The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-11
Jeff DAVIS LETTER ANSWERED.

Statement by the President Of the National
Union of Andersonville Survivors -The
Death Rate in Rebel Prisons Thrice that in |
Union-The Promotion of Winder.
Following is the full text of the letter
addressed to the editor of the Norwich, Ct,
Bulletin by Mr.. w. Gross, president OF
the national union Of Andersonvile sur
vivors, replying to Jefferson Davis asser-
ton that the mortality of the confederate
prisoners IN union hands was in greater
proportion than that of Union soldiers in
rebel prisons
Mr.. EDITOR Much has been and writ
| ten of late of the treatment of Union pris-
oners of war at Andersonville and other
rebel prisoners, and at last Jefferson Davis
has written in his own defense letter
dated Jan. 81, 1876. l agree with the clos
ing words of that letter: 'The public
welfare demands that truth should strip
falsehood OF its power for evil !" and, with
this purpose in view, allow Inc TO present
a few facts to disprove the falsehoods OF
that letter.
Though I was q prisoner at Anderson
vile and the sworn testimony of thousands
was published in 1869 by the committee
qonointed by congress to show the treat
tiles. vet it VIII nUcfYJvsr bv rebel author
appeal to this overwhelming testimony TO
show that union soldiers were brutally
murdered under pretense OF treating them
az prisoners of war Mr.. Davis says 1T
is admitted that prisoners in our HANDS
were not well provided for as we would
have wished. but it is claim ed that we did
as well as we could" In this assumption
Mr.. Davis gives the lie to his own officers
and to the report of the confederate inspec-
| tor of prisons, Lieut.. Col ID. L. Chandler,
made july 5, 1864, to the confederate gov
eminent, and which contains most signifl-
cant evidence to show it was the policy OF
= the coufederates to render worthless as wal
material the defenceless prisoners which
providence had thrown into their hands.
r Col. Chandler says : mo shelter what
ever or material for constructing any hal
been provided by the prison authorities,a nt
d the ground being entirely bare OF trees
: none Is within reach of the prisoners, eact
man has been permitted to protect himsel
as best he can, stretching his blanket OF
e such sticks as he can procure" The prls
oners ''are furnished with SO limited sup
ply of fuel that they are compelled 10 di
d with their hands in the filthy marsh oelor
y mentioned (this marsh contained the ex
: |
Is which to cook their food" This was az
COMMANDED by the report of the post SUI
10 peon. Isaiah White, from which | will onl
n. note the statement: 1.-The lack OF barrac
n accommodation exposes the men to Ii
I'll heat of the sun during the day and to II
dew at night, and is prolific source OF d
-, ease" Now what necessity existed
ne Withholding wood to cook with, and shelt'
BE for the sick and dying prisoners, VINE
I'd within 700 feet of the prison there was
Il; virgin forest +? The prison was situated
the midst of the great pine regions Of Gee
pia There the forests stand to-day.
d. Witnesses against the heartless cruelti
en- under which union prisoners fingered al
g died.
ny To further show that shelter was mu
y; needed ! will simply cite the fact that,
M. though situated in a southern latitude, {
climate of Andersonville showed wi
var;at;on of temnerature. ranging from
BE A., 90 10 dog Fahrenheit in the sha.
yer IN ,ho ueor 1894 were counted 1OS raj
dans +, which there fell more than fo
o o~5 ho,s foot of rain DR. John G. Bat
by "ou SURGEON Mt Andersonvile, say
ana na teo, 60 60 in saving that seven
,ial ioo, n.y. IS ,hosa wbo died lat And
raj i've pr ecu ;S y, hare besn saved had IN
zen sonS,.u1 n,h Non heen nronerly cared 70
u ,n,',on : ,h;nh ia as signifcant as any Z
10. mn,cu smm 81 D,. Stevenson NAV +
the may VIC ppb;ob NJ Dav,s alludes hut d
age h'sh, " "'"o"
lt No, piouuso Aha ;nhuman treat M