Local Intellingence.
Waikato Irregulars. —On Thursday the Waikato Forest Rangers and Militia, who had volunteered for service in this district, lauded from the Highlander, being, brought up to the wharf in the PrinceAlfred, and marching up tho river bank,, pitched their tents about half-a-mile above; the town. Those men are active, strong,, and lithe fellows, likely to do good work if called upon, as we hope they may be. The Highlander brought 112, the Forest Rangers being commanded by Major Von Tempsky, and the Militia by Cape. George. Tho subalterns are Lieut. Westrupp, and Ensign Whitfield, Forest Rangers ; and Lieot. Malone and Ensign Erwin, Waikato Militia.
Nearly Caught. Yesterday morning Majors Von Tempsky, Rookes, and Nixon, went out fo Waitoiara to see the country and, as they were returning, were suddenlycome upon by an armed Maori on horseback, who drew up at 30 yards distance from them and turning his horse galloped off towards the Waitotara. The gentlemen were armed only with revolvers, and one of them proposed to follow the Maori and prevent him from being mischievous, but the others thought it more discreet co pursue their way back as quickly as possible. On their arrival between the Kai lwi and Okehu the tide was well in, and when they got near the Kai lwi their horses refused to take the water, on which they dismounted, and wading along among bouders, led their horses, terrified by the fall of the waves. When past the Kai lwi stream, they saw several Maoris on the heights above, who began firing, being only about 100 yards distant, and one of them advanced to within 70 yards. Eleven shots were fired, fortunately without offset, although one bullet grazed the mane of Major Nixon’s horse.. Had the Maoris been good shots they could very easily have knocked over the three Majors who were at a disadvantage both from the nature of the ground, _ and the short range of their firearms. Major Rookes had his ancle sprained in passing among the boulders and hie other leg twisted, and at one time a Maori was within a very short distance of him, when he fired two shots out of liis revolver and forced him under cover. Owing to the accident to Major Rookes he could not mount his horse again, and was in considerable peril until relieved by Major Von Tempsky, who, _ along with Major Nixon, came to his assistance. We understand that these gentlemen were within two miles of the Nukumaru pa, when the first native encountered them.
Hunt. —Yesterday there was a large assemblage of the beauty and fashion of the district at Alexander’s farm to witness a hunt to come off in that neighbourhood, the credit of suggesting and in a great measure arranging for which, is due, we understand,, to Lieut. Greene. The meet was at oneo’clock:, and after the company had partaken of some refreshments, the huntsmen mustered, to the number of nearly forty and broke off about half past one, Mr. Dawson of the 18tli leading as huntsman, whose riding, by the bye, showed that he must have won a few brushes in the home country. The first and second fences wore taken in very good style, considering the number of riders and that they were stiffisli jumps. At the third leap, which was over a bank with a double ditch, Capt. Cameron came to grief, and the field thinned visibly. The fourth fence was taken in good style, Mr. Calvert leading. At the fifth jump Ce.pt. Cameron had a very severe fall, Mr. Owen and Mr. Ewcn Campbell corning on the top of him ; and Mr. Green lost his chance of being in at the death by kindly going back for water fiu the gallant Captain. Now Mr. Calvert and Mr. James Day had the field all to themselves, and after clearing the high fence between Mr. Alexander’s and Mr. Handley’s, where Mr. Calvert had the misfortune to lea\e one of his stirrup irons behind, these two huntsmen pulled up.aivl walked quietly over Sir. Handley’s paddock. At the sheep pens Mr. Day came to grief, his horse stopping suddenly, and its rider going over the fence head foremost. Tho horse was ; and Mr Dawson came to the front. The next fence—a rasper—between Handley’s and Hicks’. The last named gentleman went at first, but liis horse jumped into the near ditch instead of taking the leap. Mr. Day was close behind, and could not get his horse over at first, but did not delay long, and Mr. Calvert —minus his s tirrup iron—took the fence in gallant style. The run was then left to Messrs. Calvert and Day ; and the collection of ladies and gentlemen who had stood to witness the last leap moved on to tho cross-roads, where the two leaps—first into tho lane and then out of it—were well taken. Thu next jump was over the fcnco leading to Mr. Hicks’s house, which was taken in good style. The scent then led up a lane with a hurdle 4Jr feet high across it, where Mr. Calvert’s horse fell, but was recovered so fast that many spectators did not observe the mishap—and the remaining 100 yards to the cabbage tree, in which a bottle of champagne was placed, were run nearly neck and neck, Mr. Day, however, having the bust of it, and gaining the champagne. The company then enjoyed an excellent lunch at Maxwell’s, and the proceedings were agreeably wound up by a ball in the Masonic room of the Rutland in the evening.
THE FRONT. [from our own correspondent.] Camp Patea, April 25. The Lieut--General and Staff are still at this Camp. Tlie Brigadier-General and about 800 men are 'encamped at Tangahoe, .about 15 miles in advance. There is no war hows to communicate ; everything is as quiet here as if no enemy was in the country. The Wanganui went on to Auckland on the 23rd inst. with orders to return immediately with the English Mail. Seine important instructions with regard to the withdrawal of part of the troops from New Zealand is expected this mail. A convoy of provisions went forward yesterday to Waingongoro, which is said will be tlie last that will be sent forward for tlie next four months, as I understand there are provisions enough stored at that post now to last the force for the above period. A 12pounder Armstrong gun, wLicli arrived from Wanganui the other day on board the steamer Moa, was forwarded along with the convoy to Waingongoro for the purpose of being placed in one of tlie redoubts. Large cultivations of potatoes 'have been discovered by the troops stationed at Kakaramea at a short distance fi'om the redoubt in a cleai'ingin tho bush. A large quantity has been forwarded to Patea Camp for tlie use of the bakers. There are several schooners hovering about outside, the wind being unfavorable to allow them to get iuto the river.
I think you pay the province (that is to be) of Wanganui a poor compliment in your issue of the 22nd, where it is stated that nothing but sand hills have been occupied by tlie General which extend eighty by three miles broad. This is an error, as some of the best laud in New Zealand is to be found in the vicinity of these redoubts, and. 1 a»i confident the military settlers, whoever they may be, who are to occupy this country will have no occasion to find fault with the quality of the land whatever else they may have to find fault with.. I think the next step of tho Lieut.General will be to proceed to Auckland, leaving the Brigadier with the greater part of tlie field force to winter at the Patea. Colonel Mould, R.E., with Major Brooke and the men belonging to that corps, are busy marking out the ground and laying out the huts for the accommodation of tlie men and stores. 1 believe lints for SOO men are to be constructed at this place, and will be built outside of the redoubts. Tlie principal part of the horses belonging to the transport will, I understand, be located about Alexander’s and Wanganui, of course leaving a sufficient number at each camp for ordinary fatigues, &c.
Patea, April 26. A private named Graham, belonging to he 2nd battalion 18th Royal Irish, was found dead in a tent this morning ; it is supposed that he was under tlie influence of alcohol last eveniug when he lay down, and that he passed into eternity through the effects of that demon “ rum,” which has ruined both body and soul of hundreds of our fellow beings. His body now lies in a tent awaiting the usual inquest and post mortem examination. A number of horses belonging to the Transport service proceed to Wanganui this morning, three quarter part of them being pretty well done up, and much in need of a couple months run at grass. Tlie whole or the 70th regiment down here arrived at Patea from Tongahoe last evening. It is supposed chat they will return to Taranaki. Tlie ccnvoy go up to Manawapou to day to bring €own General Waddy and his force, which will arrive at Patea on Thursday. . The whole of the 57tli at Patea go rorward to-day to join the main body oi their regime lit at Manawapou and Waingongoro. The Moa is getting up steam to be in readiness to go out and bring in the English mail on. the arrival of the Wanganui from Auckland which is hourly expected.
THE ‘SOUTHERN CROSS’ OR THE SUPERIE TEHDEHT. It may not havo occurred to the people wlio read 1 1!c result of the election contest for file Wellington Superbitendency tow r>- reat an interest that contest had for them. That it had so, however, is not difficult of proof. The question which was tried before the Wellington electors was whether the province was to go on upon the old footing as regarded its government, or was to be placed upon a new one. ■; Wellington alone of all the of Hew Zealand has fully experienced the advantages and disadvantages of a strong and. practically irresponsible head. Mr Eeatherston has ruled the Empire City and province during twelve years with a force and a consistency which lias only failed of producing the best results from the fact of its being - directed in a wrong channel. In Wellington the two elements of a pastoral and an agricultural country are pretty equally balanced. It is not, as Auckland is, a wholly agricultural province ; it is not, as Canterbury, a wholly pastoral one. This mixture, which might have been of the very first consequence to the province as a means of progess, has, on the contrary, been made a source of anything but advantage or progress to. Wellington. Instead, of working harmoniously with one another, and so forcing on the province in an unusual and rapid manner, the two interests have been bitterly antagonistic in Wellington. The pastoral interests arc in the hands of a few wealthy men ; the agricultural interests are in those of the great majority of the settlers, who are too often needy men obliged to Lave recourse for money assistance to the other and antagonistic class. Consequently the shepherd kings have been the ruling class in Wellington, and the 'poor men who form the strength and staple of the community have been ground, down by unjust laws which, their position gave them little or no power to alter. The Superintendent, himself a run holder, is the representative of the ruling class. It required a man «f Dr. Featherston’s ability and cunning to do what Ids class wanted done, and to make enough show of doing things for the common good to prevent a rising - of the other class to turn him out. For twelve years Dr Featherston. has maintained his scat and bis hold upon the reins of the Wellington Government, and during - all that time he lias never once neglected the interests of his clients of his own class. But the Superintendent of Wellington was not a merely a man of provincial power, influence, and reputation. He was much more than this, or lie could not have done as he did. It was unsafe for any Hew Zealand Government wholly to disregard Dr. Featherston ; it was almost fatal to any to go in direct opposition to him. The Stafford Administration was the only one that bad done so, and this, more than any other cause, was the occasion of their loss of place. It was quite es-
sential for the success of the run holding designs of Wellington that the head of that in terest should be powerful in tlie councils of the colony, and should be generally known to be so. Dr Featlierston was both of these, and he succeeded in doing as lie chose at Wellington in consequence. But of all the times of danger that have arisen to the runholding interest at Wellington, that which preceded tho late election was the most critical. ' The people had begun to feel their own strength, and to long to show it by overturning the Government of the minority which had so long kept down a healthy immigration, and every thing else that militated against the possession of full power by the small minority of the electors. It is to this fact that we attribute, in a great measure, the placing of a Weld Government in power, and the one act of the Administration. No one who knows anything of New Zealand politics can possibly doubt that the Superin ten dent of Wellington was the moving power in placing tlio Weld Government in power. It was tho same person and his followers who took tlie earliest opportunity of crushing out the idea of the new Ministry that it might initiate a bold and comprehensive policy for itself. It was the defection of Wellington that destroyed the scheme for sending home the troops and fighting out—or not fighting out, as the case might bo—the quarrel with tlie natives for ourselves. But While the new Government oould not be allowed to do this, it was absolutely necessary that they should not, on tlie other hand, make martyrs of themselves to the idea. The fact was, they were specially wanted by Dr. Featlierston. It was their vory weakness and vacillation, the very want of strength, which plunged them into the abyss of political contempt, by making them first state their existence upon a grand scheme and then back out of it without sacrificing their position. There could be nothing they would not do—no dictation to which they would not submit from one who could turn them of out of that office to retain which they had sacrificed so much. Asa matter of course, Dr Featlierston succeeded. As a matter of course, he made his new Government remove to Wellington in spite of everything that might have reasonably caused a delay. The fruit of all this was the small majority which was gained in the Sup eriutendency election of ihe other day. That majority was obtained in. the town of Wellington, where the shopkeepers were lost in a maze of delight at tho un-looked-for skill which had brought the long wished for seat of Government to their doors, and would soon bring' iho Panama steamers to their port. And now the work for which the Superintendent of Wellington wauted the Weld Ministry has been done. They have indeed given all they can, and lie has no more to expect. Poor Weld. Government ! we shall not be surprised to hear that the great pillar of the Ministry has turned upon them as an enemy, being no longer able to get any profit by patronizing them as a master. —‘ Southern Cross’ April 19.
TlieS. Cross correspondent at Te Awamutn writes :— ee I am happy to inform you that in addition to the children’s day-school formed three months ago, a Sunday-school has been recently instituted, which is very well attended. Soldiers’ wives, belonging to both corps, officiate as teachers under tlie kind and well-managed superintendence of Mrs. Carey, who personally conducts a class, as does also the Brigadier-General. The 'Rev. Mr. Collins, chaplain, takes charge of the biblo class. In addition to the usual interest lie takes in the welfare of the men, if is pleasing to note that Brigadier General Carey is not unmindful of the requirements of tho soldiers’ wives and children, for whose comfort ho constantly evinces an especial regard.” A correspondent of tho ‘ Southern Cross,’ writing from Whaiawhata, under date of April 13th, says that great dissatisfaction, is expressed, by the militia there in consequence of the unjust manner in which they have been treated by tho Government in being struck off pay. This dissatisfaction, we may say, is very general, for we are constantly in. tho receipt* of letters from militiamen detailing their grievances, and showing very clearly that the Government have broken faith with them.
LATEST ACCOUNTS OF MORGAN. A despatch from Beech worth, in Victoria, to Sydney, gives the particulars we copy below : Morgan lies bee* shot dead in Victoria. Daniel Morgan, the bush,ranger and murderer, has bee?t here, having crossed over to Victoria, as he himself ■■epeatedly said he would, “ to take, the flashness out of the people and police of Victoria,” and bus met his dead? when returning to his beat, mounted on M r. Bowler’s celebrated race mare Victoria, after a successful raid of four '.lays, during which he stuckup M’lvin notds station, Li trio Rive? - ; Evans’s. King River, where he fired the granaries, through a four years’ revenge
for hi.s. linger being shot off by Evans while thieving ; several carriers on the Melbourne road, between Benalln and YVangai'aii'a, about thirty five miles from Beech worth ; Warby station, on his way back to the Murray ; and lastly, Peeclielba station (Macpherson. and Rutherford’s) within eight miles of the river, from which lie never escaped alive. The police were dead on his track, but more than that every civilian within fifty miles was armed aiul ready, as it proved as soon as it wa.s known that the aei.mil villain w<is really amongst them, to keep him, dead or alive, from Victoria. In the meantime the police in Beech worth hud received intelligence on Friday morning of his doings at M’Kiuuon’s and Evans's station, and without talcing particular trouble about that part of the country, Superintendent Winch lined the Murray on both sides in the very direction which from the King River, he was likely to take. He aarived at Peechelbrt station on Saturday night, and bailed up the inmates, but a servant girl —who had previously smacked Ids face—escaped out of the room and through the bush to a neighbouring station, where all the men were immediately mustered with firearms —one man despatched to Wangaratta with the news, and the house quietly surrounded. All the’poliee but one were absent, but there was no lack of volunteers, and putting themselves under the command of seidor-constable Evans, the single constable and six men started for the scene of what was expected to be
murder. Evans hud the greatest diffiiculty in preventing tho civilians rushing tho house as they thought there might be some repitition of tilt Round Hill massacre, and there were Mrs. McPherson and servant women in the house. Ho treated Mr. McPherson civilly thi’ough the night, declaring he only wanted a good horse in the morning, and spoke familiarly of all his deeds, palliating them in a shrewd manner. While the two civilian parties were lying in ambush at the various outlets, a portion of Superintendent Winch’s party had followed up his supposed line, and a consultation was held in whispers between the lot in sight of tlie house, when it was unanimously resolved to wait till daybreak around the house for fear of endangering the inmates and giving Morgan a chance of escaping in tlie darkness. Each man was placed in cover close up, and the same servant girl had tho temerity, not meielyto inform her master through her mistress, in Morgan’s presence, of what was going on, but took the volunteers out coffee in a can. There were now altogether fourteen barrels in tho hands of the fourteen men, determined to do their duty, or thoy would not have been there, and Morgan was doomed. At daylight ho came to tho door, and looked cautiously out, but no finger moved ; and about 8, lie, after drinking one half glass of whiskey which was all he partook of during the night, ordered Mr. McPherson and tho three men out before him, a revolver in each hand, to get him the promised horse. When he was well out and while he was watching his men, those .behind closed cautiously on him, and an Irishman named Quinlan stepped forward to a stump. McPherson glanced round as if talking to Morgan, and seeing tho men advancing, stepped a littlo to one side. Morgan was in tlio act of starting round wticn Quinlan fired, bringing him licavity to the ground on his face. He was immediately rushed by the police and disarmed. He merely said, “ Why not challenge me, and give me a chance V’ The bail bad entered at the back of the shoulder, and came out upwards through, tho neclc. He was brought in, put on a stretcher, and a doctor sent for. He was asked if he wished .a clergymau to be sent for or a pvayer read. He answered, “ No.” Ho said bo was born in New South Wales. Dr. Dabbyn, on his arrival, pronounced his case hopeless. Ho was shot at half past eight, and died at half past one. Two loaded revolvers, £B6 in notes, and a bank draft on Albury for £7, were found on him. Morgan was fully identified by his peculiar marks, described in the New South Wales Government Gazette, and by persons he had stuck up. The “ Ovens and Murray Advertiser” challenged bin eight months ago to come to Victoria, and gave him 48 hours to live. Ho lived j exactly 48 hours afte the police heard of his ! arrival.
Speaking of the bravery of the servant girl, who so greatly aided in the capture of the murderer, the “ Albury Banuer” says ; A nurse-girl acted with great bravery and coolness. She wanted to get out of the room under the pretence that the children were crying and. that she must attend to them. Morgan in some way tried to hinder her and prevent her, but she boxed hia ears and ran out. She managed to get outside tlie house, and meeting a man engaged on the station who had just come, and whom Morgan had not seen, she sent him quietly off to Wangaratta to communicate with and bring the police. She also cleverly contrived to give the warming to some ten other station hands who were not up at tho homestead when Morgan arrived. They all armed themselves and lay about in amblrsh all night, waiting for Morgan to come out.
Morgan ordered a lamp to be lit and placed outside the house in front, so that he might see any one approaching it. From a telegraphic dispatch from Melbourne we give the subjoined, intelligence, giving further deseriptioDs"c>f the proceed - ings in. MAPhersoirs house : Morgan was very sleepy, and noddded occasionally, but always kept a. revolver iu (ns hand ; he said he had not slept for live days or nights, but told die people to be cautious, as-be always slept with one eye open. While all this was going on inside the uouse, Mr Rutherford, MTherson’s partner, had collected all the station hands be could, numbering about twelve, and, with some firearms, they surrounded the house. Assistance arrived, from ’Wangaratta in due course, consisting of three or four policemen and twelve volunteers ; a large number would have been, got out, but the stock of firearms was quite exhausted. The The Wangaratia force joined Mr Rutherford without making die least disturbance, aud. all resolved to lay in ambush, till Morgan, would come out in. the morning. At one time the men got impatient, and wanted to rush, the house and secure the robber, and were with difficulty restrained. Morgan still fancied himself iu safety inside, but towards daylight he went to the door, and walked up aud down the verandah. The men being in ambush, be could not see them, aud re-entered the house ; be had a wash in one of the bedrooms, combing his hair with great attention. At breakfast be excused himself for eating so much, saying that for days be was often without a meal. He then made preparations to leave, having his revolvers cocked, paraded M‘Pherson and three other of his prisoners to a paddock to obtain a horse. After going some distance, MkPberson looking back, saw armed men approoebing, and turned aside to give them a chance of firing, at the same time pointing to a mare, saying that she was a wood one. Morgan suw M.kPherson stepping aside, and was in the of turning his head to see the cause, when a man named Quinlan, employed on the station, took aim at him with a fowling piece, and fired. The shot enlered Morgau’s back, passing upwards and out near the windpipe. He at ouce fell on bis face, and was insensible for some minutes, then slightly recovered. The busbrauger reproached the people for making a cowardly attack, saying they should have given him a fair challenge. The doctor arrived about half-past one, bid; saw at once that ibe case was hopeless. Morgan pointed to his throat, and said be was choking, and died about 2 p.m., sensible to the last moment.
On the body being stripped for investigation marks of shot were seen in various places, as in the police description. The finger joint was gone, and there wa.s a large tumour on the back of the head. The police and volunteers acted carefully and energetically. “ To sum up, then,” says the Melbourne ‘Argus,’ in a leading article, “Morgan crossed the borders into our territory on Wednesday, the sth instant. From that time he stuck-up four stations, several dozens of people, including the carriers
viously mentioned He visited the Peocliolba station on Saturday niglit, and was shot there on Sunday morning, tho 9fch instant, having been three clear clays on Victorian soil.”
A telegram from Beochvvorth, dated Tuesday, the 11th mat., says An inquest was hold on Morgan’s body, last night; it was fully identified by Mr. Kidson, a squatter at the Biilahong, who was twice stuck-up by Morgan ; by Broncho, a pedlar, who had also been twice robbed by him and by a servant girl from Dr Mackay’s station in New South Wales, where the bushranger had lately paid a visit ; by others from the same side, and by a host of persons whom he had robbed on the Victorian side of the river. Morgan’s audacious invasion (tic) still causes great excitement. The following is the verdict of the jury : —“The deceased, whom we believe to be Daniel Morgan, mot his death from a gunshot wound inflicted by John Quinlan, on the morning of the Stli April, 18G5, at Peechelba station, on the Ovens river ; and we further consider that the homicide was justifiable; and wo further consider that great praise. as dujbto all concerned in the capture of the deceased.” THE SOUTHERN PRISON HOUSES. CRUEL TREATMENT OF FEDERAL CAPTIVES. A special Correspondent of the ‘Daily News,’ writing from New York ou th® 14th December, says : —■ Some 'people may be disposed to doubt whether the stories told of the condition of Federal prisoners ?.t tlie South aro time ; but, unhappily, they are fully confirmed by the condition of the returned prisoners, which has been witnessed by too many to leave any room for incredulity. Anything more horrible than some photographs of these men that have beeu taken 1 have never witnessed. What must the reality be 1
I shall turn to a source the trustworthiness of which will not be questioned by anybody, viz., the report made by the commission appointed by the Sanitary Com mission in May last, “ to m certain by inquiry and investigation the time physical condition of the prisoners recently discharged from confinement at Richmond and elsewhere.”
The commissioners at the very outset were brought face to lace with the returned captives. The photographs of these diseased and emaciated men, since so widely circulated, painful as they are, do not in many respects adequately represent the sufferers as they then appeared. The best picture cannot convey the ideality. ov create that startling and sickening sensation which is felt at the sight of a human skeleton, with the skin drawn tightly over its skull, and ribs, and limbs, vealdy turning and moving itself, as if si ill a living man ! The same spectacle was often repeated as the visitors went from bed fo bed, from ward to ward, and from tent to tent. The bony faces stared out above the counterpanes, watching the passer by dreamily and iudilfcreuily. Hero and there lay one, half over upon his face, with his bed clothing only partially dragged over him, deep in sleep or stupor. it was strange to find a Hercules in boues ; to see the immense hands and feet or a. young giant pendant from limbs thinner chan a child’s, and that could be spanned with the thumb and. Huger-'! Equally strange and horrible was it to come upon a man, in one* part shrivelled to nothing hut skin and bone, and in another swollen and misshapen with dropsy or scurvy ; or, inrther ou, when the surgeon lilted the covering from a poor half unconscious creature to see the stomach fallen in. deep as a. basin and ihe bone protruding through a bloodred hole ou the hip. Tlie remainder were in every gradation of physical condition. humic wove able to sit up, and to move feebly round their bed ; others were well enough tub* out of doors ; many were met walking about the beautiful grounds of the Naval Academy—by a curious and probably accidenm) compcnsa tie a, on the part of the 'Government, swung to this Paradise on the Severn from the sandy .little island in dames River and its bleak and hitter winds. But however unlike and vaiions the cases were, there was one singular clement shared by all, and which seemed to refer them to one idling as the common cause and origin of their suffering. It was tlie peculiar look in every face. The man in Baltimore looked like tlie man just left in Annapolis. Perhaps it was partly the shaven head, the sunken eyes, the drawn mouth, the pinched and pallid leainres — partly, doubtless, the greyish, blighted skin, rough to the touch as the skin of a shark But there was something'cite—an expression in the eyesand countenance of niter desolate ness, a look of settle':! melancholy, as if they had passed time ugh a period of physical and menial agony which had driven the siailo from their faces for ever. All had it—the man tlnuwas met on the grounds, and the mar. that could not yet raise his head from the pillow. THE LIBBY PRISON AT RICHMOND, Of th® Libby prison at Richmond, which has acquired more notoriety than any of the others, and which was in charge of a Captain Winder, who earned while a student at Westpoint, by his brutal demeanour, the nickname ®1 “ Hog Winder,” by which he has ever since been known in the army, the report says :
The first fact developed by the testimony of both officers ;md privates ff, that prisoners were almost invariably robbed of everything valuable in their possession sometimes on the field at the instant oi capture, sometimes by the prison authorities in a “ quasi-official way,” with tin? promise of return when exchanged or paroled, but which promise- was never fulfilled. This 'robbery amounted often to a stripping of the person of even necessary clothing. Blankets and overcoats
were almost always taken, and cometimes ether articles in which case llama
god or ragged ones were returned in their
stead. This preliminary over, the captives were taken to prison. The Libby which is best known, though also used as a. place of confinement for ‘private soldiers, is generally understood to bo the officers’ prismi. It is a row of brick buildings three storeys high, situated ou the canal, and overlooking the James River, and was formerly a tobacco warehouse. Tlie partitions between the buildings have been pierced with door ways on each storey. The rooms are one hundred feet long bv forty feet broad. In six of these rooms twelvo hundred United Slates officers of all grades, from the brigadier-general to the second lieutenant, were couliued for many mouths ; find this was all the apace that was allowed them i» which to cook eat, wash, sleep, and take exercise. It seems incredible. Ten feet by two were all that could be claimed by each man—hardly enough to measure Ids length upon ; and •veil this was further abridged by tlie room Becessarily taken for cooking, washing and clothes drying. At one time they were not allowed tlie use of benches chain*, or stools, nor even to fold their blankets and sit upon them, but these who would rest were obliged to huddle ou their haunches, aft one of them expresses it, “like so many slaves on the middle passage.” After a while this severe restriction was removed, and they were allowed to make chairs and stools for themselves out of the barrels and boxes which they had received from the North. They were overrun with vermin in spite of every precaution and constant ablution?. Their blankets, which aveiaged one- to a man, and sometimes less, had not been issued ’ey the rebels, but had boon procured in diHeront wavs, sometitties by purchase, sometimes through the sanitary commission. The. prisoners had to help themselves from the refuse accumulation of these articles, which, having seen similar service before, were often ragged and full of vermin. In these they wrapped themselves at nigh is, and lay down on the hard plank floor in close and stifling contact, “ wormed and dove-
tailed together,” as one of then* testifies, “ like fish in a basket.” The floors were recklessly washed late in the afternoon, and were therefore damp and dangerous fo sleep upon. ; almost wvery one had a cough in consequence. There were 75 wiudows in these rooms, all more or less broke®, and iu winter the cold was intense. Two stoves in a room, with two or three armfuls of wo»d to each, did not prove sufficient, under this exposure, to keep Lh.em warm. The regulations varied at different periods in stringency and severity, and w is difficult to describe the precise condition of things at any one time, but the above comes from two officers, Lieu.tomm t-Celunel Farnsworth and CV.pt. CV.lh mu. As it happens, they are ropreciOotmives of the two opp* 'rito classes of officers confined in the Libby. The former coming from Connecticut, and influentially connected with fho North, w.M-j mm of a mess to which a great profusion <••£ supplies, and oveu luxuries, were nonfc. The latter coming from Kentucky, and being difierently situated, was entirely dependent open tlie prison fare. These officers were there daring fho same season, but never became acquainted. The accounts of each, which, will be found in the evidence side by side, are here combined and run together. From their statement it appears that the hidooti* discomfort was never lessened by any variation in the rules, but often increased. The prison did. net seem to be under any general and army regulations, but the ee.piives were subject to i-he ceprices of Major Turne.*, the officer iu charge, ami Richd. Turner, inspector of flic pri.-.ou. It was Rim mg flic rules fh.-n. no one should go wn- ? in three foot of the. windows, a rule which seems to bo gem ral in all So»l.b:.rn prisons of this character, and which their frequently crowded state rendered 'peculiarly severe and difficult to observe. The manner in which the regulation was 0* jo reed was unjustifiably and wantonly cruel. Often by aceffiem, or unconsciously. an officer would go near a v» indew, asd be instantly shot at without warning. The reports of the sentry's musket were heard ahmy-f every day, and frequently a. prisoner fell either killed or wounded. It was even worse with a largo prison near by, called the Pemberton Buildings, which, was crowded
with enlisted men. The firing into its windows was a still imme common occurrence. The officers .bad heard as much as 1-1 shots fired in p. single day. They could sco the guards watching for an opportunity to fire, and often, after one of diem had discharged his musket, the sergeant of Luo guard would appear at the door, bringing out a dead or wounded soldier. So careless as this were the authorities as to the effect of placing their'prisoners in the power of the rude and brutal soldiery on guard. It became a mutter of sport among the latter to “ shoot a damned Yankee.” They were seen in attitudes of expectation, with gnus cocked, watching the windows for a shot. But sometimes they did not oven wait for an infraction of the rule. Lieut-. H:t»moi)d was .-hut at while in a .small boarded enclosure, where there was no window, only an aperture between the boards. The guard caught sight of his hat through this opening, and aiming lower so as to reach his heart, fired ; a nail turned the bullet upward, and it passed through his ear and hat brim. The officers reported the outrage to Major Turner, who merely replied, “ the boys are in want of practice.” The sentry said, “ He had mado a bet th it ho would kill a damned Yankee before ho came olf guard.” No notice was taken of the occurrence by the authorities. The daily ration in the officers’
quarter of Libby prison was a small loaf of bread, about the size of a man’s fist-, made of Indian meal Sometimes it was macla from wheat flour, but of variable quality. It weighed a lit-th* over half a pound. With it was given a piece of beef weighing two ounces. But it is not easy to describe this ration, it was so irregular in kind, quality, and amount Its general character is vividly indicated by a remark made in conversation bv one of the officers—“ I would gladly,” said he, with emphat'c sincerity, “ gladly have preferred the horse feed in my father’s stable.” During tlie .summer and the early part of the fall the ration seems to have been less insufficient and less repulsive than it afterwards became ; at no period was it enough to support life, at least in health, for a length of time ; but however inadequate it was not so to such a remarkable degree as to produce the evils which afterwards ensued. It was about the middle of last autumn that this process of slow starvation became intolerable, injurious, and cruel to the extent referred to At a later period they received a pint of black peas, with some vinegar, every week The peas were often full of worms or maggots iu a chrysalis state, which, when they made soup, floated on the surface. Those who were entirely dependent on -tlie prison fare, and who had no friends at the North to semi them boxes of food, began to suffer the horrible agony of craving food, and feeling themselves day by day losing strength ; although many were relieved through the generosity of their more favoured fellow prisoners, yet thesupply from this source was, of course, inadequate. Captain Calhoun speaks of suffering “ a burning sensation in the inside, with a general failing of strength.” “ I grew so foolish in my mind that I used to blame myself for not. eating more when at home.” “ The subject of food engrossed my entire thoughts.” “ Capt. Stevens received a box from home sat down mid ate to excess, and died of it.”
CONFEDERATE PRISONERS IN THE NORTH. Tlie Commission next turned, its attuution .to the condition of the Confederate prisoners at the North, and examined them all, or nearly all, very thoroughly, and took voluminous testimony. 1 shall extract at some length, from this portiou of their report, as it Ims an important bearing on the attempt which is now being made in England to intensify political bigotry, by manufacturing charges of wholesale cruelty against the United States Government, and supporting them, by a parade of sham philanthropy.
Tin; general order issued by General Hoffman, Commissary-General of Prisons for the regulation of tlie prisons, is everything that could be desired But the Commissioners determined to see for themselves whether it was obeyed ; “find,” says the report “ they took pains ®ot only to procure evidence as to the fact, but to see for themselves.” Of the Lincoln Hospital at Washington, which is d«voted to Confederate wounded, they sav :
The wards wen 1 niry and neat, free from off-nri-e matters anlorbmr, the hftds so clean that the visitors set upon them while taking testimony. The men themselves worn cheerful and good-natured, tlie more slightly wounded crowding up curiously to know what was going on, until requested to retire. Soma were sitting bv their beds reading novels or odd numbers of periodicals, now and then a bible. They were always ready at converse, and answered ilia questions that were put to them without hesitation. The visitor;-; could seo no difference in these two wards from the twenty or more ethers; in the ami# hospital that were e.»>|if.-opriated to the United States soldiers. The patients were mostly in clean ahi to underclothing, and if it had not hee.n for ?. fignr® in butternut-coloured uniform here and there, nothing would have suggested the pre.-cpco of an enemy. The wounds were being tenderly uubandaged and dre.'sed by ihe surgeons and their Rssistsiiite Kindness ami attention were visible every where. Female nurse* and a wldce-hooded Siste s ' of Charity were couAnmlj’' moving from bed so bed. One of ih.om was seen carrying a waiver of iced poi’oftr t'o the wounded, and holding the glass to the lips of the more helpless.
They then visited Fort Delaware, because it was one of i.he mi'ftt exicnsivo prison Coatieiis ; a.:id "notes were made on the spot of what they .-aw and heard, which Have beeu incorporated in the report, and which run m- billows ; The } lTsouers numbering between eighc and nine thousand, were lodged oiliside oho Walls of ihe fort, which i* sii-uai-ed on ass iriand, in well budt and voi ll >le.teil barracks, and ho\cfraa access at ell hour; fco the in joining enclosures for air a".id exercise. They were permitted, and, indeed, urged to ba.uhe iu squads in the river, and to wash, in sluices lo which the tide had access twice iu tlie twenty - four hours, mid olio jaffiiries lor iheso purposes, wore so giver that any »n,-m might, if ho clur-.e, wash Ids whole person every day, and swim in the Delaware twice a week. Every man is furnished with a commodious bunk, with the head
rai.-cd at a proper inclination above the ieci, presenting a striking contrast to a Confederate prison, where prisoners sleep on the iiuor, or on (lie earrii, aurf have not even a bunch of straw Ik tween them and the ground. The re-uri of these precautions, and of the superior ventilation of the barracks, was to render tho quarters of the prisoner-. iVoe from the unpleasant odour which generally exists where large number* of me:-) are brought together, ant! compelled to live in common. The san-o reme.rk applies to lliu hospitals, which are spacious, chan, and in good order. Win n we went through to the barracks, shortly
before sunset, the men were generally out of doors walking about, playing cards washing, or occupying themselves in other ways. They appeared in general contented and cheerful. The rations issued to the prisoners were the subject of an attentive examine tion. We tasted the bread, which is made of four parts of flour and one of Indian meal, and found it of superior quality, sweet and palatable ; better indeed than is met with at hotels or places of resort in the country ; quite as good as may be found in any well-ordered family. The meat was also sweet and of good quality. The diet is judiciously varied, potatoes and fresh vegetables being furnished in large quantities, wherever the health of the men appears to require it. The rations actually received by the prisoners until the Ist of; June, 1864, were nearly three pounds of solid food for each man per day, besides' coffee, sugar, molasses. se., The quan- 1 tity was then reduced to about thirtyfour and a half ounces per diem. The health of the prisoners is as carefully considered in the matter of clothing as in other respects ; those who require blankets or additional garments being supplied with them on proper application. : : ( 1
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 9, Issue 503, 29 April 1865, Page 2
Word Count
7,535Local Intellingence. Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 9, Issue 503, 29 April 1865, Page 2
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