The National tribune., 1890-12-18
Read Better than Pension +" on page Z.
PRISONERS OF WAR.
Confederate Testimony an 20 How We Treated theI
Pris0ntrs.

Confederate Testimony IN 10 How We Treated their
Prisoners.
EDITOR NATIoEAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
Of the 4th INST. a comradc calls attention 10 a
case where one rebel, at least, acknowledged
hc had been treated well while a prisoner ia
the North. Let me give you two ms auces
where similar testimony was given by Con-
icderates.
The writer partook Of the much Wanted
Southern hospitality ~ for some months ia
Salisbury, n. G., 10y y. C. ] mean North Caro-
lima and not not c.Uiiacd although the terms
are, or al least 40 that tine were, synOnymous).
OEc day about sunlOwn a Confederate officer,
a Captain or Lieutenant, / have forgotten
which aud his Orderly came into the prison
Enclosure. After walking around the prison
ground they stopped near the dead house. A
little knot Of prisoners gathered around them
out OF curiosity; some Of the prisoners being
unable to walk, crawlod on their hands and
knees 10 the spot hoping 10 hear some news.
How the conversation opened / do not know,
but rs ] Joined The group the Confederate Off
Ger said this
/" have just returned from prison ia the
North, and while a prisoner there heard many
reports about the way our folks were treating
Northern soldiers in Southern prisons. ] could
not believe those reports were true. ] was
treated wei while a prisoner, aud decided AZ
soon as ! was released that would visit some
Of our Southern prisons and see for myself how
the prisoners were being treated"
AZ he said this Que poor fellow nothing bat
skin and boncs-crawlcd on his hands aud
knees little nearer 10 him aud, turning up q
face like a deaths head, said 10 the officer:
g We'll, what do you think Of usg"
For moment the Confederate officer could
not answer i could see the tears come into his
eyes, aud bis voice was chOlsed aud husky az
be answered, IN low tones, " i think you might
be treated a great deal better than You are u
Then turning 10 his Orderly, who carried AT his
side hayersack stuffed full, hc said 10 him
Empty your haVersack aud let il 20 as tar a,
il will" Aud the Orderly emptied out the
hayersack 10 the poor starving human beings
around him. What did the hayersack con,
tuinY Northern bareback!
The second instance 10 which referred oc
cured while some Of the prisoners were beiul
/ transferred from Salisbury prison TO Richmond
/ Va. lNa-Nlrginla, not Uampirc, although Rich
m0ud sucked the lile-bloOd out Of many OF tht
1 brayest, tondercst and noblest sous Of The
hOTth.l As the train stopped for wood and
+ water al point on the route a Confederate sol
+ dier boarded the freight car which was In
F.. On las arm be carried high pile Of fine sand
t witches, made OF nice white biscuit and chicken
and stepping carefully around among the livinl
wrecks Of humanity that lay on tie car floor
not ono Of whom could stand on their feet, b,
gave hahdMlcn abo pleasant smile and word
I 10 each. As he gave me the sandwich
! thanked him for il aud said was sorry could
not give him something ia return for so de
f licious treat but had nothing 10 give in re
/ turn Tor bis kindness but thanks. His answer
! 10 this was: 90 that's done been returned.
was Il prisoner up North with you'ns aud
/ you'ns used me well !" aud with that be passed
along The train TO the next Car dealing out hii
sandwiches, thus giving practical proof OF hii
4fraA. fls H.. III
+ ceiyed while prisoner Of war In the Northern
I prsons.-E W., Co. i, LIST Conn. Cav, Chicago
/ III.
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