The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-05-03
A Foreign ofioer's Expsrience in
an Richmond,
Treatment he Received from u
Rebels. ia 7rny
The Condition of the Federal Pris-
onors in the Rebel Capital
LFran lhs washIngtoa throaIqls.

lFrom the Washington thronle,el
The following interesting statement Of
tho sufierings of an Austrian officer, who
was captured by the rebels Of Fairfax
Court House, has been handed us for pub
licaiion. The rebels, il will be peroeiy-
ed, deal out alike the same cruel treat-
ment TO those in the Union army and TO
any nom combatants who may fall into
their hands. The horrible treatment of
our prisoners confined in the rebel capi-
tai receive at the hands of the rebels is
sickening to think Of. Nia
Among those taken prisoners at the
recent raid of the rebels on Fairfax Court
House, was Baron Rudolph Wardener,
formerly an Austrian officer, who had
come 10 the United States for the purpose
of observing the war now taking place.
Baron Wardener was at the time visiting
some friends, officers in the Federal afmy,
and stationed at Fairfax Court House.
He had retired for the night, and the first
iniimation he had Of any enemy being
near, was by some person knocking him
on the head with the butt Of revolver
and peremptOrily ordering him TO get up
aud follow him as a prisoner Of war.
This was at frat taken by the Baron as
bad joke by some of his friends, but
the cooked revolver pointed at his head
soon convinced him Of the contrary.
Nothing was to be done but 10 Ohey, as
he was threatened with instant death if
the least resistance was offered. A horse
was furnished to Baron Wardener, and by
the means of unfrequenled roads the
cavalcade was soon on its way to Cul-
pepper Court House. Atthis place Baron
| Wardeuer had an interview with General
Lee, who treated him with politoness,
and promised that he shaald be ex-
changed as soon as be had reached Rich
mond. di i1td0
At Richmond, Baron Wardener was
confined, with the Federal officers taken
at Fairfax, in the Libby prison, and Inn
mediately wrote TO General Winder In
orderto procure an Interview with him.
The firstapplication received no answer
the second received the following: "This
man was taken in Yankee uniform, and
will be treated as a prisoner Of war"
The Yankee uniform spoken of consist
ed of an officers overcoat, which Baron
Wardener had mistaken for his while
cropping in the darkness for his clothes al
Fairfax Court House. The same answer
war received by the Austrien Consul, oil
whom Baron Wardenef had claimed pro-
lection. Addressing himself TO the
Secretary of War, Baron Wardener in Q
letter explained tho circumstances uu-
der which he had been taken, &c. By
order Of the War Department, and under
strong guard, Baron Wardener wal
marched through the city to the Oour
House, where be was ushered into thl
presence Of the Judge. At FIRST "a,
Judge, worthy representative Of South.
ern chivalry, was very rough and unciVil
but having heard who the accused was
materially charged his behavior, and in
quired if the Baron had not served as OIL
officer under Col Wyhdham. di "a
81 would consider IL a great honor I,
serve in the Federal army" ansyereC
the plucky baron; Unfortunately, how
ever, do not" s q s-lf ~
i'If you do not serve in the FEEDERS
army, then you are not our enemy g7.sAi'
Il do not bear arms against th
South" 3 iani-- laA
"Then see that you aFe gentleman
and as such will treat you Sir,Y con
tinued the Judge, "The Government o
the South invites you 10 join our cause
We propose to give you such induce
ments as will satisfy you"
~ cannot entertain such proposition
II you consider me q gentleman, recOl
lect that was taken prisoner while /
. company with my friends, who are OIL
GERS in the Federal anmyM I'd
The Judge remained silent, ard dis
missed Baron WardeDer for the present
} with the promise that he would be paroll
| ed Immediately and sent under the nea
! flag of truce. t'rsg ff
| Baron Wardener retured 10 prison Gil
ed with joy AZ the expectation Of bein
sO0n released from the loathsome prison
bat Eve days passed without his expeC
= tatiOns being realized. He then addres
: sod himself once more 10 the Austria
8 Consul, who laid the case again befoI
/ the Secretary Of war, but without elicii
| ing any positive answer, on account I
the suspicion which rested on Baro
T Wardener Of being an officer in the Fec
} eral army.
The Baron was then again brought bl
Q fore the Judge this time at the Provo
b Marahslps Office.
Q "Baron," said the judge, "you leal
/. tomorrow only sign this parole"
= The parole was to the effect that Bi
4 ron Wardener was 20 swear not 70 be
q arms against the Southern Oonfedsrac
G nor 20 give any information or aid 10 n
e enemies Of the South
}, "Sir," said Baron, this parole is di
e ferent from all other paroles. ] do n
n think you have the right to require il
0 me-"
Z snow" said tho jadge, 1--WE see lh
p our suspicious were well based. ~
y are no gentleman, but an enemy ana
e d-d Yankee"
e sIIow can you fudge me by the pre-
10 ent events You cannot biud me
n my future life by this parole"
n fIf you don't sign this parole y
Ip must be allied with the Yankees, Al
" you alone will bo responsible for 4
l. consequences"
Ia "sir, said Baron, "if sign this paro
" 4 / will 90 il In the same way as N
Al who has q revolver pointed 10 his hei
I'd gives up his money"
'Ob, no." said the judge; "you 1