The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1866-12-21
Cruelty to Soldiers and Prisoners at the
Dry TOrtugas.

If just the tenth part Of what is stated
in the following article from the World
be true, some of the officers commanding
at the Dry Tortugas more richly deserve
to be shot than any tiger that ever
throttled his prey in the juugles of In
dia. 1t Is almost impossible to credit
these statements; but an Investigation
into their truth ought to be made at once
The Worla~says:
a correspondent writes US from Fort
Jefferson, Dry Iortugas, Florida, under
date of September Il, complaining bit.
terly of the treatment by the military au-
thorities Of that "God forsaken island"
towards civil prisoners and private sol,
diers. Their acts, he states, are shown
without any fear or feeling, and there is
no redress for the sufferers.
He mentions several instances Of their
discipline, which for brutality and afro
city are unparalleled. The first act of
cruelty he cites occurred on Friday, the
10th Of August last, when the prisoners
were engaged in unloading the steamer
St. Mary and the brigautipe Rebecca
Sheppard, aud became drunk, with the
armed guard placed over them, from the
liquor given them by the crews of the
vessels Two of the soldiers and pris-
oncr, the latter being unusually into1ica-
ted, for their offences were tied up By
their thumbs, as punishment TO them.
This is dreadful. to endure, and often
leaves those put to the pain, exhausted
and unconscious. James Dunn, the pris.
oner, was lifted off his feet for two hours,
and then fell heavily to tho ground by
the breaking of the rope, and struck on
the back of his head, which rendered him
inscnsiblc. The inanimate bleeding man
was Immediately tied up again by his
wounded hands, by an Implying Ser
geant, and would have been kept in that
position but for the interference of Briga-
dier-General Hill, who commands the
post. This was at o'clock. AT 9, P.
NJ, after Dunn had partially come. to his
senses, be was again seized and ordered
to carry 40.pound shot by the officer of
the day. 1t was too much ia k for his
weak condition, and the shot fell from
his fingers, Notwithstanding all his eff
forts to retain it. He was then tied up
by the thumbs for the third time and left
suspended for four hours in morta! ago.
ny. When released he was conveyed 10
the hospital, where he still remains
The result of his punishment is the loss
of his right thumb and his left hand. Cap.
tain G. Mcconnell, the officer of the day,
aud Sergeant Donnely, both of the Fifth
United States Artillery, are the agents of
his misfortune and suffering. John
Ficdenbaoh, of Company d. Fifth United
States Artillery, was one of the soldiers
who had been drinking. H. was tied up
by the wrists, while his appeals and pray.
ers to be cut down received the sad com.
fort Of knowing that he had 70 "hold his
ID tongue or be gagged with u bay
ouet.' AS Sergeant Donnelly expressed
himself, Dunn was gagged because he
begged mercy from his prosecutors, and
had his mouth severely cut. John Brown,
confined as prisoner for desertion, ia
spoken of as another victim of military
cruelty. On the 1lth Of September he
was ordered to carry shot for some pre-
tended breach Of discipline, and did so for
few hours, while suffering from an at
attack Of diarrhoa, and then finally re.
fused to carry it longer.
This was reported to General Hill, who
ordered his hands to be tied behind his
back, and that he should be thrown off
the wharf into the water, and kept there