Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-05-26
Horrors Of the Richmond Prisons.

The testimony of our released prisoners at
Annapolis before the Committee on the Con-
duct of the War, goes to show that it is the
practice Of the rebel authorities to subject
our soldiers and officers who fall into their
hands, to physical and mental suffering i'm
possible to describe.
Many of those released from Richmond
present now the appearance Of living skele
tons, little more than skin and bone, 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 robbing Of prisoners as soon as ia
ken, of all money, valuables and good cloth
ing. The food allowed, was totally INSULT
cent to preserve the health of child 1t
consisted usually of two pieces of bread made
of corn End cob meal badly cooked, with
about two ounces Of meat unfit to eat, and
occasionally few black, worm-eaten beans
They were obliged to sell clothing received
from home to buy food to sustain life. Those
in the hospitals were little better fed. Worn
and neglected wounds remained for days I'm
dressed One witness when asked if he was
hungry, replied: Hungry? | could eat any
thing in the world that came before u.s."
They were submitted to unmerciful and
murderous treatment from those in charge
over them. They were shot and killed for
violating rules of which they had no knowl-
edge.
When they arrived at Washington their
clothes were so filed with vermin that they
had to be destroyed, and repeated washings
failed to relieve their hands and bodies of
the pests. They are now dying daily, and the
physician in charge entertained no doubt that
their emaciation and death are clearly caused
by the brutal treatment received while pris0-
ners of war;
The testimony shows that the treatment re-
ceived at Columbia and Dalton was far more
humane than at Richmond.
The committee can not resist the cOncu-
sion that these inhuman practices are the re-
suit of determination on the part OF the
rebel authorities to reduce our soldiers by
privations and exposure, to such a condition
that they never will be able to render efec-
tive service in the field. 1t is the result, like
the massacre effort Pillow, of predetermin-
ed policy They deem it evident that the
rebel newspaper statements, claiming Tor the
prisoners the same treatment as their own
soldiers, are glazing and unblushlng false
hosds, and say no one can for moment be
deceived by such statements, who will reflect
that our soldiers, who, when taken prisoners,
were stout, healthy men, in the prime and
vigor of life, yet they have died by hundreds
under the treatment they have received, al
though required to perform no duties OF camp
or march, while the rebel soldiers are able to
make long and rapid marches and to offer
stubborn resistance in the field. They refer
with pride and satisfaction to the uncom-
planning forttude and undiminished patriot
ism exhibited by our brave men under all
their privations, even in the hour OF death.
The chaplain says: "There is another thing
mon without
any exception, among the thousands that
have come to this hospital, have never in a
single instance expressed a regret, notwlth-
standing the privations and suferings they
have endured, that they entered their coun-
try's service They have been most loyal,
devoted and earnest. They said all they
hoped was Just to live and enter the ranks
again, and meet their foes. It is glorious
record in the relation of the devotion OF our
men to their country. | do not think that
their patriotism has ever been equaled in the
history of the world"
ARAw RECRUT.-Recently party of raw
recruits when on their way home from tav-
ern where they had spent portion OF the
evening in "reyelry, came to a church,
where a revival was in progress They
marched into the crowded aisle OF the sanctu-
arv, and for a few minutes closely observed
the minister, who was urging his unconvert-
ed hearers to enlist in the armyof the Lord p
At length the minister observing the uni,
formed men, standing in the aisle approached
one of them, who was pretty nearly obllvious
to the scene before him, and remarked"
am glad to see by your uniform that you are
soldiers of our country That is right-glo,
rious But you should now join the army of
the Lord!" "Eh ?"-queried the soldier,
who but imperfeetly comprehended the
invitation" Eli ?"-join the Lor's army
What bounty does he give ?-Eh?" The
minister attempted to explain, cut gave it up
as bad job, the recruit being rather too raw
| for impressions.
The Richmond Dispatch of the 14th say!
| that Gen. j. E. B. Stuart's funeral occurred