Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-12-07

| prisoners In Confederate nands died
in southern prisons. The North had
unlimited means for medical aid, but
the South was badly in need Of med
icine and comforts. The Federal
government declared medicine a con-
traband of war, which is the only
government ever known TO have re.
sorted to such harsh means.
The Confederate government urged
an exchange of prisoners, which would
have relieved much suffering, but the
Federal government declined. Gen.
eral Grant asserted in 1854 that an
exchange of prisoners would defeat
his plan of attrition, depletinp Con-
federate ranks that when Confsd-
crate was captured his place could
not be replenished. whereas the North
could easily furnish two men for
every Federal soldier captured by
Confederates. Clearly the RESPONSE
bility rests with the North iu regard
to the long confinement OF prisoners.
Prison life is not pleasant under the
best conditions The South gave the
prisoners what the Confederate SOL
diers received. 1t was impossible to
do more.
Captain Wirz was hung in Wash
ington, 1865, the charge being that
he maltreated Federal prisoners at
Andersonville, Ga. He was offered
pardon if be would certify that JEFF
ferson Davis prompted cruelty to
prisoners; but he spurned the bribe to
defame the innocent man to save his
own life. A man possessed Of such
nobility of character could never be
guilty of inhuman treatment OF pris-
oners.
Capt. John 7. Bssll was captured
in December, 1864, while on raid
to release Confederate prisoners en-
route to Fort Warren. He was kept
in close confinement more than one
year, and when the Confederate cause
was nearing dissolution, General Dix
appointed Il drum.head court.mar-
tial to condemn Captain Beall to
death. James T. Brady, of New
York, counsel for defense, served his
client faithfully but drum.head
court-martials sit 10 condemn and
not to do justice.
Judge Daniel B. Lucas, Of Charles
town, W. Va, the late James L. Nc
Clure and Albert Richie, OF Bslti-
more, were all college-mates of Cap.
tain Beall, and they we're untiring in
their efforts to secure fair trial for
Captain Beall but it was of no avail.
Secretary Stewards edict had gone
forth that "Beall must hang" Mrs.
John l. Sittings and Mrs. Basil B.
Gordon, Of Baltimore, interceded in
behalf of the heroic Beall. Num-
bers of Congressman signed petition
for Bsall's pardon, but President Lin
coin turned deaf ear to all appeals
for clemency.
So the fatal day, February "a,
1855, came, and as Captain Besll
mounted the platform, General DiI's
order was read. denouncing Beall's
heroic effort to release Confederate
prisoners, which elected smile from
Captain Beall but when unjustly ac-
cused of being spy and guerrilla, he
shook his head in denial. General
Di1's homily on the proprieties Of
war also provoked a smile, because
General DiI's military achievements
were confined to burning William and
Mary College in Virginia, and admin
istering the oath Of allegiance to the
inmates of an insane asylum and
treating them with cruelty. Beall
well remembered the ashes and ruins
Of thousands Of homes in Virginia,
which marked the pathway Of Feder-
al invasion, and be also remembered
the brutal treatment inflicted by Fed
eral soldiers upon his mother and sis
ters. Captain Beall knew that Gen.
eral Dix's utterance wss in default Of
the penalty which he himself attached
TO the violation Of the laws Of civiliz-
ed warfare.
Rev. Joshua Van Dyke, Of New
York, visited Captain Beall the day
preceding his execution, and he said
II found Captain Beall in narrow,
gloomy cell, with lamp burning at
midday. bat be received me with as
much ease as if he were in bis own
psrlor. Captain Besll's conversation
revealed at every turn the scholar.
the gentleman and true Christian.
There was no bravado, no strained
heroism, no excitement in his words
or manner, but quiet trust in God