The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-07-21
Bo kind and liberal toward tho paroled
Prisoners.

A correspondent OF the New York Tribune
with sheridan's command writes on the ist
instant: a
Be kind and liberal toward the paroled rebel
prisoners. DC guarded. but not too suspicious
of them. am daily touched to tho heart by
seeing these poor homc-sick boys and exhausted
men wandering about In threadbarc uniform.
with scanty outfit Of slender havcrsnck and
blanket.roll hung over their shoulders, seeking
the nearest route home.
An occasional fortunate and careful one has
n more ar lees plump knapsack on his back-lf
II may be considered fortunate to have such m
additional encumbrance, under the circum.
stances. They generally wear q care.worn and
anxious look, by their languid, "playcd-out'
manner. admitting that they are vnnquished,
and by their looks silently appealing to the
magnanimity of the flushed victors among
whom they pass. which, am glad to say, Is
generally accorded.
Near these, recognizing the usages Of SOL
diers, they now and then sit down, weary,
hungry, and athirst, and sometimes ask for
water, that common, costless boon OF nature;
but In their native pride, poor fellows, though
so hungry, they hardly ever mention bread.
This Our brave, thoughtful boys frequently give
them, tears scarcely being restrained on either
side. They sit awhile, kindly spoken rs recon
ciled brothers, which they are, inquiring about
the best faclities Of getting to their homes, ny
good old Federal means, or otherwise, and then
gathering up their scanty outfits, such as they
are, they trudge along, sometimes by the OLD
red clay wagon road and sometimes by the
more direct railroad; some limping from the
effects OF cfafed feet, aided by IN improvised
cane, and falling behind the main squad, IT
there are more than two or khree OF them, to
he waited for n little ahead.
Most Of these parolei prisoners that speak
of. were impressed into the rebel service against
their Wills They were poor men, and had no
interest In the rebellion; hut might was right
in the South. and they were compelled to- leave
their homes and families and come out and fight
for the cause of the rich. influential leaders,
who had brought on the war for their own per
sonal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Many of the. poor fellows, IL they survive to
get there, will find their humble homes desc
late, with gaunt eyed want and poverty sitting
on either side of the lowly portal. II is true
that slender. WASTED, bare footed children, In
cotton frocks, and hollow eyed, will run to
meet them, and will clasp around them and
pull them down and kiss them. anl kiss them
over again and again, In their wild JOY, and
warm hearts. and true, rs ever beat In virtu0us
woman's breast, but bony hands and te'riul,
sunken eyes will receive them ut the door.
No luxurious meal will be spread such as will
greet our brave boys, in their Northern and
Western homes, when they return. And alter
after all their four years hard fighting and de-
privation, in the forced service of ambitious
bad men, these poor, returned soldiers OF the
South will have no pocket books plcthoric with
"greenbacks" TO open out before their starving
families to excite visions, soon to be realized ,
Of luxury and plenty-no, not even = cent OF
current money will they have to buy bread for
those dependent upon them. .,