The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-23
RpRET, PRTSON-pEN ATROCITIES.

The Charleston News and Courier, after
taking column ard half in which to reply
to the charge that some %, 900 Union prison
ers of war died in rebel prison-pens, largely
blandly asks the Indianapolis Journal to copy
it. So far as the News and Courier's argument
is concerned, the Journal would have no OBJ
lection to copying it, but it's length forbids.
The gist Of the reply is that statistics show
that larger per cent. died among the prison
ers taken by the Union troops than among
those subjected to the horrors of Libby and
And ersonville. Without questioning this, it
may be replied that a large per cent. of the
captures made by the Union forces were held
for exc hange, while it was often the case that
the confederates were soon compelled to re-
leas their captives on parole, being unable to
hold them, so that the total time would show
much in favor of the federal side. This we
believing it to be true The News and
Courier further shows to its own satisfaction
that the confederate authorities were more
willing to exchange prisoners; and that
propositions looking to exchange were fire.
Quently declined on the part Of the govern
ment. Very likely. In war, as in every thing
else, every advantage must be considered.
The government had reason to believe that it
was better not to exchange prisoners, for the
reason that the South stood in greater need
of men. This refusal, from any caus-, did
not justify the South in any of its atrocities.
And this brings the question to the one point
involv ed did the South, by its repre-
sentatives, perretrate cruelties upon Union
prisoners?' Evidence has not been wanting
in support of the affirmative Thousands of
men who survived the horrors of Ander-
sonville testify to sufferings and privations
unsurpassed since the days of barbarism.
They tell Of needless exposure to the elements,
to pelting storm and burning sun; to being
compelled to live in holes dug in the ground
by their own hands; to living in rags and
with no means provided for Kidding them
selves Of the vermin that beset them; of the
denial Of even pure water to Stake their burn
ing thirst; and of the imaginary dead line, "
across which many sufferer crawled in order
to invite kindlier fate than being obliged to
live under the awful conditions imposed
There are hundreds of men still living ready
to substan tate these facts. Thousands of
Union prisoners died there, and other
thousands found premature death from
the results of privations there endured.
These things are true, or tie men
who testify to them are liars. A match for
Andersonville cannot be found this side of the
Black Hole Of Calcutta No amount Of argu-
ment will wipe this stain from American his.
facts The best thing to be done is for the
South to forget as far as possible, that there
was such an infamy as Andersonville prison,
and such q monster as Captain Wirz The
Confederate authorities may not have been
fully advised of the enoymities practiced at
Andersonville and it is to be hoped that they
were not. But Andersonvile and its awful
record remain as much part of the history
of this Nation as does the firing on Sumter
or the battle at Gettysburg.
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