The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-08-18
The Horrors of A,,dersOnUilIe.
THE WORST STORY OF ALL.

, dersonville and had the means OF accurate
knowledge as to the treatment OF our pris-
oners, gives to the New York Evening
Post an account more shocking in some
repects than has been published. There
is no doubt that it is plain statement of
facts, without the slightest exaggeration.
We quote the material portion of it:
The position Of the prisoners camp was
selected by Capt. Winder, a son of Gen.
John H. Winder, who was sent from
Richmond for that purpose in the latter
part of 1868. When it was suggested to
him by disinterested but humane spec
tatOr of his operations that it would per-
haps be better to leave the trees standing
within the proposed stockade, as they
would afford shade to the prisoners, he
replied: "That was just what he was not
going to do; he was going to make a pen
for the Id Yankees, where they could
rot faster than they could be sent there "
And admirably did he accomplish his mis-
sion.
AT first it was customary to send wa
gon into the stockade every morning at
10 o'clock, loaded with the rations for the
day-bacon and corn-bread, nothing else :;
but as the number of prisoners increased
and the greed Of gain upon the trio above
mentioned, the corn-b bread was reduced in
its quality. being then manufactured of
equal proportions of ground field peas and
corn. unboltcd. unSitted uncleansed in
deed. from the dirt and trash which peas
naturally accumulate; and at last, when
the number of prisoners increased to over
81, 900, the meat rations per week were
reduced to piece of bacon about three
inches long and two wide, with one pone
of bread above described per day. Then.
also, the custom Of carrying the prisoners
food into the stockade in wagons was
abolished They drove up to the gates,
which We're slightly opened, and the scam
ty food, foul and unhealthy as it was. was
thrown inside by the guard to be scram-
bled for by the wretched prisoners, the
strongest and those nearest the gate getting
the largest share. the weak and sickly get
ting none.
have mentioned the small brook which
runs through the lower part Of the stock
ade, and which supplied the water for
drinking and washing This brook has
its rise in swamp not far from the pris-
on, and at no time-certainly not for a
heightened period-was the water suitable
or healthy; but when the faces and filth.
the drainage of the whole camp of priso-
ncrs, came to be superadled to the natu-
raj unftness OF the water for drinking or
cleansing purposes. my readers can judge
what thirst was aSsuagcd, or fever cooled.
or throbbln. temples washed, by this
floating stream Of filth and disease! At
any time, under the most hygienic restric-
tions, it is difficult to maintain health and
cleanliness amongst Il large body Of men
what do YOU think was the condition OF
81 900 half-nakcd, half-starved men, with
out any police regulations, under no moral
or restraining influences If the remnant
who were finally allowed to pass out of
this military Golgotha We're not wild
beasts, unwashed, befouled devils, nc
thanks are to be given Henry Wertz for
lack of effort to produce such consumma-
, ton. When it rained, as it does in that
climate almost continually in the spring
and fall months, the soil within the en-
closure was one mass of loblolly. soft mud,
at least fifteen inches in depth, through
which stalked and staggered the gaunt,
half-clad wretchcs thus confined The
stencil from the prison could be perceived
for two miles, and farmers living in the
> neighborhood began to fear for the hcaltl
of their families.
Gen. Winder, then commissa1v genera
Of prisons, bat having his headquarters a
Andersonville, was forced by decency, no
humanity, for this he himself asserted, te
:, ask the aid of the presiding elder of thu
Methodist church of that curcuit to adop
some means to alleviate the miseries an,
Soothe the wretchedness Of the poor in
u mates of the Andersonville hospital
This gentleman invoked the cooperation
Of the women of Sumter county, who re
}, >ponded with clothing and necessaries only
for these alone were allowed, to tht
= amount of four wagon loads Upon tn,
day appointed, four ladies, accompanied
, by their husbands, went to the prison
and sought from the provost marshal a pas
to take their benetactions to the sick prs
: oners. 1t was refused with a curse -
: The party proceeded to Winder's head
i. quarters, where Henry Wertz was il
: company with the general. The deman'
n for pass was repeated. Understand tn
II ladies were present, and the reasons giver
J why the party were there, in accordanc
= with Winder's special request. TO thei
y ;lstonishment they were met with this re
G ply: cd d-n you,s have you al
). turned Yankees here?" "No, general,
responded the spokesman of the party, "
~ , am not, as you know, nor are any her
/ present we have come, as you requisite
7 us, through Rev. Mr. d., to bring nece$
u sary articles for the federal hospital, an
= ask a pass for the purpose of deliverin
Ill them.' Its d-n lie. | never CAV
o permission for anything Of the kind. b
20 Oft with you, all OF you
'i Shocked, terrified, beaten to the YER
= dust with modification, the party retirec
/ and tOiled in their efforts to succor tn
= sick, or alleviate the tortures of the dyin
Union soldier, they gave their loads {