The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-26
Letter from Mrs. Goddard.
CHICAGO, Ill.,, Feb. 20,

CHICAGO, Ill.,, Feb. 20, 1863.
To the Editors Of the Press:
The morning left Baltimore observed in
The Republican" a touching story Of snfier-.
ing among the rebels at this post. Doubtless
the eyes and hearts Of Northern sympathizers
with Southern rebellion have been more ten
derly affected. as similar stories have been re-
hashed Tor the sole purpose of exciting undue
sympathy. 1t was said that SO little regard
was paid to the comfort OF the prisoners that
twelve hundred perished from cold in one
night, and that others were fearfully frost-bt-
ten. But, as is usual. find the story lacks
truth. Comparing the condition Of the rebel
prisoners here with the same number of our
prisoners in rebel hands, it is clearly demon
strable that we err ON the side of kindness, in
stead OF leaving them to suffer.
Judging from personal observation, am
convinced that four-fifths OF "our horrors,
as connected with the war. have their origin
In the fertile imaginations of the sensation re-
porters, VINO, being paid for saying something,
have little regard for truth when that some
thing to be said has no other resource than
falsehood for point or interest.
There are less than four thousand rebels at
this post, IRON twelve TO twenty having died
daily since their arrivail and the common as
sertion among the prisoners themselves is that
they have not been as comfortable at any
time since they entered the Confederate serv-
can consume; and as for fuel, they have as
much wood as they are disposed to cut for
their own use.
In the matter Of cleanliness they almost uni
versally manifest conscientious scruples. -
Somehow, they fail to apprehendA the use of
buckets and tubs, and soap and water, aud the
only reason | can assign for il is, they have
not been washed for SO long time they dread
parting with even an inch of sacred soil. Per-
haps they have wholesome fear that their
country is to be conquered, and all they can
possibly claim in the Hereafter is what they
are able TO carry about upon their persons. II
so, must add they also take good care 10
keep tremendous show of live stock in ex-
cellent condition, expecting to set up for
themselves doubtless, when Dixie's land fails
TO be their Inheritance.
There was u search Of the prisoners when
they came and everything of contraband
character was taken from them. Last FRIDAY
second search was made, and a cart-load of
reyolyers, axes, hatchets, &c, were found hid
den in their quarters, and about $4,000 about
their persons. This shows outside coopera-
ton OF such character and extent as to make
the most stringent military discipline impera-
tive.
l could not help noticing the deep impress
sion the Republicans charge of cruel expos
ure OF these prisoners TO the inclement wealth
er, produced. But was in no degree sur
prised to learn that an act of heroisn, on the
part of a loyal sentinel resulting in his death
on that same cold night when it was reported
that twelve rebel prisoners had frozen to
death, to elicit even an ordinary comment
in the same paper. True, the scene was in
Suffolk, Va. instead of Chicago, Ill.,; but it
rang of the true metal too loudly to be entire
ly unheard. A mounted guard was sent out.
aud his orders were strict not to dismouDt
Being an old soldier and a loyal son of his
country, he obeyed to the letter, and in the
morning the horse came into camp with his
brave rider frozen % DEATH l could not
learn the hero's name, but il deserves a place
on the topmost round Of fame's ladder, since
In these degenerate days, men more frequent
ly disregard than obey the most imperative
demands of honor and soldiery duty.
| Some OF the prisoners here have legitimate
claim to our sympathy, while Others are no
more the proper subjects Of it than the COM
monest felons. Some are Northern men with
strong Union feelings, but had no choice about
entering the rebel service. 1t was enlist or
hang, and but few of us would deliberately
choose the halter. They hoped to find rescue,
and enlisted. Now they want to take the
oath oil allegiance, but so many have abused
the confidence Of the Government in this mat
ter that 1t Is doubtful whether they will be al
lowed TO do so. One man, New Yorker,
and another, a Pennsylvania, well known
! from their youth to some of the officers here.
CHANGING to be in Texas at the opening Of the
war, were compelled to enter the army, and
were glad when taken prisoners of this mode
| of escape; but they must 90 back when ex-
changed, and continue to fight against the
Government they would gladly die to defend
The conviction Of the majority of the pris-
oners here is that the rebellion is about played
out They find that nearly every motive
urged TO make them fight against the Govern
ment was iasehood from the beginning; and
you know how the mind reacts when a false
hood is detected. Then every battle has been
reported success, no matter how much of a
defeat it really was; and this stimulated many
TO fight on. who now see the utter impossible
ty of ever establishing separate govern
| inent.
1t may be dark hour, politically, to our
country; but ii is the darkness that preeedes
the dawn. The light is coming, 1t cannot be
possible in the order of Providence that free
people of twenty-five millions, will succumb
to power levered by four million slaves
God forbid that even one loyal heart ever in
dulge the fear of such a result! How many
days may remain here cannot say; but the
cause OF my country has my best labor, be my
dwelling place where it may.
| As ever loyally a q