Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-09-12

Itis known to the country that the dastarl.y
foes Of our country released the c3avicts at
Baton Rouge, previous to their evacuation OF
the city, and carried them 70 New Odeans We
are not surprised at it, however, as they $40 fit
associates OF the thieying Yankees, The follow
ing is a himsy attempt Of a correspondent IL
BdtleT's Delta, 10 justify tho outrage
NEW ORLEANS, September Sir Win you
please correct the rumor industriously and per
sistentlY ercu.ated throughout ths city aud vi
ciuity, tnal the cOnvicis Of the Louisiana State
penitentiary had been " les loose 10 prey up0a
/ the community Ga the advent of the Federal
forces into Baton Rouge, the iate General VII
liams took possession OF the peuitsutisry, giving
to Messrs. HsTt & Pike-wao were lhs cust0di-
ans of the institution by appointment .c0m Gov
ernoT M0ore-s certificate relieving them from
then control, and taking he responsibility upon
the military department OF the gulf The wis
dom OF this course needs 40 further dsm5nstra-
ton than tie fact that the entire orcs Of that IN
slitution-c0ntaini0g thre5 hundred aud sixty
persons-had been, since thu rebellion, used to
supply the Confederate army with tents, cloth
ing, knaosscks, and other articles Indispensable
70 military forces in the field.
Tne battle Of August 9Th was in such close
proximity 70 tae prison-.he balls OF the enemy
whistling around the Offices, and falling within
tue DElHU4 Mhil8 10 l11b IL 2 1ltllI ~ taL SER
Gus consideration what should be done IN case
Of another attack and when our lines Of de-
feuse were so changed as to leave the prison en-
tirsly outside the Qualifications subiec.iug as not
only to the ire Of our artillery, bus bringing rs
within the range of cur gun6oats, the embar-
Tassnent became more imminet s-iI When-it
was decided to evacuate the city, BY order OF
General Bu.er, She keys and custody Of the
prison were rendered 20 Messrs- Hart & Pike,
whose relations 60 the Stats have never changed
they not having taken the oath of alegiancs
to the United Ststss g0yernment-but that Gus
tody was refused by them, after ascertaining
that by order Of the commanding general 50
much OF the machinery hsd been removed as
would prevent the institution being employed
sgain to supply the C0ntsdeTst5s, thus making
the punishment Of STATE criminals sub3ervient
70 the wants Of the rebel army To have locked
up these men and wOmeG, with no representa-
tive Of the State government TO give them food,
would have been lnhRman, and hence the only
alternative was adopted 70 put them On trans
port steamer, under military guard, until they
can be safely provided for 6y 3 military govern
ment which has already done very much to
punish criminals whom the State authorities
had suffered TO go at large.
That few OF these prisoners have eludei the
vigilance of sbe guard aad gained temporary
liberty, is Tuei but they are ell within our lmes-
are known to cur police, and arc fast being re-
stored to the custody Of their officers
That there are men among those prisoners
more deserving Of then liberty Than some who 60
a. large in this city, ] have no dOGbt; bat thas
is matter which properly devolves upon the
Executive, who has been clothed with power =
the President Of the United States, and it is s
consolation to the public that the matter could
not be placed in ab.eE or more iudicioGs hands
Yours truly, Moses BATES,
Superintendent LOuisiana State Penitenliary.