The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-12-08
From the Richmond Dispatch.
RETURN OF CONFEDERATE SUR
GEONS

g. FROM the Richmond Dispatch.
RETURN OF CONFEDERATE SUR
GEONS.
Yankee treatment Of P'isoners.-One hundred
and twenty-four Confederate Surgeons, who have
been returned from the different bastiles Of the
North, arrived in this city by the steamer Schultz
! The statements which they make in reference
particularly the wounded, are in keeping with
other statements published of the heathenish
treatment to which they are subjected.
| One of these Surgeons, with whom we had a
long and interesting interview, was captured at
Williamsport, Md, in July last, where he had
been LETT in conjunction with others, in charge of
some two hundred of our wounded. These men
were nearly all so badly wounded that it was
deemed advisable not to attempt their removal to
Virginia, although abundance of time had been
allowed to do so had their condition permitted it.
In few days after the occupation of the town by
the Yankees. order issued for the removal
of all these wounded to Hagerstown. The Sur
geons demonstrated, but to no purpose The next
day brought peremptory order for their removal,
and, in the er helpless and nearly exhausted condi-
tion, they packed off to Hagerstown and piled
away, without comfort, in the Court t-House, atfl
guard placed around the building. For few
Jays they were allowed to send out for their ra-
tious, but very soon this privilege was withdrawn,
and they were compelled to prepare their own
food, best they could, with the meanest kind
of facilities. The supply of medicines furnished
totally inadequate to the necessities of the suf-
fering wounded, and they were not permitted to
receive the stimulants and delicacies which the
ladies of the town brought to the courtyard in
profusion. In few days they were again remov-
ed and transferred from the Court Houee to the
Seminary, on the outskirts Of the town.
In the meantime all the nurses who had been
left to assist in taking of the wounded were
seized prisoners of and sent off to prison,
leaving only five surgeons to labor with and care
for two hundred men, not one of whom was able
to do anything for himself This force, of course,
was wholly insufficient for the of so large
number, and much suffering ensued from want of
proper attention, and number of deaths resulted
where the patient might have recovered if proper
ly cared for. :
Finally the Surgeons themselves were sent off
to Fort McHenry. DR.. Newell was the last who
left Hagerstown. He informed thar he would
have to walk to Chambersburg, distance of twen-
ty-one miles, He told them at once that he was
unable to walk so great distance, being then, as
he had been for some time previous quite unwell.
They insisted, however, that he should try it, and
be started off under guard. He had not gone
far until he became we'll nigh exhausted, and en-
tirely incapable of making the speed required of
him by the guard. TO accelerate his movements
they drew their bayonets on him and struck him
over the head with their muskets. Under this
persecution he tainted and fell in the road when
he was caught by the collar and dragged some
distance to house, where he was kept under
guard until an ambulance came along, in which
he was conveyed to Chambersburg, and from
thence to Baltimore by railroad.
One Surgeon with whom we conversed was for
time in charge of the wounded at Harrisburg,
Pa. The treatment received there was in the
main kind and humane, very little difference be-
ing made in the treatment of our own and the ene-
mys wounded. The country people around the
place sent in manv delicacies, and the Yankee sur
geons permitted then. to be distributed among our
wounded.
Of the treatment at Fort Mcnenry, as gene
raj thing, the darkest picture ever drawn by the
New York Herald of "Lfe at the Libby" conveys
but feint conception. The rations consist Of
hard tack Except where it is completely excava
ted BY, worms) meat day, and kind of slop
in the morning which the Yankees politely style
coffee No fire has yet been allowed in the quar-
ters of the officers although the weather has been
quite severe.
All the private soldiers heretofore confined in
the fort have been sent off to Point Lookout, on
the eastern shore of Maryland-a cold, dreary, and
bleak place in the winter season. On the day the
last instalment was sent off one of them was OBJ
served by humane surgeon to be nearly destitute
of pants, and in a cod shi' ering condition. The
surgeon ran off to his quarters and got pair of
bis own pants, aud, coming back, asked permission
Of the Lieutenant of the guard to present them TO
the destitute prisoner. The Lieutenants reply
was, "No, sir; the clothes he has on are ID
sight better than he deserves"
On one occasion the steward of the hospital lost
some money, and one of our Surgeons being found
out side of his quarters when it was missed ne was
instantly accused of having stolen it, and forth
with thrust into the stocks. where be was kept
til he tainted. He was thrown into what is known
as the "middle room," place used for the con-
fnement of cut-throats and thieves of the Yankee
army, whose crimes base enough to require
punishment even in Yankee eyes. Here be was
kept until the day before the Surgeons were sent
off, when he turned out nearly naked, not
having clothes enough upon his person to cover
bis nakedness. This young man, who is now in
Richmond, is a son of prominent citizen Of the
Valley of Virginia. and the charge of theft against
him was as false as his treatment was cruel and
barbarous.
nj L. r. al