The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-05-16

,ond belief that the men fighting in such a
cause AS ours, and sustained by government
which in the midst Of violence and treachery
has given repeated evidences OF its indul-
ssnce. should have been subjected to treat
Sent never before rcsorted to by one foreign
nation in a conflict with another. All the
courtesies of professional and civil life seem
IA have been discarded.
Gen. Beauregard himself, who on very
recent occasion boasted that he had been con-
trolled by humane feelings, after the battle
Of Bull Run, cooly proposed to hold General
Ricketts, as hostage for one ofthe murderous
priyateers, and the rebel surgeons disdained
intercourse and communication with our own
surgeons taken in honorable battle. Their
outrages upon the dead will revive the recoi-
lections Of the cruelties TO which savage trioes
subject their prisoners. They were eurled
in many cases naked. with their faces do"n'
ward
They were left to decay in the open a'r'
their bones being carried OIL AS rophies'
sometimes, Us the testimony proves I" 70
us,d n. personal adornments; and one Wit
me-. distinctly AYERS that the head OF one OF
our most gallant officers was cut OF by Sc
css.;oni,t' 10 DO turned into drinking cup
ON the occasion Of his marriage. Monstrous
ma this revelation may appear TO be, your
Committee have been informed that, during
the last two weeks the skull OF Union sol
der has been exhibited in the Office OF the
Sergeant-at-Arms Of the House OF Represent
tatiyes, which had been converted to such
purpose, aud which had been found on the
person Of one OF the rebel prisoners taken in
Q recent conflict.
The testimony Of Gov. Sprauge Of Rhode
Island is most interesting. 10 confirms the
worst reports against the rebel soldiers. and
conclusiyely proves that the body OF one OF
the brayest officers in the volunteer service
was burned. lie does not hesitate to add
that this hyena desecration OF the honored
CORPSE was because the rebels believed IL TO 90
the body OF Col. Slocum, against whom they
were infuriated for having displayed 50 much
courage and chivalry in forcing his regiment
fearlessly and brayely upon them. These
disclosures establishing. Us they incontestab.
ly do the constant inhumsnity of the rebel
leaders. will he read with sorrow and indig-
nation by the people Of the loyal States.
They should inspire these people to renew
ed exertions 10 protect our country IRON the
restoration to- power of such men. They
should, and we believe they will, arouse the
disgust and horror OF foreign nations against
this unholy rebellion. Let it be our duty,
nevertheless. to furnish continued contrast
to such barbarities and crimes. Let us per-
severe in the good work Of maintaining the
authority OF the Constitution, and OF reius-
ing TO initiate the monstrous practices we
have been called upon to investigate.
Your Committee have to say, in conclu.
sion, that they have not yet been enabled tn
gather testimony in regard to the additional
enquiry suggested by the resolution OF the
Senate whether Indian savages had been en-
ployed by the rebels, in military service
against the Government Of the United States,
and how such warfare bad been conducted by
said savages. but that they have taken prop
or steps to attend to this important duty.
b. F. WADE,
for the Committee.