The National tribune., 1883-09-27
Miss Van Lew and Young Ross.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
was much surprised by the statements in
an article on Miss Van Lew from the Wash
ington correspondent of the New York ITfb
,sae) in your issue of August Och. / was myself
an inmate of Libby Prison for ten months
1s634l and hence / know, of my own knowl-
edge, of the risks run and the dangers faced by
Miss Van Lew in assisting prisoners to escape
from Libby and in her efforts TO make known
to us her boundless sympathy for those yet in
durance vile, and ! but echo the profound,
heartfelt wish of every prisoner who suffered
confinement there when say, God bless the
brave lady through time and eternity"
But that Miss Van Lew got young Ross ap-
pointed to an Office in Libby Prison do not
believe. Ross was insuitingly, Indignantly
bitter towards prisoners at all times and
under all circumstances, enat- Drained pomp-
Gus, and the ready tool of his brutal superiors.
It will be within the limits of the truth to
assert that three -fourhs OF all the officers who
came in contact with Ross, while prisoners,
utterly despised him, and 1t must be admitted
that men deprived of all that makes life en-
durable soon become adopts in distinguishing
friend from foe. And, furthermore, Ross never
aided Captain Lownsherry to escape from
Libby. The captain did not escape at ALL but
was specially exchanged, and went by fiag-of-
truce boat to New York. The gallant captain
was warm personal friend and prison chum OF
mine. and | know whereof speak. Therefore,
Itllnk, it is safe to conclude that the Union
proclivities of Ross were ali myth.
ADAM DIXON,
BELLEvLLE, KAN. Co. b, l0lth N. Y. V. I.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
| have seen in many papers, lately, sensa-
tiona articles stating how young Ross, who
used to call the roll of Union prisonersa at Libby
prison, aided with Others the escape of Union
prisoners Now, Mr. Editor, as prisoner oi
war in Libby under young Ross and Captain
Wirz | never witnessed or heard anything
that approached the word sympathy" on the
part OF Ross. In word, look or action he was
mpudent overbearing and autocratie, and i
any officer, who was unfortunate enough tt
come in contact with him as prisoner of war
can mention one single kind act / shall bt
pleased to hear from him through your valu
| able paper and stand corrected. ] was in
| formed that Ross WAS q native of New York
| and that his father owned the property o
| Libby prison before and during the war In
recent visit to Pittsburg, Pa, met Colonel w
j. Foulke, o. S. A. Major John Hancock ani
| Colonel John Stewart, prominent residents o
said city, who were fellow prisoners with m,
| in Libby It was the first time I had me
| them in twenty lone years. Major Hancock
| informed me that he was on duty in Richmont
/ soon after Lees surrender, and at the bnrnin;
| of the Ballard Hotel, saw young Ross perish
| in the flames. Colonel Stewart informed M
that the infamous Peacock, "a deserter from
Hawkins New York Zouaves,--whom ever,
inmate of the noted Libby will remember witt
disgust. also perished at the same time as Ross
There is no doubt of his fate. Not wishing t
reach beneath the green covering of the grav
to tear laurel from the brow of any de
serving man that ever aided a poor prisoner,
desire to know the truth as to this affair.
VIM. w. BUSH,
! LocKPoRT, N. 7. Late Capt, 2sth N. Y.