The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-12-03
SuherIngs of Our Prisoners at
Richmond.

demonstrate that our prisoners in the
hands of the Rebels are the recipients OF
the same favors, the same rations, the
same medical attendance, that the rebels
themselves receive-does this look like
it i
Having but recently been released from
participating m the hospitalities of Libby
Prison, under the dominion of rebel rule,
/ would join my testimony with others in
presenting a true picture Of our unfortu-
nate officers, soldiers and citizens who
happen to be prisoners in Richmond.
Doubtless, many are ready to reject the
accounts given as being too highly
wrought; and l wonder not. for had
| not been an eye witness and vic
tim to the inhumanity of some of their
officers, I, too, would have been incredu-
lous to the facts that such malignant
tyranny could be found in America among
professedly civilized people, and even
with those claiming to be cur superors.
| was one of the unfortunate Chaplains
captured at Winchester, Va, June 18th,
whilst administering to the comforts of
our sick and wounded in the hospital
Here, like most others, | had my horse
and baggage taken from me, go that | was
left without change of clothing. Soon
afterwards | was sent to Richmond In
charge of some officers wives, under the
assurance that we should at once be sent
through the lines.
On our arrival there We were examined
By the Provost Marshal, major Griswold,)
who took from me nay private diary, and
sent all Of us to Castle Thunder. [ was
put into the citizens room, where there
were some forty inmates. No supper was
offered me, and having eaten but little
that day, could only satisfy the cravings
Of my appetite with the promise of some
thing the next morning.
After satisfying as best | could the
many inquiries made, and commendipg
myself and fellow prisoners to the mercy
and favor of God, l sought place for rest.
As vacant place was shown me on the
| floor, and | was about to put down my
| blanket, | was adnonished by kind
hearted prisoner to wait and he would
sweep the floor, as the place was full of
lice and other vermin. l received with
thanks this little act of kindness, and it
afforded me subject on which to mediate
during the vigiis of the night, for frank
ly confess that | could not sleep.
Who can imagine the novelty of being
a prisoner in prison for the first time,
gers-from different sections of the
adtnonished by one whose finer
feelings had not yet been drowned out,
that you might expect to be called on by a
small army, whose rapacity could be
satisfied only with blood your mind may
for time quit the scenes Of your immedi-
ate surroundings, and travel away in its
airy flight to look down on the calm
sleeping face of your lovely little daughter
sleeping in innocence, and the dear and
manly features of noble boy, or the
heaving bosom of dear wife, as you
fancy her sighing with anxious care Cor
you. But this revery is soon ended, as
you are admonished that something tangi-
BILE is finding its way up your sleeves or
pantaloons, and the truth forces itself
upon your mind that you are actually
beseiged you Tally your forces, and soon
you may console yourself that you are
bleeding for your country, it cannot lull
you to sleep. And, as if to mock at your
misery, you soon hear the sentinel outside
crying out Justify, "Post No. /, and all is
WE'LL" Post No. 2, and so on, until it has
been passed around the building.
In the morning thought my appetite
keen enough to relish even very rough
diet, but when at about half past eigh. |
was handed small piece of old fat bacon,
With little soup made out of the water
in which this was boiled, with the addi-
ton of few little black beans, my appe-
titc recoiled, as l found that my 1epast
entirely outranked me ; and on Inspection I
found not less than dozen of we'll devel-
oped insects CASUALLY called maggots) on
my small piece Of meat and when my
soup had settled little, I found any
reasonable number floating on the thin
broth. i need not tell you that / could
not partake of this. But many a poor
fellow was compelled to sort, as best he
could, close his eyes and eat ! The fare
during that day was no better, but l par.
took of nothing but little dry bread and
drank some muddy river water with it.
That day being Sabbath, at the request
of the prisoners preached to them with
much satisfaction, as all seemed 10 be
eager listeners. But the authorities
seemed to object to this, and accordingly
had me removed the same evening, into
another room of the building. Here I
soon found channel through which |
could buy something to eat. | was kept
here for Ave days, with the assurance that
was to be sent off on the first boat; at