Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-30

diseases SO pathetieally portrayed by
those who would create an uncalled-for
sympathy, and whose interest in the suf-
ferings of prisoners is only manifested
when hope exists Of securing a politi-
cal purpose. Much of the testimony
brought forth at the trial Of Wirz was
either deliberate and wilful falsehood,
or the imaginations Of minds very pro-
life in horrors" 1t may be asked, if
this is true, then what are the facts. To
be brief, they are simply these:
81 know not what took place outside
of the stockade, further than that / am
well satisfied We were provided with all
the provisions it was in the power of the
rebel authorities to furnish. / saw no
acts Of cruelty on the part of the rebels
to compare with those of some of our
own loyal soldiers inside, through
their selling their birthright for an extra
ration, and performing a meniaPs posi-
ton to the rebels, and doing their dirty
acts; and these are the men who are now
loud in their denunciations of the cruel
treatment to which they were subjected.
| know one in this city whom ! knew in
Andersonville, and by many he Is now
known as Wirz' aunkey. have fire.
quently seen officers and doctors in the
stockade, looking after our sanitary con-
dition; and, although every request we
made was not granted, yet, so far as L am
aware, they treated us as men; i
have seen them frequently empty
their pockets Of tobacco and dis
tribute il among the men. In-
deed, instead of that fear caused by cru
city, every honest soldier who was there
will bear me out in the assertion that
their presence was cheering to the men.
The greater part of those who died in
these prisons we're the cause of their
own deaths. | would not detract from
the memory of the past one particle OF
the honor due them They died as the
result of fighting fer their country.
Nevertheless, their Incidence and negli.
gence of personal cleanliness were the
main cause of disease and death among
us. Few there were, comparatively,
who paid due regard to this healthful
necessity, but what are now alive, and
wherever they are to be found, they will
bear testimony to this statement. The
medical men in charge of the stockade
were apparently gentlemanly and con-
siderate; and, in their intercourse with
the sick, manifested q kindness worthy
of their calling and deserving of more
commendation than they receive.
| never saw but two men shot for
crossing the dead line, and they were
frequently warned while have seen
number of others cross the line, and
warned back by the guards, and not fired
at. As
How could a people whose ports were
blockaded, whose intercourse with the
world was cut of, and whose fields had
been laid waste and resources destroyed
by an invading army, furnish any of the
luxuries or necessities of the siek2
Now, / have no sympathy with rebel
lion in any form, and would be among
the first to take up arms again, provided
that the country were in danger, and
felt assured it we're for the Union and its
preservation, and not for political pur-
poses or for political plunder.
The SO called "horrors of Anderson
vile" we're not stoned for in the death
of Wirz. More fitting reparation would
have been the execution of Butler aud
other exchange commissioners, If it were
necessary TO execute ary. While we
were prisoners of war, and while several
offers we're made to parole and exchange
us, first, on the ground that the niger
must be placed on an equal footing--a
thing repulsive to the majority of sol
diers; and next because Butler d Co.
thought it was bad trade to give healthy
men for sick, emaciated, and disabled
ones. Were we not able, healthy, and in
good condition when capturedf And
was it not disgrace to the nation, and
an insult to every soldier, to say our lives
we're of no consequence after we were
supposed to be unqualified as victims for
Grants slaugbter-house2 feti.
The fuel being thrown into the fire for
the purpose OF kindling hatred to the
South and the Democratic party, will
but lau the fame in different direction;
and those who we're prisoners will not
forget Mr.. Buffers treatment before the
close OF the war, as well as that of the
ex-Sscretary of War since their
release.
II is only a thoroughly unprincipled
political trlckster who can have the
brazen effrontery to ask the rank aud
file Of the late army TO give their support
10 party which has treated them as the
presen. Republican party has. Bat their
sophistry will avail naught. The illu-
sion that, buying up few officers, pat
ting the privates on the back, aud nom-
mating man whom accident made q
general, are to win the votes Of the dis
banded army. is soon to be dispelled.
We are not as verdant and coniding as
that t
For the infornation of any that may
be foolish enough TO believe these pa.
thetic appeals on behalf Of our dead
martyrs at Andersonville," let me say
they are all bnncombe, as illustrated BY
the fact that Congress has, up to this
time, failed TO do justice BY the private
Who survived, while it has compensated
the commissioned officers IL was under
stood by all privaies, when taken pris-
oners, that whatever money was deiiv-
cred IN By them should be returned At
the close Of the war. At the close Of the
var the Secretary Of War appointed a
Board 10 investigate these claims; and.
after the Board has been engaged one
year, they reported 10 the Secretary Of