The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-11-12
EX-PRISONERS OF WAR.
Meeting of the Kansas ASSociatiOn-Speech by o.
McNary


Meeting of the Kansas Association-Speech by o.
II. McNary.
The Kansas Association of Union EX-Pris-
ones of War held its annual meeting at Topeka,
Kan, Oh Sept. So A resolution to attach the
Association to the National Association of
Union EX-Prisoners of War was adopted. An
able paper in defense of prisoners of war and
prisoners pensions was read by o. R. McNary,
Chairman of the Historical Committee, and its
publication requested by the Association. The
following officers were elected for the ensuing
year: President, DR.. H. W. Roby, of Topeka
V.-P., w. H. Ward, of Topeka Sec, o. K. Nc
Nary, of Leavenworth; Treas, C. B. Haslett,
of Frankfort Surg, DR.. +. w. Noblett of
Coffeyville; Chap, Rev. +. K. Stanton, of
Grenola We make the following extract from
Comrade McNarys address:
We have been amazed at the great number who
have no proper conception OF what it was to be a
prisoner of war the true history of prison life,
or rather prison death, who profess to believe
that prisoners were out of danger, and much less
exposed than their comrades at the front.
These men would like to have people believe
that prisoners had pleasant time,-in fact, that
rebel prison pen was desirable place for n soldier,
and was sought rs haven of and shelter from
the storm of battle. In answer to all such ask
their attention TO the comparative risk of life in the
field, even at the front, and in prison. as shown by
the statistics of mortality as given by the War
Department. These statements give the number
OF graves, near could be ascertained at each
on the rebel PRISONS but Is not accurate as 1t IS well
known TIM. our dead prisoners were buried IN
trenches into wh,c,. they were often thrown two
three deep, that there "ouio pe more imam
one body to each grave. If we tahS the rcpei
records and the evidence of our own prisoners, we
find that the average per cent of deaths III the diff
ferent prisons for some time before the prisoners
were released was Is per cent. per month, and
facts show that owing to accidents and the fatigue
and excitement OF removal, the rate of mortality
was increased rather than diminished for some
weeks after their release. Seventeen hundred were
fhAc Syflf
found IA watery grave at the bottom of the Mis-
sssippi. Many when captured We're simply marked
missing" on the rolls, and the War Department
has been unable to complete their history since in
gross numbers the statements of the War Depart
ment will show the following result, viz: Total
captures by the rebels, ISIS, 49, number actually
confined in rebel prisons 94072; number of deaths
in rebel prisons by the graves, &C. i0l per cent of
mortality in rebel prisons, 1870; per cent OF NOR
tally of entire rebel captures 1893
Add to this Is per cent. for the number who died
after they were released who never reached their
homes, and who cannot be counted by graves max
ing i'll round numbers As 63O and the total percent
age of deaths will be ST. per cent; add the total
percentage of entire rebel captures, $3.50 per cent.
While the risk of life in the field shown by the
War Department, is found to be as follows, viz:
Total number of men received into the service of
the United States during the war, 1886, 95l. Total
number of men killed in action on the field of bat
tie, 1851 per cent or 49, 46 cent less than
the percentage of deaths in rebel prisons; 81, pa
died from wounds received in action, making the
entire number killed in action, and who died from
wounds received in action, So 76l 3.75 per cent.
of the number received into the service, and AZ 50
per cent less than the percentage of deaths in rebel
prisons. If we add to the foregoing the number
who died from disease and unknown causes not
including prisoners of war; which the records show
to be max ing the total mortality of the army,
not including prisoners of war, 30O437 IL. SO per
cent still find the risk of life in the field taking
all the chances was 1872 per cent less than the
risk of life in rebel prisons.
Camp followers and coffee coolers" were sell
dom found where they could be captured-they
We're in the on the advance. and in the front
tI.a IL xa-ntt tn
those who were i'll the forefront of battle that it
was the forlorn hope, or the men whose bravery
carried them too far to the front, and stayed too
long, who were captured.
IL has become a part of history that while
prisoners were enduring sufferings and privations
which sooner or later must end i'll death to most of
them, the Confederate authorities made almost
daily and persistent efforts to induce prisoners
to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederate
Government, promising an inducemcnt, liberty,
food clothing, and good wages to them rs citizens.
Yet out of the entire number captured during the
war, but 6l enlisted men, and not one officer,
cepted their offer even to save their lives. We
should also consider the fact, that we had in our
ranks hundreds of substitutes whose patriotism and
loyalty were supposed to be valued in dollars and
cents, besides many foreigners who were not even
citizens when they enlisted, some of whom were
prisoners of before they had been six months in
the country. Then let those who will call us camp
followers, towards or skulkers In defense OF tine
memory of $1,000 comrades who lie buried in prison
graves, protest. Such ISLANDERS come with bad
grace from men who should know who and what
these men were. These loyal heroes, who could
have purchased their lives and their liberty with II
pledge of allegiance to the Confederate States,
stand forth monuments of surprising heroism
and genuine loyalty, worthy of admiration and
commentator in all coming time.
And now, i'll conclusion, that we may not be mis-
understood, we will say, that while we 10 not admit
that our Government was jusifiable in refusing 20
exchange prisoners OF war, yet the course pursued
was excuse and cannot be accepted as an apology
for the cruel and barbarous treatment of pris-
oners by the rebel authorities.