The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-28
Our Prisoners in Richmond.


by the rebel Government to our prisoners there,
there is decided conflict in the testimony re-
spectng the fact of the supplies sent by our Gov
eminent and the Christian and Sanitary Commits
sions, reaching our starving soldiers in confeder-
ate dungeons. On the one hand recent dis
patch from Washington makes the following stats
ment 4:
The ninety-fve surgeons recently released from
the Libby Prison, captured at various times and
in 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 not equal to the
demand. One of the sur cons says their own
condition was much aeviated 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
tress Monroe for further instructions from the
War Department in regard to forwarding pro.
visions and clothing to our men at Richmond. He
declares that he is satisfied that our prisoners do
not receive articles sent to them, although $4,000
fations we've forwarded to Richmond few days
ago. The released prisoners state that none had
been yet distributed among them by the rebel
authorities, and that they had not received any
meat for four days; 5000 outfits Of clothing have
been sent, but no evidence of their distribution
has been received at Fortress Monroe.
Gen. Meredith has 10000 rations ready to for
ward, but declines to ship them until advised of
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 tho Union, ncarcer-
ated in Richmond, have never reached their des-
tination, but have been directed TO Gordonsville
for the use of Lees army.
One who saw the prisoners--some 1000 in num-
ber-on their way to Danville, whittier they have
recently been sent by the 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 in his possession, believed the rebels have
nhumanly broken faith with Cur Government in
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 87th
Pennsylvania volunteers, who has been recently
released by the rebels, and gives his experiences
at Castle Thunder and Libby Prison. He says
OF the manner Of our fare, rations, &c, enough
may have been said oy others, yet even then the
haH h,e al | Iuiv
officers to run a most fearful risk rather than to
throw themselves upon the Inequalities of heart
less Rebels, and experience the realities of this
vile and loathsome prison.
While in the hospital, aud able 60 about, |
was permitted as favor from the Doctor to visit
the hospital situated in lower room of the same
building, where ur citizens and private soldiers
we're brought. Here | conyersed freely and re-
ceived the testimony of many poor fellow, whose
vital energies eked out at the cruel treatment re-
ceivsd. have seen as high as twenty brought
IN at time from Belle Isle, and seated on bench
es while they would take their names, but before
they were half through with this ceremony one.
third or more of the number would be fallen to
the floor, and many Of them nsrnsible, md some
only to wake up in eternity. My heart has sick
enea at the sight, and | now make these state
ments, not with revengeful feeling, bu, only tn
warn our noble soldiers fr m falling into such
hands. 1t when closely pressed and a thought
OF suuenderiDg crosses your mnd, pass in review
before you the gaunt, half fam ished forms of
those unfortunate, and it will stimulate you to d
desperate effort to escape or even die on the field
Of battle rather than to fall into such hands.
Our citizen prisoners sem even to fare worse,
if possible. than any others. Some were taken
forcibly from their peaceful homes in Pennsylvania
and Maryland, and without moments warning,
or an opportunity Of changing their working APP
parel, or supplying themselves with little need
full change, or giving words OF comfort or advice
to their weeping families, were hurried off on foot,
in front of the bayonet, and travelled thus for five
days. The only ratious issued to them during
that time was pint Of flour per dav, and not un-
til the third evening of the third day were they
allowed to make anything like dough and bake it
in the ashes-thus being compelled to eat raw
four like beasts, and this by the boosted chvalry
OF the South. have seen these same men beg
sing like children even for a crust of bread to
satisfy their appet'te-men who had, perhaps
never known whatit was to want tor anything.
For some six weeks several hundred occupied
a lower room in Libby, and in the night the Off
GERS would pass down through the cracks in the
floor all the urplus bread that could be procured
through the savings of the officers, and was told
by one of our doctors, that he had actually seer
them fish bread out of the sinks where all thu
filth from the rooms above passed through, anC
wash II off AMI eat it /; so near were they tt
starvation have seen citizens prisoners ii