The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-04

light seldom penetrates and where their
fettered limbs would chafe and their
hearts beat against only four hard, naked
and cherries stone walls. Fort Jeffer-
son, an enclosure of about seven acres
of the island, will be their place OF con-
finemeht during the greater part OF the
time; but at intervals the inmates, most
ly political prisoners, have the freedom
of the entire surface of the island. There
are at present five hundred and fifty OF
these criminals confined at the Tortugas,
who are well treated, and who, other
stories to the contrary Notwithstanding,
do not wear the ball and chain, except
ing as q punishment for extreme lnfrac-
ton of the military law governing the
fort and the neighborhOod. There were
but nine persons inmates of the hospital
when the Florida left, which is pretty
convincing evidence that the prisoners
are properly fed and have the necessary
medical and surgical attendance. This
is as much as any of the men there con-
fined could expect at the hands of the
government, and some would say far
more than they actually deserve.
THE GARRISON.
The One Hundred and Tenth regi-
ment New York Volunteers is doing
guard duty at Fort Jefferson, Colonel
Hamilton of that command being the
commandment in charge of the island.
The regiment is in fine state of disci-
pline, and those who know the men and
their officers can rest assured that there
remain few loop-holes or chances for es-
cape of the prisoners committed to their
charge. The Colonel has received the
political prisoners, and will of course be
held responsible for their proper deten-
ton.
DIR. MUDD,
who Is said to have many qualifications,
natural and acquired for the position
and Its labors, has been placed in the
hospital, where he will hold the post of
an assistant surgeon, giving his mind
and body something to do, which will
aid in passing the tedious hours of his
imprisonment, rendering life something
more than mere existence. He will be
making himself useful to class with
whom his sympathies, which first led
him into difficulty, have much in COM
mon, and can read, practice his profess
sion and perhaps make himself believe,
in time, that he is not serving out a de-
served probation of punishment for
heinous offence against the laws of God
and man, but living the life he formerly
lived in Virginia, before he ever saw or
heard of J, Wilkes Booth or the South
ern confederacy.
ARNOLD,
who has probably had some experience
in the line, is to be made clerk among
the prisoners, and will also derive profit
from employment and relief from the
pang of outraged conscience.
SPANGLER
is to return to his trade as carpenter,
there being plenty of labor of that char
acter to be performed on the island, in
the way of repairs and erecting new adj
ditions to the buildings connected with
the fort He is reported as feeling more
cheerful, since learning that he isto have
pure air to breathe and plenty to eat,
withaccompanying manual employment
O'LAUGLIN,
will also find some business on the island
suited to his mental and physical status,
though it may not be as congenial as
that usually pursued by the members of
the corps dramutique, when at liberty,
enjoying the favor of a discriminating or
discriminating public, and playing
their part before the footlights of popu-
lar theatre. He is also reported to bear
his Imprisonment very well, and is
thankful that he was notsent to Albany.
Upon the Florida, in charge of the
prisoners on the down trip to the Tortu-
gas, were Brigadier General Dodd, Capt.
Dutton, of the Veteran Reserves, and
Surgeon Porter, of the same command,
with Assistant Judge Advocate General,
Colonel Turner-all of whom have re-
turned to their legitimate commands
having performed the duty assigned
them in accordance with their instruc-