New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-24
LIFE IN FORT LAFAYETTE.


The Ettle brown fort ia the middle Of the Narryws.
known to military authorities Fort Diamond, aud to
the rest OF mankind ss Fort Lafayette, has within two
months become one Of the most noteworthy places in
the country On the goth day Of July Mr.. l.. S. Rug.
glcs Of Fredericksburg Va entered its PORTALS po
tea prisoner, and since then it has became a egular
retreat for persons who are laboring MS Daniel s..
Dickinson said at the Cooper Institute the other even.
ing, under constitutional difficulties. Since that time
good business has been done By carrying visitors down
to rec the foi but they have been limited outside
view. Those gentlemen who have been admitted to
look upon toe inner sanctuary have, with very few ex-
ceptions found the entertainment Of such character
that they have MT returned 10 the profane life Of the
world AT large. For the benefit Of those who have
looked on the pile Of browu-stone and sighed in vain
for tho little ticket, issued only by the Secretary OF
State which gives admission, We are permitted to lay
before our readers some account Of the actual con-
ditions of life in the fort
The prisoner, on his arrival at Fort Hamilton, finds
that the charge against him is registered there by the
Colonel commanding, and transcript is sent with him
to Fort Lafayette where receipt is given for him on
delivery. He is then conducted to some one Of the
apartments originally intended for the officers Of the
garrison which are situated the ground floor of the
ed parade ground Of about three These rooms
average about nine occupants each; and lately the
number of guests has become large that some Of
them have been obliged to accept accommodations in
the classmates. About thirty prisoners, who have
friends and money have formed mess and fare better
than the rest but the majority live just well as and
no better than the soldiers. About the con-
spcuously placed the rules Of the establishment which
hat urieoners rooms M be ready
inspection at o'clock in the morning. that washing
must be done in the yard of the Fort that
prisoners must not talk with any member Of the
garrison but can communicate their wants TO the Ser
geant Of the Guard that they must not leave their
rooms except in company with guard; that they must
obey implicitly the directions Of any officer soldier
of the guard; and they informed that any trans
gresson will be punished with solitary confinement or
such other restrictions as may be necessary to strict
enforcement othe rules. Those who belong the mess
are furnished with an excellent breakfast at o'clock,
and dinner at 3, at which liquors are allowed in mod
crate ouantty aud for which the charge is 81 per day.
These meals are quite as good furnished at sec
oud.r hotels. Liquors can also be had at other
times at te discretion OF the Sergeant and without
extra charge This mess is composed principally Of
Southern men, but not exclusively, as all have the
privilege of entering il who are able to pay. The
prisoners are now organizing themselves into smaller
me,ses, which will render their situation SUI
more comfortable The majority OF the prisoners
who live upon the fare which Is iarulsnea
them do not find II quite 30 comfortable. ihey
are supplied with the ordinary army raions, which are
said TO belong rather to the necessities than 10 the lux
ures of life The facilities for cooking these r'iions
are poor. The stove which it 10 done s not large
enough and is set up without any chimney in case
mate The polksn olhey meats consequently oi'en'ey