The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-03-03
EpIroa -nCr NoaraEsyER ;


Since reading the speech of Congressman
Hill. OF Georgia. IN Congress, on the subject
OF Amnesty the letter Of Jefferson Davis, and
editorials IN our various papers, North and
South, the editors OF which are in sympathy
with tue lost cause in which forcible attempt
is made 60 prove, and the assertion is ofteE re-
peated. Chat confederate soldiers in Northern
prisona we're as cruelty treated during their in
carceradon, as were our Mon soldiers in
southern prisons. have experienced III COM
mon with hosts OF others, feelings of deep
irdigpadon
-eoms amcst incredible that sane and
add men can Cad am room for argument !;
that the question has arisen at ali can only
accounted toc By the fact that events OF the
,asttwo years or more have encouraged the
old faehioned cece-sioniat, Rebel johnny, aud
CopperiJe1ds to lift their heads with new life !;
and we hear again il almost full Blast the old
rebe "h ir ZIP Il hi. that in the battles OF tie
vas o. tbe Bele.!ion so often caused our boys
tOFtaan tha;r -i.ies with a closer grip, and
brace ,heg4eeve- 70 receive the enemys
char j" Ege~- f-e.ea.in2 editor and politicion
in tn cpntu. l. apparently in a, fierce a heat
of proHon "a e.1-e and during the. war; and
tho 'oore..aaI press aud clement OF the
Mort osisr ID ~ TO tho extcu, CT their pow
er il haooir- warm a. ugly feeling in the
Southern mird and il perpetrating the abom-
inshle la chat OK Government by it's officers
and .ro,diers, pracuced the same crueltes upon
Southern soldiers IL It's military prisons, as did
Tho Confederate Government upon MON SOL
diers.wbo were I.rIseners OF war in Southern
prison etockades. Nothing can be more false
than this abatement made by these persons,
and tn Iaisity viii DE recognized in history. 1t
Willie one Of the facts OF history that the ma
lgDity manifested By the civil and military
officers and the soldiers OF the Confederate
Government, and their treatment OF their pris-
oness az war is without precedent, and it will
p bea ata'p on the record OF civilization foy tins
centuI,.
j do not wish 60 occupy too much OF the space
you allow me 70 relate my own individual ey-
perieDce but l have said that a certain state
ment ~ false. I know it to be false, and II YOU
please will as breezy az possible show how l
know IL 60 be false.
I,wse emember OF Company &. Sth Regi-
ment a N. Y. Heavy Artillery. This Regiment
was employed for year and a half succeeding
its organization in july 1862, in garrlsoning the
forts IN and around Baltimore. doing provost
duty and making expeditions into West Virgin
M. Hsrpsrs Ferry, etc, and while portion Of
the Regiment occupied Fort McHenry, Bati-
more, had charge OF large number of rebel
prisonore- officers and privates.
It wat parS o. our duty to guard these pris-
oners ard distribute them to the various prison
camps. Col Holmes was for some time Pro-
vost Marsha OF that post and had charge OF
those priscnecs and whatever may lie his poht-
ica1 Y,oss nov, II he is still living, believe if
called upon he will confirm what I say as 20
the treatment OF prisoners under MS Charge
As TO tho food Of the prisoners. it was part
OF my duty N connection with other officers of
the Provost Guard to overlook the issuing OF
food 60 these PRISONERS at meal time. And |
say capddy that l never saw the time when |
would not have exchanged my own plentiful
and good rations for those Of any man among
them. they had three meals each day at reg
ular hours, consisting IN part Of salt and fresh
beef pork beans, meat and vegetable soups,
SOFT broad from the fort bakery, bareback,
coAoo once each day, soap candles, pepper,
salt, vinegar and many other articles of food
and use which we're ali that reasonable man
could ash for Doth IN quality and quantity. In
regard 10 clothing, will mention the feet that
aisrgo room connec ed with the Provost Mar
shel's Office was filed with clothing which was
tho same rs those issued to our own troops
-
stockings, caps, blankets and shirts, and when
ever a prisoner was received at that Fort, IL ho
lacked clotbng to make hIm comfortable, his
wants were supplied. The rebel officers and
many OF Cue privates bad Trends in the city
and tbore was no lack OF those whose seces-
Sou aympathies we're so strong that they we're
ready 20 dc all in their power FOR these prison