The Hickman courier., 1871-02-18
HORRORS OF THE PRISON.
Freezing of wounded Prisoners.

| tad
A correspondent of the London .Stga-
dord thus describes his visit to the en-
campment of French prisoners at Glogua,
in Silesia, where there are $4,000 of
these wretehed captives:
We commenced our visit to the en-
campmentS at noon. On entering them
we felt most horrible sensation. 1t is
almost impossible to give correct idea
of the appalling aspect of those sheds in
which men are crowded by thousands
Eighteen men are placed in compartments
of four square yards. They were lying
down. three of them upon two straw mat
| tresses, the straw of which was soaked
| through, for the snow covering the roofs
is melting, and falls down drop by drop
in those infectious places upon the faces
and limbs of our soldiers during their
sleep-when they can sleep. These mis-
erable rooms have no fire, and when
lighted the light is so feeble that it is
almost impossible to recognize each
other.
They are composed Of an underground
and ground floor, very low, without any
ventilation; what the inmates inhale
must bring them soon to the hospital,
and from thence to ttageemetery.
"My children said Commander Du
val, "here are friends from VaIenciennes
who come to shake hands with you. -
All of them hurried around US and
thanked US with efusion.
The food of the prisoners is INSULT
cient, it consists of Cruel or rice, some
times few ounces of meat, very black
and heavy bread, and that only once a
day, for we cannot reckon as a meal the
warm black water given to them in the
morning under the name of-coffee.
Most Of the prisoners were without
shirts, under clothing, socks or shoes !;
some wear but linen trousers, although
the cold is intense and the snow is very
deep. We were freezing standing up,
aud our legs became stiff in no time.
From the encampments we proceeded
to the hospitals. They were full of pa
tients, and the prevalent diseases were
typhus, dysentery, and small pox These
wretched men have but straw mattress.
and as they die other patients take their
places, even without the straw being
changed. There is norelief in any shape,
and the officers are unable to come to
their assistance. The German doctors
have adopted the system of giving no
wine to the convalescents water is the |
only cordial prescribed it is very little |
of tonic as you see. Then, as soon as
a patient is able to scarcely stand upon |
his legs, he is sent back to the encamp- |
ment. This is the cause of many fatal
relapses; and that measure is applied in |
the whole of Germany.
The daily mortality is from eight to
ten men. Four bodies are piled mp in a
dead bo15 this i- their e'sr- A~ii~A
We a,s ,sa,.. .s.s that a. ce.egns. on OBS soT, =
front of his barracks. The sentry cried
in German, "Who is theref" The pris-
ouer did not either hear or understand,
and he was shot down at once True,
the authorities of Cologne are extremely
severe within the last few days. 1t is
said that on Christmas night the prisoners
had completed an evasion en- masse. The |
whole garrison was under arms on that
grand day, and the batteries were pointed
on the Deutz Bridge. Is the assertion
rue? / very much doubt it, for an
evasion in such conditions seems impos
'ible. The whole of Germany seemed
o us still full of soldiers.
Thursday we were at Leipsic. In that
great town there are few French soldiers,
,ut many oficers-about three hundred,
We were told. They said they we're we'll
reated by the Saxons. Some of those 1
,ficers seemed to be almost certain that
he Mobile of Valenciennes were at Min 4
len, and for Minden we left at once. We
Vere to pass fourth night in a railway {
arriage the fatigue would have been
rife had we found them out.
We arrived at Minden at FIVE in the
morning, but our brothers, our townsmsn,
Fere not there. However, as there are
early seven thousand French prisoners
ncamped in the fortress, we naturally
vished to visit them. Weapplied to the
commander Of the town for the required 4
Iermission. He received us in the most
oarse manner, asking US, Have you
omething to give us2 then give it at
nee If not, it will be just the same
love on" We left him, but we went In
earch of the priest .almoner belonging /
0 the French camp We soon found
i'm out, aud from him and from the
harity sisters we were told the secrets .
f the hospitals, which the Prussian |
ieDeral wanted to keep from us The
ay before three hundred French sailors
ad entered Mipdeu--they had been
lade prisoners at OrleaDs-and during |
ne journey their feet had been frozen |
iany amputations would be necessary. | ,
iorrors so appalling are unworthy of a
reat nation. and / can not understand Z
Thy the German nation does not protestl
gainst such acts of atrocity perpetratedl
" her Generals.