The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-12-25
Union Prisoners at Richmond.

The editor of the Philadelphia Press had an
interesting interview with Rev. Mr.. Terrence
who has just returned from City Point where
he has been for the purpose of seeing Capt.
Hatch who represents the rebel authorities:
He says that he had long or, in fact sever
al interviews with Capt Hatch, in reference
to distributing articles Of iood and clothing TO
the Union prisoners at Libby Prison and on
Belle Island. The rebels refuse to receive
anything but money, which they say shall be
delivered as directed, and receipts returned t }
show that this has been faithfully attended
to.
Mr.. Terrence speaks highly of the character
fCapt Hatch as a gentleman and humane
man, and Is sure that money sent to the Union
prisoners will be promptly handed to the parties
TO whom it may be directed. The most SYM
pathetic appeals were made in be half of our
suffering men, but all TO no effect
Suppose" said Mr.. Torrence, ..ihat a moth
er or sister should send little parcel of de-
licaces to a suffering son or brother, would
such package be delivered?"
Capt. Hatch replied, mo SIR"
Suppose articles of reading of religious or
moral character should be sent to the prison.
ers, would they be forwarded?',
10 which Captain Hatch replied, mo-
"Well, sir" replied Mr.. Terrence, "such a
make hundred thousand men in the north
anxious to enter the Union army, that now
feel Indifferent"
II expected as much of course" replied
Capt Hatch.
'How is it that you sent one hundred and
eighty of our men, with stomachs scarcely
rs large as your hand, with no flesh on there
bones at all?r g
'rhat," replied Capt. Hatch as A tear start.
ia ax stxra
not TO have been sent, they were suffering
from dysentery and pulmonic affections.
-Does the order relative to our prisoners
exclude everything but money 2"
Capt Hatch replied "Yes, SIR"
The Southerners would prefer gold to be
sent, or they have no objections to u. s.
Treasury notes, this will be exchanged for
Confederate scrip, and the scrip will be hand.
ed to the prisoners, with which they can buy
food at the market prices in Richmond 1t is
understood that the premium on gold will be
allowed the prisoners in exchange for Confed-
crate scrip.
by this arrangement the gold would neces-
sarily flow into the rebel treasury. while the
people and the prisoners would have nothing
but Confederate scrip for business purposes.
Very little gold will be sent South. Major
John Mulford, OF New York, expresses him
sell as having full confidence, that, with the
above understanding and arrangement. the
rebels will certainly distribute any money
that may be sent. The Major says that gem
uine Confederate money had better be sent il
1t can be purchased in the North, but great
care should be taken that the purchaser be
not imposed upon by counterfeit An instance
OF this kind came to light. A father had pur-
chased 500 Confederate note for $40. and
sent 1t. 1t was returned in the same letter
because OF its being counterfeit. This is what
people must guard against
1t seems that about 1000 Union urisoners
on Belle Island are without any shelter what
ever. The Rev. Mr.. Terrence desires 10
send them 1000 tents, but under the recent
order Captain Hatch refuses to forward
them.