Washington sentinel., 1898-07-30
Treatment of Prisoners in War.

Nothing marks the progress Of civiliz
alton and humanity more than the treat
ment OF prisoners of war in modern
times, In ancient times the most lenient
disposition of enemies taken in battle
was to reduce them to slavery. During
the present war few prisoners have been
taken so far, and the lew who have been
exchanged speak in the highest terms
OF their humane treatment on both sides.
During the progress OF the war it is not
impossible that many prisoners, Ameri.
leans as well as Spaniards, may be taken,
ana hence prescriptions Of international
law aud the dictates OF humanity on the
subject are of much present interest.
Volumes Of international law could not
set forth better definition OF theprOper
conduct Dian enemy toward his prisoner
than IS furnished in an episode in the
lIte OF that fine old Virginia gentleman,
Thomas Jefferson. History tells us that
at the battle OF Saratoga, in October,
TIT, several thousand Hessians, under
command of Baron de Riedesel, were
captured In the cartel arranging the
terms OF surrender it was stipulated that
the German prisoners should be allowed
to return home on the condition that
they should not again bear arms against
the Confederation, But before the con-
vention could be carried into effect the
French raised an objection that these
German troops might be employed on
the continent in the war between Eng.
land and France. Congress yielded to
this plea, and the prisoners were sent
from Boston to Virginia, where they
remained in barracks near Charlottes.
vile almost until the close Of the war.
Thomas Jefferson expressed his indlg-
nation at this violation of the agreement.
In letter to Governor Patrick Henry,
March ~, 1879, regarding the treatment
OF these prisoners, Jefferson wrote:
But is an enemy so execrable that,
though in captivity, his wishes are to
be disregarded or even crossed2 think
not. 1t is for the benefit of mankind TO
mitigate the horrors OF war as much as
possible. The practice, therefore, OF
modern nations Of treating captive enc.
mics with politeness and generosity IS
not only delightful in contemplation,
but really interesting to all the world,
friends, foes and neutraIs." Jefferson
gives a pleasing account of the treatment
OF these prisoners, which is too long to
transcribe here. He says of the soldiers
that their barracks were delightful; the
ground was cleaned, laid off in hundreds
OF gardens, each enclosed in separate
paling, and exhibiting fine appearance.
General RiedeseI had laid out $500 in
garden seed for the German troops
alone. The officers rented houses and
lived in them quite comfortably. In
addition to the barracks built by the
public, the men built great numbers Of
houses for themselves, "and the whole
corps, officers and men, seem now
happy.and satisfied with their situation"
In this correspondence of Jefferson are
several letters to Baron de Riedesel.
his prisoner, which put in charming
light the amiable and humane traits of
the great statesman. One of the letters
sends the compliments OF Governor
Jefferson and Mrs. Jefferson to Baron
and Nine. de Reidesel on tthe occasion
OF visit of the latter to Berkeley
Springs. Prisoners Of war appear to
enjoy large liberty in Virgins IN those
days, in rather strong contrast with the
more recent memories of Libby prison
and Belle Isle The HesslaDs were
treated so well, in fact, that many of
them chose to remain and grow up with
the country.