Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-11-22
The Recent Discharged Political Pris-
Oncrs-HOw they were Treated
while kn Confinement as wash
iUgtOm.

Ime Ueccut - ca FOisncal PTS
Oncrs-How they were Treated
while An COnSinc ment at wash.
iwgtOn.
The Piltsburg Post makes the following state
ments relative to the recently discharged prison.
ers from Illinois and Iowa, who passed through
that city few days ago on their way home from
the Old Capitol Prison at Washington:
They were arrested ON warrants signed by the
Secretary of War, but in which no charge was
set forth During the whole term of their i'm
prisonment they vainly endeavored TO learn of
what they were ussd--but not only did the
Assistant Judge Advocate General. the AS
sistant Secretary of War and Secretary Stan
ton himself deny their very reasonable request,
but actually desired them To make statements
i'm their own vindIc1tion, without knowledge
of their alleged offense Furthermore, their
counsel were not permitted To see the papers in
their case and the accusation against them--if
such documents existed. They were twice taken
before the Judge Advocate tor hearing but re
manded without any light thrown upon the cause
OF their mysterious incarceration, or being heard
in ,heir own defense. When. NJ length, they
were discharged 'honorably. IA the certificates.
signed by some subordinate officer. read, they
we're required not ouly To take the oath of al.
legisnce. but also To swear that thew would not
institute or cause TO be instituted. any suits
against any authorities of the United States
OF any loyal State. for their Imprisonment The
fact that some parties In the West had brought
suits for false Imprisonment delayed their dis
charge for some time. "a the Judge Advocate
said nothing could be done until the Secretary of
War was consulted. The result of the consulta.
ton was, apparently. the incorporation OF the
above new clause IN the oath
When asked to sign this document, some of
the prisoners grew very indignant. and refused to
take such oath, but some were in failing
health. and did not know how long they might
be kept in durance, then finally. by advice Of
their counsel, complied. and released but
are vet ignorant Of the charges upon which they
were arrested il any there we're
Their treatment In prison not bad. but
they were obliged 10 furnish their own provisions.
aud were not permitted To hold private converse
ton with those visiting them. an officer always
beng present Their correspondence watched.
and IL was only by stratagem that thes could
communicate with their friends at home, rs their
letters were. after being read. DESTROYED returned
conhscatei. One of the guards imprs
oned for allowing the pr soners some trifling lib
erty. The lives OF the prisoners were constantly
endangered by the caree>sness of the guard in
the barracks below, several balls having come
up into the prisoners apartment. discharged
from mu~ke,s below. Mr. Mshony exhibited TO
Us his shawl. perforated by twelve bullet holes
and ball. which had passed through while usea
by him pillow. and lodged in the ceiling
above. He charges no intentional firing but
gross czrelessness from which the prisoners
might at any moment lose their lives. They
suffered other serious Inconvenience. and the
health of all was more or les impaired by their
close confinement
These gentlemen inform u that since the
elections all the political prisoners in the Old
Capitol Prison have seen discharged