The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-11-20
BALTIMORE, Friday, Nov. 6, 1868.


70 the Editor Of tie Net0 YOrk Times:
Within the last week have seen sew
eral articles, both in the New York Times
and the Baltimore American, in regard
to our paroled prisoners returned from
Richmond. These accounts seemed hor.
rible enough to have aroused the sympa-
thy and indignation of the people, and
yet, with the exception of few persons,
they were either passed by or forgotten
as being among the inevitable horrors of
civil war.
Three days since l went to Annapolis,
determined TO hear and see for.myself if
such things could be in the nineteenth
century. First let me say, am per-
son 40 longer young, one who has seen
much suffering of all kinds, in all ranks
of life, both ia this country and Europe,
and therefore not likely to exsggerate
either from inexperience or first impress
sions. have also been a constant visi-
tor for year and more to the hospitals
in and around Baltimore, witnessing the
most intense suffering among our sick
and wounded soldiers-enabling me TO
estimate the amount, both of mental and
physical pain, which men are capable of
enduring.
On arriving at the hospital at Annapo-
lie, we found the Mstron just starting on
her tour of inspection, and she kindly
allowed my friend and myself to accom-
pany her. Wishing to prepare us for
what we were to see, she gave us an ac-
count of the arrival of the prisoners by
boat on the 29th ult. The men landed
at A. NJ, in the chilly dawn, and it
seemed = fitting time for so mournful a
procession. They numbered $50 men,
brought from Belle Island, near Rich
mond Many were unable to walk, and
were carried TO the hospital. Those that
could walk must have presented a 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 pantaloOns, except
where the rags could scarce hold togeth-
er. Men came without hats or caps, with
thin cotton drawers, and Joaiss bayed 10
he leaist--their nakedness and bleeding
feet covered only by what tatters their
| cruel captors had left them, not from
tNt buA OtIAuno NutN MGIO l0O ulbuy
to keep. These men had been on Belle
Island (Which seems to be barren wAst te)
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 and
well, to all extremes of heat and cold,
without clothes, without food Except
small portions of the most repnlsive
kinds for weeks and months, many
having been taken prisoners at or before
the battle of Gettysburgh. Many were
suffering from what are called sand sores
and the surgeons. in vain attempting tC
produce general circulation of blood, the
cuticle in many instances seemingly drieC
on tie bone from exposure; and nearly the
color and consistency of parchment, II
food was denied them, it would seem 81
ii the veriest barbarian would have giVeT
them shelter TO die beneath.
With this preparation we visited th,
wards. On entering the first room, somt
sick men, sitting in silence near the fire
lifted their hands to show us that will
us was entering the unseen, but not un.
expected visitor-deAth. Before us lay
a young man just breathing his last, q
mere skeleton, whose dying throes seemed
TO place in stronger relief frame which
must once have belonged to q strong anC
vigorous life We turned away in oul
horror, only to look upon another who
would soon follow hismArtyred oomrade
Near them stood two male nurses, who
after witnessing horrors of all kinds, botl
on the battlefield and in the hospitals
stood perfectly subdued aud heart
wrang in witnessing that most fearful o
all deaths--deAth from starvation.
In another room was poor young boy
equally sGaalid in appearance, a netwOrl
OF bones, perfectly crazed and tossing hi
arms about and talking wildly and in
distinctly; he, too, could live but feV
hours, and most probably never be san
again. The next patient was a respect
able locking middle-aged German, witt
the bedclothes drawn tightly over hi
head, moaning and Writhing in his agony
My friend begged me TO listen. | coul
only distinguish these words: 81 am s
tired, something TO eat, what torment,
aud then the ejaculation, "Oh Hol
Ohna" a."
Then we saw others, emRoiAted to th
last degree, several of whom were tryin
TO eat--their kind nurses tempting thel
with delicacies and such food as the
could bear. Some, after taking I'll
longed- for article and putting it 10 thei
lips, would turn away with an agonize
loathing expression, as if eager to swa
low, but incapable of the effort. Other
after eating with famished haste, woul
after few moments, eject it all, the
stomAchs being too much weakened
, bear nourishmont either solid or liqui
Could anything be more fearful thi
this living death this famishing wi
food before their eyes and within the
reach. There were other patients wi
. weFo better, they could digest light fo'
aud had some hope Of life. II was thl
, the sixth day since they came, and o
Of l8O men 53 had died Of i'll treaime
and actual starvation. The Surgeon
said Al least two thirds Of the Il
would die, and il any recovered IL wou
be with brok0n constitutions, utter
, incapable OF supporting themselg,
u Many had died on first arriving, unoo
No scious from their suii.rings that th
y were among fnends aud in the land th
had died for, Others were two far 60