Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-11-27
Prepare for the Draft-COl. Hatch
The Rebel Prison, SC.

DAVENPORT, NOV. ~, looo.
DEAR JOURNAL: The Enrolling Board Of
this District is busily engaged in the work of
making every necessary preparation for
draft. Under recent order of the Provost
Marshal General, we are now preparing for
publication perfect lists of all persons enrolled,
not less than five copies of which must be
posted in each sub district for public inspec-
ton. Attached to each list is a notice to all
concerned that persons claiming exemption
from the draft on the ground of alienage,
non-residence, unsuitableness Of age, or man
ifest permanent physical disabilities, will be
given until the Goth day Of December to ap~
pear before the Board in this city, and be
heard. The list for Jones county has just
gone into the hands of the printer; Jackson
county will next be furnished, and the prob
ability is that the lists for Muscatine will not
be ready until the latter part of next week.
As nobody can tell whether they need exemp-
ton until the lists are published, no applica-
tons will be heard until such lists are made
public. As this matter is of interest to many
of our people, have deemed it proper to
convey this intelligence in advance that they
may make preparations accordingly.
Unless recruiting goes on much more rap
idly than at present, a draft in this State early
in January is inevitable. 1t is to be hoped
that Iowa will not be behind her sister States
of Illinois and Indiana, whose sons are being
mustered into service at the rate of seventy
five to one hundred per day. In most cases
local bounties are given to aid in the work.
For those men who 60 forth to attend the
closing struggle of the rebellion, too much
cannot be done.
/ am happy to say that a most lively in
terest is felt on behalf of the brave and heroic
Col. Hatch, among the government officials in
the city. His praise is upon the lips OF all
the old veterans of the regular army. Ev-
erybody who comes here is charged, that ''in
raising recruits make special efforts for Col.
Hatch. Let the I'd Cavalry be filed to over
flowing, that he may have the material to
play the very devil with rebeldom." Lieut..
Col. Grier, who SO galantly commanded the
cavalry in the Peninsular, Major Duncan, of
the Sd regular cavalry, and Gen. Roberts, are
profuse in their good opinions Of one of the
'bravest men, truest soldiers, and most skill
full officers of the Federal army. He is truly
fighting, conquering hero, and if he isn't
promoted very soon his friends in Iowa ought
to send howl to Washington that will be
heard.
One is well repaid by crossing the railroad
bridge and taking a walk of a half mile along
the riverside to the prison now being COM
pleted for the occupation Of sundry and divers
rebels, 'misguided friends" and "wayward
sisters" from the land of Dixie. Directly
north of the old Davenport House, and but
few yards from the river, are the prison bar
racks, far superior in their construction and
appurtenances to those usually occupied by
our true-hearted men of the Union army
These can accommodate about IL, 900 prison.
ers. Being built in the timber, the place has
rather a romantic cast. These barracks are
surrounded by substantial board fence from
sixteen to twenty feet high, with sentry
walk and boxes. These boxes are not so dis
tant from each other as those around the
Indian prison, on the other side of the river.
Outside this fence, on the south, are tight,
airy barracks, each capable of accommodating
full company and plenty Of room to spare,
warmed by two large stoves. The floors
being elevated and the sides being banked up,
the boys quarters are very cozy and comfort
able. Officers quarters, hospitals, ware
houses and the engine house are also outside
the enclosure. In the latter is fixed steam
engine that forces the water for the prison
from the river. saw, also, at distance, an
artesian well, and workmen engaged in exca-
waiting an enormous cistern. Having gone
the "grand rounds" came to the conclusion
that in view of the horrible barbarities prac-
tised by the rebel government towards our
prisoners in Richmond, of their lean, lank,
starved, uncovered limbs, and downright
refusal to allow US to relieve their terrible
condition, say came to the conclusion,
that in these preparations for the comfort of
rebels is a great wrong committed. Let THEIR
prisoners fare as well as ours, and no better.
Give them damp floors for beds, darkness for
windows vermin for food and nakedness for
rainent. Let THEM experience some Of the
horrors of war, as we'll as our brave boys.
D. -