The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-18
Ter them but little better than none.

when they first arrive in Richmond, for
the purpose of counting them and enroll
ing their names; consequently, / had a
fair chance to see their condition when
they arrived. Fully one-half the prison.
ers taken since May last were robbed by
their captors of their shoes, and nearly all
were robbed of their overcoats, blankets
and haversacks. At least one-third of
them had been compelled to trade their
pants and blouses for mere rags that
would scarcely hide their nakedness.
Very many o. them were entirely bare
| headed, and not few, as late as the mid
die of December, were brought in who
had nothing on but pair of old ragged
pants and shirt, being bareheaded, bare
footed, and without blouse, overcoat or
blanket. -"f
have seen hundreds of our men taken
to the hospital thus clad, and in dying
condition. have frequently visited the
hospital, and have conversed with large
numbers of dying men, braught there
from the island, who assured me that they
had been compelled to lie out in the open
air, without any medical attendance,
though for several days they had been un-
able to walk. Though destitute of any
thing like quarters, and nearly naked dur
lag the cold, stormy and chilly fall season,
the first and chief COMPLAINT of all those
l saw and talked with was on account of
an insufficient quantity of food. will
here remark 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 frost. This was before
the coolest weather had commenced.
Some time in the fore part of December
portion Of our men were removed from
the island to some large buildings, where
they were moro comfortably quartered;
but there has been no time since May last
but that more or less men have been kept
on the island, in the open air, and without
blankets or Overcoats. 1t is common
thing for the rebels to keep our men sew
eral days without food. This was particu-
larly the case with portion of the Get
tysburg prisoners. Some went as long as
six days without food, and were compelled
to march during the time. The officers
captured at Chickamauga assure me that
they ard their men were robbed of every
thing. Many OF them lost their coats,
hats and boots as soon as captured, and
then were nearly starved and frozen.
trust you will pardon me for the te-
dious length of this communication. If
you will bear with me will only call your
attention to a few of the outrages prao-
ticed on our officers and men in the prison
discipline. Under the building known as
the Libby Prison is large cellar, in which
are several cells partitiOned off. Several
of them are without any light, but some
have windows below the pavement. These
cells are used for the purpose of combining
such of the prisoners as the authorities
may fear will attempt to escape, as well as
such as may chance to offend some one of
the many petty official and prison attaches
Some of our unfortunate men are cOntin-
ually confined in these filthy holes on one
pretext or another. 1t is the uniform
practice to feed any and ali persons sent
Lieutenant Reed, of the Third Ohio Vol
unteers, was thrown into one of these
cells and kept there for forty eight hours
without anything to eat Or drink during
the time. He was not allowed any blan-
kets nor his OvercOat The weather was
very damp and cold, and he at that time
ives suffering from most severe wound
in the hip.
On the night of the 10th of December,
l received communication purpOrting to
come from one in authority, stating that
for one hundred dollars in greenbacks and
two silver watches, myself and my friend
would be permitted to pass the guard.
Some days previous to this one of my off,
GERS succeeded in making his escape in
this way, and although was not without
apprehension that it was a trap, neverthe-
less resolved to try the experiment Ac-
cOrdingly Capt B. G. O. Reed, of the Sd
Ohio, and myself went to the designated
place at the appointed hour, where we were
assured that it was all right We COM
piled with the terms and passed out; but
no sooner were we outside the guard lines
than Lieut.. La Touche, the Adjutant of
the prison, and seven men sprang out
from q concealed place and commenced
firing upon Us without hating US. We
were unarmed and could do nothing but
surrender. We were taken back to the
prison, put in irons and thrown into one
of those filthy holes called cells, where we
were kept for three weeks on bread ard
water The weather was very cold dur
idg the time, and we nearly persisted.
There was large amount of filth in the
cell which could not induce them to re-
move, nor could I get them to permit me
to remove it. 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 attempting to escape. They
had been there for six days without blan-
kets, and two of them were very sick.
They were released at the end Of seven
days. g.g -sac.s 4. us
might continue to enumerate instances
of q similar character, but these will an
swer to give you an idea of what is daily
taking place. I cannot describe to you the
loathsome filthiness of these cells. They
are infested with an innumerable number
of rats and mice, and they have no mark
of having been cleansed since they were
first built. 1t is needless for me to say