The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-10-13
CONFYNENENT or OUR OEFI

| t't Nv IL nv or ~ Il bITI'
CkHS At .NORR(S island.
The Palmetto UeraM, a Yankee sheet,
published at Port Royal, South Carolina,
gives description of the prison and
treatment of our officers confined on Nor
Els island. 1t says;
! The place OF confinement is located
| between Forts Strong and Putnam, in
| the dangerous district, where shells fly
freely, III full view Of all the rebel works,
and closely under our own guns. Within
an Immensely strong palisade of heavy
timbers, deeply imbedded in the sand.
twelve or fifteen feet high, and firmly
strapped together, and surrounding an
| area OF perhaps an acre and a half, arc
the tents Of the prisoners, laid out in re-
glmental style, with wide streets ard
abundance of room between them. En-
tlrely surrounding the camp, although at
some distance from the tents, in order to
give the prisoners breathing room, is a
rope attached to posts, about fifteen feet
from the palisades which marks the ex-
treme verge and limit OF the camp, and
beyond which no one crosses. save under
the PAIN OF instant death AZ the hand3 of
the guards, who have imperative orders to
shoot down any one who attempts to cross
the death line. Within the space between
the death line and palisades are the
sentrIes, who patrol their beats night and
day without ntermlSsion. Upon plat
form, erected on the outside of the pail.
sadcS, is the second line of sentlcs, who
can look down and maintain the closest
watch upon the prisoners in all their
movements. Beyond these are other
sentrles and pickets, properly stationed,
ana forming successive c0rdons ofguardS,
to prevent escape, if the inner lines have
been passed by those who may be insane
enough TO attempt an escape. Light ar
tillery, in position at different points
bear upon the prisoners, to be used if
any combined effort should be made to
surprise and overpOwcr the guard, aud |
rush out on moSsc. Besides, the heavy
guns OF Fort Strong bear upon every
part OF the camp, and could be used with |
deadly effect should the situation Of af- |
fairs demand it. There is little danger |
of such an attempt being made, as the |
most reckless of the prisoners must oh |
serve the utter futllty of an effort of the |
kind but all the precautions are wisely |
taken, and the greatest vigilance is al |
ways obs ,rved.
1.-The prisoners have rations of precisely |
like quantity furnished by the Confcde-
rates to Union prisoners in Charleston,
and OF like kind as near as may bel
They are cooked by detailed men, and
distributed to them in camp. They
would have been compelled to do their
own cooking, if such an arrangement
would not have Occasoned embarrasS-
ment and trouble, The plan had too
many serious disadvantages to be adopted
just at present.
1.-The prisoners are divided into eight
each commanded or in
charge OF negro sergeant, who brings
them into line at roll call three times a
day and when they receive their food.
The prisoners do not particularly fancy
their immediate commanders, but are
compelled to put up with them. The
sergeants are proud Of their position, and
are exceedingly strict in enforcing ODE
ilence to all proper orders. They treat
heir charge with proper degree of po-
likeness and no more, but carry out their
orders promptly and to the letter.
1.-The rebels pronounce their present
situation as far preferable to any they
nave yet been placed in, and seem to be
themselves as well as persons
AN under like circumstances. They en-
oy the heavy artillery contest, which is
,olng on night and day, and exhibit great
when the rebel shells fall into
'ur works, or a particularly good shot is
made by the rebel gunners. A few lrag-
nents of shell have fallen in the enclo-
ure, but none of the prisoners have been
INJURED. They sleep upon the ground, ,
in a single blanket, but suffer
10 discomfort from that sort of lodging
They are quiet and tractable, and have
lot exhibited the first sign of a mutinous
+ turbulent spirit since they have been
shore. They are all in tOlerabIe good
tate OF health, and are patiently await /
ng the day of exchange and transfer
% The streets of Charleston, toward
''"''i they turn many IA long and wistful
The Fifty fourth Massachusetts reei- /
, Nv Is entrusted with the duty of guard. q
ny ti'e camp, which is performed with a
ldeiity and vigilance worthy of praise"
1t appears that they are in full view off
heir friends in Charleston, as We find )
he following paragraph in the Kercyy
{ the 4th instant
Yesterday morning q four horse wagon,
cavity laden with boxes, etc, was OBJ &
sryed to 90 from the lower end of the b
land to the stockade, or "pen," occu- c