Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-11-14

AN~AN - -@S -N-
~"Don't slabber in der bucket" I"
was the order of one engaged in water
ing the prisoners from Leesburg on their
arrival at Richmond few days since.
Crowded together in old rickety freight
cars, like SO many cattle, and perishiDg
from hunger and thirst, our poor boys
were glad to find even a few drops OF
water to cool their parched throats.
Amid the jeers and taunts Of the mob
Of vagabonds and traitors, who had
assembled to see the Yankees" they
were marched through the principal
streets, and finally lodged in tobacco
factory. The Richmond Dispatch gives
the number at 525. Amongst them
was one negro who attracted great at
tention. He stated that he was free,
but with that unerrIng, bloodhound
instinct, peculiar to the slave-bolding
fraternity, tie paper states "some oI
our citizens thought they had seen him
before" No doubt some precious ras
cal will not only think so, but finally
swear to having owned him. In the
afternoon of the same day 132 more
prisoners were brought in.
The dispatch says there are now
nearly 1000 prisoners in Richmond,
and urges them being sent South al
once, admitting they are ike the man
who drew the elephant in lottery
don't know what to do with them.
1t is high time our Government should
make some provision to rescue these
men from this intolerable condition.
Our volunteers are for the most part
men of spirit, and with keen sense Of
shame. What can be more CALLING to
such men than to be paraded like wild
beasts through the streets of city, in
suited and ridiculed by crowd of de-
mons, whose base and vicious natures
are thus permitted to revel in the tor
lures they are able to inflict upon brave,
high-minded men, whose. only fault has
been a blind obedience to orders, the
result Of which is captivity worse
than death.
The course of the Administration in
this respect will no longer be tolerated.
1t is injustice to these heroic men thus
to allow them 10 pine away in the pesti-
lentisl dens of Richmond; is cruelty to
their friends and families in the loyal
States, and it is calculated to dampen
the courage Of our soldiers actually in
the service, as well as retard the enlist.
ment of others.
1t is alleged on part of the Govern.
ment, that by agreeing to an exchange
of prisoners we would be virtually re.
cognizing the Southern Confe deracy
This might be Of some weight were the
rebels a puny, Insignificant horde o.
marauders and robbers; but when We
look at the stupendous armies they have
mustered, and the grand scale on which
the war is now carried on, it sinks into
mere nonentity. Our loyal States are
urging their best men to volunteer, and
every inducement is held out for thai
purpose. Yet we are allowing thous.
ands of our best and bravest men, who
have exposed themselves to the hazard
of battle-who have abandoned the
comforts of home, and the enjoyments
Of civilized life. to lsnguish on beds o.
sickness uncared for, and finally die, OF
if otherwise, to endure starvation, CD.
probrium. and every i'll that "Aesh i.
heir to-"
This may effect one thing, and tha,
is to compel our men if in battle tc
fight with demoniac desperation, from
the fact that if taken prisoner they are
from that moment abandoned by theil
Government to the remorseless cruelty
of an infuriate foe. If this be the OBJ.
ject of Government, the course pursued
is eminently fitted to bring it about
But we are of opinion that knowledg,
on part of the soldier that if taker
prisoner, he will be ransomed by hi,
Government, would be much more eff
! fective in staying up bis hands in time
of bsttle. and would in the end save
many valuable lives.
! Let this fne,spun theory be at ono.