Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-03-10

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condition. ] have frequently visited the
hospital and have conyersed with large
numbers of dying men, brought there
from the Island, who assured me that
they had been compelled to lie out in open
air, without any medical attendance,
though for several days they had been
unable to walk. Though destitute OF
anything like quarters, and nearly naked
during the cold, stormy and chilly fall
season, the first and chiefcomplaint of all
saw and talked with was on account Of
az insufflciency of food. | will here re-
mark that in no instance have the Rebel
authorities furnished clothing or blankets
to our men. During the winter large
numbers of our men were frozen. l heard
one of the Rebel surgeons in charge say
that there were over twenty of our men
who would have to suffer amputation from
the effects of the frost This was before
he coolest weather com menccd.
Sometime in the forepart of December
a portion of our men were removed from
the Island to some large bindings, where
! they were more comfortably quartered,
| but there has been no time since May last
but what more or less men have been
kept on the Island in the open air, and
without blankets or overcoats. 1t is a
common thing for the Rebels to keep onr
men for several days without food. This
was particularly the case with portion
Of the Gettysburg prisoners. Some went
as long as six days without food, and
were compelled 20 march during the time
The officers captured at Chcamauga as
sure me that they and their men were
robbed of everything. Many of them lost
their coats, hats and boots as soon as cap
tured, and then were nearly starved and
frozen.
trust you will pardon me for the te-
dious lcngth-of this communication. If
you VIII bear with me | will only call
your attention to few Of the outragcs
practiscd on cur officers and men in the
prison discipline. Under the building
known as Libby Prison is large cellar
in which they have several cells partition
ed OF Several of them are without any
light, but some have windows below the
pavement These cellars are used for the
purpose Of confning securely such of the
prisoners as the authorities may fear will
attempt to escape, as well as such rs may
chance to offend some one of the many
petty officials and prison attaches.
Some Of our unfortunate men are con-
tinually confined in these filthy holes on
one preteXt or another I. is tho uniform
practice to feed any and all persons sent
to these cells on bread and water only.
Lieutenant Reed, Of the Sd Ohio Volun-
tecrs, was thrown into one of these sells
and kept there for forty-eight hours, with
out anything to cat or during the time.
He was not allowed any blankets nor his
overcoat. The weather was very damp
and cold, and he, at that time, was suf-
fcring from most severe wound in the
hip.
On the night of the 18th of December
| received Il communication, purporting
to come from one in authority; stating
that for one hundred dollars in green
backs, aud two silver watches, myself
and friend would be permitted to pass the
guard. Some days previous to this one
Of my officers succeeded in making his
escape in this way, and although l was
not without apprehension that it was a
trap, nevertheless | resolved to try the
experiment. Accordingly Captain b.
C. &. Reed, of the 3D. Ohio, and myself
went to the designated place at the APP
pointed hour, where we were assured it
was all right. We complied with the
terms and passed out, but no sooner were
we out side the guard lines, than Lieu
tenant In Touchc, the Adjutant Of the
prison, and seven men, sprang out from
a concealed place and commenced firing
upon us before hauling us.
We were unarmed, and could do nothing
but surrender. We We're taken back to
the prison, put in irons and thrown into
one of these filthy holes called cells, where
we were kept for three weeks on bread
and water. The weather was very cold
during the time, and we nearly persisted.
There was large amount filth in the cell
which | could not induce them to remove
nor coiill get them to permit me to re-
move il. | asked for paper, pen and ink
TO write to the Rebel authorities, l also
asked for box to sit on, of which there
was large number in the cells. But
everything was denied me. At the time
| was taken to the cell there were six of
our men confined in one of these cells for
Alternating to escape. They had been
there for six days without blankets, and
two Of them were very sick. They were
released at the end of seven days of their
confinement.
l might continue to enumeratc instan-
ccs Of a similar character, but these will
answer to give you an idea of what is
daily taking place. l cannot describe to
you the loathsome flthiness of these cells.
They are infested with an innumerable
number of rats and mice, and they bear no
mark of having been cleaned since they
were built. 1t is needless for me to say
that no mai can survive long confne-
ment in place of this kind ; and although
| am acquainted with several persons who
have been confined there, l do not know
one who can now be called well man.
AS | have before remarked, it is i'm
possible for me to enumerate in this COM
munication but few of the many acts of
barbarity which have come under my no.
tice, though l have endeavored to give
you a sample of such as will enable you
to form correct conclusion relative to
the treatment our unfortunate men are
receiving at the hands ofthe inhuman peo-
pie with whom we are now at war. They
seem lost to every principle of humanity
and it is my candid opinion that their
brutality to our prisoners is only measur-
ed by their fears.
l have the honor to be, most respect
fully, your obedient servat,
A. d. STREIGHT.
Colonel 51st Ind. Vols.
Interesting from Arkansas.