Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-12-09
OUR RICHMOND PRISONERS
A Statement by the Released Federal Surgeons.

\
We, the undersigned surgeons of the Uni
| ted States army, and recently prisoners in
! Richmond, a., consider il our duty to pub
lish few facts that came to our knowledge
while we were inmates of the hospital attach
ed to Libby prison.
We enjoyed for several months daily access
TO the hospitals where the sick and wounded
among our Union soldiers received treatment
As the result of our observation, we hereby
declare il our belief that since the battle of
| Chickamauga the number of deaths per diem
| has averaged fully fifty The prevailing di-
| seases diarrhoea, dysentery, and typhoid
pneumonia OF late the percentage of
deaths greatly increased, the result of causes
that have been long at work, as insufficient
food, clothing and shelter, combined with
| that depression of spirits brought on so often
| by long confinement.
| 1t may seem almost incredible when we
affirm, of our personal knowledge, that in the
hospitals for Union soldiers, the average NOR
| tally is nearly forty per day, and upon the
| most reliable testimony we are forced to be-
lieve that the deaths in the tobacco factories
| and upon the Island will raise the total NOR
tality, among all the Union prisoners 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 fit subjects for hospital treat
| ment. Such, too, is the fact as invariably
stated by scores we have conversed with from
| that camp. The same to degree holds true
| of prisoners in the city.
1t would be reasonable estimate to put
| the number who are fit subjects for hospitals,
but who are refused admittance, at FIVE hun
dred. A thousand are already under treat
ment in the three hospitals, and the Confede
rate surgeons themselves say the number of
patients is only limited by the small accom-
modations provided. Thus, we have over ten
per cent OF the whole number OF prisoners
held clasSed as sick men, who need the most
asslduous and skllltul attention, yet in the es-
sential matter of rations, 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 priyates are now furnished with Il very
poor article of corn bread in place of wheat
bread, an unsuitable diet for hospital patients
Frustrated with diarrhHa, dysentery, and fe-
yer, to say nothing of the startling instances
Of individual suffering and the horrid pictures
of death from protracJed sickness and semi
starvation, VIC have had thrust upon our at
tentlOn The first demand OF the poor
creatures from the island, was always for
something to eat. Selfrespect gone half
clad and covered with vermin and filth many
of them are too often beyond all reach of
medical skill. In one instance the ambUian-
| ces brought sixteen to the hospital, and du-
ring the night seven of them died. Again
eighteen were brought and eleven of them
died IN twenty-tour hours.
At another time twenty -four were admitted
and iii single day ten of them died.
Judging from what we have ourselves seen
and do know, we do not hesitate to say that
under a treatment of systematized abuse
neglect and eml-starvatIon, the number who
are becoming prematurely broken down in
their constitutions, must be reckoned by
thousands.
We leave it for others to say what is de-
manded by this state of things. The Confed-
crate daily papers, in general terms, acknowl-
edge the truth of all we have affirmed, but
usually close their abusive editorials by declar-
ing that even such treatment is better than
the invading Yankees deserve.
The Erdnll7ter in recent article begrudged
even the little food the prisoners did receive
and sold boxes sent 80 US from home, and
closed by eulogizing the SYSTEM and recon-
mended starvation and exposure as well cal
culated to dispose Of us.
All this is true, and yet cold weather is
hardly commenced We are Mortified when
we picture the Wholesale misery and death
that will come with the bitter frosts of win
ter. Recently seven hundred prisoners per
day were being removed to Danville. In two
instances we we're standing IN view of them
as their ranks filed past. 1t vas a sad sight
to see the attenuated forms and pallid faces
of men a few months since robust and in Wig
orous health.
Numbers were without shoes, nearly all
without blankets or oyercoats, and not a man
did we see who well and fully clad-
But to the credit of the prisoners in Rich
mond, all ranks, be it recorded, that all along
they have shown heroic fortitude under suf-
tering, and spurning all idea that their Gov
eminent had forgotten them. They have
held fast their confidence in the final and
speedy success of our cause.
In addition to the above statement We want
it to be distinctly understood that the Con
tederate me lical officers, connected with the
hospitals referred to, Surgeon Wilkins, Sam
mons and Saban, and the post steward, Hallet
are not in any way, SO far our own obser-
walton has extended, responsible for the state
of things existing there but on the other
hand We are bound in justice to bear testi-
mony to their kindness and watchful perform
ance OF their duties, with the limited means
at their disposal.
Signed-Daniel Meeken, Surgeon L. s. y.
c. +. Sinners, Assistant Surgeon, 9th Reet
Indiana Vols. {; j. L. Brown, Assistant Sur
geon ll6th Ohio Vol. Infantry A. NJ. Park
er, Assistant Surgeon, LIST Maine Cavalry.
ART IN \ REPUBLIC.-'I have a favorite
belief that in this nation, beyond any other
spot or nation on earth, is art destined to
thrive and attain its highest result The rea-
son is obvious. All great art appeals to that
which is universal and unchanging. When
ever art has langudly fourished under the
protection of aristocracy of princes, it has
been compelled, in some measure, to cater to
the tastes of those princes or that aristocracv
Here art must appeal to universal sympathy
Here art must appeal to that sentiment of the
beautiful which is deep in the human heart,
which constitutes one of those great qualities
that make man an immortal beng transcen-
ding all creation around him. Applause
1t is in that appeal to the universal sense of
the beautiful that, in republic, and nowhere
else than in republic, can art attain its high
est success. Applause. If you look through
the line of ages you will find that there have
been but few epochs when art has in this man
ner completely carried out the highest con
ceptions of which human genius is capable. |
and it has been always either in connection
with religion or in connection with liberty
Here Is a nation distinguished above all other
nations for rciigiosity and for freedom, and
therefore, here, above all other nations, is art
destined TO achieve its greatest triumph.
Applause. Our artists give us the guaranty
for the purity and highness of their purpose
in the time which they have chosen for foun-
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