From the Richmond Dispatch, 3/31/1862,
p. 2
Well Arranged. – The Confederate Military Prison has been removed to
Cary street, and L. Turner, C. S. A., a most polite and accommodating officer,
been placed in charge of the post, a responsibility by no means light when we
consider that he and his brother officers have in charge a full regiment of men,
either as prisoners or guards detailed for duty in watching the first named.
From a very hasty examination, on Saturday, of some portions of the buildings
now used for the safe custody of the Yankee prisoners, and hundreds of hard
cases brought here as suspected or convicted traitors from other parts of the
State or Confederacy, we are inclined to think that the arrangements not only
for their safe custody, but comfort, are well nigh as perfect as they can be.
Certainly none but a fault finding Yankee can grumble at the provision made for
him in the way of eating, after experiencing some of the results of Commissary
Warner’s admirably arranged cuisine. We have before referred to the fact that,
owing to the situation of the buildings, but half the soldiers formerly required
are now necessary to insure the perfect safety of the prisoners. The Hospital
department, in charge of Surgeon Higginbotham, is well arranged, and every care
has been taken to have on hand the articles necessary to remove the bodily
ailments of the sick. If the Doctor succeeds in keeping alive the man who jumped
from the third story of the building, a few days since, and literally broke
himself to pieces, he will have accomplished a feat that any son of Galen might
be proud of. The injured party alluded to, we learned on Saturday by inquiry,
could say with Webster, “I still live.” It is understood that amongst the
Yankee officers in the prison in charge of Lieut. Turner is the somewhat
notorious and always irascible, Col. Corcoran, of the 69th. How this
redoubtable champion of Lincolnism stands his detention here, we have no means
of knowing, he and his compeers being, by special orders, sealed books to all
outsiders. The prison is guarded by two companies, who are quartered in the
buildings, and of whom thirty men are on duty at one time.
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last updated on
01/15/2008
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