Yankee Prisons.
From two of our gallant soldiers, who have been for twenty months prisoners at Camp Douglas, near Chicago, we have received the following orders. They form a chapter in the history of Yankee prison life:General Order No. 95. The Colonel commanding has information which leads to the conclusion that there is an organization among the prisoners of war at Camp Douglas having for its object a combined attack to overpower the guard and effect an escape. Captivity is one of the incidents of war, and a prisoner has the right to escape if he can, taking the risks and consequences. The Colonel commanding blames no man for a desire to go from his custody, and in reversed positions would, beyond all doubt, be actuated by the same motive. It is your right to escape; my business and duty to keep you; and, as you are eight thousand men, whose lives and fortunes, in the event of your attempt to escape, must be largely affected by my temper and disposition, it is but fair that you should know exactly what may be expected, both for individuals and the whole body of prisoners. If a single man makes an effort to escape, he will be punished either by being shot by the guard in the act or by a subsequent order of mine. He alone being responsible, should alone be punished; but the whole body of prisoners of war will be held responsible that no organization or combination is made to attack the guard in force; and, if such an attack is made, from the very nature of the case, the necessary means to repel it and restore order will endanger the lives of all in the prison square — those who are in the plot as well as those who are not — and the Colonel commanding feels that humanity and a regard for the lives of the prisoners under his charge requires that he should remind them of the risks incurred by an insurrection. A cold winter is coming. The Colonel commanding feels that it is his duty, as it shall be his pleasure, to use all the means placed at his disposal, and give all the privileges possible under orders from higher authority, to make the prisoners' barracks comfortable, and to clothe and protect them from cold and disease. Having done that, the duty which he owes them, in common humanity, will be discharged, and he will take good care that the obligation which he owes to the Government of the United States to keep these men in secure custody shall be equally well observed.
