The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-27
A TERRIBLE PICTURE.
Opservatlons of Visitor to the Hos.
Pitals at AnnapOlis---HOw Union
Men are Treated in Richmond.
BALTIMORE, Friday, Nov. G. 1863

BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, Nov. 6, 1868,
To the Editor Of the Neo York Times:
Within the last week have seen arti-
cles, both in the New York Times and the
Baltimore american, in regard to our pa
rolled prisoners returned from Richmond.
These accounts seemed horrible enough TO
have aroused the sympathy and indiona.
ton OF the people, and yet, with the excep-
ton OF few persons, they were either
passed by or forgotten as being amon~ the
inevitable horrors of civil war.
Three days since went to Annapolis.
determined to hear and see for myself if
such things could be in the Nineteenth
century. First let me say, am person
no longer young, one who has seen much
suffering of all kinds, in all ranks of life.
both IN this country and in Europe, and
therefore not likely to exaggerate either
from inexperience or first impressions. I
have also been constant visitor for wear
and more to the hospitals in and around
Baltimore, witnessing the most intense
suffering among our sick and wounded SOL
diers-enabling me to estimate the amount
Doth OF mental and physical pain which
men are capable of enduring.
On arriving at the hospital at Annape-
lis, we found the matron just starting on
her tour OF inspection, and she kindly al
lowed my friend and myself to accompany
her. Wishing to prepare US for what we
were to see, she gave US an account of the
arrival OF the prisoners by boat, on the
18th ult. The men landed at 5 A. M. in
the chilly dawn, and it seemed a fitting
time TOR so mournful procession. They
numbered $50 men, brought from Belle
Island, near Richmond Many were un-
able to walk, and were carried to the hos
rital. Those that could walk must have
presented sight never to be forgotten ::
for, before leaving, the rebels not only
stripped them of socks, shoes and blankets,
but took from them their shirts and pan
falcons, except where the rags could scarce
hold together. Men came without hats
or caps, with thin cotton drawers, and
bodies barred to the waist-their nakedness
and bleeding feet covered only by what
tatters their cruel captors had left them.
not from mercy, but because they were
too filthy to keep. These men had been
on Belle Island (which seems to be bar
rem waste) without any protection against
the weather, except what they had them
selves constructed. They had lain on the
sand, which was to them both bed and
covering, exposed, both sick aud well, to
all extremes of heat and cold, without
clothes, without food, Except small por-
tons the most repulsive kinds, for weeks
and months, many having been taken
prisoners at or before the battle of Gettys-
burg Many were suffering from what
are called Sand-Sores, and the surgeons,
IN vain attempting to produce general cir
culatlon of the blood, the cuticle in many
instances seemingly dried on the bone
from exposure, and nearly the color and
consistency Of parchment. If food was
denied them, it would seem as if the veri-
est barbarian would have given them shell
ter to die beneath
With this preparation we visited the
wards. On entering the first room, some
sick men sitting in silence near the fire,
lifted their hands to show US that with US
was entering the unseen, but not unex-
pected visitor-death. Before US lay
young man just breathing his last, mere
skeleton, whose dying throes seemed to
place in stronger relief frame which once
must have belonged to a strong and Wig
orous life. We turned away in our hor-
ror, only to look upon another, who would
soon follow his martyred cOmrade. Near
them stood two male nurses, who, after
witnessing horrors OF all kinds, both on
the battlefield and in the hospitals, stood
perfectly subdued and heart-wrung, in
witnessing that most fearful of all deaths
death from Starvation.
In another room there was a Door young
boy, equally squalid in appearance, a net
work of bones, perfectly crazed and toss
ing his arms about and talking wildly and
indstinctly; he, too, could live but few
hours, and most probably never be sane
again. The next patient was a respect
able looking middle-aged German, with
the bedclothes drawn tightly over his
head, moaning and writhing in his agony.
My friend begged me to listen. / could
only distinguish these words: 81 am
tired, something to eat, what torment"
and then the ejaculation, ooh, Holy
Christi" Then We saw others, emaciated
to the last degree, several of whom were
trying to eat-their kind nurses tempting
them with delicacies and such food as they |
could bear Some, after taking the |
longed-for article and putting it to their
lips, would turn away with an agonized
loathing expression, as if eager to swallow,
but incapable of the effort. Others, after
eating with famished haste, would, after
a few moments, eject it all, their STONE chs
being too much weakened to bear nourish- |
ment either solid or liquid Could anything
be more fearful than this living death |
this furnishing with food before their eyes
and within their reach. There were other |
patients who were better-they could d.
gest light food and had some hope of life.
1t was then the sixth day since they came,
and out Of $50 men fifty three had died
of ill-treatment and actual starvation.
The surgeons said at least two thirds of
the $50 would die, and if any recovered
it would be with broken constitutions.
utterly incapable of supporting themselves.
Many had died on their first arriving, un
conscious from their sufferings that they
were among friends and in the land they
had died for. Others were too far gone
to say much, but thankful to feel that they
might die under the old flag and be taken
home to be buried with their kindred.
The conduct of those able to converse
was worthy Of all admiration M hooot;rr |