The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-03-24
Rebel RasealIty.


from Libby, has addressed a letter to
the Military Committee giving an ac-
count Of the capture of his command,
&C., &c. y
In May last Streight and his COM
mand, near Rome, Georgia, was oblig-
cd to surrender to Forrest. 1t &as
agreed that each regiment should re
tain their colors the officers were to
retain their side arms. and officers and
men retained haversacks, knapsacks,
blankets, and all private property
When the surrender had been made
they, however, were robbed of every
thing of value in their possession, and
the men at Atlanta turned into an en-
closure withoutsheltcr and destitute of
blankets or overcoats, and there kept
for four days.
When the officers arrived at Bich-
mond all were searched and money
found on them was taken away and
has never been returned. When
Streight complained Of these robberies
as breach of faith, that Internal Gener-
al Wilder took from him the articles
Of capitulation as signed by General
Forrest. t9 -a... s#
Colonel Streight confirms the former
accounts of tho inhuman treatment the
Union prisoners receive, and gives a
description of the fato that awaits any
who attempt to escape. ID
Under the building known as Libby
Prison is largo cellar, in which they
have several cells partitioned off. Sew
eral of thcm are without any light but
some Of them have windows below the
pavement, These cells are used for
the purpose of confning securely such
of the prisoners as the authorities may
fear will attempt to escape, as well as
such as may chance to offend some one
of the many petty officials and prison
attaches. Some of our unfortunate
men are continually confined in these
filthy holes, on one pretext or another
1t is the uniform practice to feed any
and all persons sent to these cells on
bread and water only. Lieutenant
Reed, of the Third Ohio Volunteers
was thrown into one of these cells, and
kept there for forty ght hours, with
out anything to eat or drink during the
time. lie was not allowed any blank
cts nor his sovercoat. The weather very
damp and cold, and he at the time was
suffering from most severe wound il
his hip. On the night Of the 18th o
December | received a communication
purporting to come from one in autho
rity, stating that for 100 in greenback
and two silver watches, myself ant
friend would be permitted to pass The
guard. Some days previous 10 thi
one of my officers succeeded in making
his escape in this way; and although
| was not without apprehcnsions tina
it was q trap, nevertheless | resolved
to try the experiment. Accordingly
Captain G. G. Reed, Third Ohio Volun
teers, and myself, went to the dcsig
mated place at tho appointed hour
where we assured that it was all right
We complied with the terms and pass
edout; but no sooner were we outside
the guard lines than Major Latrouche
the Adjutant of the prison, sprang on
from a concealed place and commenc
ed firing upon us before "halting" us
We were unarmed and could do nc
thing but surrender. ".
We were taken back to the prison
put in irons, and thown into ono {
those filthy holes called cells, wher
VIC were kept for three weeks ON brea
and water The weather was YER
cold during the time, and wo nearl
pcrished. There was largo amour
of filth in tho cell which / could nc
induce them TO remove, nor could
get them to permit mo to remove it,
| asked for paper, pen and ink to writ
the rebel authorities ! also asked 70
a box to sit on, of which there was
, largo number in the cellar, but every
, thing was denied mo. AT the time
was taken to the cell there were six c
our men confined in one Of these cell
for attempting to escape, They ha
/ been there for six days without blank
cts, and two Of them wero very sick.
They were released at the end {
seven days of their confinement.
, might continue to enumerato instance
= of n similar character, but these wi
l answer to give you an idea of what
daily taking place. ] cannot doscrib
: TO you tho loathsomc filthincss ofthes
cells, They arc infested with gro'
number of rats and mice, and the
have no marks ofhaving been cleanse
, since they wero first built. 1t is nee(
+ less for me to say that no man can su
vivo long confinement in place
this kind; and although lam acqua'n
> ed with several persons who have bee
confined there, | do not know one wi
7 can be called u we'll man.