Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-09-19
The Cruel Trea ,men, OF PRISONERS

Tribune devoted an editorial to the subiee :
of" Cruelties to Prisoners" This editorial
related to the charge of the Confederates
that their prisoners had been inhumaneiy
treated sin nearly all the prison stations
of the North-at Point Lookout, Fort Nc
Henry, Fort Delaware, Johnson's Island,
Elmira,, Camp Chase, Camp Douglas,
Alton, Camp Morton, the Ohio Peniten-
ft;ary, and the prisons of St. Louis" In
relation to this, the Tribune said:..
"These inculpations. we have seen, were
publicly made, more than two years ago, in
the-report of joint committee; they are
professedly based on sworn testimony, in
good part quoted therein; and they have
thus far received no specific contradiction.
We trust that they can be refuted or very
materially softened by counter testimony,
and we are anxious that such testimony
shall be taken before those able to give it
shall be mainly dead or scattered to the four
winds of heaven. We ask Congress, since
it has too tardily resolved to investigate the
treatment of our men while prisoners, to
make the inquiry general and thorough
to demonstrate our readiness to face the
whole truth. Yet the House refuses to do
this. and, on motion of General Washburnt,
of Wisconsin. adopts the following:
wv HEREAS, lTTtspOuSlUlc sIdtctucutS
have been made by persons In sympathy
with the late Rebellion, implying that the
Government of the United States has in
humanity treated its prisoners during the
late Rebellion; and whereas no evidence
has been produced to show that such alle-
cations have any foundation in; fact; and
whereas the loyal people of the United
States are well satisfied that in no instance
were its prisoners treated otherwise than
with Kindness and humanity; therefore,
"'Resotu d, That this House will enter
tain no resolution which implies other than
the most kind, tender and humane treat
ment of its prisoners unless such resOlu
ton is accompanied by a responsible
charge that they were treated otherwise.'
as Seen. Washburnel we have esteemed a
wise and able man; but this performances
is not among those OIL which that judgment
is founded. There is not a sympathizer
with THE Lost Cause on earth who will
not triumphantly read and cite it as evil
dence that the Republicans dare not make
full and fair investigation of the treat
ment of prisoners by each party in our late
civil war-not even before committee OF
their own chOosing-and the impartial
world will be likely to agree with them.
Suppose European historian writing the
history of our great struggle, with the
Confederate, report aforesaid before him.
and only Gen. Washburne's preamble and
resolve to weigh against it--can there be
any doubt as to his cOnclusion?"
Every body with the right feeling in his
heart. would desire thoroughinvestigation
of these charges, to the end that the North
should be cleared from all imputation of
inhumanity. 3 Ulat--h -El
Our military authorities having super
vision of the matter stand charged with
much of the responsibility-fors the bad
treatment of our prisoners imprisoned at
Andersonville and other Southern prisons.
Hon. WIN. MUNGEN, the Representative
from the Fifth Ohio Congressional District,
urgently appealed to Congress to raise a
committee to investigate this charge. He
declared his ability to prove that the Con-
federate Government offered to pay, in
gold, cotton and tobacco, three times the
price for medicines to be used eEclusiuely for
the benefit of Federal soldiers. and that our
authorities paid no attention to these prop
ositions. On the 18th of May last, when
the House was in committee of the Whole,
Mr.. MUNGtN, for the third time, called after >
tion TO this matter. We submit his re-
marks, and ask everybody to carefully read
and ponder them. We cut his remarks
from tine Congressional Globe, giving the
proceedings of the House for that day:
"Mr. MUNGEN-Mr. Chairman, I SIM
ply wish to put myself right upon the rec
ord. Yesterday l offered resolution that
the powers of the select committee on che
Treatment of Union Prisoners and Soldiers
be enlarged so as to provide for an inquiry
into certain matters. My colleague EMr.
Garfield objected. and said that informa-
sion was already before the House. That
placed me in false position before the
House of asking for what was already be-
fore it. now declare that Information is
not before the House nor the special COM
mittee, and defy my cOlleage to prove his
assertion of yesterday. He cannot do it.
tsWhen Ihad the honor last session.
think in July-to introduce resolution on
the same subject, it was laid upon the table
on motion OF the gentleman from Wiscon
sin, Mr.. Washburne.] 1t was then laid U, {.
on the table on the ground that there was
no person to take the responsibility of say
ing there was ground for it. l now say, in
the first place, if there is any such inform
alton of this kind before the House do not
know it; and, in the second place, that
can proue By the testimony of officers of high
position, both of the United States and Confed-
crate troops that The proposition aods made by
the Confederate Government to pay three times
the price in gold cotton and tobacco for naedi-
cines for. our soldiers at AndeTsonuilLe and
other Southern prisons; that those medicines
should be put under charge of Federal SUR
geons, and by them taken in person to the
different Southern prisons and used and
to and for the use of the Union
prisoners alone; that this offer was made
by the so-called Confederate Government
through the proper officers to the proper
officers of our Government, and was COM
by these latter officers to the
proper heads of our Government and that
no response nor attention was paid to the
although our soldiers were
dying in those prisons for want of medi-
cine, and the Confederate Government in
formed the proper officers of this Govern
ment of that fact in connection with the
--- =
Il can prove that these propositions were
received by our officers~when transmitted
to the proper authorities, and that they
never received any response. 1. want tn.
blame forest where it belongs. If any of
our men are guilty let them suffer as well
rs others. If our soldiers were dying, as
was certainly the case, for want of medi-
cine. and it was thus placed in the pow
er of our authorities to relieve them.
why did they not do SO? The
told them this was
so |; offered to pay three times the
appraised value for medicines, send them
with our own men, to be used for the bene
fit of our own sick soldiers exclusively -
What desire is to have these points estab
lished. hold myself personally respon-
sible to establish the truth of wnat say.
This House lays my resolution on the ia
BILE. Why? Are gentlemen afraid of tn
truth? VIII dny gentleman say that If cur
authorities are dns,oerdble for the deaths OF
those brave fello,os in the prison pens of the
South that our authorities should not bear the
blame2 Let justice be done though the
heavens fall. 1 am satisfied that officers of
our own Government are particeps crinsinis
in the foul transaction. Let them be helu
up to public scorD; yes, lie. them receive
the Justice due to them. Better men have
been hung. But this House stops investi-
CATION into this question. 1t has tacice de