Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-11-26
A TERRIBLE PICTURB. -
Observations OF Visitor to the Hos
pltals at Annapolis--How Union


pitals at Annapolis-sHow Union
Men are Treated in Richmond.
Corresp spondcuco of the NY. Tribune. b. tHliHren
5000. BALTIMORE, November 6.
Three days since went to Annapolis, de-
termined to hear and see tor myself II such
things could he in the Nineteenth century.
First let me say, am a person no longer
young, one who has seen much suffering OF
all kinds, IN all ranks Of life, both in this
country and Europe. aud therefore not like
ly 10 exnggerate either from inexpcrience OF
first impressions. have also been n con-
stant visitor for year or more, to tho hos
pi,als in and around Baltimore. witnessing
the most intense suffering among our sick
and wounded soldiers enabling me to esti-
mate the amount both Of mental and phys
ical pain which men are pable Of enduring
On arrival at the hospital at Annapolis,
We found the matron just starting on her
tour of inspection, and she kindly allowed
my friend and myself to accompany herr
Wishing to prepare us for what We we're to
see, she gave us an account OF the arrival Of
the prisoners by boat, on the 29th ult. The
men landed at g A. NJ, in the chilly dawn,
andit seemed fitting time for 90 mournful
procession. They numbered 1870 men,
brought from Belle Island near Richmond.
Many we're unable to walk, and were carried
TO the hospital. Those that could walk must
have presented sight never to be forgotten;
for, before leaving, the rebels not only strip
ped them of socks, shoes and blankets, but
took from them their shirts and pantaloons,
except where the rags would scarce hold to-
gether. Men came without hats or caps,
with thin cotton drawers, and bodice barred
10 the iodist-their nakedness and bleeding
feet covered only by what tatters their cruel
captors had left them, not from mercy. but
because they we're too filthy to keep. These
men had been on Belle Island, (whichseems
to be . barren waste,) without any protec-
tion against the weather, except what they
had themselves 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
food, Except small portions of the most re-
pulsive kinds, for weeks and months, many
having been taken prisoners at or before the
battle of Gettysburg. Many are suffering
from what are called sandsores, and the
surgeons in vain attempting to produce gem
eral circulation of the blood, the cuticle in
many instances seemingly dried on the bone
from exposure, and nearly the color and con-
sistency Of parchment. If food was denied
them, it would seem as if the veriest barba-
rian would have given them shelter to die
beneath. t. .... -.
With this preparation We visited the
wards. On entering the first room, some
sick men sitting in silence near the fire, lift
ed their hands to show us, that with us was
entering the unseen, hat not unexpected
visitor-death. Before US lay young man
just breathing his last, a mere skeleton,
whose dying throes seemed to place in stron-
ger relief frame which must once have
belonged to a strong and vigorous life. We
turned away in our horror, only to look upon
comrade. Near them stood two male nur-
both on the battle field and in the hospitals,
in witnessing that most fearful Of all death
death from starvation.
In another room was q poor young boy,
equally squalid 10 appearance, a network Of
bones, perfectly crazed ard tossing his arms
about and talking wildly and ihdistinctly; he,
too, could live but few hours, and mostpro-
badly never be sane again. The next patient
was respectable looking middle aged Ger
man, with the bedclothes drawn tightly over
his head, moaning and writhing in his agony
My friend begged me to listen. could only
distinguish th.se words: II am so tired,
something :: - what torment and then
the ejacu, ~ oh, Holy Christi" Then
we saw others, emacated to the last degree,
several Of whom were trying to eat--their
kind nurses tempting them with delicacies
and such food ss they could bear Some,
after taking the longed for article and put
ting II TO their lips, would turn away with
an agonized loathing expression, as If eager
to swallow, but incapable of Che effort
Others, after eating with famished haste,
would, after. q few moments, eject it all,
their stomaciis being too much weakened to
bear .nourishment. either solid or liquid. =
Could anything be more fearful than this
living death-this tamishing, with food be.
| fore their eyes and within their reach. y
There were Other patients who were better
they could digest light food, and had some
hope of life. !. II 2was then the sixth day
since they came, and out of l8O men, So
had died of III ltrestmeut and actual starva'
ton. The surgeons said at least two-thirds
Of the l8O would die, and it any recovered
1t would be with broken constitutions. nut
terly incapable of supporting themselves. =
Many had died on first arriving, unconscious
from their sufferings, that they were among
friends and in the land they had died for. =
Others were too far goue TO say much, bu
thankful to feel that they might die unde
the old flag and be; taken home 10 be burieC
with their kindred. wahlIft
i Mas. SIDDoNs was one night playing
Jane Shore. The. unfortunate woman ex
claims, in an agony Of suffering. from hun
ser, ~ Nave not tasted bread for thre
Il A "a,