Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-12-02
For the Standard.

gestlon through your paper that an agent be ap-
pointed to visit military prisons and ascertain tbs
condition and treatment of the prisoners North
Carolinians) there confined and report the same to
tile Governor or Legislature, &c. This is certainly
most judcious, useful and appropriate suggestion,
and hope will at receive the proper attention
from the Legislature. Probably it is imprscticable
for the Legislature TO make any law pertaining to
the discipline and treatment of Confederate troops
Just now but it is only desired that the law making
power of the State of North Carolina look into the
treatment of her citizens, to the end that justice,
proper redress and the good of the service may be
secured.
This agent should be one who duly appreciates
wholesome and lawful exercise of discipline among
our troops and also one who knows the rights of
private soldiers, and would, under all crcumstan-
ces, do every thing possible to give justice and
fair and speedy trial to all North Carolina prison
ers. The Legislature should authorize this agent
to ascertain and report on the cases of all prisoners
thus confined in North Carolina, and of sill North
Caronians confined elsewhere in the Confedefacy.
Much of the duty of this agent would depend on
the courtesy and discretion of Confederate military
authorities. President Davis would, think, read
lily order all the necessary facilities and privileges
extended to this agent 1t would be proper to con.
tinue him year or more as may be thought neces-
sary. This measure is entirely practicable, and a
more wise, humane and necessary mission could
hardly be provided by the Legislature. There are
at this moment over one thousand citizens of the
State confined within the limits of the State, under
guard and without trial. Some of these men 1
Enop to have been thus confined nearly months,
and have never had any trial, and do not know the
charges against them Some of these prisoners
are subjected to the most cruel and inhuman treat
ment by the military commander in charge of them.
am more familiar with the management of the
military prison at Weldon under charge of Gen. N.
W. Ransom. The military prison at Weldon ia 3
log hat, 16 by 20 feet One small door is the only
opening and the cracks are stopped tight with clay
and chinks, and there is a chimney to one end. In
this place 40 and 30 persons of all classes and ages
are kept constantly. Very few have blankets and
not more than one or two have a change of clothes
Alfhave to stay inside this hut the whole time
From morning till night and from night till morn.
ing. these men are crammed and packed together,
in lice and filth, with neither room to sit or e and
thus they have been for weeks and months. They
are not allowed to get newspapers to write letters
or have any Communication whatever with the out
side world. If they attempt to do so. the guard is
ordered to shoot them: They are fed on half n.
tons-that is half OF the rations given to troops in
the field
These prisoners get one half pound Of beef, or
one fourth pound Of bacon for t,oo days, and from
four to seven crackers day. This is absolutely
all they are allowed to have. and they are prohibit
leu from UuYIuS VI Sctt'uS oIy LulHK else 10 01C
whatever. The beef furnished them is sometimes
rotton carrion and very often the crackers are full
of worms cobwebs and nouldy. Many of these
men are starving and becoming weak aud lean from
continual hunger. They often eat up all the morsel
allowed them at one time and do without for two
days-till next draw day. The guard sre subject to
severe penalties if they allow the prisoners mouth
full to eat, except what is drawn from the commits
sary These prisoners are noesslloged to wash
kho;rc 9TH &ba;. al thao
washed. They are not allowed I'd Speak to any
person outside under any circumstances, unless q
permit 6e given by the Provost Marshal to visit
the guard house. Very few are allowed to visit the
ENTHUSIASTICALLY even the counsel employed in
their case.
While on their way to the court martial room IN
Weldon, they must not speak to their witness OF
friend penalty Of being bayonetted or shot down
on the spot. They are not allowed to vote at the
State elections and made to do all species of Ia
Dor continuay-to clean around the streets and
hotels of Weldon to build and clean out the quar-.
tiers and rooms of officers; to make their fires and
cut their wood &c Some Of these men have been
very sick, and on requesting an employee in ths
Provost Office for doctor, were informed that they
might die and go to hell" This same employee
vulgar renegade Marylander-took all letters e,
the prisoners from the post Office and opened them
and detained them also, if he thought proper with
or without orders. When his conduct was brought
to the attention of the post Office department tn.
commander Of the post comes in and screens him
from merited punishment.
None Of these letters thus opened for traitors
alien enemies The honey of these prisoners is ia
ken from them and they not allowed to have any
writing implements as is alleged, because "things
have been written to Gov. Vance, Holden, DC"
Citizens, deserters, Yankees. are all huddled to.
gether even negro prisoners have been sent ill., but
the prisoners u: . ,inously determining not to sub.
init to such amalgamstion, the guard allowed the
negroes to stay outside. No potts. vessels or conve
nences are allowed The prisoner is not allowed
to go or to send to the Provost Marshal or com.
handing officer to see about his case. Some Of these
men have recently been tried by court martial, but
their sentences are not ordered promulgated yet
Nearly all these men are North C rolinians and
some of them are innocent of any crime and many
of them are as good soldiers as tho army contains
and deserve but little punishment These facts Car
be proven by hundred Witnesses These prison
ers style themselves the Reserve Battalion" aut
the name given the prison is Fort Ransom" Tn
guard is generally kind. NEMESIS.
Weldon, Nov. 26, 1859.