Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-12-04

Read the following statement, made by
surgeons lately released from Richmond,
as to the condition of the Union prisoners,
and believe if you can that the assertions of
the Richmond Erdmine- with regard to pri-
soners' rstions, can be possibly true.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 27, 1868.
We, the undersigned, surgeons Of the United
States Army, and recently prisoners In Rich-
mond, Va, consider 1t our duty to publish few
facts that came to our knowledge while We were
inmates Of the hospital attached to Libby Prison
We enioyed for several months daily access to
the hospitals where the sick and wounded among
OR Union soldiers received treatment As re-
sult Of our observations, We hereby declare our
belief that since the battle Of Chickanauga the
number Of deaths per diem has averaged fully
fifty. The prevailing diseases are diarrhces, dy-
sentery and typhoid pneumonia OF late the
percentage of deaths has greatly increased. the
result Of causes that have been long at works
insufficient food, clothing and shelter, combined
with that depression Of spirits brought on 30 Of
ten BY long confinement. 1t may seem almost
incredible when We affirm, Of our personal know
ledge, that in the three hospitals for Union SOL
diers the average mortality is nearly forty per
day and upon the most reliable testimony we
are forced 10 believe that the deaths in the tobsc
co factories and upon the island vii raise the to
tai mortality among all the Union prisoners TO
fifty per day, or fifteen hundred monthly.
The extremely reduced condition Of those
brought from the island argues that hundreds
quite sick are left behind who with us would be
considered TT subjects for hospital treatment.
Such, too, Is the fact, as invariably stated by
scores We have conversed with from that camp.
The same TO a degree holds true of the prisoners
in the city. II would be reasonable estimate
10 put the number who are ct subjects for hospi-
tails. but who are refused admittsnce, at five hun
dred. A thousand are already under treatment
in the three hospitals, and the rebel surgeons
themselves say the number Of patients IS only IL
mted by the small accommodations provided.
Thus we have over ten per cent Of the whole
number Of prisoners held classed as sick men,
who need the most sssiduous and skilful stten-
ton vet, in the essential matter ofrations, they
are receiving nothing but corn bread and sweet
potatoes. Meat is no longer furnished TO any
class Of our prisoners except TO the few officers
in Libby hospital and all sick or well officers or
privates are now furnished with very poor ar
ticle Of corn bread N place Of wheat bread IN
suitable diet for hospital patents Frustrated with
diarrhea, dysentery and fever, 10 say nothing
Of the balance Of startling instances Of individu
a. suffering and horrid pictures Of death from
protracted sickness and semi-starvati0n we have
had thrust upon our observation
The first demand of the poor creatures from
the island was always for something 10 eat.
Selfrespect gone. hope and ambition gone, half
Clad and covered with verInin and filth, many Of
them are too often beyond all reach Of medical
skill. In one instance the ambulances brought
sixteen to the hopltal, and during the night Sc
ven Of them died Again, eighteen were
hrau vh- and elevar of them died four
hours. At smother time fourteen were admitted,
and in single day ten Of them died. Judging
from what We have ourselves seen and do know,
we do not hesitate 10 say that, under treatment
Of systematic abuse, neglect and semi-starvstiOn,
the numbers who are becoming permanently
broken down IN their constitutions must be reck-
oned BY thousands
We leave il for others TO say what is demanded
by this state Of things. The rebel daily papers
II general terms acknowledge the truth Of all
we have affirmed, but usually close their abusive
editorials by declaring thst even such treatment
is better than the invading Yankees deserve. The
Examiner, in q recent article, begrudged even
the little food the prisoner did receive and the
boxes sent TO Us from home, AMI closed by eulo-
giHng the system of semi-starvation and exposure
as well calculated 10 dispose Of Us. All this Is
true; and yet cold weather has hardly commen-
ced. We are Mortified when we picture the
Wholesale misery and death that viii come with
the biting frOsts Of winter.
Recently several hundred prisoners per day
were beng removed TO Danville. In two instAn-
ces we were standing in view Of them, as their
ranks fled past Il WAS sad sight to see the
attenusted features and pallii faces Of men
few months since robust and IN vigorous health.
Numbers were without shoes, nearly all without
blankets or overcoats. and not & man did we see
who wss well and fully clad But, to the credit
Of the prisoners il Richmond, Of all ranks, be II
recorded, that all along they have showed heroic
fortitude and, under suffering, and spurning
the idea that their government had forgotten
them, they have held fast their confidence in tie
final and speedy success Of our cause.
In addition TO the above statement. we wish
II 10 be distinctly understood that the rebel med
zeal officers connected with the hospitals referred
to-Surgeons wilkins, Simmons and Sabal, and
the hospital steward, Hallei--are not in any
way, So far as our observation has extended.
responsible for the state Of things existing there:
but, on the other hand, We are bound in justice
10 tear testimony to their kindness and faithful
performance Of their duties with the limited
means at their disposal.
UANL. MEEkER.
Surgeon. UnitOd States Volunteers
c. T. SHIPPERS,
Assistant Surgeon, sixth regt Maryland vols.
J. L. BROWN,
Assistant Surgeon, one Hundred and Sixteenth
Ohio Volunteer infantry