Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-01-24
Our PRISONERS AT RIcHxoSD.-Mr. Jane.
Gillett, of the list N. Y, recently exchanged
from Richmond says:

Our PRISONERS AT RIcHMoSD.-Mr. Jane.
Gillett, of the list N. Y, recently exchanged
from Richmond says:
''The condition # the prisoners a, Richmond i,
more distressing than that Of ANY other Union
prisoners in any part OF the South The ds,res.
arises more from the poverty Of the rebel author.
tiles at Richmond, than from inhumsnity. lis
however aided by the ignorance, the vindictirs-
ness and the drunken ferocity Of the sentries No
doubt if the men in power had the means, they
would, for their own sakes, adopt measures 10 pu,
a stop to the abuses so justly complained Of.
The unfortunate circumstances surrounding the
capture Of upwards Of fifteen hundred prisoners
NJ Manassas also bad something 20 20 with the
privations they subsequently suffered They
we're at first for want Of room, huddled together
in two buildings, in which there was scarcely
room enough tor them to walk around and, o.
add to their misfortunes, they were placed undar
the care Of a man In whose heart not one drop %
pity seemed 10 linger. A more tyranniea' (
than Lieutenant Todd it would Be diho~ sss
after a search of years Under his - y I'D
frequently happened that the " - Ir's
ners never received their first -to-.n17'e p-l7-
day till forIr O'CLOCK in the - i'I tae d.
memorable ooe' sion, 100000 ,1;,I -, Va pc
bitterness BY The far ,s,sS,r vcti,s oF Pt'-i'
n'u,y " .r1S uee' -rre4 = gfauss b,f,,,.. ~
~ .eSn It vas stAsi that the ration. ,iI-e.4
.frisoners ws-e not abevs oae-heif tie ausbt;,-
.4o- ei to ,he rebel soistefs. ssN ,sat every,5;5
Win iae ex-sf iiea Il bred, vas Of very irfsri,
quality, It VIII oe see> that the treatment Of our
brave boys ras ereei in the extreme. Il vas uu.
! der tie spPc. .ision this monster, Todd TIA.
tnres r-.soners were shot; and by bis order. To-
e fer me unpardonable offence Of looking out II
their windows.
e The extravagance OF Todd arrived 70 such
e hel BIT as to cause his arrest and subsequent To-
| Al hv VII Ilv H.
humane man. The condition Ct the prisoners wa
j rendered more tolerabIe on Capt. Warren, Guar
- master, having obtained permission to select Ger
, tain Of the prisoners themselves TO perform The
duties dsvolVing in the hospital and com isss-a:
| department. and in fact 70 fill the petty Offices
about the prison. Capt. Geo. 3. Gibbs, CON-
= maLdant Of the prisons was also humane ulu
o. and did everything to render the prisoners con
Portable, as is proved BY his prison regulate
e which have been published far and wide. Ni'
: regard 70 the bedding given by the rebel govsrl
meut to the Prisoners, our informant saws thai
+ was not til, late in November they receive
| quantity Of cotton sheeting and straw % rl..
| beds for themselves. Previous to that period -.
b majority OF the prisoners we're compelled 90 Ire
the hare aoo-, without blankets or a susic.s--s
J Of clothing. IN the cold, damp nights Of So7s1
= Der, il was not unusual for some Of those u1s-
tunates to pace the aoor Of the prison all ni-a'
: keep up the circulation Of their God.
There are still 1900 loyal Union soldiers in pa
~ South, waiting 70 be released or exchanged. J.-
j. Of the whole of the prisoners taken, but ff,ss-
T have proved disloyal.
Benz. Taylor. fler in Co. F, q Vt Re.
If ment, late prisoner at Richmond return
2, to Montpelier on Friday. He was fret take
BY members Of a North Carolina regiment,
Immediately appropriated for their own use
Y revolver, watch, money and fife, and then tg--
him over to another squad just arrived, for isi.
u they would be reported robbers 7.
= Journey 70 Richmond was made a irsz-
train, aud occupied three days and nights Be
was confined in the same tobacco factory a. -s
other Vermont prisoners His fare was o. e.
. c5arsest kind. consisting Of II OF. Of bra.
IL ID. Of meat, and pint Of soup (dish-Ea,s.
I per day. He beguiled many a weary bar
IN while in prison in manufacturing pipes i---
blocks Of gum-tree wood, which had been o.
merry ussd in pressing to-bicco; Of these be zls
. nearly fifty, some Of which he sold to bis tsr
: prisoners, and was thus enabled TO puroalss
: few s'extras' which saved him from sta-rs
; The remainder. except some hAlf-dozen, have 's.-
purchased as "trophies," and have brougt; b.
: quite a sum Of money. One Of the number, W.
he designs to deposit in the State Cabinet y
- the Vermont ''cost Of arms very !4SenicusgE.
graved upon it.