The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-09-19
A Prisoners Statement.
RICHMOND, Scptembel
3 ar. n,snUfeL

Q
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
At the suggestion Of some friends send here
with some account of my treatment while prisoner
in Fort Lafayette and viii state that what Is hert
written is strictly the truth, without
wa. captured on the "R E. Lee" and taken &c
New Yolk On the transport We THAT is, all the
prisoners captured, were treated with great rude
ness the trunks and clothing of some were stolen
even ray own cap stolen from my head, ana the
officers refused to have 1t recovered. Upon arriving
at New York we we're marched through the streets,
some forty being irons, and carried to the United
States Marshars Office. Twas asked wherel belonged
and upon replying Virginia, without uItner WORD
was set aside for imprisonment OF the "Lse y
party the entire crew were released except the puf-
ser, pilot, first engineer and signal officer OF the
passengers only myself out OF about twelve was re-
tanned and that without the slightest suspicion or
reason, being simply private passenger, upon
strictly private business. We were then carried to
the county Jail, and for three weeks were
mighty locked up in felon's cell in building with
lowed to board and to receive friends. At the end OF
this time were placed in Fort Lafayette, which Is
built in the form of hollow square. and is two
tiers high having yard about one hundred and
ffty yards across, OH to which the rooms open. We
were placed in hve-gun casemated battery There
being thiIty-fve men in the room, when our
beds spread there was no room to move about in
The only exercise allowed was a space In front Of
the door as long the room and six feet wide.
Out Of this space were not allowed to pass ex-
cept in going to meals, &c. Our meals consisted in
piece Of cold boiled beef and cup of coffee for
dinner, the same quantity Of bread and meat and
some bean soup; and for supper, bread and coffee.
This constituted cur entire diet for tive months,
except on three occasions potatoes and
some rice The beet was generally SO tough that it
could not be eaten, and the bread was often raw.
This fare we could have put up with Il We had been
allowed TO purchase; but We were forbidden to pur
chase receive from friends any article whatever
of food or clothing. We could not even receive an
apple from the hands of a visitor. We were re-
stricted in clothing TO the outward suit We had
and two changes of undefeloth!ng. When captured,
had on a summer suit, and was forced to wear it
all winter in my room. We were not allowed knives
and forks because one was found hacked, and the
colonel said we had been making saw to cut the
bars. Morning and evening We We're counted, and
at shutdown locked up. We were allowed half a
candle to fifteen men, and that had to be put out at
O'Clock; and subjected at all times to insults
from the Yankee soldiers We were not allowed to
purchase books, chess or backgammon boards, but
were allowed writing materials and newspapers.
Two separate applications were made by myself to
get some medicine, which were refused. Colonel
ant. and more brutal, coarse and harsh wretch
could not have been selected for the position.
His whole effort seemed to be to make all as UNI
comfortable and unhappy as possible Even n. IN
behalf by his own daughter, informing me OF 1t, and
saying that, Notwithstanding, If orders were re-
ceived, he would shoot me as soon as another
Lieutenant Smith, Of the Eleventh regulars is tit
companion for him. Lieutenant Stanley, Adjutant
of Post, and Lieutenant Swan were kind-hearted
gentlemen and treated Us rs gentlemen and did all
that was in their power TO alleviate the mlseres Of
and respect of all who knew them ; and it gives me
pleasure to note any kindness shown our prisoners
by those into whose custody they fail Burke at one
time ordered lady visitors 10 be searched but the
above-named officers positively refused TO carry the
order out About three weeks before left, the Or
der in regard TO purchasing was rescindet and we
could get anything. We were twice examined be-
go, so,,,t ~ pn,,iry and uas told hv fhcm tbsra