The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1864-12-31
AN AMERICAN BAsTILE.
The Carroll Prison at Washingten-
How Men are Conaned and How
They are Treated There-Lettei
From One Of the Victims.

~ from One Ol tme vhCUmp'
WASHINGTON, December %.
To the Editors Of the Horld;
Here in Washington, in sight of the
Capitol in sight Of both Houses, where
Justice and wisdom is supposed to be ad-
ministered, where free speech is the
watchword of those who assemble there,
stands the modern Bastile-the old Car
roll Place prison. Here men are brought
for deeds they never committed, only to
be discharged after months of suffering
and suspense with the consoling Cd re-
mark that they the administration are
very glad to find that their suspicious
were incorrect. These poor fellows,
worn out, heart-sick, utterly broken down
and ruined, are too glad to get out upon
any terms; so they fold their hands and
say nothing Some one of the many may
indeed rouse into al tApn by the injustice
shown to them, ma ,peal for justice,
and may perhaps It, but these are
few and far betWyA. Here, in this
modern bastile are men confined who
have been dragged from their beds
ness In the broad glare Of day
spirited away; not allowed to
communicate with their friends, even,
who, distracted, search throughout the
land for them, ultimately to find (if they
be indeed fortunate enough to accom-
plish that that they are in this modern
Bastile Here men remain for weeks
ay, months-before the charges are
brought to them, if they are fortunate
enough to have any brought against
them; before they are permitted to have
an inkling OF why they are incarcerated
here To many of those In close con
6nement greasy bean soup in tin cup
soup that dogs in the street would turn
their noses up at-and flint biscuit, with
u black draugbt called coffee, are served
for the sustenance Of life. Here are
brought officers of the United States gov
ernment, who have seen service, have
been wounded, and suffered imprisoR.
ment for their country, as witnesses
against others. No parole is allowed ia
them, nothing of the kind is permitted
these officers, innocent Of any crime
must remain here prisoners-as felOns
| that is the word-until such time as they
are needed. No bail for them--uo bal
| for the innocent; no mercy, no distinction
is shown to any whatsoever. The conn
terfeiter and the gentlemen sit down
at the same fable; the spy and the rough
and scuff of humanity are congregated
together. Blasphemy pollutes the air
fetid with tobacco smoke, vile smells and
noisOme breaths Men who come here in
good health soon lose 1t. Lunacy attacks
some; dry coughs, fevers. and hemor
rhage, others. Yet no notice is taken o.
them Your case is made out and swori
to before Judge Turner. You are told
that it will be attended to, and are dis
missed from his august presence with q
very vague and indefinite idea as towhen
that win be- IF you have no friends i
will never be until you leave the prison
broken down in health and constitution
/ might write more. might descant up
on this prison, with it, rules and regula
tions; but know that space will not ad
NIT Of 1t In your columns.
Let me ask you, sir, as one who up
holds the Constitution, to take measure
to bring this matter before the notice o
those men who are brave enough an,
fearless enough to expose the whole con
cern, and make the proper authorities an
swer for those who are held here as pris
OnerS