The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-05-13
The ParOled Richmond Prisoners.
REPORT UPON THEIR CONDITION.

The ParOled Richmond Prisoners.
REPORT UPON THEIR CONDITION.
WASHINGTON, May O. Mr.. Wade, from
the committee on the conduct of the war in
the Senate, and Mr.. Gooch, from the same
committee in the House, submitted to report
upon the condition of the returned prisoners
at Annapolis. From an examination made
at the request Of the Secretary of War, 1t is
proved beyond all doubt, in the estimation of
the committee, that the rebel authorities have
determined to subject our soldiers and Off
GERS who fall into their hands to physical and
mental suffering impossible to describe, many
presenting now the appearance OF living
skeletons literally skin and bones; some
manned for life and some frozen by lying
without tent or covering on the bare ground
at Belle Isle. The general practice is shown
to be the robbery OF prisoners, as soon as
taken, of all money, valuables and good
clothing. The food allowed was totally in
sufficient TO preserved the health of child +;
it consisted usually of two pieces of bread,
made of corn and cob meal, badly cooked
with about two ounces Of meat, unfit. to eat,
and occasionally few black, wOrm-eaten
beans.
They were obliged so sell the clothing re-
ceived from home to buy food to sustain life.
Those in the hospital. were little better fed.
Worn and neglected wounds remained for
days undressed. One witness, when asked
if he was hungry, replied, Hungry? Icould
eat anything in the world that came before
u. They were submitted to unmerciful
and murderous treatment by those in charge
of them. They were shot and killed for
violating rules of which they had no knowl-
edge.
! When they arrived at Annapolis their
clothing was 80 filled with vermin that it had
to be destroyed, and repeated washings fall
ed to relieve their heads and bodies Of the
pests. They are now dying daily, aud the
physicians in charge entertain no doubt that
| their emancipation and death are directly
caused by the brutal and merciless treatment
received, while prisoners Of war, by the re
| bells.
The testimony shows that the treatment
received at Columbia and Dalton was far
more humane than at Richmond. The COM
mttee cannot resist the conclusion that
these inhuman practices are the result OF a
determination on the part OF the rebel au'
thorities to reduce our soldiers, by privatlon'
and exposure, to such condition that they
will never be able 20 render effective ser
vice in the field-the result, like the mas Sd
ere at Fort Pillow, of Predetermined poll
cy.
They deem il evident that the rebel news
paper statements claiming f,r the prisoners
the same treatment received by their Owr
soldiers, are glaring and un5lushing false
hoods, and say no one for a moment can be
deceived by such statements, who will reflec
that our soldiers, who, when taken prisoner:
were stout, healthy meH, III the prime AIT
vigor of life yet they have died by hundred
under the treatment they have received, al
though required TO perform no duties Of tn
camp or march, while the rebel soldiers ar
able to MAKE long and rapid marches AIT
stubborn resistance in the field.
They refer with pride and satisfaction /
the uncomplaining iartitude aud undiminish
, ed patriotism exhibited by our brave ME
? under all thei: privaticrs, even in the hour c
l death.
The chairman saws: d" There is anoths
t thing would wish Ia stale. All the mel
without any exception. among the thousand
: that have come 10 this hospital, have .neve
: in single instance expressed regret, not
. outstanding the privations and suffering
q they have endured, that they entered the
: country's service, they have been the mo;
4 loyal, devoted and earnest. Even in the la
q days of their lives they have said that q
E they hoped fer was just to like and enter tn
ranks again and meet their foes. 1t is
D most glorious record in relation to the dew
r ton of our men TO their country. l do NJ
p think that their patriotism has ever bee
eQualled n the history of the world"