The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-03-04

SeueHal Couuielou, aAtuouSNf AuCA ueeVc1
than that Of many previously received,
bore ample testimony of studied and re-
lentless cruelty; many were devoid Of
shoes or hat, and many more had scarcely
sufficient clothing to cover their attenua-
ted forms. Again on Sunday, the 19th
inst, nine hu1afed and-twsuLy.sixl
arrived by flag Of i.t truce boa. from Rich,
is usually the case, rags, copiously plaster
ed with VirginiaA sacred soil" consti-
tuted their apparel, and haggard features
and deep-sunken eyes expressed more elo-
quently the protracted wrongs they had
endured than could any words. Many
officers were among them, and az they
hobbled away to cleanse themselves Of
rebel filth, their countepances lit up with
smiles of gratitude and thanksgiving. the
first dare say that had crossed their faces
for many long months.3sIt will be crafty.
ing alike TO all to know that every thing
conducive to the comfort and ultimate res
covery of these noble fellows is promptly
provided by the Hospital authorities-am.
balances, stretchers and nurses are con-
stantly at hand to carry the sick or assist
the weak to comfortable quarters. AL
VITO are iii ct condition are marched to
College Green Barracks, q short distance
from the landing, and there. after crafty
ing their hunger and enjoying the luxury
Of warm bath, are mustered and paid
their communications for rations during tba
time Of their imprisonmene.yTher are
men here from nearly every State in the
Union, Iowa of course included.
AS I was passing through the wards Of
the hospital one little fellow Of more than
usual. Interesting and prepossessing APP
peardnce claimed my attention, aud step
ped to exchange few words with him.
The nurse lad just finished sponging off
the f9het1 0A1 a .naAil, s1flDst dirt, and was
covering him up in bed. I approached,
aad as stopped down and tucked in the
clothing around him, he raised his thin, ex.
sanguined face, and said in scarcely au-
dible voice: ~ss-.- IA 1ss
- ''God bless you, sir tais is perfect
heaven" 81 sre
II saw that his eyes were closed, and he
said it was due to the exposure and priva-
tons he had undergone. For fourteen
weary months he, . lad of eighteen, had
suffered incarceration in different pens and
prisons at the South iand during that time
had received treatment more barbarcus
than Southern nabOh would be guilty Of
Offering his dog. Many a time he had
tossed through q Helpless night so hungry
and cold that he almost prayed for death,
aud when morning came q fragment of
burnt corn bread was given, SO small that
it served only to add to the fierce demands
Of his appetite. While on Belle Island his
system refused to hold up any longer under
such atrocities, and he was taken violently
sick and there, fully exposed to the in
clenency of the weather, anIiyiug on the
bare sands, with Numbers q all diseased''
he suffered the very essence OF cruelty,
there
Death his dart
Shook, but delayed 70 strike. though oft en-
With vow VS.. as their chief good and flnal hopa,'
= discovered on either hip . suppUrallng
sore. produced by the contact of sharp sand
aud gravel. and yet this poor little fellow
was happy--happy at being once more near
his friends and his dag. and all his
suderings were forgotten in the one great
thought OF recovery aud revenge. This is
only one instance. know q hundred more
beside; occurring under my immediate no.
tice. Ihave seen men who had resisted the
inquisitorial tortures of their captors, who
had passed the ordeal Of thirst, hunger and
exposure, die in the excess OF their joy on
arriving at the wharves Of Annapolis ~ It
was the increased impetus OF the mectan-
ism OF the human frame exhausting the
remnant Of power that maintained its NO.
ton. But thank Heaven the suffering Of
our prisoners is drawing to u close, ana so
are the days of grace OF those who instiga-
ted their sufferings. have just this mo.
ment received the confirmation of the
evacuation Of Charleston. / send three
cheers ard tiger.
Yours, truly,
PHYIYp HARVEY Ir