Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-11-28


cd of, but we could see the General ges-
ticuating violently, and growing redder in
the face
In the southern part of Moth Carolina,
the cars stopped before handsome private
residence. Upon the porch stood two young
girls, fashionably dressed and, so far as out.
ward appearance went, apparently ladies OF
refinement. No sooner, however, had they
asoertaiued our character than they betray-
ed in their demeanor, that they were un-
worthy of this title. One Of them took out
her handkerchief, made loop of 1t, passed
it around her neck--indicaHng, in q panto-
mimic way, that we were either worthy of
hanging or deserved to be hanged; perhaps
both ideas were intended to be conveyed
The other young lady coutented herself
with simply clutching her throat in both
hands, and mimicking the contortions, OF q
strangling person. When the train moved
on, both of them shook their little fists at US
with terrible energy, and we felt much safer
when they passed from view.
At length we reached Richmond, and
were placed in Castle Thunder, where all
civilian prisoners, whether Northern or
Southern loyalists, are placed. There were
about six hundred of the former and eight
hundred of the latter incarcerated when we
ly from East Tennessee, North Carolina, and
Western and Northern Virginia. Included,
however, among them, are citizens from all
parts of the South. Very many of them
were formerly possessed of vast wealth and
influence, and one of the prisoners was but
q short time since one of the largest planters
of Texas. Another, who had practiced law
in jackson, Miss, thirty-fve years, was
brought to Castle Thunder, with linen pants
worn out at the kncess, and with no other
covering but an old striped shawl thrown
over his shoulders.
The statement that the prisoners on Belle
Island had received no meat for twelve days,
and are compelled to kill dogs and eat them
to avoid starvation, is possibly true but in
the Richmond prisons affairs, though bad
enough have not yet reached this desperate
pass. The prisoners receive one meal a day,
consisting of half u loaf of bread and two
ounces OF meat In all the prisons Of the
city the same quantity of provisions is fur
niShed to the unfortunate inmates In every
other respect they are treated almost like
dogs. They are unprovided with any cloth
ing except what they may have had upon
them when captured, nor with blankets or
bedding of any kind, but are compelled to
lie upon the bare and filthy floors. The in.
mates of Castle Thunder of whom there are
240 on the upper floor, are crowded into
apartments so small that they are compelled
to sleep in parallel rows, to economiZe space
, Once every three weeks the floor is scrubbed
: when they are allowed to proceed to the
! prison yard for a breath Of fresh air and ex
ercise. At no other time are they allowed
to leave their rooms, upon any pretcnct
7 whatever
7 The prisoners never have chance to wasl
. themselves, as neither soap nor water il
> provided for them. Partly from this cir
. cumstance, partly from the insufficient sup
. ply of food, and partly from the fetid at
/ mosphere they are compelled to breathe, dis
4 eases of the bowels and liver are very preva
r lent, especially amoung the more advanced
: in life and very few, either young or old
manage to maintain any scmblance of health
: Another cause contributing to this distress
a lug result in the lack of health, alrcad
: mentioned. Among the prisoners is a mai
from New York, whose only covering i
s about yard of rag carpet, and in the eye
of his tcllowsuttcrcrs his wardrobe is by IL
n means considered dcspicablc; and another
r q Baptist minister, is almost naked. Sine
his Imprisonment he has heard of the dealt
: of four of his children; but, notwithstand
I ing his terrible sutferings he refuses to pur
n chase his liberty by taking the oath of a.
legiance to the Confederate Government
70 These are by no means exceptional cases c
# hardship, but l mention them because the
a. came Immediately under my own obscrv;
N tion, and because they are as striking an
IL suggestive as any could name
ss There is nothing the Government can d
II for the relief of these men, that will be NOR
70 acceptable than to furnish them with store
in and fuel, for, independent of their suffering
Il from the cold, perhaps not one of them la
II even tasted warm meal, or even rs niue
h as hot cup of coffee since his incarceration
20 What they especially need also, is a goo
70 supply of vegetables, such as onions, potC
l. toes, &c, to guard against the scurvy.-
L. Clothing also should be sent to them as 500
= possible. Their condition may be great
ameliorated, and very many lives saved
= they are promptly supplied with the articl,
W named. The Christian and SanitBry Con
u, missions will, no doubt, exert themselves
no the utmost to sec that this is done bl
their exertions, to be fully successful mu
'n be encouraged and substantially aided
Vi the public. Let the people Of Philadelph
come forward with a generous response
re this fresh demand, and in the darkest Gel
~ of the Richmond prisnos, There will be
merrier Christmas and u happier New Yea
TO- N1..,. tA.-