Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-08-09
Rhe ParoIed Prisoners and The
" State Journal.
CAnY CHASE, o., Aug 6, 1862.

CANP CHASE, o., Aug 6, 1862.
EDrToas SrATEsnAN:-oar attention has just
been called to an article which appeared in the
Ohio State Journal Of Monday morning last
Il seems that Squirt" who does up the ''local
for the "Nlgger Defender" got free ride to
Camp ChAse--Was quite a lion among the "feath-
erbed militia" while here--heard some hard
slories about the Federal psrOled prisoners, and
without making any effort to learn whether
those stories were true or false, be pitched in IS
2olloEs:
One of the curses Of the camp, 90 We are in
formed, are the paroled prisoners. They are
permitted 10 lay around the camp without strict
Organization aud have decidedly demoralizing
lUAaence on the regular soldiery of the camp.
Cannot measures be taken by the proper officers
TO have this nuisance TemoVed7
In the 6rst place. If the Federal paroled pris-
onevs are such e curse to the Camp, why don't
they pay Us of and send ne homer A great
many have been in Southern prisons for the last
nine mopths-some longeF--Aud are entirely
unfit for duty. Many have not yet seen their
families, having been ordered here as soon as
they we're released. So If we are such curse,
say let them pay US of and send us home until
We are exchanged; and then we will return to
our regiments, to Rght for "reStoratiOn of the
Union aa It was and the Constitution as it is,''
and leave the "ieatherbed militia" and such
chaps as Squirt" of the "Niggsr Defender
(who don't like the smell Of gunpoWder), to
stay at home and guard Camp Chase. PooG
fellow! how we pity him. We Wouldo't have
him or any of his clique placed in dangerous
position for the world, and we hope the "poWers
that be" wont place him there either, for he
might get shot, as there would be no possible
chance for him TO run away.
In the second place. the Federal paroled
prisoners are OySGhis, d into . regiment under
command of psroled prisoner, Major Helvetl
(oi the Let Ky. cavalry, an able and expert
enced officer and perfect gentleman--and 0i
course has no sympathy with "squirt" Of the
"NiRRer Defender" Had Major Helveti the
entire control of the prisoners, We are satis6ed
that our condition would be bettered In very
short time, and bis appointment to the sntiT,
and exclusive command would be received viii
eD thuaiasm by the boys, as they know he ts q
soldier, and they have coz rhdence in him 90 I
soldier, and as we have heard several Of them
remark, "what be don't know about military
matters there is no use 10 knowing"
In the third place, "they have decided!
demosallzng irfaence on the regular soldieyy o
| the camp" That's what hurts the refined feel
| ings Of "Squitt" Of the "NiggeF Defender
he don't want to see the "featherbeds" "spil
ed" Well, It's hard to demoTalize men (oI
officers eitheI) who have not been In the ser
vice but two months, and who don't know, and
from present appearances will never learn, thu
frst priDcples Of shict military discipline.
'Squirt" then closes as follows: "Cannc
some measures be taken By the proper cheer
Ito have this nuisance Iemoved7'
A nuissncel The men, Q nuisance, who hav
left their homes and all that is near and dea
20 them, 70 feht--to die, If necessary, for thei
country, but who had the misfortune 70 De take
prisoners, and who, While 10 prison, suffered q
most everything hut deatbI shame upon th
dlftS. dassaFdly scoundrel who ie 90 great COW
ard tAas he dare nos take up arms In defense