The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-09

JULY 70, le6S.-Upon resumfng our personal
liberty, we, the undersigned, known as the Co
lumbus prisoners. deem 10 proper TO publish the
following brief accountof our arrest and confne-
meDt by the military authorities: @
During the night Of the 3Oth Of March, Geo. W.
Ashburn was asssssinated in q low negro brothsI
in Columbus, Georgia, On the 9Th day OF April,
thirteen citizens were arrested by Capt. Nils Of
the United States army. On the 10th they were
released under bond-four Of this number have
never been re-arrested. The man Mills stated
that he did not know the charge against the party
arrested, but no one believed him. and the fact Is
only mentioned to show the character Of the pro-
ceedngs. On the l4th day of May four arrests
were made, on the 24th four on the % of June
four more, on the 10th seven, followed the next
day by two others, on the Gath another and the
last arrest occurred. These arrests were made by
the order of Gen. Meade. Several OF the under.
signed have in their possession written orders
which show this fact. The arrests were made
without warrant, affidavit, or charge. No pre-.
iminsry examination was held. We were kept
in total ignorance of the er pdrte evidence against
rs. No one who has followed the trial will be
surprised &C this apparent neglect
While We were clamoring for the charges against
rs, Joe Brown, Whitley, Major Smyth, and others,
we're suborning BetZ Marshall, Bennett, and
Amanda Patterson. The evidence for the prose-
cution Acknowledges that disclosures were made
under threats of imprisonment. This is bad
enough, but worse feature Is that the date of
these disclosures is placed by the witnesses them
the prisoners. The question naturally arises upon
what foundation were the arrests based! OF the
twenty-five persons arrested on and since the l4th
Of May, four were suborned by torture, bribery
ana threats. Nine after confinement in felons'
eells, and Bnuch suffering, were released without
any explanation whatever. The remaining nine
are the signers Of this card. The prisoners ar
rested in May were at Fort Pulaski before they
were removed to Atlanta. Their cells were as
dark, as dangerous, without ventilation, and but
four feet by seven. No bed OF blankets were fur
nisbed The rations consisted OF a slice Of fat
pork three times each week, and beef too unsound
TO eat the remaining days. A piece OF bread for
each meal, soup for dinner, and coffee for break.
fast, hnishedthe bill OF fare. An old oyster can
was given each prisoner, and in this vessel both
coffee and soup we're served. Ii may be said that
the soldiers received nothing better, but these cit
izens were not soldiers, and their friends were
able, willing and anxious to give them every COM
foIt; they were denied the privilege. Refused
all communication with Their friends. relatives, or
counsel. they were forced to live in these horrid
cells night and day, Frustrated by heat, and mad.
dened by myriads of mosquitoes. The calls of
nature were attended to in busket, which was
removed bat once in twenty four hours.
At Mcpherson Barracks we were placed in cells
FIVE feet eleven inches wide by ten fee long
These cells were afterwards divided, reducing
their width TO two feet ten inches. This is ter
rible, but true. Upon the arrival of the officer
sent from Washington TO investigate the arrests,
the partitions were removed. Neither beds nor
We were not permitted 70 see our friends. family
or counsel, until after memorials to Congress had
aroused the whole country to the enOrmity of the
outrage. Even after this, our letters. breathing
the affection and sympathy of a wife or mother,
were subjected TO inspection. The prison sink
was Immediately at our cell doors, and emitted
stencil that was horrible,
At times when some humane soldier was willing
10 transcend his orders and give US a breath of
fresh air to soothe our distended, bursting veins,
we would, ask HIM to close the door, preferring
TO risk sufocation rather than endure the intole
rable smell.
During sll this time we were ignorant of the
charges against us. OF course we accepted the
murder of Ashburn; but after our counsel was
permitted to visit us, no definite line Of defense
could be planned in the absence Of all speciica-
lions. We were furnished with copy of the
charges against Us on the 9th day of June, our
trial having been set for the 10th. The interven-
ing day was Sunday, and we were one hundred
and forty miles from the scene Of the murder and
the residence of our witnesses, Several of the
undersigned never saw the detective Whitley until
weeks after their arrest. When they did meet him
he never presumed to treat them with disrespect
Recent developments, new TO u.s. have shown
him TO be inf nous, and his treatment OF suborned
witnesses will be proved by those who know the
facts. Our friends and the press have not exsg-
gerated the bsrbarity with which we were treated
but they should not throw the responsibility upon
a contemplate detective, who would only glory
III tue nOtOIley WOuiu give we
fly for higher game. Gen. Meade told Gen. R. H.
Chiffon during the war Gen. Lees adjutaBt), up.
on the eve Of bis departure from Atlanta, that he
had left full instructions with Gen. Sbey concern.
ing the disposition Of the Columbus prisoners.
These instructions controlled our treatment. and
leave no issue to the question Of responsibility
At the proper time, and in manner that will not
intrude upon your valuable space, we will make
good our position, and Will show conclusively that
this unparalleled persecution was attempted solely
and entirely for political purposes.
The officers and soldiers of the garrison were as
kind as their orders would permit. and respectful
with but few exceptions. Gen. Dunn's courtesy
during the trial. especially after Dukes dllbi was
IN strong contrast with the vindictive ungenerous
and unmsDly conduct Of Joe Brown.
On the able and untiring efforts of our counsel,
we cannot speak in too high praise. To thepeope
Of Georgia, and especially to our good friends in
Atlanta, we return sincere thanks for their
sympathy and assistance. ...--..-.
Ed. KIRKCgY, N. D.,
W. D. CHIPLEY,