, 1863-11-28
NUMBER 40.

/
| ment.
It may seem almost incredible when We
affirm, Of our personal knowledge, that IN
| the hospitals for Union soldiers, the average
mortality is near fort5 per day, and upon the
most reliable testimony, nc ore forced tc be.
ueve that the deaths In the tobacco factories
and upon the Island will raise the total nor
I tality, among all the Union prisoners, fifty
/ per day, OF 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 fernospital treat
ment. Such, too, is the fact % invariably
stated by scores VIC have conVersod with from
that camp. The same, to degree, holds true
Of prisoners In the city.
It would be reasonable estimate to put
the number who are fit subjects for hospitals,
but who are refused adnittance, ut five hum
dred. A thousand arc already under treat
mert IN the three hospitals, and the Conted-
crate 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 prison.
IS held classed Us sick meu, who need
the most assfduous and skll1ful attention, yet
In the essential matter Of rations, they arc re-
cciying nothing but corn bread and sweetpo-
tatoes. Meat is no longer furnished to any
class Of our prisoners except to the few of1-
GERS in Libby Hospital, and a1l such or well
officers or priyate8 are now furnished
with very poor article Of corn bread
in place Of wheat bread bread, unsuit-
able diet for hospital patients pros
trated with diarrhea, dysenteEy and fever,
to say nothing Of the startling instances of
individual suffering and the horrid pictures
of death from protracted sickness and semi
starvation, We have had thrust upon onr at
tentjon- The first demand Of the poorercrea-
tures from tho island, was always for some-
/ thing to eat. Sclfrespect gone, halfclad and
covered with yezrnin and filth, many Of them
arc too often beyond ill reach Of medical
skill. In one instance the ambulances brought
sixteen to the hospital, and during tho night
seven Of them died. Again eighteen were
brought, and eleven Of them died in twenty
four lours>
At another time twenty-four were admit
ted, and inn single day ten Of them died.
Judging from what we have ourselves seen
and do know, We do not hesitate to soy that
under d treatment Of systematiized nbuse, ne
glect and senistaryation, the number who
are becoming prematuzely 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, nc
knowledge the truth Of all we have affirmed,
but usually close their abusive editorial by
declaring that even such treatment Is better
than the invading Yankees deserve,
The Examiner, In recent article, begrudg-
ed even the little food the prisoners lid re-
ceiye, and sold boxes sent to US from home,
and closed by eulogizing the system, and
recommended starvation and exposure Us well
calculated to dispose Of us.
All this Ia true, and Jet cold weather is
hardly commenced. We u1e horrifled when
VIC 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 were standing in view Of them
Us their zanks fled past It was sud sight
to see the atteuuated forms and pallid faces OF
men few months since robust md in Vfgor-
GUS health -
without blankets, or overcoats, and not
man did We see who was well and fully clad.
But to the credit Of the prisoners in Rich
moud, ali ranks, be It recorded, that Ill along
they have shown heroic fortitude under snt-
fcring, and spurning al idea that their GOV
ernment had forgotten them. They hive held
fast their confidence in the final aud speedy
SUCCESS Of our Cause.