The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-12-04
Rebel Treatment of Prisoners.


are confined from fifteen to eighteen thousand
of our men, shivering and starving to death.
Recently we conyersed with paroled prs
oner from of this Island, in which CONVEX
sation he narrated his experience ct South
orn hospitality. After being captured at
Gettysburg, he with others marched to Rich
mond. All OF the prisoners who had CLOTH
ing of any value were stripped, having lett
only enough to hide their nakcdncss. They
were then sent to Belle Island. Those who
could get any shelter from the sun, or the
biting frost by night, were thus far coutor-
table, but large number had no shelter oil
any kind. The food served out each day
consisted of one-fourth Of loaf oil bread
.wice day, and either piece Of bacon two
inches square, or bean or rico soup. A pint
of soup was allowed each man, and If in
that ration they found half dozen beans
or spoonful OF rice. it formed the excep-
ton and not the rule. None, however sick,
wcro removed to the hospital until the rebels
were pretty we'll assured that they would
die. II was in this way tho sergeant came
to DO sent to City Point; but owing to q
strong constitution he outlived the treat
ment.
We might have been disposed to make al
lowances for the scrgcant's story. but we
have letters from three different soldiers be-
fore us Us wc write. corroboratins the ac-
count in all its particulars. ThiscOnstitutes
our personal means of information. An
eyewitness of the arrival at City Point Of
boat load of our poor boys, on the 10Th Of
September. thus describes the scene:
The men landed at FIVE A. N. in the chilly
dawn, and it seemed fitting time for so
mournful procession. They numbered $50
men, brought from Belle Island, near Rich
mond. Many were unable to walk, and
were carried to the hospital. Those that
could walk must have presented a sight never
to DO forgotten; for. before leaving. the rebels
not only stripped them of socks, shoes, and
blankets, but took from them their shirts
and pantaloons, except where the rags could
scarce hold together. Men came without
hats or caps, with thin cotton draws, and
bodies bare 10 the ,caist, their nakedness and
bleeding feet covered only by what tatters
their cruel captors had lett them, not from
mercy, but because they were too filthy to
keep. These mon had been on Belle Island
(which seems to be a barren waste) without
any protection against the weather, except
what they themselves constructed. They
had lain on tho sand, which was to them
both bed and covering, exposed, both sick and
well, TO all extremes Of heat and cold, with
out clothes, without fool Except small por-
tions OF the most repulsiye kinds) for weeks
and months, many having been taken prison
ers at or before tho battle Of Gettysburg Il
Many were suffering from what are called
.dnd.sores, and the surgeons in vain attempt
cd 10 produce general circulation ot bloos |
the cuticle in many instances seemingly dried
on The bone from exposure.
These accounts arc testified TO by every Of.
fccr that has escaped or been sent from this
land Of torture and cruelty, chap'ains, sur
geons and Others. The Rev. II. g. Trum.
bull, of the 10th Conn. reg, has stated that
when ho left Libby prison at Richmond on
Wednesday, tho Union officers confined there
had only received one-third Of pound Of
bread and some water for two days previous,
and for several days no meat had been served
out. Our Government, aware Of the condi.
ton Of our men who are prisoners, arc max
ing every effort to relieve their starving and
destitute condition.
Now the climax to oil this inhuman treat
mcnt is yet to come. We have noticed that
q systematic eaor, on the part Of the copper
head papers of this State has been aud is be-
ing made to defend their friends and allies.
They rush to the rescue OF that Democracy
which starvcs Union prisoners, and boldly
assert that all accounts Of the treatment nc
corded to our soldiers are untrue that none
arc suffering beyond tho usual condition of
warfare, and that If blame any where exists
it is on the part Of the Government. The
Augusta Age says:
Its only from the Richmond papers that we
aro able TO arrive at any clear and satisfactory
conclusion in relation TO the blame to be at
tached in this matter TO the two contendng
parties in this great struggle. and it should
bring the blush of shame to the face of epery
Northern man TO think that our authorities, |
servants OF the people, should Keep back from
rs The reason for u noncompliance with a |
cartel of exchange which had been most de-
liberately arranged, and actsd upon, up to
within a short period, without any manifest
injustice being wrought by it.
Ignoring the unanimous testimony Of those
Who have outliycd rebel cruelty, and the Off
cial statements of our surgeons that our ex-
changed prisoners that arrive at City Point,
or many Of them, arc beyond medical aid in
consequence Of exposure and lack of proper
food, and suppressing the fact that their dy-
ing condition is so well known as to cause
the Government to send food and clothing to
them, these journals eagerly quote erich
mond papers" to provo that our prisoners
are us we'll fed and cared for as the rebels
feed and care for their own soldiers!
No people would be so savage in their con-
duct, 80 brutal in their treatment. and so lost
TO manly feeling. rs the characteristics which
have marked the conduct Of the rebels. have
shown those to he, whose early training, edu.
cation and habits had NOT hsa, ,,,;.o,,oJ a.,