Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-07-16

ton" He makes four gener-
al charge treatment, cruel
ty. starvation and freezing to death.
He bases the charge of abusive
treatment upon the fact that
prisoners were sometimes struck
because they would not cease talk
ing when an officer was passing.
It is matter of official record that it
was practically impossible FOR an officer
to go through the camp without being
insulted. It was infinitely more diff
cult to discipline the prison in this
regard than it was orr own camp. The
prisoners would stroll near the sentry
and mutter epitnets for which, if
spoken under other circumstances.
they would have been Immediately
chastised.
After taking each charge made by,
"Cold Cheer" and completely answer:
ing it, Mr. Winship says:
Thus much for the work of fiction as
illuminated in the Century. Now, a
word as to the facts. Gen. Henry B.
Darlington, of the regular army, a
graduate of Yale, q scholarly gentle,
man, thorough business man, was in
command of the Department of Indi
ana, and devoted himself faithfully
and conscientiously to making Camp
Morton model prison camp, and his
pride in his charge, if nothing else,
would have prompted him to keep it in
first-class condition, for it was con-
stantly visited by the dignitaries.
Gen. ALVIN P. Hovey, in an official
report, Sept. 4, 1861, says: Il re-
peatedly, with pride, conducted visit
ors to Camp Morton to show the
military discipline aud the order and
neatness that prevailed throughout the
barracks and prison." 1t was scrupu-
lously neat and in every way comfort
able for army life, but it may seem
very cruel and non-nsthetic and INSULT
cient to the gentleman in his spacious
Madison avenue apartments. Why, 1t
seems cruel to some of the Union sol
diers to think of having but $l3
month for self and home.
General Darlington, in detailed of
fetal report of July 2, 1886, says: In
were necessary. this duty was of the
most exacting kind. More than II, 600
men were in camp at ore time. They
had to be fed and mainly clothed"
From copies of his official correspond
ence at the time, it appears the bar
racks used by prisoners were first used
by our own troops. When the prison
ers arrived these barracks were given
to the prisoners, and the Union soldiers
occupied tents and temporary sheds.
The barracks occupied by the prison
ers-"barn doors" and all-were every
way the same as those occupied by the
Union soldiers.
The only instance in which there
was any uncleanlineSs or raggedness
was at the time af an unusual influx of
prisoners after the fall Of Donelson,
The men were in terrible condition
broken down physically, ragged, I'M
clearly, pale, hungry, even emaciated.
The death rate following their arrival
was large, due partly to previous star
walton. The attention given to their
comfort and health by the officers and
troops was as great as it could have
been for the boys in blue. Hospital
tents were pitched, and, as by magic,
plastered buildings were erected for
them.
There was never day, even under
the greatest pressure, that the food
was not wholesome and of full guam
tity. l well remember the attention
shown Col Morgan and his party.
They requisite to be by themselves,
and were given tents with flies, and
at their request, oyster stew was fur
nished for supper upon the evening of
their arrival. The prisoners ALWAYS
had as good food as our troops, slightly
lighter in quantity because they did
no duty.
was at Camp Morton few months
since. 1t is fair ground once more
Beautiful horses are stabbed there
Each has corn for which he does not
pay Is cents an ear; each has one
blanket and straw upon which to lie
There are no end barn doors" to his
T. L