The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-01-15
Northern Experience OF n Rebel Surgeon.
From the Richmond Whig, Jan. IL

From the Richmond Wing, Jan IL
RICHMOND Va, Jan IL, 1865.
Since having recently read numerous letters and
counts In federal Journals purporng 10 he from ex-
changed prisoners, in which Confederate prisons
characterized abodcs OF wret hednes and misery,
where mutpicd Thousands Of brave soldiers, fight
ING for the glorious Union have died from sheer starvn
ton and disease, and in comparison With which the
prisons Of the North palaces where the inmates eyel
in luxury, and presided over by phanthropiss whose
hearts are continually Overlooking with the milk OF
human Kindness, desire 70 give publicity to the FOL
lowing facts-
On the 18th Of August last past when General Wheeler
captured Dalton Georgia ordered remain within
the federal lines and for the Concdcaes who fell IN
the action After having remained thirty days at this
point during which time | my parole OF honor,
aud my wounded received every Kindness from Colonel
Liebold and his command, Second Missouri cavalry,
reported myself at headquarters and expressed The de-
sire that should at be transferred the Con-
federae lines, which at She time but few miles
distant but instead was informed that would have 10
enter "Dixen by the way a City Point, assuring me,
however that during my transit through the Northern
States. my delay If any, would be but tripR, ~ they
did not consider surgeons prisoners of war
On reaching Nashville, once my home, was forthwith
conducted TO and imprisoned in, the ponentary, where
being visited by my sister allowed 10 look al her
through my iron barred window, hut forbidden the
privilege of speaking single word with her, even In
the presence OF federal officer
From thence with only six hours delay in the Louis
vile prison, was taken direct TO Camp Chase, and put
In the oDc pen, where found hundred and ATTY
men, about twenty FIVE of whom were political prisoners,
the remainder Confederate officers Among the former
class may mention the Of -four most venerable
and aged gcntlcmeD-Judge vandykc OF East Tennessee
Judge sharpe, oil virginia. JHugc HGddleStOn, OF hhh
bama, and the Rev Mr. Duval, Of Kentucky a Mctbo-
dist preacher nearly seventy years Of age, whose only
charge that he refused To take the oath Of aeg ance TO
the United States government The last named gentle
man. whose health has been quite feeble, has been In
Camp Chase prison than sixteen months Among
the officers, all of whom are exceedingly anxious that
their exchange be effected, beg leave 70 mention tho
name Of q worthy officer and most excellent Christian
gentlemxn--tbe Rev Captain Richard Philips Of Staun-
ton.
That one may feel Satisfied that there nothing very
celestial about Camp Chase liie will enunerae Few
incidents that under my observation The reader
will please in mind that tho olccrs PEN enclcses
an area less than acre, and that within this com
pass took exercise and did washing and cook
ing; and besides this, what not only offensive but
proved be pestilenta that the entire excrement
OF the prison contained within this space During the
forty four DAYS remained were not allowed a hight
one single night had We Issued 10 ounce OF
bacon or lard aud although, ny general thing, the
bread and meat IN quality was good enough IN guam
titv ~ dstrcssiney small and did not, with tho
spoonful OF homny ia addition suffice 70 alay tho
pangs Of hunge~, aud when, occasionally happened,
The ratiOus consisted or rotten pckerc there was
suffering aud resorted 20 tue rats with which the
prison abounded and ate thop with relish, vet not ~
matter Of choice but from SsSssslts We we're allowed