The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-08-28
MISCELLANEOUS.
A word for JEFF. Davis.
ITO the editor of the London Times

To the editor of the London Times
SIR: In the Times of last Friday, your
correspondent, writing from Saratoga, states
that public feeling in the North still Graves
for vengeance on Mr.. Davis, in consequence
of the incredible and infamous treatment
which Northern captured soldiers received in
Southern prisons"
| As travelled throughout the entire South
ern States during the height of the war, | had
many opportunities of seeing Northern
prisoners under a variety of circumstances.
| always observed they were treated with
generosity and humanity, and not with bar
barity.
| can quite believe that they must have
suffered dreadfully, and been often almost
starved, at Notwithstanding which
they had to endure in common with Confed-
crate soldiers, women and children in many
parts of the South; the superior numbers and
resources of the enemy at the latter period of
the war having enabled him to lay waste the
crops and destroy the means of s,lstenance, as
well as railway communication. The cruelty
of keeping vast numbers of men confined in
places where they could only be fed with
much difficulty must remain with Mr. Lin
coin, and not with Mr. Davis for it is notori-
came from the North, not from the South
Mr.. Davis would always have been delighted
to exchange. the $4,000 starving Federals at
Andersonville for a similar number of Con-
federates who were at the same time rotting
at Johnson's Island
With regard to the starvation and cruelty
alleged to have gone on at the Libby prison,
you, sir, had fortunately correspondent at
Richmond during the whole war; this gentle
man has often been able, after personal in
spection of the Libby prison, to expose in your
own columns such odious calumnies.
have seen the disgusting sensational photo
graphs of Federal prisoners to which your
correspondent alludes. Copies of them were
sent to me and to many other persons llnso-
hcited-a novel and hor1id manner of raising
public feeling against the South. As well
might the emaciated naked bodies of dying
Guardsmen be photographed in London, and
then published as examples of the manner in
which England treats her soldiers. .
With the deepest regret see for the first
time widely honored name mixed up with
these allegations If any respectable Norther-
ner really believes Gen. Lee capable of coun-
tenancing cruelty to the unfortunate, wish
he could have overheard the manner inSwhich
that officer soon after the Battle of Gettys-
burg lamented to me the necessity he was
under of marching several thousand Federal
prisoner to Richmond He deeply regretted
that no exchange could be effected, as he de-
plored the hardships they would have to en-
counter on the Journey at that particular time
May ask, in justice to Mr. Davis, that you
will insert this letter, as he is now placed in
position peculiarly unfair; for, probably, his
firmness and determination alone prevented
the Confederate Government from listening to
the camors for retaliation, "black flag" ETC.,
which often poured into Richmond from diff
ferent parts of the South.
am Sir, your obedient servant,
ARTHUR FREMANTLE,
Lieut. Col, and Capt, Coldstrean Guards
Bracknell Aug. 6.