The National tribune., 1878-02-01


lated law is today speaking in hundertones from the
voices of history.
TREATMENT OF PRISONERS At TIME OF CAPTURE
In striking contrast with the uniform kindness of Union
soldiers toward their captives taken in battle the treat
ment experienced by officers and men Immediately
upon falling into hands of the enemy The harsh and
brutal conduct of the rebels toward their unfortunate pris
ones furnishes and leading theme for the de-
nuncation of the survivors It commenced usually, by
unmanly ees and taunts unworthy the character of sol
and undeserved by the heroic who had been COM
PEELED 90 yield the fortunes of This followed
by rigid and humiliatng search at clothing and person.
sometimes taking place ON the teh o. battle sometimes
postponed until the arrival OF the captive at the rst prison
station This search renewedas often the caprice
cupidity of the officer might actate Such searches
but the admonition OF robbery Surplus clotnng
oftentimes necessary clothing Watches money everything
value seized and appropriated by the capor and
the keepsakes OF the soldiers unrespeceu oy
these military robbers.
Pictures Of wife and children father mother brother
sister, of value to the stranger but inexpressiby
dear him who to inger for months ~ hopeless con-
inement wanonly torn from their possession and
made the subject OF ribald Jest and Ii.licuie.
Wel-organzed governments regulate and settle the
ations and difficulties between the citizens of their respect
i've Jurisdictions by public authority and will not use pub
lie power wrong rob individuals All pubic property
contraband OF war; found in possession OF prisoners
should be seized by the capor behalf OF their govern
ment but that which belongs to them, such clothing
aud money even if taken to prevent its improper use
should be returned again in good faith
The United States Army Regulations OF 1861, pages ~
745 Prisoners of will be dsarmed and sent to the
rear and reported practicable to the headqua
ers The return of the prisoners from the headquarters
of the army the War Department will specify the mum
Der, rank, and corps
.'746 The private property of prisoners will be dul!
respected and each shall be treated with the regard du
his rank They are to obey the necessary orders gVe
them They receive for subsistence ration each with
out regard to rank and the wounded to be treated will
the same the wounded of the army Other allow
ances to them will depend conventions with the en-
emy
Early in the war the enemy observed the idle
of making list of the property seized protessedy 10
safe keeping and restoration but instances where any wa
returned are extremely Even the few wher
money was restored confederate scrip nearly worthless
the soldier had been robbed 1t will be found that th
practice the animadyersion OF the inspectn
officers of rebel PRISONS but their recommendations for
change i'll its practice TO have been entirely dlsr
garded 1t that after the second year OF the wa
even this fornaty almost entirely abandoned an
prisoners only robbed of money surplus clothing
and valuabes but often deprived OF coats shoes an
hats and in many stripped OF everything but shl
and drawers until last the rebel captor TO regai
n his Union victim who, as prisoner OF wa
4 had no rights which rebel bound TO respect. II
"a testimony will be found replee with instances of the
4 tual truth of this assertion evmcng spirit OF hends
cruelty shorn of all just regard for the rights OF the II
ing as it was destitute of all respect for the persons
If the dead.
This search and robbery of prisoners sometimes
companed by the most cruel violence In the early pa
of the the demand for the surrender OF valuable art
ces was freely complied with, but after learning from
&C testimony of others the failure of the rebel authorities
make restoration OF the property which had been given
Of hoXJip upOY md