The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-12-04

The policy Of the Senate in refusing Essex
eolnty charter, has not been adopted towards
any other portion Of the State. nor does it
exist in other States. No doubt The wealth
OF the State is increased by the construction
of railroads wherever means for their con-
struction exists. and those Senators who
have thrice defeated the measure so Just to
the inhabitants Of Essex county, and so Oh
,iously in accordance with the popular feel
ing OF the state, as expressed by the House
of Representatives, have been actuated o.
vousy by other considerations than a regard
for the interests OF the state or the rightful
claim of Essen COUNTY.
The Starving Pri>Oners-WhO Prevents
Exchanges.
Several of our surgeons, just sent home
from Richmond. have addressed to the War
Department a formal statement as to the
treatment of our prisoners at Richmond. /,
confirms previous accounts. and adds to
them. The surgeons say
1--WE enjoyed for several months daily &C
cess to the hospitals where our sick and
wounded among our Union soldiers received
treatment. As the result of our observa-
tions. We hereby declare our belief that since
the hattie Of Chickamauga, the number Of
deaths per diem has averaged fully fifty
The prevailing diseases are diarrhea, dvsen-
terry and typhoid pneumonia. OF late the
percentage o: deaths has greatly increas, t.
tae result Of caus IS which have been lons at
work. such As insufficient food, clothing and
shelter, combined with that Of depression OF
spirits brought Oil so often by long confne-
ment. 1t may sem almos. incredible, when
We affirm of our pPrs' nal knowledge that in
the three hospitals Tor Union soldiers the av-
erase mortality is near 30 per day. and upon
tn most reliable testimony we are forced &c
sseeve thlt the d-a,hs it, the tobacco fuco-
rieS and upon the isiard will raise the Total
mortally among a H. Union prisoners to
% le: day. or 100 monthly. The eXtr- me
ly reduced cOnGulon OF th'se brought from
the island argues that hundreds quit scI
are left behind. VINO with us would be consid-
I'd tit subject for hospital treatment. Such.
toe, IS the fact as invariably stated by scores
We have converSed with from tat camp. -
The inst demand OF tee poor creatures
from the island was alw avs for something 10
Al. Self respect gone, hope and ambition
gone. hall clad, and covered with vermin and
filth. many OF them too often beyond all
reach OF medical skill In one instance the
ambulance brought siy;eeE to hospital. ara
.urng The night seven OF item died. Again
eighteen wele hr,asht, and eleven of tntm
died in 81 hn2Ts. \ another tine fourteen
were admitted. ana n a >uglr day ten of
them died. Judging ron what We have oul-
selves seen and do know. W. do not hesitate
II say that, ua,ier TIE. ment OF systematic
tbIse, neglect ard semi star alton. the yum
Der " no are becoming permanently broken
down in their constitutions must be reckon
ed Ey tnou>a Ids. We leave il for others to
say what is demanded by the state of things
The confederate daily papers in genera
terms ;cknuWicGge the truth Of all We nave
at! med but usually close their abusive ed
toraiS BY declaring that even such treatment
is better than the yadiEg Iarke.s deserve
The Examiner. in a recent article. hegrud seG
even the little food the prisoners did receive.
and the boxes sent US from home, and closed
by eulog Eng the system of semi-staivation
and expo, ure, as We'll calculated to dispose
of Us. Al'ths is true and Yet crld weather
has hardly commenced. We are horritied
when We picture he wholesale misery aud
death that VII CONE with the bitir trosts Of
winter. Recently several hundred prison r.
per day w,re bong removed to DanvIlie.-
In Two inst We were standing IN view Of
hem as tGeir ranks filed passed. Ii was a
sad sight 10 see the a;euuateG features and
palid faces of mtr few mCrths stree robust
aud vigorous in !.eal.h. Numbers were
@ith0n, heai;h-numhers without shoes
nearly all without blankets or overcoats-
and not man did ne see who was well and
tu!l' clad. But to ths credit of the prisoners
in Richmond. Of all ranks. be it recorded
that all along they haze shown heroic folti-
fute under suffering, and spurniHg the Idea
that their government had forgotten them,
they have held fast their confidence in TIE
final and speedy success of oar CAUSE"
y statement, evidently prompted at the
war office. comes from Washington, to tie
fleet that commissioner Meredith proposed
10 the rebel commissioner an Exchange OF
1900 on each sid?, and the offer was de-
cneG. This seems incredible, as the rebei
authorities have all alOrg shown a great de-
ire 10 get possession Of their own me".-
The New York Herald ha, a very di.it: = /
SfrY, told by a gentleman who lItelv weu.
70 City Point on a flag Of truce steamer. 10y
consent OF President Lincoln, in charge OF
supplies for the prisoners from his State
He met the rebel commissioner Oul9. VIII,
assured him t1at the cont. derates were read,
10 exchange man for man as soon as our
government would consent. The gentleman.
saw Gen. Butler On his return from Fortress
Monroe, and told lin how the mater
stoo0 and Gen. Butler is COW attempting H.
-et Secretary Stamtnn's ukase against ex-
changes Withdrawn. rs VI now hold twice
is Ill lnI Prisoners as Tx rebels there viii i
enough lett on our LANDS. ai;er all our hike
soldiers are saved from starvation, to answer
All purposes Of retaliation in case Of Ill treat
msnt 10 our negro soldiers or a persistent
refusal 10 exchange them. 1t is hoped that
Gen Butler has taken the matter in hand
and will succeed in obtaining renewal of
exchanges; and this not only for the sake of
thousands Of our mel diving IN rebel prisons
At the frish,ful rate of fifty per day, but IL
order to remove one of the chief obstacles
to volunteering: for more than wounds and
dea.n by battle 20 all men dread the horrors
OF torture and lingering death by starvation.
It Is matter in every view of the first In
rortance, and the President cannot too soon
interfere for tine correction Of the ruinous
policy Of his war secretary.