Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-04-08


of another officer who would conduct himself
toward the rebel authorities with great deal
more forbearance than was supposed to be Ca
pable Of
Soldiers persisted then at about the rate of
500 per month. during the winter months, as
we were well informed. As was at Belle Isle,
| went into the hospital. consisting OF tents
without any floor, the sick lying upon the
ground without blankets, without pillows, some
Of them with sticks of wood for pillows. and on
protesting to Gen Winder against this treat
ment, was refused permission to visit these poor
creatures for the future. The government sent
large quantities of provisions to the soldiers as
well as the officers. Much Of this was stolen, so
that Yankee Overcoats were very common. SOL
diers in Yankee overcoats, promenading the
streets of Richmond. drew 20 much attention
that they caused these coats 10 he cOlored black.
They were ashamed to be seen with Yankee
overcoats stolen from the poor suffering soldiers.
Large Quantities Of food Ar well as clothing were
sent there by the Sanitary Commission also, and
these we're stolen by the rebel authorities ard
appropriated to their own use in large amounts.
A very small proportion of these reached our
soldiers
"They told u. Of Kilpatrick's rad. On the
lst Of March arrangements had been made to
receive him. And what do you suppose the ar
rangements we're? To defend Richmond Was
that it, They mined Libby Prison, with the
intention Of blowing up it and us; to use their
own phrase, 70 hotr us 70 he'll . tvoice, Is
there proof Of that7l That Is capable Of proof
| cannot tell how the fact was intimated 10 Us
the next day, without betraying those from
whom the intimation came. On the morning Of
Wednesday. March >, after we had been in
formed Of the gunpowder plot, Dick Turner, the
IS Military prl-Hrs Ma asked hV
many officers at different times, if We were cor
rectlv informed, and he assured Us it was true,
that a large quantity Of powder had been placed
under the prison, 10 blow rs up, If Fitzpatrick
had come in. and that it would be done yet. if
attempts were made to rescue us.
Rev. DR.. smith, President of Randolph Ma
CON College, well known down Sour. and known
in the North. too. as an able and influential
man. came into the prison 70 visit Lieut.. Col.
Nichols Of the 18th Conn. regiment, with whom
the was acquainted He said that powder had
hecn placed in the basement 'r the purpose oi
blowing u into atoms Col. Nichols dii not
believe it DR.. Smith assured him II was so.-
lie had then come from the office Of Judge Ould,
Commissioner Of exchange, who told him It was
80. Rev Dr McCabe SAID the same thing 10
Col Cesnols Of the 4th New York cavalry, aud
others some officers were in the kitchen at the
back window, directly over the door leading
into the cellar Major Turner, the command
ant Of the prisou-Dick Turner-anl four or
FIVE rebel officers went into the cellar, aud on
coming out they remained few moments n the
door, and one Of the officers stii, by 6-. n
you touch that Of il Will blow them 60 h., sure
enough % On the morning came away. MAJ
Turner assured Capt. Sawyer and Capt Flynn,
who we're exchanged in connection with myself,
that powder was there. and he said. Rather
than have YOU resued would have blown You
TO h, even If we had gone there ourselves. -
At first we could not believe It; not that We dh
suppose them capable Of IT, We did not sup
pose them to he fools enough 20 he guilty OF 'u
act Ike that
With regard to the universal di-aiicction
Of the negroes to their masters, and to their
efficiency a. Union soldiers. Gen. Dow con-
firms the testimony OF all reliable observers.
\ most significant portion Of Gen Dow's
speech was regarding the bearing Of the
forthcoming Presidential nomination on the
rebellion And it is the more worthy of at
tention as Gen Dow has always hcen clarscd
with the most radical wing OF the RePuhli
can party He snys
" At present the rebels are looking anxiou.ly
~ movements m the North IN relation 20 tho
next Presidential election. Their hope IS. that
some other man than Mr. Lincoln may be- nom
mattel and elected to the Presidency. The cleo
ton OF any other person they VIII regard as a
sure indication that the loyal North tires Of the
war. and means to change rs policy m relation
to IT, The Leaders Of the rebellion have now no
e sh.u and fhgfr
hope i that those may come into power who will
saw to them. Erring sisters, depart IN peace -
The officers IN Libby Prison who had sbundsnt
opportunities to soe the feeling Of the rebels on
this subject we're anxious that the loyal men Of
the North should perceive the danger Of lending
auv announcement 10 IT, No man has A great
er respect than myself for Mr. Chase and Mr..
Fremont, nor a more entire conviction Of their
lovalty-and their ability to conduct the affairs
Of the country with honor TO themselves and 10
The advantage Of the nation hut for this time,
should regard the nomination II any other
than Mr. Lincoln as public misfortune
Gen. Dow enters into many details OF the
treatment of cur prisoners which we have
not space TO give He atirms that at the
time he left Richmond. there were more
than four thousand boIes Of supplies for
warded for the benefit of our Imprisoned Of
fcers, which were withheld IRON them, and
were being plundered by the rebel officials.
He believes that the coming campaign, If
active, earnest and successful, will bc the
last. Already the Southern people are 20
hopeless of their cause. that he found them
often anxiously iuquirng what would be
their treatment at the hands Of the United
States Government.