Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-11-26
TWR REORNT DEsOHARGRD POLgT-
EGAL PRGsONERs.
Hot0 they ,oere Treated ,skils in Confinement at
Washington.


The Pittsburg Post makes the following state
ments relative to the recently discharged prise
ners from Illinois and Iowa, who J4ssed through
that city a few days ESP on their way home
from the old esptal prison a. Washington:
They were grested on warrants sisaed by fae
Secretary of War, but il which no chaYge was
set forth. During tie whole teEm Of tk6ir i'm.
pTesonrnent they vainly endosvored to learn of
what they we're accused-but not only did the
assistant judge advocate aeEersl, the assistant
Sc rstary Of War and Secretary stantoA him
self deny their very reasonable request, but ac-
tualIy desired then TO make statements
in their own vindicaaon, without knSwl
edge Of their alleged offense. Eurth-
eTnore, their consul were net Eermitisd
TO see the papers in their case sHd the
accusations against tksm-if such doeuaents
existed. They were twice taken before the
Judge advocate for hesriua( but remandsd with
out any light thrown upsR the cause of thsir
m 7sterious incarceration, or btize beard in thsir
own defense. When, at Length, they ware dis
charged honorsbly, as the certificates, signed
by some subordinate officer read, they ySrs re.
quired not only to take the eath Of allegiance,
but also to swear that they would not instit1te
OF CO. e instituted. any suits aesiast any
aul -(of the United States or Of SEw loyal
State, for their imprisonmsnt. The faet that
some parties in the West hsd brought suits for
false imprisonment delayed thsir discharge for
some time, as the judge advocate said nothing
could be done until the Secretary of War was
consulted. The result Of the consultation WAS,
apparently, the incorporation of the above new
clause in the oath
When asked to sign this document seme Of
the prisoners grew very indignant, and refused
to take such an oath, bat - some were in failing
health, and did not know how long thsy might
bs kept in durance, then finally, by advice Of
their counsel, complied, and we're released, but
are yet ignorant Of the charges upon which they
were arrested if sHy there were
Their treatment in prissn was not bad, but
they were obliged to furnish their own provis-
ions, and were not permitted to hold private con-
verse with those visiting them, sn officer always
being present. Their correspondence was
watched, and il was only by stratAgem that they
could communicate with their friends at home,
as their letters were after being read, destroyed
returned or confscated. One Of the guards was
imprisoned for allowing the prisoners some tri-
fling liberty. TIE lives of the prisoners were
constantly endangered by the carelessness of
the guard in the barracks below, several balls
having come up into the prisoners apartment,
discharged from muskets below. Mr.. Mshony
exhibited to US his shawl, perforated by twelve
bullet holes, and a bali, which had passed
through, while used by him as & pillow, and
lodged in the ceiling above. He charges 70 in
territorial firing, but gross carelessr <from
whieh the prisoners might at any .ent lose
their lives. They suffered otb" Tous incon-
veniences aud the health Of ..s more or less
impaired by their close co --aement.
These gentlemen inform us that since the cleo
tions all the political prisoners in the old capital
prison have been discharged.