frighten Others away. 1t
is stated that the shoemakers among them will
be required TO earn their grub" by MAILING
shoes for the confederate army