The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-10-11
INTERESTING coRREsPoNDENcE.

Howard's Grove Hospital, Richmond, Sept. II.
Hon j. p benjamin, Secretary Confederate States
OF America:
StR:-Upon the eve Of my departure from Fort
Delaware, was urged by my fellow prisoners TO
call the attention of the authorities Of the Confcd
crate States to their condition, sufferings, 30.
This cannot hope to do fully aud satisfactorily in
short communication An effort made by
certain men, just previous to the shipment Of tho
sick and wounded from Fort. Delaware, to get up q
commission TO our authorities, similar to the ono
sent North from Andersonville and to inform our
Government Of the condition of the prisoners, and
to urge our authorities, if possible to make some
arrangement with the Yankee Government by
which they would be permitted to receive tobacco,
clothing, &c. from Richmond. The men refused
to request the Yankee Government TO send such
commissioners TO Richmond, believing that our
worthy Chief Magistrate, in whom they have tho
utmost confidence, and for whom they entertain
universal love aud esteem, had done all that he
could with honor to have them released ard they
believed him to be cognisant of their condition;
and as they did not wish, as ardenty as they de-
sired to be released from prison, to induce our au-
thorics to sacrifice principle, or to eubarrass tho
President in any manner whatever.
Their sufferngs have been severe and manifold,
but they true to the cause as our brave bro
theirs in the field. True they dread confnement
this winter, when it is SO evident from the expe-
riencc of the last, that their suffcrings will be
great, and they are anxious for release but not mt
the sacrifice Of fundamental vital principle. IL
possible, they desire some arrangement made by
which they may receive tobacco, money and clothes
from their friends or the Government Tobacco
answers all the purposes of the currency. Many
Of them whose homes are in the Yankee lines, re-
ceive in money and clothing from their families
and friends. BY recent order they debarred
correspondence with any but fsther, mother, bro
ther sister. Previous to this, sympathiziDg
friends aud charitable individuals contributed much
to the relief Of many. But, there are many who
have no friends or acquaintanccs North, aud can
not write for assistance. Ii arrangement could
be made to supply their prisoners at Belle Isle or
Libby for the privilege Of supplying Fort Delaware
with certainty that cur men should get what was
sent them it would relieve them very much. Of
course We could not undertake to supply prisons in
the interior for the want Of transportation facilities.
a word as to their treatment and have done.
The life Of prisoner is hard and checrless at best,
but when attended with cruelty and insuficiency
Of food, fuel, bedding and clothing, accompanied
with knock down aud drag-out" argument, il Is
inGescribable. Lattcrly our prisoners have not
been controlled by the "stick argument" although
the stick is in hand and held with threatening
menace. have seen severe punishment Inflicted
for trivial causes-of course, some government 10
necessary, but it need not be unnlitary and cruel
peHeFe, anu nave Boou eNluehce iOr DohcfiuB,
that tobacco has been sent from Richmond to Del
aware and never misunderstanding has been
permitted to be received and then, If more than o
change, it was taken from our mon, often leaving
them without change Of under clothes. But
cannot particularise, presuming that these things
are known to our authorities.
1t would crafty our President to know that our
prisoners have unbounded confidence in him.
Trusting that something may be done for the re-
lief of our brave prisoners am, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
STEPHEN r. NUNNELEE,
Private Co II, 5lst Ala. Reg't Cavalry.