The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-24


were justified. II it would have bscn
right % put to death any one prisoner
to escape under such circum-
stances, it seems logically certain that it
would have been equs]ly right to put to
death any number making such attempt.
But, in truth, the means adopted were
those of humanity and prevention,
rather than Of execution. The Confede.
rate authorities felt sble.to meet and re.
pulse Dahlgren and his raiders il they
could prevent the escape Ut the priso-
ners.
The real object was to save their lives,
as well as those Of our citizens. The
guard force at the prisons was small. and
all the local troops in and around Rich
mond were needed to meet the threatened
attack. Had the prisoners escaped, the
women and children of the city, as well
as their homes, would have been at the
mercy of five thousand outlaws. HUI
mainly required that the most summary
measures should be used to deter them
from-any attempt at escape.
A mine was prepared under the Libby
prison; sufficient quantity Of gun
powder was put into it, and pains was
taken to inform the prisoners that any
attempt at escape made by them would
be effectually defeated. The plan sue
ceeded perfectly. The prisoners were
awed, and kept quiet. Dahlgren and his
party were defeated and scattered. The
danger passed away, and in few weeks
the gunpowder was removed. Such are
the facts. Your committee do not hest
tate to make them known, feeling assured
that the conscience of the enlightened
world, and the great law of self preserva-
ton, will justify all that was done by our
country and her officers.
MEANS FOR SECURING CLEANLINESS
The next charge is that the Libby
and Belle Isle prisoners were habi:ually
kept in filthy condition, and that the
officers and men confined there were
prevented from keeping themselves suffi
GENTLY clean to avoid vermin and similar
discomforts. The evidence clearly con-
tradicts this charge. 1t is proved by the
dispositions of Major Turner, Lieutenant
Bossienx, Rev. DIR. McCabe, and others.
that the prisoners were kept constantly
and systematically policed and cleanscd;
that I'M the Libby there was an ample
supply of water conducted to each floor
by the city pipes, and that the prisoners
were not only not restricted in its use, but
urged to keep themselves clean. At Belle
Isle, for brief season (about three
weeks, in consequence of a sudden in~
crease in the number Of prisoners, the
police was interrupted, bu. it was soon
restored, and ample means for washing
both themselves and their clothes were
at all times furnished to the prisoners.
It is doubtless true that, Notwithstanding
these facilities, many of the prisoners
were lousy and filthy; but it was the
result Of their own habits, and not of nc
elect in the discipline or arrangements Of
the prison.. Many of the prisoners were
captured and brought in while in this
condition. The Federal General Neal
Dow we'll expressed their character and
habits. When he came to distribute
clothing among them, he was met by pro
fame abuse, and he said to the Confede-
rate officer in charge, "You have here
the scrapings md rakings Of Europe"
That such men should be filthy in their
habits, might be expected.