Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-02
Enll nr,enn thnnsanh mon.

Full fifteen thousand men,
The bravo, the good, the true,
As captiyes died N prison pen,
"rncy died tor me and yon
And snl mot truths indignant tongue
Declare who dill this grieyous Wrong'
On many bloody field
They stood gainst loaden hail;
And though at last constrained 10 ylcld,
Their spirits dii no. quail;
They slfely passed their battles through,
Aud yet" ,hey died Tor me and you.
They pincd for home. sweet home,
and for their daily bread;
Alas assistance did not come,
And now thcy are with tho dead
Zen hardened rcOcll felt their grlei'
And yet could furnish no relief
TIE rebel leaders burst
Not 10 Wha ice have done.
Though many hearts with anguish burst
At tales from "Anderson,'
For still tlcg let our brave mon share
Their own coarse food and scanty fare.
The sad tale must be told:
The brave, the true, he good,
While we were busy coming gold
They died for want OF food.
Those flttorn thousand boys in b'ue
As victims died for me and YOU
The rebels in their need,
Once, twice, and yet again,
Did all that they could DO 20 plead
For Justice To these men;
But deaf, alas. tho nations ear,
The people SERVANTS would not ner.
Even Darts felt their grief,
And sent his message forth,
BY prompt exchange 20 grant relief
10 prisoners south and North.
And why, alas WAS this not done?
There was no hart in Washington.
Tho rebels gave us leave
70 send down loyal men-'
Men good and true, who might receive
AID for that prison pen,
And tend tho suffering inmates there
Win u whole nations love ana care.
But no, these gallant mon
We're left to starye and die,
That northern banners might again
Mid southern breeZcs fly;
And bold rscru!ts might rush TO save
Their comrades froia prison grave.
A wise. sagaciOus novel
A strokc OF policy
SO called by those who know not love,
Or human sympathy.
But ahl those noble boys In blue
Their blood now rests On "me and YOU
Tho rebels. pinch cd ana pressed,
Offered 30 send them hOmer
Without erfhGHGe you know the rest,
For home they did not come!
Our ships could not be spared 70 save
Our soldiers from q southern gravel
Who did such grievous wrong,
In that sad. gloomy hour?
Men who were anxious 10 pr0long
Their influence and power,
VINO cares for fifteen thousand men
Ii we the helm Of State retain2
Bow down. my soul, In grief
Before the God OF Heaven;
We failed 10 grant our men rclief
That rebels would have given
And 50 those soldiers, good ana true,
Died OF neglect from "me and yOu.'
Too late We feel their woes,
Deludcd now no more;
But whitening blight shall rest on those
Who kept these men IL store
Ar capital - aid their schemes
And realizo ambitions dreams.
Adown times steepest path
Their names " III scOru shall so,
The objects Of IA nation wrath
Those ministers II woe
They killed the fifteen thousand men
Who perished ia that prison pen.
= IN January, 1864, the Confedsrates propose
allow tho ieleral authorities 10 send thel
yn surgeons 10 the South. II was proposed
80, thrt tueso surgeons should act as cOninls
.rles ana distribute whatever either the nlte
atcs Government or private beLeyolenc
.oulI furnish Oi course, The Confederate
0uld have desired "A similar opportunity fO
eir surgeons 10 minister 10 southern prisoner
the North. Tho United States authorities
Jwevor, never gave any reply 10 the proposi
On, though the war continued for more than
,ar after IL was made.
Z In August, 1864. when tho mortality Wa
creasng at AndersOugllle the Contc1erates Of
red u give up from ten TO fifteen thonsgn
en- Internationally, except thai the Jnite
ates Authorities were ~ send Tor thcm. Ate
delay OF three fearfli months, the most sickl
the year, they dii send and took away thrice