The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1864-12-28
Northern: Prisons for Rebels.

At Elmira, New York. there is large
and we'll conducted place for rohcl
prisoners, which 'contains about ten
thousand men. The management Of the
prison is Of character that reflects the
highest credit upon Northern humanity.
So far from any measures OF retaliation
being adopted, for; tho sufferings which
our men are obliged to endure At Belle
Isle, Andersonville, and other places.
every arrangement for tho comfort and
health Of. the captivcs, possible under
the circumstances, is devised aud APP
piled. It is proper that the pahllc at
homo, and especially foreign opponents
Of opinion, should be Informed Of the
difference between the lcnient> kindness
with which rebel cnptives at the North
arc treated, and the brutality. the opprrs,
sion, and the deprirations which are the
lot of Northern soldiers unfortunate
enough to experience the miSerics in.
ficted By the chivalry Of the South on
those who fall within their power by the
fortunes Of war. E-y, ..........
The place Of confinement at Elmira Is
an Enclosure ofsercral acres, surrounded
by simple board fence, some twelve feet
in height, guards being stationed on
platforms on the top Of the fence every
twenty or thirty, feet. The business Of
guarding! the. prisoners, however, is
rather siuecure. The officers on duty
state that the captivcs cviuce no DISPOSE
ton to escape. They have no desire to
return to tho felicilies Of Southern sol.
diers. Undoubtedly, should single lndi'
viduals attempt to burrow under the
fence, or should large number make Il
rush against it, their chances for escape
would be very good; but apparently the
cap,ives would not leave if the fence and
guards were entirely removed.
The plot constituting the prison is
finely situated oman excellent piece of
ground about.a. mile from E!mira, and
though, entirely, enclosed, as stated, the
prisoners are not deprived Of view OF
external nature; for ION oua side rise
pine.clad hills, high up into the air,
visible fiom all parts of-thc prison
The prisoners. :are Sail provided with
hunks in the same kind of rough bar.
racks as arc used for sheltering our own
eu!at.the'rarious places of rendezvous,
before sgoing into: the, fold. "a very
large sbuildiDg.sis' appropriated Ito 1thc
culinary department; and is fitted up
like the, kitchen Of q great hotel, and
wifi aBout dozen range; 'whcrcasufi.
cieut. bread;S from good -four, is baked
daily. The cooks and bakers are, OF
course prisoners. Cb.hipSis. furnished
to the prisoners BY tho govern mcnt when
their own becomes too 'mucheworn. to BE-
'scrviteab'e:: The. whole appearance OF
the camp is very neat, working parties
from among tho prisoners being cou.
stantly employed in policing the grounds.
The daily ration IS as. follows {: Pork or
bseopnl4qppces>in lieu Of fresh beef; or
fresh beef, ii ounces -four or soft
bread, I36GphEes3 O., hard; bread, II o.
or corn: meal, Is o.. To tie 100 rations:
Beans os peYy A pounds; Sor rice or
homiuy, S poupds7soaP'r4 poands
vinegar, quarts salt. 81 pounds po.
sas0e.l Rsrosnds, esF,lcgass, and
toa -ato issued itof ,thefsick and wounded
on the recommendation Of the surgeoni
catgtbelp,cwof: ls: pounds oflapgsrS 8 Of
.sgrohud coffee, or@7I of green, X pound Of
tea to every lOOraaous cveryso'hefday.
To, sN6rkiog parties ' OF rther pfisoncrs
.Rearly; tbs, sane ration is given IN all
respects ss:tot oAr soldiers. in the Geld.
,Notkishsts dihs liberation forrtho. pris.
~ Ia, r.. H. J