Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-03-26
RspoT1 q Ins CaInp Chase Commi''


In the Senate, yesterday, the soth inas' Mr.
GuncKLr, from the select committee TO whom
vaa referred the Senate resolution relative TO-
the rebel prisoners at Camp Chase, together
with the Governors special message In relation
thereto, submitted report, from which We
take the following paragraphs. Speaking Of
their Visit to Camp Chase, the committee say;
Your committee found some thirteen hun
dred persons confined 10 the three prisons, most.
.ly from Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and
Mississippi, and their quarters were In all re-
speots az good, and seme little better than
those Of the soldiers outside, and your commit
tee were assured that the rations distributed
we're the same in quantity and quality as those
given our own men. No complaint was made
az TO any of these things, but there was gen.
eral expression Of satisfaction Herewith.
Your committee found seventy -four negroes
In the prisone, mostly taken prisoners at Fort
Donelson. Ofthese, from what they could learn,
few were free when taken, having been hired
by officers as cooks and servants. The remain
der, perhaps fifty in number, were slaves IN at
tendance upon their masters, and while 30 en-
ployed, we're taken along with their masters
None Of them we're In arms, all having been re-
tanned for menial service merely. since their
capture they have Travelled with their masters
attending and serving them as before. on
their rrriyal at Columbus, they took charge OF
and carried the baggage OF their former mas
ters from the depot to Camp Chase, the men
having no servants being compelled to carry
their own, as our soldiers do on similar acca-
sions. Arrived at Camp Chase, the privates
were as far as possible separated from the ofi-
cera, and, for obvious reasons, placed in differ
ent prisons; but the negroes were placed In the
| same prisons with officers who were their for
mer masters Why7 unless that they might
cautirue to attend and serve their former mas.
ters Aud they bave ever since done sc--oook-
ing, washing, waiting upon and serving them
lust as before their capture, the relation oil
master and slave being as vigorously maintain.
ed BY the master aud as fully recognized by the
negroes and the other inmates Of the prison as
ever IL was in the State of Tennessee.
As 10 rebel officers released on parole, your
committee could not get much definite informa-
tion, other than that, with few exceptions,
these paroles were granted BY order Of General
| Halleck. That the clemency O. shown was mis-
taken, the following facts as to the conduct Of
these officers while in Columbus will show
They came, wearing their side arms, stopped at
the principal hotela, registering their names
"Colonel," "Major," or Captain" with the
significant letters &c. s. A added; appearing
from day to day in rebel uniforms (some Of
these gaudy, all of them noticeable) in the
offices and parlors, and at the public tables Of
these hotele, 10 the streets and drives OF the
city, frequenting the Theatre aud other places
of public amusements, and visiting the Senate
| and House Chambers, where, with marked con-
sideraLiou, they have been invited to privileged
seats within the bar. At all these places aud
on all these occasions, giving expression to sen.
| timents of continued adherence 70 the rebel
cause and of bitter hostility 10 the Government
and people of the tfcited States
While prominent officers ate thus enjoying
the freedom OF the city and the luxuries of ho-
tel life, hundreds Of poor and ignorant psivetes,
sOme of them impressed and all Of them de
ceived into the rebel service; penitent for the
wrongs they have done; ready, willing and anx-
GUS TO take the oath OF allegiance, are kept con.
fined in the prisons at Camp Chase. This is q
matter OF complaint among the prisoners them
selves.
The report concludes as follows:
But who is to blsme2 Your committee is
satisfied that Colonel Moody has done his
whole duty 10 the premises. They are equally
satisfied that the Governor has endeav0red to
discharge his duties, honorably. faithfully and
impartially. His position has been one of great
deiicacy. His control over the Camp and
prisoners being by courtesy of the Federal au-
thorities, and not by any right as Governor OF
Ohio, be has probably done all he well could
in the premises. The responsibility then rests
with the Federal authorities and our only rem.
edy is by protest to the President. Your COM
mittee therefore recommend the adoption of
the preamble and resolutions herewith re-
ported.