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34 Jf t. t i l K i i f'i ft i V M Photographs of Prisoners of War, Showing thair Condition whan thoy voachad the Union Linos. Tho following lottpr will explain the photographs prosontecl on tho first page of this issue of tftp National UhuiixiNB: $ West's Buimmxob Hospital,- JBaUivnore, HA?., Hfy , ilftf Dbati But : I have tho honor to enclose the pholygaph of John Breinig, with tho desired information written upon it. I am very sorry your committee could not lmvo scon those cages when first received. No one, from theso picturos, can form a true estimate of their condition then. Not one in ten was able to stand alono ; some of them so covered and eaten by vermin that thfly nearly rosomblod cases of small-pox, and so emaciated that they were raw ly living skeletons, aim hardly IMi, as the result forty out of one hundred and four having died up date. "U" fltnwk line lwwn fiiivf.liirwr an linrHhlo. sn firmdish io wiininenin Rtnrvn.Hnn. in fhis histnrv of tho sntointa re- want of suppliosto tlio fonrful oxtodient of starving Union botlion, I have failed to note it. Better the Massacres at prisoners of war, the course of ojr Government upon tho THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. . - . - fM, tr T. - - fruits of a system of human slavery which trained its dov- during oaptivity, efforts wero naturally made by our men otaos to acts or cruolty at whih tho civilized world uow ' to conceal t.hoir valuables, before or after ca)turo. The sUvnds aghast. It is domanded'as a wnming against tho j detection in those attompts was constantly followed by unholy ambition which pausosnt tho perpetration of no punishment of a cruel, and sometimes of a revolting char orimo that BOrvea to give it jowor and success; which i aotor. Somo of tho most aggravated cases of boating aud breaks down the roason of mai and shrouds in darkness i othor personal violence wore inflicted solely on account of tho humanity of our nature, wlilo it turns its bloody and this detection. Tho officers at Richmond, as shown by unsparing hand to the dcRtrmJion of country and man-, the testimony, became, by practice, specially export in kind. This rorord should livoSn tho archives of the na-1 searching and robbing prisoners, and doteeting concoal- tion as a Warning to future gororaticms, teaching them to mont. During the year 1804 a system of ro-soarcliing was avoid tlio lorn 010 consequence wiuon nave arisen iroin in vogue in an uie prisons, so unit our tho cherished institutions of slivery, culminating crime of rebellion and an abromtion ot tlio officers and men ifcod warfare. Such a losson mtst, in the vor things, tench postority to avoid i repetition of and placo it constantly on its guard to prevent a recur rence of tho rebellion. i nuiu la jwr uuuiiuui iuiwui "", w"o . w.g,ti.uv4 . . i i . in tho i wero compelled to run tho gauntlet, aud submit to ino m- ruies ot civil- i dignity oi a new scarcn at oacn transier irom prison 10 y naturo of prison. Theso outrages, so clearly m direct violation of those causes the laws of war, and in turpitude and crime so nearly akin to tho robbery of the dead, necessarily increased the helpless condition of our soldiers, depriving them of the means of procuring the necessaries and comforts which . , 1 -S 1. 1L ... .i..v..,1 ...vMkk 4.4 "1 .M1k.. i-Ks I'nriiiKh rtl.sxt.1.1 ...:..1.J. ntrtitnfinn linifn lirkn r -t n tt- o ll n m rl ln1 rlfllM 11 T t hnttl to this pass into the official history of the nation. The rebels and . a moro easy and facile prey to the disease and death which their sympathizers have infused into the public mind tho ; spread thoir sable pall ovor tho prison houses of tho South. nC don that, whilo thev wore driven, bv destitution and tuo iNor was tno lmmcdiaie cruelty muicien urns unny upon Lawrence. Fort Pillow, and Plymouth than to be thus starved to death by inches, through long and weary months. I wish I had possessed the power to compel all tho north urn svmnathizers with this rebellion to come in and look nnon the work of tho chivalrous sons of the sunny south when theso skeletons wore first A rebel colonel, a prisoner hero, who stood looking on as they were received, finally shook his head and walked away, apparently ashamed that ho had held any relations to men who could bo guilty of such deeds. Very respectfully, your obediont sorvant, A. CHAPEL. Hqn. B. P. Wade, Chairman of Committee on the Conduct of the Smote U. S. the Union soldier confined to robbery and personal vio lence Instant and long marches, short rations, scarcity question of oxc ango was a willftl neglect of tho prison- j of water, and transportation fit only for beasts dostinod ers in their hands and a wanton disregard of the strongest for tho shambles, wore tho common incidents of his early diotatosof duty and humanity toward the unfortunate vie-1 captivity. The facts disclose a cool and malicious disre- tims of rebel barbarity. i gard ot the condition aim comiort ot tne prisoners uikbu hospital and Your committee are enabled, from tho testimony oi the ' m battle, and an evident intention on tne pare oi tno uou- recoived hero, witnesses oxauiinod, the cotemporanoous history ol the federate authorities to lose no tnno in tno attompc to uiuuk with ?nd fnnn time, the official documents in tfo War Department, and them down in body and in spirit, and render them unfit ucu WOUUUUU III U1U f.lift nantiivncl rnnftrds nf tho Into lehnl confedoracv. to nro- for future service to their country. sent a full, complete, and convincing refutation of these arm or body wore forced to make long marches, guarded excuses and charges. This asseition is made in the light by cavalry, and when unable longer to keep pace with the of the recorded ovidenco to bo found in the subsequent column, were boatou and cut with the sabies of their guard pages ; and your committee may well congratulate tho in order to force them forward untii they fell by the road- House and the country that justice, though tardy, is sure, side dead, wnere tney wore ieit uuouricu. 1 nbuuias Extracts from the Kenort on the Treatment of Prisoners of War by the Rebel Authorities. lirrtr, and that the loyal administration of Abraham Lincoln, transported on railroads through the bouth wero almost and the army and navy of the United States, are wholly invariably packed into close box cars, tho sick and well, , and entirely exculpated from any responsibility for theso the wounded and unwouuded, from sixty to eighty hucl- rrvnni cmffhvinrre ittul f.riiiips. wliili Mm ftvidonco iiointswith dlfld lorrfit.hor in each car. TllCSO cai'8 WOl'C often used for . ,1 i , . i -ii x.t. ...-i -15 j ' ii.. -" ii i ..ir.:..v. :..,..,,:;i,r ,irin sHli iinerrmGr linger to uie mguest as wen as cue suuuruiuuiu tnis purpose wiiuuut uwiiuaui, iiiiiuuvintbuijr n..i. ww.. officers of the confederacy as the great criminals, guilty of had been taken out of them, and the excrement ol tho atrocities for which Wirz suiiercd on tho gibbet, and ior beast was the oea ot tne men. Insufficient guards were ., vi :i. . .. . ..:.,,:. o, ,.c ..f!nn oJ tmh Tho following are extracts from the Report of the ; SETta",. ir .d rSrSSSTft io Committee of the House of Representatives of the i voices of history Third Session of the Foitieth Congress, appointed to investigate the treatment of prisoners of war by xhe rebel authorities, and also extracts irom the Testimony taken by the said Committee : TREATMENT OP PIUSONERS AT TEM.IS OF CAPTURE. In striking" contrast with the uniform kindness of Union 1 soldiers toward their captives takeii in battle, was the treat- , the ingenuity provided on such occasions, aud tlio cars consequently kept closely shut, sometimes for several days in succes ! siou, the men not being allowed to leave them for any pur pose. Such was the bitter and terrible preparation of the ! devoted soldier of the Union for his entrance into the char nel houses of Richmond and Andersonville. Tho testimony shows the mode of search adopted, and e ingenuity with which concealments were made. The OBJECT AND rUItPOSJEC OP THIS INVESTIGATION. mont exneriencod by our officer? and men immediately upon falling into the hands of the enemy. The harsh and brutal conduct of the rebels toward their unfortunate pris- , oners furnishes a constant and leading theme for the de Impressed with the magnitude and importance of this nunciation of tho survivors. It commenced, usually, hy work, the committee have endeavored to so perform it as ' nnmanlv mam and taunts iinworthr the character of a sol- . . -- w m a rti! "i l " ."11 ! - .i-T. -.. . . . m. X.I. -. a.. a"l -t i lin n to give to the House and the country a laitnriu anu true dior, and undeserved by the heroic men wno naci oeen com- nair, wnisiters, moiiui, eurs, nusu, vi- uuicr iui ui uiu pus- led to yield to the fortunes ot war. mis was lonoweu oner s person. . doieccion was usuuuy iouowcu uy &ovuio . - - T i ( V 1 r i - . -. - ...& - t . j . "1 . . ( . 1 1. CI l.- i. 11. 12... M .T ...hKah ,n J ri r-. the national soldiers and loyal citizens at tne hands 01 tne . by a risrid and lmmiliatine: search ot ciotnmg ana person, pumsnment. oomeumes, n, uiu umu ui uauhuic, n uu prisoners wore stripped entirely naicea ana meir ciocncs examined, sometimes by cutting and ripping such portions as wero supposed to contain secreted money and other val uables. This was followed by an exploration of the per son, every part of which was closely examined for articles of value. These were sometimes found secreted in the official history of the wrongs and sufferings endured by ; polled IliVl SUKllUItt IUIU lKJf ill VUljliUIlO till lUtU U.11H.IS J1 tllW ' l)y a rigid au,a llUlIllliaUUg btiiliUU VJt WUtUUlU H"U 1"" pumoumvui. uuinv,ramw, u "" """ v v.xw....few, .. te authorities. During and since the war inves- ' sometimes taking place on the field of battle, sometimes mand was made by the prisoners for the return of tli have been ordered with reference to individual postponed until the arrival of the captive at the first prison money, but this was generally met with denunciation, a Confederate titrations " -. . l , w cases ot cmelty ana responsibility, out tne committee un derstood that the House, in ordering this investigation, in tended that the whole subject should he carefully can vassed and a complete history collected while the facts were fresh in the memory of living men. And here it may bo proper to pause to consider and answer the in quiry which has sometimes been raised as to tho necessity and utility of this investigation. Why should it have been and what reasons are there tor prosecutmg these their and oftentimes with violence. This deliberate and systematic robbery of defenseless-men "was pursued, at Richmond, within sight and hearing of the higher rebel ofBcial&,vuid not far from the residence of Jeff. Davis. Sounds of rev elry and carousal at that seat of treason could be heard by these -wronged, robbed, and outraged prisoners, as they ''. -.- ..-' ii these military robbers. lay on the bare lloors ot the buildings wnere tney weie con- r fined, doprived uy then luuuman captors 01 iuu u.uwu uC- X...y, -.J, ,1 . station. This search was renewed as otten as tne caprice 1 or cupidity of tho offioer mighfiictate. Such searches I I were but tho admonition of robbery. Surplus clothing, oftentimes necessary clothing, watches, money, everything of value, was seized and appropriated by the captors, and even the keepsakes of the soldiers were unrespected by Pictures of wife and children, father or mother, brother or sister, of no value to the stranger, but inexpressibly doprived by cessaries of life. inquiries? What is to be gained by spreading before this dear to him who was to linger for months in hopeless con- Tho transportation of prisoners in the crowded and sut- eountry aud the world a picture so terrible and an expe- fhiement, were wantonly torn irom tneir possession ana located condition wuieii wo xiavu uushh-iuuu, .i rience so sickening and loathsome in its details, mingled ! made the subject of ribald jest and ridicule. suit of any necessity. It was caused by no forced retreat with so much crime and atrocity on the part of the respon-' from a battle-field or any emergency of a similar character sible authors ? Well-organized governments regulate and settle the re- but was the usual mode of transit of prisoners to and from In the opinion of your committee, a neglect to place in , lations and difficulties between the citizens of their respect- ( stockades in the heart of the confederacy. So horrible was official form aud under official sanction a record of the ive jurisdictions by public authority and will not use pub- the sufferings endured in theso journeys that every possi Southern captivity of Union soldiers and citizens during lie power to wrong or rob individuals. All public property ble effort was made by the prisoners to escape from the the late war could not fail to occasion misconstruction and or contraband of war, found in possession of prisoners, cars while in motion, and many cases are noticed where, misapprehension in all time to come. The transient and should be seized bv the captors on behalf of their govern- iu the night, they succeeded in forcing open the door, or somewhat fugitive histories, based on the personal expe-, mont, but that which belongs to them, such as clothing in cutting holes through the side of the car, aud by that wnunoe nnri niisM-vnHnna nf t.lif. n n f-.li nrs. whi nil lm.vR an- wi mnnou own if tnknn t.n nffivont its imnroner use. mfrm.s afctemntiufr to escaoe, preferring: to risk their lives .4 1V41VWU lr4Vft VJ M-JW iw-. V- v.w -... .--.j 1 - - w . . .w m-.- fLAV. iiiVV.1 v- ww " .,- t ......-..- - j-j- j, , M J1-' should be returned again in good faith. The United States Army Regulations of 1861, pages 107 and 108, provide as follows : peared from time to time, though truthful in character and interesting in narrative, can hardly be trusted to con vey to future generations in living and permanent form the horrors of Southern prison life, though to the readers of the present day, to whom they are accessible, they iur in this forlorn hoiift Hither than endure the tortures oi 1 travel. For many interesting recitals of these attempts, their failure or success, the reader is referred to the testi- timonv of the witnesses. An instance of wanton cruelty occurred on the occasion oi a squad oL prisoners leaving arly on a winter's morning, who, altera night "745. Prisoners of war will bo disarmed and sent to the X Ui.4Vs WlWOUitV AV VW MiiUU WVI tVkV VtWVWl.J.awV WWf ,. - - , 1 i I t 1 Jl .. nisli n. Rtnrtfino- teilo nf IiiHiovfcn unknown suflbrimr and rear, and reported as soon as pi actieiiuie to wio uc.iuquui- , Richmond, early on a winter's morniug. i. ..j ,. t.. :. .11 u , -:.,., i ui.Avn ' fore Thr vftt.nrn of the -nrisoners from the hoadtluartOl'S ..u, ,wi ,.o; TOovn nrmmnllpl fn mnvnli ihroiifh the these detached though numerous works are destined to , of the army to the War Department, will specity the mini- miu(l0 0f the streets, many of them barefooted, their feet live in the great future, or insure tor themselves an ex- oer, touk, aiiuwijis. ( bleeding Irom wounas occasioned uy tno rouguuess ui wiw 746 The private property of prisoners will be duly ' ad nnrinr iiict-.nnnn i rftniir.nr.ion nnn nvisrAnfiP.. i nniv vrrv bWtlVt'Vli A-AAKJUWA . V . v WJV .K. ..-v. .'w. - vj number mav hereafter servo to confuse the general reader, respected, and each shall be treated wim tne ieg.ua uue unnrnhinrr for omo nnmnrP.hensive jiisturv of this Irent to his rank. They are to obey the necessaiy orders given I t era, and finally bauish most of them from 'the libraries of thorn. They receive for subsistence one ration each with- ' tho people, when the personal suffering or individual he- out regard to ranK, aim tue wuuuuuu U1W w u wvauuu , :. ti.:Ai, .,,.. ih.Ai,n... u:,. ,.,4. ,,,, ,.io,.u t.im wimH eftve as the wounded of the army. Uther allow- Wit.li nn honorable foe tho rules of civilized warfare oh- tiin. and when nn enemy falls into his power, by capture or surrender, ho seeks to alleviate his sufferings to tho ex tent of his ability, lie becomes ior tno time ms muuu ami mf(.rti. no won as his cantor. IJut such was not mm iiiifiii -:-. II till n (- i.iii-iii i.iiitii iiiii-ii.rii i 1 I iiiiiiiiii.i i iiv w- " ---w. .- - .. ... v. i it II r-;i ,i 11 . il w j m iij - -v1 u-r - tw- tt-r - m shall have faded from the memory of friends. Yet, in a ances to them will depend on conventions with the en- usual practice of the officers aud soldiers composing tho national and historical sense, tho subject of rebel impris- emy.J' j robol army; and here we have iu this particular, asm many onment. its fearful conseouences to its victims, the causes J&any iu iuwu- w uuuuijr uu?i v v x j 0ulQYSl ft strilcmg contrast ooiween tuo couuuuu ui p i o i r 1 1 A -.'.. 1 .-.A-.r.nn.j-I 1 - l -" ' i a. 1 .1 . ilflll. , -,.i.;i. jf lwwi u i.irr?i ri..,oiin. n,ri 44 o i.rto vn n- ot ma cinff a list oirne properw tsoi.eu, uiuiBBiioiuy iui , .!,, f,llvOB f, lfttn Wfir. As a writer has saiu: -iue " .1 i!!nrr?r?.VTvr!!, ifi.-.'ij . I ,i -i l-oCa lroitir nnA rnnvntinn. hnt instances Where anv Was f..i.?...i ..r..:on,.o r -o. Jc o aifrniiion.nh tnst. nf nivili- otbiu jw1...0 . , - v UUUtlllUlll' Ul IJllOUiiV-ia vi licii tu t u.fe.i..v....- --- Otunied are extremely rare, ihvon in tne low cases wnere at:on n ,mv people or nation. It is the one amenity that and influence on the civilization 6f the age, demand an enduring record, truthful and authentic, and stamped with the national authority. Your committee feel assured that a perusal of the donee and conclusions, which are now submitted suit of their labors, will fully justify tho ground returned are oxtrenioiy rare, juvuu m uuo iuv waw wnmu . 0f:rt , ,IT1V nnon e or nation. T " w . a . . . lyjILULVyia. AAA T f-- - -. -- v money was restored, confederate scrip, nearly worthless, , rcaressos a thousand violences engendered by belligerent is the one cruolty that casts an others into In proportion as wojind a tnuo or oom- ,t nrUmnr-nri m hnmn.n TirnoToss. wo are Dionaruu IU bt.ited, while it will vindicate the motives which orig- officers of rebel prisons, but their recommendations tpr a ' oxpecfc a sympathy for the weak or defenceless, and it is inated the investigation. They feel confident that such , change in its practice seem to have been entirely disre- ( onl in barbarous or savage life that wo look for the tor rtmiiRn.1 will nmifimi f.im inRfinn nwoli n f.im imnnrtminA i ffardcd. It seems tliataftor the second year of the war, 1 1 ftf lin,lrmGCi men. or tho abuse of non-combatants. of preserving in official form themarratives of our suffer- ' even this formality was almost or entirely abandoned, and j Honco it is difficuit to realize that a distinct and largo por ovi- was substituted dollar lor donar ior tuo money oi wnien roations 0r it j .1.1' .,! 1 a n-t unltltnl 1 TIT1 II 1111 Iflllllil TIl'lF Tllli; ( - -m as a re- te soauor uuu uwu ivuuw. o n """". W1W,V "u,a the background. i.,. nrjifitifift met tne severe luniiauvui&wu. ui niu ui;uuuuk ,v.,j . -. ... m .. . - -. : .- -. A-.,i m .nn tior Miiir imitiini Jti itiiTiiir uiiiMimy iuiii nuiir . . . . t. ..i i.i.j iv Aim Mnn iiia nnrn lug soldiers and lellow-oitizens who were the victims of prisoumi wi utujw" ...,j, M- wfo, tion 0r tho American poopio snoum uu uu.utju.iuiu ni Southern captivity, and the evidence of tho barbarous in- and valuahles, but were often deprived oi coats, shoes, and guch ononnifcios of prison maltreatment as have become iluenceB which led to the infliction of these indescribable bats, and in many cases stripped of everything but shirt mattors 0f frt0t in history during four years of civil strife.' horrors. They feel assured that the reader will be im pressed with the conviction that these facts should live in history as the inevitable results of slavery, treason, and rebellion, and as an example to which the eyes of future tronerations may revert with shame and detestation. That V w. .. aud drawers, until at last the rebel captor came to regard , his Union victim as one who, oven as a prisoner 01 war, had no rights which a rebel was bound to respect. Tbo testimony will be found replete with instances of tho ac funi trntih of this assertion, evincinjr a spirit of fiendish 1J .I.. n' nil an rvm w " -lt mil riirilTU III I 1111 MTk J T . X. I . n.-v- Al 1TW1 l11ll nill'lllir I. Ill lxiafnr ni'nonniar in AU!nl rt,.m to run frt 41in mvr.cn ftlHIO IV BUUlll Ol illl U&l lUUtllll 1W u 4&mvo ut utvi i. i OIlLOniltT. IUO HUUb Wi WUlVll vi.ii..fc, vw r i.tit ,i r i 'r- ' ...i . ,i i,i:... ?mr n ii wfiK dostitiito of all rasucct for the persons of i 1 Riu was nnnoentratod the cnoatost ! of thfi rnnuhlin wlmsn livo wm snnrinnfl in Hii nniiMn of tllO dead. i tllO records ol ClVlllZOd wai'lai'O C.U1 piCSOllt libortv. and wlmsft ilvnHnn nlioniri lm ri,oriiinfi in ii, . This search and robboiy of prisoners wjis sometimes ac-, which, supplanting all others in our langus i,,.r . nn o .. ,.,wi,..v.. M o e 4i, i.: Aomnanied bv the most cruol violence, in tho early part into a svnonvm of the cruolty and atrocity w - w- v ww v v m , - -. fav w i r . -- T.i"l 1 i? alric couragetwhich elevates man above the common level of the war the demand for tho surrender oi valuable arti of his race7 and enables him to undergo tho untold hor- clos was freely complied with, but ! rorb of torture, starvation, and death, in vindication of , testimony of others the failure of the rebel authoiit es to , principle and in tho defense of his country. Its proser-1 ike restoration of the property which had been given up, vation is demanded as a condemnation of the appalling I and learning the importance of having money and clothing ANDBltSONVILIiE, Oil CA3IP SUMTER, 8USITBR COUNTY, GEORGIA. It seems fitting and proper that in tho special descrip tion of rebel prisons, upon which this report is about tern mo year oi amount ot sufloring , and tho name igo, has passed ol man, should first demand our attention. Andersonville was a repre sentative prison. Tho mournful interest which now con tors hi its history, and which must in the future attond tho recital of its accumulated horrors, has impelled your committee to bestow upon its origin and progress, its Ni