Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-03-01
10 tho Survivors Of Rebel Prison
Pens,

JEFFERSON DAVIS, in q letter dated New
Orleans, Louisiana, Jan. 90, 1876. and
addressed to the Hon James LYONS. Peters
burg, Va, makes u defiant denial of the
arraignment made by the Hon. James G.
Blaine, OF Maine, and by Gen. James A.
Garfield, OF Ohio, of his direct and per.
sonal responsibility for tho cruel treat
ment OF the Union soldiers who were pris
oners OF war TO the Confedcracy of which
Mr.. Davis was President. He goes further,
ana, like Mr.. Benjamin II. Hill, Repre-.
sentative in the Forty fourth Congress
rom Georgia. who was also member OF
The Confederate States Senate from the
same State, the rebel ex-President denies
altogether that unnecessary suffering en
sued among, or unjustifiable harshness or
cruelty was practiced against, those of our
soldiers who were 20 unfortunate as to be
prisoners within the pens at Andersonville
Florence, Salisbury, Belle Isle and Tyler,
OF IN the tobacco warehouses of Libby and
Castle Thunder. The denial is bold and
sweeping one Its audacity rises to SUBJ
Unity. 1t not only denies, but accuses.
The Union is assailed rs having, through
its officials and policy, treated the Confed-
crate prisoners in its hands IS bad or
worse than our men were used at Ander-
sonville, Belle Isle and elsewhere. 1t is
also charged with causing the sutierings
OF the latter by the policy it pursued of
refusing to exchange.
Now, as to one part Of Mr.. Jefferson
Davis denial and counter accusation,
there is direct and unassailable method
Of obtaining evidence The survivors of
the rebel prison pens still remain among
us. Those Of Andcrsonville formed an
association which is still In existence. We
call upon every man who was captured
and confined by the Coniederatcs during
the civil war for slavery and disunion to
at once give to the public brief and li-
rect account OF his personal experiences.
Let each MAJ. write To the nearest Repub-
lican paper simple statement OF his
name, regiment, rank, date Of capture,
length OF confinement, when exchanged,
the treatment he himself received rs to
food, shelter, medical care, etc, IS we'll
as to the action Of those In charge Avoid
all rhetoric, denounce no one, give as far
as practicable the names of Confederate
officers, ETC., In command; also, any
special instances as to others known to
the survivors, the details Of which are
readily substantiable.
With regard to the treatment of rebel
prisoners in the Northern entrepots, there
is al direct method OF obtaining relia.
Bile testimony. Officers who were in CON-
mand Of such prisons are still
living, as are also soldiers who
were stationed thercat. Their evidence
will be Of value. In every place
where such prisoners existed local,
sanitary and Christian associations existed,
the members Of which busted themselves
in caring for the sick and wounded and
in visiting the prisons and camps. Rep
utable citizens at Elmra, Rock Island,
Chicago, Columbus, and elsewhere know
the facts. Let them give their testimony.
The honor OF ones country should BE sa-
cred. We who fought for liberty and
Union surely have as vital an interest in
that honor rs the men who compelled us
20 fight by their mad attempt to perpetu.
ate slavery and destroy the Union. Let
us have the facts.
Bear in mind that the object OF such
communications is not partisan but his.
torical. Two civilizations or systems OF
government have been and still are on
trial. This question of Andersonviile and
its attendant horrors belong to the trial.
The case has been reopened, and the verdict
once solemnly rendered is now challenged.
A cloud Of witnesses are still living. Let
them give the facts. Communications can
also be sent to the Office of the Republic,
Washington, ID. c., if writers do not de
sire to send to their county or other jour
nails. Let every man respond, and ut
once. The good name of the Union is
sought to be assalcd, ana feculent
treason seeks historical vindication by
these audacious falsehoods .--Replbtse
Mo11ziue