Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-03-16
UNION PRISONERS AT RIoHMoNDl !
Oruelties of the Rebel Authorities.

WASHINGTON, MARCH, /, lS64.-A let
ter from Gel. Streight to the House Militia
~ Committee contains some new items IN
the Indictment civilization brings against
the barbarians who have control of prison
ers at Richmond. The following are some
OF his statements
The rations furnished both officers and
men by the rebels consist Of about one pound
Of corn bread made from unbolted meal, and
one-fourth pound Of poor fresh meat per
day meat has peen issued to the prisoners
but about half that time since the lot De-
cember last. In addition to the rations of
bread and meat, the prisoners draw about
two quarts Of rice to one hundred men, and
a sufficient quantity Of salt is furnished, and
4 very small qu;tntity Of vinegar.
In few instances, say SIX or eight times
at most, Il small quantity OF sweet potatoes
has been issued, instead of ratiOns OF meat.
Above is the sum total of rations issued TO
our officers and men, now prisoners of war.
The condition of our unfortunate enlisted
men, now in the hands Of the enemy, is much
worse than that Of our officers. From early
in Nav last, when | arrived In Richmond, to
about the first of December, all the enlisted
men were taken to what is called Belle Island
and turned into an enclosure like so many
cattle in slaughter pen. Very few of them
had tents, or shelter Of any kind, and the few
tents furnished were so poor and leaky as
to render them but little better than none
at all
The prisoners are taken to Libby when
they first arrive in Richmond, for the pul-
pose Of counting them and enrolling their
names, conseduently.l had a fair chance to
see their condition when they arrived Full
ly onC-haif who were taken since May last
were robbed by their captors Of their shoes,
and nearly all were robbed of their oyerc0ats,
blankets and haversacks At least one-third
Of them had been compelled to trade their
pants and blouseS Tor mere rags, that would
scarcely hide their nakedness very many
of them We're entirely bareheaded, and not
a few as late as the middle of December
were brought IN who had nothing on but
pair OF ragged pants and shirt, being bare
headed, bareioOted and without blouse, over
coat or blanket. | have seen hundreds of
our men taken to the hospital thus clad, and
in a dying condition. | have frequently
visited the hospital aud have conversed with
large numbers Of the dying men brought
there from the Island, who assured me that
they have been compelled to lie out in the
open air without any medical attendance,
though for several days they had been una
bic to walk. Though they were destitute
Of anything ike quarters, and nearly naked
during the cold, stormy and chilly fall sea-
son, the first and chief complaint of all those |
| saw and talked with was the insufficient |
quantity offood. In no instance have the |
rebel authorities furnished clothing or blank !
cts to our men. During the winter large |
numbers Of our men were frozen. | heard |
one Of the rebel surgeons in charge say there |
were over twenty of our men would have. to |
suffer amputation from the effects of frost
this was before the coldest weather had |
Sometime in the fore part of |
December the position of our men were re-
moved from the Island to some large build
ngs where they We're more comfortably quar-
tered, but there has been no time since May
asst but more or less men have been kept on
.he Island in open air, and without blankets
)r Oyercoats.
1t is common thing for the rebels to
keep our men for several days without food
This was particularly the case with portion
II the Gettysburg prisoners. Some went as
ong Us six days without food, and were COM
PEELED to march during the time. Officers
.aptured at Chiokamauga assure me that
hey and their men were robbed Of every
hing Many of them lost their coats, hats
md boots, as soon as captured, and then
we're nearly starved and frozen. On the
hight of the 10Th of December, | received
etter, purporting to come from one In au-
hority, stating that for 500 in greenbacks
md two silver watches, myself and friend
would be PERMITTED to pass the guard.
Some days previous to this, one of my Off
ers succeeded in making his escape in this
way, and although | was not without APP
,rehension that it was trap, nevertheless |
esolved to try the experiment Captain
3. C. G. Reed, of the Sd Ohio, and myself;
vent TO the designated place, at the appoint
d hour, where we were assured that it was
Il right We complied with the terms and
,assed out, but no sooner were we outside of
he guard lines than Lieut.. Latouche, adju-
ant of the prison, and seven men sprang
ut from concealed place and commenced
ing upon us before halting. We were un-
rmed and could do nothing but surrender. "