Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-07-31

tom He makes four gener-
al charges abusive 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
1t is matter of official record that it
was practically impossible for an officer
to go through the camp without being
insulted. 1t 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 epithets for which, if
spoken under other circumstances.
they would have been Immediately
chastised.
After taking each charge made by
Gold Cheer" and completely answer
ing it, Mr.. Winship says:
Thus much for the work of fiction as
illuminated in the Century. Now, a
Tord as to the facts. Gen. Henry B.
arlington, of the regular army, q
graduate of Yale, q scholarly gentle
man, a 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
frst-class condition, for it was con-
stantly visited by the dignitaries.
Gen. Alvin P. Hoyey, in an official
report, Sept. 4, 1861, says: II re-
peatedly, with pride, conducted visit
ors to Camp Morton to show the
military discipline and the order and
neatness that prevailed throughout the
barracks and prison." It was scrupu-
lousy neat and in every way comfort
able for army life, but it may seem
very cruel and non-msthetic and INSULT
Gent to the gentleman in his spacious
Madison avenue apartments. Why, it
seems cruel to some of the Union SOL
diers to think of having but Sl3 q
month for self and home.
General Darlington, in detailed Of
fetal report of July 2, 1886, says: In
1864, when daily visits to every camp
We're necessary, this duty was OF the
most exacting kind. More than l1,OOO
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 at an unusual influx OF
Prisoners after the fall of Donelson,
The men were in terrible condition
broken down physically, ragged, un-
Clearly, pale, hungry, even emaclated
The death rate following their arrival
was large, due partly to previous star
Vation. The attention given to theli
comfort and health by the officers and
troops was as great rs it could have
been for the boys in blue. Hosplta
tents were pitched, and, as by magic
plastered buildings were erected fol
them.
There was never day, even under
the greatest pressure, that the fooc
was not wholesome and of full guam
tlty. I we'll remember the attention
'a Col. Morgan and his party
They requested to be by themselves
and We're given tents with flies, and
at their request, oyster stew was fur
nlshed for supper upon the evening o
their arrival. The prisoners alwayy
mad as good food as our troops, slight.
lighter in quantity because they dil
no duty.
] was at Camp Morton a few month
since. 1t is fair ground once more
beautiful horses are stabbed there
Each has corn for which he does no
pay Is cents an ear; each has on
blanket and straw upon which to he
There are no end "barn doors" to III
oa:racA; there is no draught, AM