The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-09-10
Ghr Bestern gemofrat.
CHARLOTTE, N. G.
nHE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS
OF WAR In N G.

THE TREATMENT OF PEisoN ELS
OF WAR IN N =.
DIR. John H. Gibbon, of this county has iurnisneo US
with COPY of the following letter when ne "ro.e "
,be Hon j p. C. shanks, chairman of the committee
Amounted by the House of Representatives 10 nses1
gate the treatment of prisoners OF war:
NEAR CHARLOTTE, July 31st. 1867
Hox 7 c.. SHANKs The people of North
.rolina were not disposed to separate from the Union
of the States In 1860 they refused to call ConVen
ton to consider the sub ect of secession But "hen
quota of her troops were demanded to coerce o.heI
States the Governor declined to supply theTn ana Ill
Apr 1861 ordered armed forced to take possession
of the public property within her limits, VIZ: Inc
Branch Mint at Charlotte, the Arsenal at
to prepare tor what seemed inevitable though for some
time after the civil began many continued 10 nope
that some peaceful remedy would be found to reconcile
existing difficulties.
The majority were unhappy persuaded by events
that certain rights could only be defended by Iorce
of arms and separate Government; whereas NOSE
"rghts" entirely depended upon the PROVISIONS vi a
Constitution designed Ito promote the general wcaie
Every exertion made in the State to supply pro-
visions and clothing for the army. Consequently;
scarcity of each soon felt among the peopie DC
sides ordinary taxes, tithes in kind were ciameo
of every edible and useful corn Dacon
syrup wool. cotton rice, tobacco, &c
were allowed to impress extra quantities lIoh ~
who used greatest exerticns to Obtain nen ,si5
planters and their families voluntarily dispensed VIII
The of meats in order to supply the l&p0ilhg scr
wants. As armies marched in different GIecnons'
soldiers scattered through the country enqnlrhg Jf
food at farm houses. They easily grained WIFI
bread-vegetableS, fruits and milk being mostly coh
fined to dry rations in the field. As troops passed my
neighborhOod on several occasions, saw e"cels anu
Eaen cheerfuly eating raw bacon. Great PtT"'ioiio
were endured by families who stinted themselves 10
supply distant relations and laboring servants:
1t became matter of necessity therefore; that pro,
visions for prisoners of should be dehcent ana
Of
burthened but these privations were equaly EN-
dured by the sick and soldiers of the Sonth -,
Toward the close of the contest every man OF
age ordered to the front. Ordinary cases OF ex,
emption were disregaTded Those previously eAcesea
for various industrial and other purposes, were
Work at manufactures, mil and some grlst mills.
was interrupted. Large numbers OF negro iaDorefs
ordered to distant Notifications. OverseeFs oack
smiths, penters millwrgs and other practca anu
profitable mechanics were unreeniingy mustered INTO
the military service to the detrment OF agriculture
priyatOn Of general comforts, greatly reuuceu ny
blockade.
Finally, 1.-THE Senior and Junior Reserve"
farmers mechanics and school boys, hitherto exempt
by reason OF age special important occupations "clo
called upon to guard the prisoners OF war at SALISBURY
] was personally acquainted with many of'the seniors
and purposely euqured of the guard who were at nome
occasional furough, into the condition OF the prison.
ers. They gave sad account of the want OF sheitef
clothing, fuel and food. large Factory was occupied
a prison, and a few tents also PROVIDED. WINE
from 5000 to $1,000 prisoners were held at dHereht
nclemencies of weather There not sufhclency
of planks for sheds huts blankets for covering
few proper medicines and little variety OF food or the
sick
The general state of restitution of these prisoners
was described horribly distressing to the guards
but no one of the many we'll disposed and consderate
persons conversed with, could suggest any possible
alienation OF the suffering Except by conveying the
prisoners to the border and turning them loose to 60
home ! offered TO prepare petition TO urge tnis
plan, exchange exchange. 1t difficult to
obtain accurate information at that time, but 1t was
commonly understood there some point in conten-
ton with regard to general and prompt interchange
OF prisoners which prevented their elict i'll that man.
ner. Four months before the surrender of Gen. Lee
army, 5000 prisoners sent to Wilmington under
charge of North Carolina Regiment and treated with
every possible kindness and humanity Oh the route.
1t stated to that The prisoners of war at Sails
bury of very varied characters and nationates
The weaker men often complained TO the guards that
the rude and violent among their ellow-prisones rob-
bed and i'll treated them, plundercd and sold their
scanty blankets and Clothes and practced various I'M
positions. Prisoners occasionally very lnsubOr-
dinate Upon one occasion they killed two OF the
guards. The guards themselves were for some time
without tents, and often without sufficient supplies OF
food or fuel.
appears TO be conceded that in proportion to
numbers larger amount of prisoners OF war died IN
Northern prisons he seventies of winter having super
added to other discomforts than among those in the
South. But to the efforts of disappointment anxiees
close confinement and rigid discipline must be attrb
uted the great mortality of both rather than to the
~liiul negligence OF the people either side; for such
traits do not characterize any section of
country.
The absolute depreciation of means in the South was
sufficient to many additional misercs to The or
binary influences of war. The wounded / in
Southern hospitals were terribly emacated by simila
causes entirely beyond the reach of any public pr
yate measures of relief Distress and suffering were
almost universal. The practice of warfare is accom-.
panied by many datory horrors in addition to those
sudden lndiscrminate slaughter.
The people of North Carolina certainly did not de-
sign to treat prisoners of with neglect cruelty.
The Captain OF company of Senior Reserves, well
known as dspassionae and truthful man, assured
1.-THE ratons supplied to the prisoners quite as
ample as those for the soldiers who guarded them "
The country people were often induced by these State
Troops to bring in variety of provisions for tie pris-
oners. Children sometimes sent with salt to them
An article both scarce and Of high price.
1t is also well known that improvements were made
from private citizens for the relief of the prisoners
though sometimes charitable them refused
But with every possible exertion their condition was
always described most deplorable. A North Caro-
una Senior Reserve mentioned an Alabama Regiment
OF Junior Reserves guard the same time who con-
stantly purchased articles for the prisoners know
many instances OF sympathy and relief, though the ex
element of contest and feeling very great. Some
Foreigners among the prisoners of war at Salisbury
Were induced to change sides They called 'ga
Fanlzed or white-washed troops.' not generally re-
garded with good will by the people
Public opinion attributes want of system and arbi
Tay measures to those who had special control of the
prisoners. The discipline was often regulated in q
manner exceedingly offensive to the soldier guards
Amiable people are probably not always selected fol
the office of Provost Marshal
The county of Mecklenburg, in North Carolina and
several adjacent ones. chiefly settled by emigrants
from my native State. About the period of Braddock'
defeat, the frontier men OF Pennsylvania (drven in by
the French and their Northern Indian alies) retired
Southwark and crossing the Potomac below the noun
talns took up land among pacific tribes in what
British King had bestowed large grants in the 90.
called colony Of North Carolina to this nobeman whose
Scottish agents disposed of the land by the acre at two