Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-12-01
Our Prisoners in Richmond.

Oui III hlCumUUu.
Though there is general agreement in the
testimony respecting the scarcity of food in Rich
mond, and the soanty and poor rat ons furnished
by lbe rebel Government 10 our prisoners there,
there is a decided conflict in the testimony re.
spectiug the fact Of the supplies sent by our Gov
ernment and the Christian and Sanitary Commits
sions, reaching cur starving soldiers in eonfeder
ate dungeons. On the one hand recent dis
patch from Washington makes the following state
ment
The ninety-fve surgeons recently released from
the Libby Prison, captured at various times ana
10 different departments OF the army, arrived here
to-day. They embarked at Richmond, but were
ordered below decks until after they had passed
the rebel works at Fort Darling. They had no
opportunity OF learning the number OF troops IN
that city. The clothing and provisions which
have reached them have been distributed, afford
ing great relief, and cheering the suffering prison.
ers. The supplies, however, are moi equal to the
demand. One Of the surgeons says their own
condition was much alleyiated by the permission
TO purchase necessities outside their prisons. They
generally appear to be in good physical condition,
though Their wardrobes need replenshing
The very same dispatch before its conclusion,
however, contradCts the above, in this way
Gen. Meredith arrived here to-day from Fo.-
tres Monroe for further instructions from the
War Department in regard to forwarding pro-
ylsione and clolhing to our meu at Richmond. lie
declares that be is satisfied that our prisoners do
not recsve articles sent to them, although $4,000
rations were forwarded to Richmond a few days
ago. The released prisoners state hat none had
been vet distributed smong them by the rebel
authorities, aud that they had not received any
meat for four days 5000 outfits Of clothing have
beeu sent, but no evidence Of their distribution
been received at Fortress Monroe.
Gen. Meredith has $4,000 rations ready to for
ward, but declines to snip them until advised
the safe arrival and distribution OF those sent.
1t is feared that the clothing and provisions
sent by our Government 10 the naked and fam
ishing officers and soldiers OF the Union, incsrCer-
sted ln Richmond, have never reached their des-
tinatioD, but have been directed to Gordonsvlle
for the use OF Lees army.
One who saw the prlsoners-some 1000 in mum.
UtI-Ou bucu way w ltauNlllet NlltutI kuc1 uhNo
recently been sent by tue rebel authorities. says
that not blanket was to be had among them,
and that they we're inevitably filthy. Gen. Mer.
edith and those to whom he has communicated
the facts 10 his possession, believed the rebels have
nhumanly broken faith with Cur Government 10
this matter.
OF the necessities OF our soldiers in the rebel
prisons we give the following statement, made by
Rev. w. W. Eberhart, chaplain of the S7th
Pennsy lyauia volunteers who has been recently
released by the rebels, and gives his experiences
at Castle Thunder aud Libby Prison. lie says
OF the manner 0f our fare, ations, &c, enough
may have been said oy Others, yet even then the
hall has not been told. | would advise all our
officers to run a most fearful risk rather than to
throw themselves upon the bospltaIities OF heart
less Rebels, and experience the realities OF this
vile and loalhsome prison.
While In the hospital, and able 10 go about, |
was permitted as a favor from the Doctor to visit
the hospital situated in lower room OF the same
building, where ur citizens and private soldiers
were brought Here | conyersed freely and re-
ceived the testimony OF many poor ieLow, whose
vital energies oked out at the cruel treatment 70.
ceived. have seen as high as twenty brought
in at a time from Belle Isle, and seated on bench
rs while they would take their names, but before
they were half through with this ceremony ono
third or more of the number would be fallen 10
the floor and many OF them ins,nsbe, and some
only to wake up in eternity. My heart has sick
eneu at the sight, and | now make these state
ments, not with resengeiul feeling, but only h
warn our noble soldiers IL m falling into such
hands. II when closely pressed aud thought
Of surrenderng crosses your mind, pass in review
before you the gaunt hall tamlsh.d forms oil
those unfortunate, and il will stimulate you 70
desperate effort TO escape, or even die on the field
OF battle rather than to fall into such hands.
Our citizen prisoners seem even TO fare worse
II possible. than any others. Some were taker
iofelbly fron their peaceful homes in Pennsylvania
/ and Maryland, and without moments warning
I or 40 opportunity Of changing their working ap
, patel, OF supplying themselves with little need
q iull change, Or giving words Of comior, or advice
1 10 their weeping families, were hurried oil on foot
IN front of the bayonel, and travelled thus tor nv
l days. The only ratons issued to them duriis
, that time was pint Of -four per day, and not un
Ill the third evening OF the third day were ihel
y allowed to make anything like dough ana oske
q in The ashes--tau' being compelled 70 cav raw
-four, like beasts, and this by the boosted ehNair
II OF the South. | have seeo these same men peg
u ging like children even for crust OF bread Y
q satisfy their sppelite-men who had perhaps
never known what Il was TO want ior anything
e For some six weeks several hundred occupie'
z lower room in Libby, and 10 the night the oit
!, GERS would pass down through the cracks in 'h
!. floor all the surplus bread that could be procure
'e through the asingsoi the officers, and was toll
Is by one Of our Doctors that he had actually see
j them fish bread gu, Of the sinks where oil IN
y hl,h from the rooms above passed through sn'
wash 10 Of and eat Il 90 near we're they '